By The Coffee Shops™. 

IFD’s World Championship of Young Roofers gives emerging roofing professionals a global platform to demonstrate skill, training and craftsmanship. 

Held roughly every two years in a different location, International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD)'s World Championship of Young Roofers is designed to test trade knowledge and hands-on kill across four disciplines: roofing, waterproofing, metal and industrial roofing and façade. The competition is built around a broader mission to promote the roofing trade, strengthen respect for professional work and highlight the value of vocational and in-company training. It also gives participating countries an opportunity to show the quality of their roofing education and the achievements of young professionals entering the industry. 

Entering the competition 

Each country may send one team per discipline. Teams are made up of two roofers who are younger than 28 during the competition year and have either won a national championship or, where no championship exists, were selected by a national professional organisation of the roofing trade based on skill. Participants may compete only once in each category.  

Once selected, competitors train under the guidance of an industry mentor. These mentors may return in multiple competition years and are encouraged to continue supporting future teams. 

How judging works 

At the championship, an eight-person jury elected by the IFD General Assembly evaluates each team’s performance. Jury members cannot come from the same country and cannot serve as mentors. Teams are judged on accuracy of execution, performance, cleanliness, use of materials, craftsmanship, implementation of the required task and serviceability. 

Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the top three teams in each discipline. The competition also includes a president’s prize, where participants can showcase their specialties in a free competition. Winners receive a commemorative gift from the host country and an IFD certificate of participation, while each world champion also receives an IFD challenge cup. 

The most recent championship was held in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2024. The next championship is planned for 2027 in Budapest, Hungary. Follow IFD to keep up on news about it!

By The Coffee Shops™. 

Understanding the essential components of a roof and their role in overall performance. 

A roof is far more than just the outermost layer of what can be seen with the naked eye; it is a complex system carefully engineered to provide protection, ensure energy efficiency and, in some cases, support additional structures like solar arrays or green roofs. For roofing professionals, understanding the components of a roof assembly is essential to designing, installing and maintaining a system that performs effectively over time. In a recent article, “Back to the Basics (Part 2): What is a Roof Assembly?,” the Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) dove into this topic.  

Defining a roof assembly 

The article opened by establishing the basics – what exactly is a roof assembly? It referenced the 2024 International Building Code (IBC), which defined a roof assembly as a system designed to offer weather protection and resistance to design loads. It went into further detail to note that a roof assembly includes a roof covering and roof deck or a single component serving as both the roof covering and the roof deck, with the option of also having underlayment, insulation and vapor retarders. Each of these layers plays its own role: 

• The deck: All of these different layers, both required and optional, are built upon the roof deck. In this way, the roof deck is the foundation of a roof. These decks are often made from materials such as steel, concrete or plywood, with the choice depending on the building type and the specific load requirements. 
• Insulation: The insulation layer is another critical component, responsible for regulating thermal performance and reducing heat transfer. Proper insulation helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature and lowers energy costs, making it a vital part of energy-efficient roof systems.  
• Waterproofing: Installed on top of the insulation, a weatherproofing layer, usually composed of waterproof membranes, safeguards the building from moisture infiltration, protecting the interior from water damage. This outer layer, which can include materials such as modified bitumen, PVC, EPDM or TPO, also enhances durability and shields the roof from external elements like wind, UV radiation and harsh weather conditions. 

Modern advancements in assemblies 

The article then went into the recent evolutions of roof assemblies as technologies and materials designed to meet modern performance standards and environmental regulations have been developed. For example, vapor and air barriers are now frequently added to manage moisture migration and improve the overall functionality of the building envelope. These innovations not only prevent condensation, which can lead to material degradation, but also contribute to the long-term durability of the roof system.  

Additionally, green roofing systems — complete with vegetation layers — have gained popularity, offering natural insulation and aiding in stormwater management. Photovoltaic (solar) systems are also increasingly integrated into roof designs, allowing buildings to harness renewable energy and reduce their environmental impact. 

Want to learn more about advancements in high-performance building assemblies? Read the entire SPRI article!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Learn how proactive maintenance, planning and financial strategy can help facilities withstand increasingly severe weather. 

As storm activity intensifies, the cost of delayed action continues to rise. Benchmark notes that in response, organizations are moving away from reactive repair cycles and toward proactive asset management strategies that prioritize continuity, safety and long-term performance. 

That shift becomes most visible at the building’s exterior, where risk often begins. Roof systems and surrounding pavement serve as the first line of defense, yet they frequently go unnoticed until failure occurs. When drainage systems become obstructed or surfaces begin to deteriorate, the impact can escalate quickly, from localized ponding to interior water intrusion, structural strain and operational disruption.  

Preventing those outcomes requires routine maintenance, including clearing debris from drainage systems, identifying minor roof vulnerabilities and tracking post-storm repairs, which helps stabilize performance before issues compound. In more advanced stages of deterioration, full roof replacement may be the most practical solution. At the same time, pavement conditions demand equal scrutiny. Cracking, erosion and pothole formation not only disrupt drainage but also introduce safety concerns for vehicles and pedestrians, increasing exposure to liability. 

To address these risks more effectively, facility managers are adopting structured, forward-looking approaches. Regular inspections, timely interventions and the use of higher-quality materials strengthen resilience under stress. Maintaining clear and functional drainage pathways remains central to this effort, as even minor blockages can trigger widespread water accumulation and downstream damage. 

Operational readiness, however, extends beyond physical systems. Staff training, emergency response planning and financial preparedness all contribute to a facility’s ability to respond and recover. Allocating resources for both immediate repairs and long-term mitigation, while maintaining a clear understanding of insurance coverage, supports faster, more controlled recovery. Integrating sustainability strategies further reinforces resilience by aligning infrastructure decisions with evolving environmental demands. 

With consistent weather volatility, proactive planning is no longer optional. Organizations that anticipate risk, rather than react to it, are better positioned to reduce downtime, manage costs and maintain confidence in their operations despite increasingly unpredictable conditions. 

Learn more about proactive weather strategies that help facility managers strengthen resilience, reduce downtime and maintain operational stability in the face of increasingly severe conditions!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Why roofing business owners need clear benchmarks to understand where they are winning, where they are falling behind and where opportunities may be hiding. 

Most roofing business owners have a good sense of whether their company feels busy. Revenue may be climbing, crews may be active and the phone may keep ringing. But ContractorHUB says those signals do not always tell the full story. 

Without benchmarks, owners may miss important gaps in performance. A roofing company can look healthy internally while still closing fewer leads than comparable businesses, averaging smaller job sizes than peers or spending too much or too little on marketing. Benchmarking gives owners a way to move beyond gut instinct and compare their numbers against relevant businesses in the same revenue range or operating model. 

ContractorHUB points to several key metrics that can help roofing companies better understand their performance. Close rate is one of the most important. For residential roofing companies, a strong close rate typically falls in the 30% to 50% range, depending on the source of the lead. Inbound, referral and repeat business may produce higher close rates, while canvassing and paid lead generation may lead to lower percentages. A close rate that falls well below expectations can indicate a sales process issue or a lead quality problem. 

Average job size is another valuable benchmark. ContractorHUB notes that many growing companies actively track this number and look for ways to increase it through upselling, targeting higher-value neighborhoods or shifting toward larger commercial contracts. When average job size remains flat for a year or more, benchmarking can help determine whether the issue reflects the market or a missed opportunity. 

Marketing spend as a percentage of revenue also matters. Successful companies tend to know their cost per lead, cost per acquisition and how those numbers compare with industry norms. Lead source mix is equally important because companies that depend too heavily on one channel can be more fragile than they appear. 

For ContractorHUB, the value of benchmarking is clarity. Owners who study their numbers can identify gaps, adjust strategy and grow with more intention. 

Want to see how your business stacks up? Get your score.

By Jenny Yu.  

A Florida roofing contractor shares how leadership, accountability and culture transformed a startup into a multimillion-dollar business. 

Growing a roofing company from a single pickup truck to a $15 million operation is no easy feat, but Jason Blair, founder and owner of Aastro Roofing in Boca Raton, Florida, did just that. In an episode of the Renoworks podcast, titled “From $0 to $15M: How One Roofer Built a Scalable Company,” Jason reflected on the challenges of launching a business with limited resources and learning how to transition from technician to leader. 

Like many contractors, Jason initially handled sales, production and even field work on his own. He said the turning point came when he stopped trying to do everything alone and focused on building a team. “When I stopped relying on myself to do everything and started building my team and understanding how to be a real leader, that's when my business stopped depending on me personally and started to become scalable,” he said. 

Today, Jason remains actively involved in the company while emphasizing coaching and mentorship. He compares managing a business to coaching youth sports, noting that success comes from helping others grow. “The biggest change for me is moving from a doer to a teacher and a mentor,” Jason expressed. 

One key tenet of Jason’s mentorship is cultivating a culture of accountability. Jason believes effective leaders must support employees rather than simply criticize performance. “Your success is my success,” he said when describing conversations with struggling team members. “I want to do whatever I can to make you better at your job.” 

Jason also cautioned contractors against relying solely on price or traditional digital marketing to stand out. Instead, he encourages roofing professionals to build authority, invest in relationships and differentiate themselves through expertise and customer experience. 

Perhaps his biggest lesson came after reaching a major revenue milestone. “I felt like once I got past $10 million that I had reached the mountaintop. That was a huge mistake,” Jason shared, noting the shift in perspective that experience gave him. “It's not about creating opportunity for me; it's about creating opportunity for my team, and the only way I can do that is through growth.” 

Watch the full Renoworks podcast episode to hear more insights from Jason about how to scale a business from the ground up.

By Emma Peterson. 

We had a great time sharing stories and photos over social media with our roofing community!  

National Roofing Week is an annual event hosted by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) that aims to raise awareness of the roofing professionals who keep our communities safe and secure. The event also acts as a way to build community with other professionals, both near you and across the country.  

Participation in National Roofing Week is primarily conducted online by posting photos and videos through the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag. And NRCA has created themes for each day of National Roofing Week to guide posts.  

Sunday – Kickoff  

The week kicked off with posts about the importance of roofers. NRCA started everything with a post sharing the schedule for the week and some highlights from last year’s National Roofing Week! Here at The Coffee Shops™ we joined in the fun on all our social media pages, making sure to thank the coating installers, roofing professionals and contractors who make our community amazing. 

Monday – Signature projects 

For the Monday theme, NRCA invited National Roofing Week participants to share photos showcasing their company’s signature residential and commercial projects. There were too many amazing projects posted to put them all here, but some that stood out to us came from QXO, Sika and Eagle Roofing Products!  

QXO’s post was a carousel of some of their customers projects, including one from Toitures Scott, one from Nedlaw Group and one from RUHS in California. Likewise, Eagle Roofing Products’ post showcased signature projects featuring their concrete roof tiles from across the country.  

As for Sika, they took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on their 2025 Sika Project of the Year award winners, which includes stunning projects like the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project in Los Angeles, California and the South Station Tower project in Boston.  

Tuesday – Charitable projects 

The next day of National Roofing Week was all about giving back, and the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Oregon Council stole the show with a free roof!

The replacement went to a community member in need, which is an incredible reminder of the power our industry has to do good.

They put it best in their post:  

Seeing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and industry partners come together with a shared purpose — without competition, without agendas, and focused solely on helping someone else — is truly inspiring. For one day, company names and logos took a back seat to teamwork, generosity and service. 

Projects like this showcase the heart of our industry. The relationships we build, the willingness to lend a hand, and the collective impact we can make when we work together are some of the best parts of being in roofing. 

NWIR extended huge thanks to industry partners, like Malarkey Roofing Products, ABC Supply, SRS Building Products, Owens Corning, Bliss Roofing and Raindrop Roofing NW, for making this incredible charitable project possible. 

Wednesday – Employee appreciation 

The midpoint of the week was all about the people who get things done – the employees that keep our industry moving. For this theme, the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag was flooded with pictures and appreciations for hardworking workers around the country. 

Drexel Metals posted some behind-the-scenes of their team hard at work, captioning it, “To everyone who continues to show up ready to learn, teach and push the industry forward: thank you. Your commitment is what drives stronger partnerships, better projects and continued progress year after year.” 

IKO Industries and CertainTeed also posted, shouting out the ROOFPROS who get the job done every day and recognizing the “craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication of the teams who help bring CertainTeed products and solutions to life” respectively.  

Thursday – Training and learning 

For Thursday, NRCA chose training as the theme, inviting contractors and companies to share the ways they keep learning and growing on the job. For this theme, GAF joined the party, sharing an incredible milestone from their GAF Roofing Academy – since 2020, the tuition-free program has helped more than 3,000 individuals find employment in the roofing industry!  

And this is just one of the many stories added to the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag! The Durable Restoration Company posted about the hard work their craftspeople put into their apprenticeship program and QXO shared how they connect their team with everything from stand downs to plant tours. 

Friday – Celebration 

And you can’t have National Roofing Week without taking the time to celebrate the amazing industry we are all a part of! For this theme, the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) took their followers on a trip down memory lane, sharing the “conferences, tournaments, regional events and industry gatherings where Texas roofing professionals connect, learn and celebrate together.”  

Drexel Metals also posted, sharing a common sentiment of thanks related to the power of the industry, “From the shop floor to the jobsite, your dedication, craftsmanship and collaboration are truly what make a lasting impact. We’re proud to be part of an industry built on innovation, resilience and strong partnerships.” 

Saturday – Wrap up 

Overall, this year’s National Roofing Week was a resounding success. From everyone that posted to event sponsors like International Roofing Expo, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, SRS Distribution, Roofing Alliance and SOPREMA, it was all made possible thanks to the incredible roofing community.  

The Coffee Shops crew already can’t wait for next year’s roofing week! As Atlas Roofing put eloquently in their final #NationalRoofingWeek2026 post, “This week gave us the opportunity to celebrate the people, organizations and partnerships that make the roofing industry such a rewarding one to be part of. Here’s to another year of collaboration, innovation and success.” 

By Tapco Roofing Products.

TapcoSlate delivered an easy installaton and long-lasting aesthetics.

Connor McGregor and his team are primarily interested in one thing: Customer satisfaction. So, when he met with homeowners on a farm located on the outskirts of Stewarton, East Ayrshire, he listened hard to their roofing concerns.

Their older home had a Scotch Slate roof that was “nail sick.” It was obvious that rusted nails had caused slate tiles to dislodge, break and come loose. This disheartened the homeowners because they loved the appearance of the original roof.

“They were rather distressed,” says Connor, director of McGregor Roofing out of Stewarton. “They wanted the appearance similar to their current roof, but they knew they needed a stronger roofing product that could stand up to the weather conditions they face in Scotland.”

TapcoSlate® recommendation

As he does several times a year, Connor told his customers about the benefits of TapcoSlate® roofing tiles. Made from recyclable virgin limestone and polypropylene, the tiles are lightweight yet durable.

“TapcoSlate is a way for homeowners to get the realistic look of slate without the cost and weight of natural slate,” says Connor. “This tile is good for Scottish weather. It copes well with the strong winds and heavy rain, which is so prevalent in areas like the west of Scotland.”

Connor adds that from a contractor’s standpoint, the TapcoSlate tiles are easier and faster to install than natural slate due to their pre-marked nailing and exposure guides and spacers. There’s also lower jobsite waste and projects move swiftly.

All TapcoSlate tiles are fully tested to BBA, UKTA and ETA standards and have UKCA and CE marking, including fire rating, wind, driven snow/rain and water absorption. BRE testing for wind-driven rain, like that found in Scotland, found TapcoSlate to perform much stronger than all equivalent materials tested and at a lower pitch.

“However, the most important thing to the homeowner is that the TapcoSlate has a consistent appearance that truly duplicates natural slate,” says Connor. “And they get a long, 40-year warranty on the product from Tapco Roofing Products.”

“Over the Moon” customer response

For this project, the homeowners selected the Coachman Mix color blend of grays. The authentic color combination accurately reflects the original roof color of the home.

“The homeowners were delighted with the finished project,” says Connor. “They had only seen pictures of previous TapcoSlate jobs I completed. They were ‘over the moon’ with the consistent appearance of the TapcoSlate on their home. We’re really proud to be able to achieve that type of customer satisfaction with a project.”

By Jenny Yu.  

Modern debris management like Equipter helps roofing contractors protect properties, build stronger reputations and generate long-term business growth. 

In today's roofing market, the customer experience extends far beyond the quality of the finished roof. Contractors are increasingly recognizing that jobsite cleanliness plays a critical role in customer satisfaction, online reputation and future business opportunities.  

From the moment a project begins until the final walkthrough, homeowners are evaluating how well a contractor protects their property. Debris left behind, damaged landscaping or lingering nails can quickly overshadow an otherwise successful installation. As a result, more roofing companies are investing in debris management practices and equipment like Equipter that help create cleaner, safer jobsites. 

A clean property sends a clear message about professionalism and attention to detail. It also helps build trust with homeowners, who often view jobsite management as a reflection of the quality of the work being performed. That trust can translate into stronger online reviews, referrals and repeat business. 

For Joe Davidson, owner of Davidson Roofing, the connection between cleanliness and business growth became clear after investing in dedicated cleanup equipment. “We invested in mobile dump containers and magnetic sweepers. The immediate uptick in positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals was undeniable,” Joe said in an article by Equipter. “Cleanliness is now a selling point, not just an afterthought.” 

Equipment such as the Equipter 4000 allows crews to position a mobile container at roof level, capturing debris before it reaches the ground. By reducing cleanup time and limiting the risk of property damage, contractors can improve efficiency while enhancing the customer experience. 

Clean jobsites also create valuable marketing opportunities. Contractors can showcase before-and-after project photos, cleanup processes and completed installations across websites, social media channels and customer communications. These visual examples reinforce a company's commitment to professionalism and help differentiate it in a crowded marketplace. 

Ultimately, jobsite cleanliness is no longer just an operational consideration. It is a business strategy that supports customer loyalty, strengthens brand reputation and helps generate future work. Contractors who prioritize debris management are not only protecting properties but also investing in long-term growth. 

Learn more about how Equipter can help you improve customer satisfaction and grow your roofing business!

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how the Pro Portal was designed around real-world needs and workflows. 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth spoke to Josh Nimmo from Brava Roof Tile about the creation of the Brava Pro Portal. Brava Pro Portal is a centralized system design by Brava’s team to improve the efficiency of day-to-day operations for contractors and distributors. 

Josh opened the episode by sharing the backstory behind the creation of this incredible system:  

The inspiration is interesting because we kind of stumbled into building it. Basically, as we started to grow, we realized that quoting for specialty roofing projects, the projects our products are ideal for, is one of the hardest things and a lot of the other software and other applications out there aren't necessarily built for some of the uniqueness to our systems and some of the requirements and specifications. So, we started to digitize, using things like Excel spreadsheets to help our customers price things out.  

In the process of digitizing the quoting process, it became clear that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Josh explained, “In projects, you often end up sending papers and spreadsheets to different people and entering them into different processes. It quickly became evident that we couldn't just build a quote spreadsheet. It needed to be something that would bring your work, your people and your processes together in one place to collaborate.” With this in mind, the project goal expanded from digitalizing quoting to building a centralized portal – the Pro Portal. 

With this new goal, the Brava team got to work actually building the program. Josh recalled, “We first internally got our team together. Then we went to some round tables so we could hear the voices of the customer and what they needed." The result of this feedback-centered development process was the Pro Portal; a powerful piece of software that doesn’t just elevate contractors and distributors’ operations, but responds to their need for efficiency, expertise and enablement at scale. As Josh put it, “A big thing for us is we want to meet our customers where they are and really fill gaps that are there versus just building on top of what’s already out there and adding to the noise.”   

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about Brava’s Pro Portal. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Apex 1132™ is positioned as a soy-derived roofing maintenance product designed to support shingle flexibility, granule adhesion and contractor service programs. 

This episode of Roofing Road Trips® features Eric Cochran, co-founder of SoyLei, in a conversation about Apex 1132™, a soy-derived roof maintenance product built from research that began at Iowa State University. The discussion focuses on how asphalt aging can impact shingles and how contractors may use maintenance as a long-term customer relationship tool.  

What problem does Apex 1132 address for asphalt shingles? 

“Apex 1132 is a roofing maintenance product and it restores the ductility and pliability of aged shingles closer to like-new conditions. And most importantly, it also increases the bonding between the roofing granules and the asphalt binder,” Eric shared. 

He explained that aging shingles lose flexibility as asphalt oxidizes under sunlight and heat. That oxidation can also weaken the bond between asphalt and roofing granules, which is why the product is aimed at the material already in place rather than functioning only as a surface coating. 

How does the product work differently than a coating? 

Eric explained, “It will penetrate throughout the entire thickness of the shingle. We've done that. We weren't thinking of this as a company when the research started. This was a university research project originally. So, we tested everything.” 

The active ingredient, which Eric described as a modified soybean oil called CISO, is designed to absorb into asphalt and attach to damaged, oxidized chemical sites. Heat from sunlight helps drive the reaction after application. 

Where does maintenance fit in for contractors? 

“What I would encourage roofing contractors to think of this product as is a very important component of a roofing maintenance program,” Eric urged. 

Eric connected the idea to residential service and maintenance; a model already familiar on the commercial side. Eric compared it to preventive care maintenance, positioning shingle treatment as one more way contractors can stay connected with homeowners after installation. 

For contractors building recurring residential services, Apex 1132 adds a new point of conversation around roof conditions, aging and upkeep.  

Listen to the entire podcast to learn more about soy-based shingle rejuvenation!