By Emma Peterson. 

APOC’s latest study quantifies the performance and profitability of roof restoration projects.  

In May of 2026, APOC, a leading liquid-applied roof restoration manufacturer and a member of ICP Building Solutions Group, released a new benchmark study all about the performance and profitability of roof restoration projects. The study compared restoration practices to traditional reroofing methods and showcased a shift that many contractors have experienced colloquially – that in an increasingly constrained labor and cost environment, restoration can be a powerful and profitable path forward.  

How the study was conducted 

This study is a part of APOC’s broader commitment to “innovation, education and industry leadership, equipping professionals with the tools, training and insights needed to maximize performance in the field.” In the study, APOC compared key performance indicators of 118 commercial roofing projects, noting which ones used restoration methods versus which went the traditional reroofing route. These indicators include profitability, labor efficiency, timeline and margin strength.  

The study was developed in partnership with Cotney Consulting Group, a roofing-specific consulting firm led by roofing leader John Kenney. John shared his thoughts about the importance of this survey, adding, “I’ve been in this industry for over 40 years, and most of that time it’s been widely accepted that restoration is the more profitable path when the roof supports it. But widely accepted and proven are two different things. This study closes that gap. Finish faster, run a smaller crew, keep more margin. That’s not theory anymore; now we can show you the numbers.” 

Key findings  

The numbers show that restoration delivered average gross margins around 43% (outperforming many reroofs which have typical margins between 30%–60%), required up to 85% less labor intensity than tear offs and could be completed with crews 1/3 smaller than reroof crews. These are just three examples of the study’s findings, which all support the idea that restoration “minimizes operational disruption for building owners, reduces project risk and supports scalability across a wide range of commercial roof sizes.” 

As Johnny Walker, a national technical manager at APOC, explained:  

At a time when contractors are under pressure to do more with less, this research provides clear, quantifiable evidence that restoration is not just a viable alternative, but it’s often the smarter business decision. At APOC, we’ve always believed in the power of restoration, when viable. Now we can show contractors exactly why it makes sense to their bottom line. 

Access the full restoration index report for free!

By Dani Sheehan. 

Learn to identify viable restoration candidates and communicate the value of restoration to building owners. 

For many building owners, roof replacement remains the default solution when a roof begins to show signs of aging. But restoration can offer a viable alternative in the right circumstances. The challenge is helping owners understand when restoration makes sense, and ensuring contractors have the training and resources necessary to make that determination with confidence. In a recent episode of CoatingsCast™, Johnny Walker from APOC offered practical insights on roof assessments and how to position restoration services to customers. 

"Some building owners will just look at a roof restoration or look at a tear-off and think, if I tear it all off, I'm getting a brand-new roof and that's the way I want to go," Johnny explained. While replacement may be appropriate in some situations, it is often the most expensive and disruptive option. You have an opportunity to help owners evaluate the full picture, including the condition of the existing roof, the expected service life of a restoration system and the overall lifecycle cost of each approach. 

But before those conversations can happen, you must answer one critical question: Is the roof actually a candidate for restoration? 

Not every roof is restorable 

Johnny emphasized that restoration is not a universal solution. Determining whether a roof can be successfully restored requires more than a visual inspection. You have to evaluate the entire roofing assembly to understand its current condition and identify any issues that could compromise long-term performance. 

"When we look at this, what we want to do is we want to look at the entire roof system from the deck up," Johnny explained. "We want to determine if there's deck deflection, is the roof structurally sound? Is there moisture in the roof? These are key factors to determine if the roof is even viable." 

As restoration continues to gain traction, manufacturers like APOC are investing heavily in contractor education to help roofing professionals perform these assessments correctly. Training programs increasingly focus on identifying moisture intrusion, understanding substrate compatibility, conducting adhesion testing and selecting the appropriate restoration system for the existing roof type. 

A forensic investigation 

While visual observations remain important, Johnny described the evaluation process as a forensic investigation of the roof system. A proper restoration assessment typically includes moisture surveys, infrared scans, core cuts and other diagnostic tools that provide insight into what is happening beneath the membrane surface. These investigations help determine whether hidden moisture, deteriorated insulation or structural concerns exist that could jeopardize a restoration project. 

Before recommending a course of action, you should also evaluate whether the restoration material being specified is compatible with the existing roof. Different substrates may require different polymers, surface preparation methods and adhesion testing protocols to ensure long-term success.  

The more thorough the assessment process, the more confidence you can have in offering a recommendation. Whether restoration ultimately proves to be the right solution or not, a comprehensive evaluation provides the information you need to guide building owners toward the best decision for their facility. 

Building trust through education 

Education plays an important role at every stage of the restoration process. Manufacturers help you develop the technical skills needed to evaluate roofs accurately and recommend appropriate solutions. In turn, you can help building owners understand what restoration entails and when it makes sense as an alternative to replacement. 

"We're not just saying, ‘Hey, we're going to go out and paint your roof’," Johnny said. "There's a lot more to it." That "more" includes investigation, testing, documentation and expertise. When you approach restoration from an education-first mindset, you’ll position yourself as a trusted advisor while helping building owners make informed decisions about the future of their roofing assets. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about providing restoration services to your customers.

Por Dani Sheehan, traducido por Jessica Bravo. 

Trabaje más rápido y de manera más segura mientras brinda a los propietarios una protección más sólida cuando utiliza este underlayment de APOC. 

En roofing, cada capa importa. El underlayment no solo es una barrera secundaria contra los elementos, sino también una herramienta de seguridad, un ahorro de tiempo y una inversión a largo plazo en la integridad del sistema de roofing. El underlayment sintético TUFF-GRIP™ de APOC ofrece un valor real mientras trabaja en el proyecto y una protección excepcional para sus clientes mucho después de haber terminado el trabajo. 

Diseñado con la tecnología patentada TUFF-GRIP Coating Technology de APOC, este underlayment se adhiere al roof deck antes de que se aplique un solo sujetador. En techos inclinados o húmedos, esto le brinda una capa crucial de estabilidad que ayuda a prevenir resbalones y mejora la transitabilidad. También puede confiar en que el underlayment permanecerá en su lugar durante la instalación, reduciendo el riesgo de accidentes mientras ahorra tiempo. 

Built to withstand the elements 

Los underlayments TUFF-GRIP están fabricados con polipropileno estabilizado contra rayos UV, proporcionando una defensa secundaria contra la humedad, la lluvia impulsada por el viento y otros elementos destructivos para fortalecer todo el sistema de roofing. Con resistencia a desgarros, perforaciones y estiramiento, estos underlayments soportan las condiciones más severas. 

Incluso pueden exponerse a la luz solar UV directa hasta por 90 días sin degradarse. Esto mejora su flexibilidad para proyectos que enfrentan retrasos o tienen cronogramas de construcción extendidos. 

Lightweight, flexible and efficient application 

A pesar de su resistencia, los underlayments TUFF-GRIP son ligeros y fáciles de manejar. Disponibles en un rollo más ancho de 48”, cubren más superficie de techo con menos uniones, mejorando la eficiencia de instalación. También están diseñados para ofrecer flexibilidad en cualquier clima, funcionando de manera confiable en temperaturas que van desde -40°F hasta 240°F. 

Esta solución versátil está diseñada para utilizarse debajo de: 

• Tejas de asfalto y fibra de vidrio 
• Cedar shake 
• Tejas de acero recubiertas de piedra 
• Synthetic slate 
• Instalaciones inclinadas de paneles metálicos standing seam 

También puede asegurar a los propietarios que sus techos estarán protegidos mucho después de que el proyecto haya terminado. TUFF-GRIP 15 cuenta con una garantía limitada de 20 años, mientras que TUFF-GRIP 30 extiende la cobertura a 30 años. 

Cuando la seguridad, la velocidad y la durabilidad no son negociables, el underlayment APOC TUFF-GRIP garantiza que pueda realizar el trabajo correctamente. 

Roof Restoration Benchmark Report quantifies what contractors have long believed — restoration is often the smarter business decision.

APOC, a leading manufacturer of liquid-applied roof restoration solutions, announced findings from a new benchmark study that provides data validating the performance and profitability of roof restoration compared to traditional reroofing methods.

While experienced contractors have long thought that restoration could be the more profitable path when conditions allow, actual data to support this has been limited — until now. APOC’s latest research changes that.

Developed in partnership with Cotney Consulting Group, the study analyzed 118 commercial roofing projects and compared restoration methods with traditional reroofing approaches across key performance indicators including profitability, labor efficiency, time to completion and margin strength. The findings showcase a shift in how contractors can approach project delivery in an increasingly constrained labor and cost environment.

“At a time when contractors are under pressure to do more with less, this research provides clear, quantifiable evidence that restoration is not just a viable alternative, but it’s often the smarter business decision,” said Johnny Walker, national technical manager, APOC. “At APOC, we’ve always believed in the power of restoration, when viable. Now we can show contractors exactly why it makes sense to their bottom line.”

Key findings from the APOC Roof Restoration Index include:

• Significantly higher profit productivity: Restoration projects generated approximately 85% higher gross profit per crew day — due to smaller crew sizes and fewer days needed to complete a job — compared to reroofing benchmarks, with average returns of ~$8,000 per crew day versus ~$4,300.
• Major time savings: Restoration projects averaged ~8 crew days for a 30,000 SF roof, compared to 13 for recovery and up to 30 for tear-off, enabling faster project turnover and increased annual capacity.
• Improved labor efficiency: Restoration required up to 85% less labor intensity than tear-off methods and could be completed with crews approximately one-third smaller.
• Stronger, more consistent margins: Restoration delivered average gross margins around 43%, with typical ranges between 30%–60%, outperforming many reroofing scenarios.

The study further demonstrates that restoration minimizes operational disruption for building owners, reduces project risk and supports scalability across a wide range of commercial roof sizes.

As labor shortages persist and project backlogs grow, APOC’s research positions restoration as a strategic move for contractors seeking to improve efficiency, increase profitability and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Industry estimates suggest that 30–50% of roofs** that are ultimately reroofed may instead be viable candidates for restoration, representing a significant potential market opportunity based on contractor evaluation patterns and field experience.

“I’ve been in this industry for over 40 years, and most of that time it’s been widely accepted that restoration is the more profitable path, when the roof supports it,” said John Kenney, research consultant, Cotney. “But widely accepted and proven are two different things. This study closes that gap. Finish faster, run a smaller crew, keep more margin. That’s not theory anymore, now we can show you the numbers.”

The Roof Restoration Benchmark Report is part of APOC’s broader commitment to innovation, education and industry leadership, equipping professionals with the tools, training and insights needed to maximize performance in the field.

To learn more about APOC’s roof restoration research and solutions, download the restoration report.

*Modeled benchmark based on anonymized contractor performance data and measured crew-day benchmarks; applies when the roof is a valid restoration candidate; not a guarantee of results.

** Estimate based on structured industry assessment, contractor decision patterns and commercial roofing field experience; not derived from a statistically sampled industry dataset. 

About APOC

APOC is part of the ICP Group and is a premier manufacturer of commercial and residential roofing, construction and maintenance products that maximize productivity, performance and energy efficiency. Based in Tampa, Florida, in business since 1913 and with 18 manufacturing plants in the United States, APOC is a global supplier of full-system, liquid-applied roof restoration products with local support and customer service. For more information, visit www.APOC.com.

About ICP

ICP Group is a leading specialty chemical manufacturer in North America and provides coatings, adhesives and sealants globally. With operations headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, and multiple manufacturing facilities around the world, ICP serves multiple end markets, including building materials, specialty construction and sports surfaces. ICP is privately held and manufactures products under several recognized specialty groups. For more information, visit www.ICPGroup.com.

ICP is a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity.

Por Jessica Bravo. 

Lee este artículo para aprender la importancia de la educación continua como dueño de negocio.  

En esta edición de Coffee Conversations®, patrocinada por APOC, Jessica Bravo conversa con Jaqueline Sancen de Latinos En Roofing, Diana Barriga de National Women in Roofing Conexión Hispana y Gustavo y Sherly Zuniiga de Universal Remodel Inc sobre cómo los contratistas de techado pueden escalar sus negocios a través de la capacitación. 

Jaqueline y Diana mencionan que, de haber contado con estas herramientas, no habrían enfrentado tantas dificultades ni tenido que superar tantos desafíos en la industria. Por su parte, Gustavo y Sherly explican que su negocio es un ejemplo de cómo una empresa se beneficia al aprovechar estos recursos. Como dice Gustavo,“Si no fuera por Latinos En Roofing, yo no tendría compañía. Todo el crecimiento que hemos tenido ha sido gracias a la educación… no es una clase cualquiera, te dan herramientas para hacer crecer tu negocio.” 

Jaqueline, encargada de desarrollar materiales de capacitación para Latinos En Roofing University, afirma, “La educación es fundamental si quieres crecer… tienes que empezar a delegar y enfocarte en lo que realmente es importante.” También explica que un dueño de negocio puede tomarse uno o dos días para capacitarse y su empresa seguirá funcionando. “Con algo que te lleves y lo apliques correctamente… eso será la llave para seguir creciendo.” 

Diana habla de cómo se ha convertido en líder dentro de la industria, “Cambiar de la mentalidad de ‘yo lo puedo todo’ a construir una compañía sólida fue un cambio radical. Nadie nos enseña a ser líderes… estamos enfocados en sobrevivir, pero la capacitación es lo que te saca de ese ciclo.” 

Escucha esta edición especial de Coffee Conversations® y descubre la importancia de la educación, incluso como dueño de negocio.

By Jenny Yu. 

APOC’s Tuff-Grip™ system is designed for improved traction, faster installation and enhanced durability. 

As roofing systems continue to evolve, underlayment remains a critical component in ensuring long-term performance and protection. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards met with members of the APOC team to learn about the company’s latest innovation: Tuff-Grip™, a next-generation synthetic underlayment designed to improve installation efficiency and jobsite safety.  

According to Gregg Malanga, product manager for APOC waterproofing and underlayment products, selecting the right underlayment depends on weather, region and roof design. “If you’re in South Florida, you have lots of heavy wind-driven rain, so you’re looking at two layers of an underlayment, something that’s heavier-duty like a peel-and-stick product,” Gregg explained. “In New Jersey, you might opt for a single layer of lightweight synthetic underlayment with an asphalt shingle on top and ice dam protection.” 

Building on its earlier synthetic product called Gator-Skin™, APOC continues to invest in this market segment with Tuff-Grip. “Synthetic is a growing portion of the market, Tuff-Grip is the second generation of [Gator-Skin],” Gregg stated. “We want to continue to make product entries into that market.” 

One of the key differentiators of Tuff-Grip is its focus on contractor safety and ease of installation. Gregg highlighted both the product’s lightweight design and improved surface traction. “It’s easier to install because these rolls are much wider and lighter. It goes down about 33% quicker than traditional felt products,” Gregg said. “There’s a top surface which is very walkable, and there’s a coating on the bottom that gives it some grip.” These functions help the material lay flat and reduce the risk of slipping.  

Developing Tuff-Grip was a collaborative effort that invited contractor feedback. “We were constantly sending contractors the product, getting feedback and listening to any issues. If there were any issues, we addressed them right away,” Gregg shared, noting the importance of such collaboration. “You need to listen to the person who's installing the product and get that feedback. It's ultra critical.” 

Read the first article in this series or Listen to the podcast to learn more about Tuff-Grip! 

By Dani Sheehan. 

Adhesive technologies like Polyset® are helping contractors meet evolving roofing demands without sacrificing performance, now with the backing of APOC®. 

Polyset® roofing adhesives earned their place on job sites by being faster, cleaner and more reliable products to secure tile and insulation without adding unnecessary penetrations or labor time. Now, with PolySet officially joining the APOC® professional product portfolio, you gain easier access to trusted adhesive technology backed by a broader, contractor-focused brand. 

A brief history of Polyset 

Polyset was built around a simple idea: roofing adhesives should work as hard as the crew using them. Long before sustainability mandates and labor shortages became industry-wide challenges, Polyset pressurized foam adhesive systems were already helping crews move faster while delivering strong, durable bonds. 

Since becoming part of ICP Group in 2016, Polyset has continued to evolve, especially in response to changing codes, performance expectations and environmental regulations. One of the brand’s most significant milestones came with the early adoption of hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology. 

In March 2024, Polyset roofing adhesives officially joined the APOC professional portfolio, creating a more comprehensive offering for commercial and residential roofing contractors. The move brought Polyset’s proven adhesive systems under the APOC name, alongside a wide range of roof coatings, sealants and construction products already trusted in the field. 

For contractors, the benefits are practical: 

• One cohesive brand portfolio for roofing and waterproofing needs 
• Consistent performance standards across adhesives, coatings and accessories 
• Simplified product selection that aligns with evolving code requirements 

Importantly, the brand transition does not impact Polyset product formulations, testing or approvals. What you will notice is updated branding and packaging that clearly identifies products as part of the APOC Polyset roofing adhesives family. 

The next generation of tile adhesives 

As part of the brand’s continued evolution, APOC Polyset AH-160 has now transitioned to an HFO blowing agent, ensuring compliance with the industry-wide phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as of December 31, 2024. This reformulation maintains the same performance contractors expect, while aligning with lower-GWP requirements. 

To support safe and proper use in the field, APOC has introduced clearly labeled packaging, including prominent HFO identifiers, neon green warning bands to prevent mixing and updated disposable kits. These visual cues help you quickly identify compatible materials and avoid costly jobsite errors. 

By bringing Polyset under the APOC umbrella, you gain access to a proven adhesive system backed by a brand committed to innovation and jobsite efficiency.

By Jenny Yu.  

Industry experts discuss recent insurance shifts in Florida and what this means for the roof restoration market. 

In a recent CoatingsCoffeeShop® Coffee Conversations, sponsored by APOC, Megan Ellsworth spoke with industry leaders Johnny Walker, national technical manager of APOC, and John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group, about the biggest changes in the roof restoration market right now.  

Today, the industry faces insurance-based challenges, starting in Florida and slowly spreading throughout the nation. Between hurricane exposure, litigation issues and claims activity, insurance companies in Florida have been trying to reduce risk with roofs as a major focus. “Insurance has tightened eligibility requirements, especially around roof aging,” John explained. “From a contractor perspective, that creates confusion because a roof may still be structurally sound and restorable, but once it crosses a certain age or threshold, the insurance companies are looking at them differently and causing a lot of havoc within the marketplace.” 

Contractors aren’t the only ones affected by these changes in insurance policies. Johnny emphasized their impact on property owners. “It’s very costly,” Johnny lamented. “A lot of folks are living on their retirement incomes and can’t afford to pay the extra amount to have a roof torn off when it could have been restored.” 

Despite these challenges, the panelists spoke to how the industry can adapt and take this as an opportunity for advancing restoration regulations and education. 

“We have to stand up and do what's right for the industry and not be challenged by insurance companies to lead the way, which I'm seeing as a good thing,” John shared. “But the flip side is, contractors need the knowledge and discipline to properly evaluate these roofs and design restoration systems correctly. We can help move our industry along by increasing the benefits of where restoration is a value.” 

Listen to the conversation or Watch the recording to learn more about the economic and sustainability pressures impacting the roof restoration market. 

By Emma Peterson. 

A look at APOC's new products and programs designed to strengthen contractor success.  

At the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE), our crew from The Coffee Shops™ had the opportunity to host a live soundstage in the lobby (shoutout to our friends at SRS Distribution who sponsored it!). If you weren’t able to attend the show this year or are wanting to catch up on things you missed while there, all of our soundstage interviews and videos are available on demand on our YouTube channel! 

One such video features an interview between Karen Edwards and Justin Powell, ICP Group’s executive VP of sales. Justin was at the show representing APOC, an ICP brand. Most people know APOC for their high-performance roof coatings. But their coatings are just the beginning of what they have to offer contractors. Justin shared, “We offer a complete solution for everything from applied to roof coverings. So, whether it's repair products, coatings or something else, like underlayments, we have it.” 

Speaking of underlayments, a highlight from APOC’s booth this year was their newest innovation – the APOC Tuff-Grip™ 30 Premium Synthetic Roofing Underlayment. This product is “a premium synthetic roofing underlayment engineered for maximum strength, durability and installation efficiency. Designed with high traction and slip resistance that enhances safety and productivity — even on steep slopes.” 

This new, innovative product was just one of APOC’s many exciting announcements from the show. Their team was also promoting the new APOC contractor loyalty program. Justin explained:  

We really want to support our contractors, that’s why we have a new contractor loyalty program. The really exciting thing about this loyalty program is it gets you access to all of our trainings as well as rewards throughout the year. For example, right now we have a promotion on all our repair products since it’s repair season around the country. 

To learn more about how APOC is supporting their contractors, with both products on the roof and programs off the roof, watch our full interview with Justin.

By Emma Peterson. 

Join The Coffee Shops™ crew and our industry partners in Sacramento for four days of education, innovation and industry connection. 

The Coffee Shops™ crew is putting the finishing touches on our travel plans to get to Sacramento, California March 12–15, 2026 for the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)’s International Convention and we want to see you at our booth and soundstage, sponsored by Western Colloid!  

This year’s show is predicted to host “1,700 consultants, architects, engineers, design professionals and other experts” for four days of learning, networking and more! With national sponsors like Carlisle, Elevate™, GAF, IB Roof Systems™, Johns Manville, Polyglass USA Inc., Sika Corporation, SOPREMA and Versico, this show is a must-attend for professionals in all parts of the roofing world.  

Expert-led education  

This show gives attendees a chance to learn from a variety of industry leaders and experts through their cutting-edge education sessions. Here are some of the incredible presenters that will be at this year’s show:  

• Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese will be hosting a “State of the Industry” session that will explore contract provisions and other emerging regulatory trends.  
• Darren Perry of SOPREMA has a session that discusses how low slope roofing can be enhanced in response to severe climate risks. 
• Amrize’s National Technical Manager Victor Rosenthal and Project Manager Rachael DeMeio will be teaching about trends in roof re-cover applications this year. 
• Jennifer Stephan from Benchmark’s session will dive into the world of Refrigerated Processing and Cold Storage Operations in relation to industrial roofing projects.  

Check out the full speaker list online!

An expo floor route 

The Coffee Shops crew will be on the expo floor hosting a soundstage at booth #1113! Here’s just a few of the other Coffee Shops friends and partners that can be found on IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention expo floor:  

• All Weather Insulated Panels (booth #1216) 
• Anchor Products (booth #907)  
• ATAS International (booth #728)  
• BITEC Inc. (booth #1023) 
• Brava Tile (booth #208) 
• CertainTeed (booth #227)  
• General Coatings Manufacturing (booth #926) 
• H.B. Fuller (booth #113) 
• ICP Building Solutions Group (booth #133) 
• IKO Industries (booth #426) 
• Leister (booth #619) 
• Malarkey Roofing Products (booth #213) 
• MuleHide (booth #814) 
• Roof Hugger (booth #707) 
• S-5! (booth #1019) 
• Sheffield Metals International (booth #625) 
• Sherwin Williams Roofing Solutions (booth #422) 
• Tremco (booth #321) 
• USG Securock (booth #401) 
• Western Colloid (booth #923) 
• Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions (booth #433) 

Explore the full expo floor map!

Register today and make sure you stop by to say hi to us and our industry friends at the IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention!