By The Coffee Shops®.

How code changes and installation complexity are reshaping technical best practices.

As building materials and trends evolve, contractors are keeping up with new demands from code changes. During a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Mark Graham of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) to discuss the technical issues roofing contractors are facing and the trends likely to shape the industry in the years ahead.

Before discussing today's challenges, Mark reflected on NRCA's role in the industry. Describing the association as "the all-encompassing group in the roofing industry," Mark noted that NRCA is celebrating its 140th anniversary while continuing to serve contractors, manufacturers, distributors and designers.

The organization's technical services team plays a central role in that mission. According to Mark, the six-member department draws expertise from engineering, architecture and construction backgrounds, while also relying on input from nearly 190 board and committee volunteers throughout the country.

That collaboration helps NRCA identify emerging issues before they become widespread problems. One trend generating significant discussion is the adoption of newer building and energy codes. Mark explained that contractors working on reroofing projects are increasingly encountering requirements tied to drainage systems. "In re-roofing and specifically in roof tear-off, where there's a tear off and replacement job, the building code is now requiring that the drainage system, in other words, roof drains, scuppers, overflows, gutters, things like that, be upgraded to the current edition of the plumbing code."

As a result, roof replacements often involve more than roofing work alone. Mark's advice was straightforward: "If you don't have a plumber that's a friend, make a new friend."

Contractors are also grappling with growing system complexity. Mark pointed to the large number of manufacturer-specific installation requirements and noted that keeping field crews current across multiple systems has become increasingly difficult.

The challenge, he suggested, is not necessarily a lack of innovation but managing the growing complexity that comes with it. As the roofing industry expands, contractors can lean on support systems like the NRCA to grow their strengths.

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about roofing industry technical challenges.

By Emma Peterson.

A recent Coffee Conversations panel explored the connection between mental health, physical safety and workforce success.

Last month, we got the chance to host a special Coffee Conversations webinar with Mandy McIntyre from Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. (WTI), Kara (Houck) McCaffrey from Houck Group, and McKay Daniels of National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) all about mental health safety in roofing.

When we asked this panel to explain the importance of mental health in the roofing industry, they had a lot to share, which makes sense given the trio’s backgrounds. Mandy is a mental health first aid instructor and has been integral to Tremco’s mental health initiatives. And Kara, in addition to being a third-generation commercial roofing company owner, is the board chair of Construction Suicide Prevention Week (which is hosted every September). And last but not least, McKay is the CEO of NRCA, where he has had the opportunity to help push the industry’s mental health support forward with the BeToughEnough campaign.

In response to our original question, Kara shared, “Mental health is an important part of safety and protecting a person's mental health can help keep them safe.” This connection between mental and physical health is something that is too often disconnected in our industry. As McKay put it, “If your head's not in the game, that creates consequences craftsmanship and physical safety...We work in a high-skilled profession, and people need to be focused and ready at work. If your crew is struggling mentally, that’s like having rocks in your pack that you're coming to work with. It all just compounds, makes everything harder and puts everyone at risk.”

And this goes the other way, too – physical risks and safety can directly impact mental states. As Kara gave an example, "It’s not just mental health impacting the safety side, but safety incidents impact the mental health side as well. If someone has a near miss and could have fallen off of a roof, they are left probably scared from that. And that traumatic impact could really impact their mental health.”

In these ways, mental and physical health cannot be disconnected from each other. And even beyond the individual, the mental state of your crew is directly tied to your business’ success. Mandy explained, “Aside from just the humanity importance of mental health care, it’s also risk mitigation for your company. The ROI on this is huge, every investment in mental health awareness has a $3-5 return in employee engagement, retention rates and recruitment statistics.”

At the end of the day, whether you look at it from a safety perspective, a teambuilding perspective or a business perspective, mental health safety must be prioritized. And prioritizing it doesn’t have to be hard. Mandy gave some tips, sharing, “Mental health is a legitimate safety concern and needs to be a part of every safety program. And the minimum is just doing a mental health toolbox talk once a month where you promote resources like 988 (suicide and crisis hotline) and create space for people to share. Just show your crew that you care and want to take care of them.”

Want to learn more about supporting your team’s mental health safety? Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording!

By The Coffee Shops®.

The roofing industry builds a national pathway to identify and develop young competitors for the 2027 World Championship for Young Roofers.

The roofing industry is taking another step toward strengthening workforce development through international competition. During a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Jon Goodman of National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and Gary Howes of The Durable Slate Company discussed plans for the United States' participation in the 2027 World Championship for Young Roofers and the creation of a national qualifying process designed to identify Team USA. They outlined how the United States is moving beyond simply participating in the International Federation for the Roofing Trades (IFD) competition and toward creating a sustainable national structure to develop future competitors.

Gary explained why the IFD was formed. “The idea behind it is to create an opportunity for these different associations to network with one another, learn best practices from each other. That could be anything from specifications to test studies, vocation training, different training practices and techniques throughout the different countries,” he said.

In 2024, the NRCA led a U.S. team to compete for the first time in Innsbruck, Austria. Although the team did not earn medals, the experience created something equally valuable: inspiration. Jon explained the mindset of the team as they competed for the first time. “The motivations and the goals that we had set for going to this first competition was to understand we are walking into a world stage and just know that you are going to be blown away by the level of expertise and craftsmanship and discipline that you see there,” he said.

The experience highlighted a significant difference between the United States and many participating nations. According to Jon, most competing countries already have established systems that identify and train talent through national competitions before advancing teams to the world stage. Recognizing that need, the NRCA and its partners began building a similar framework in the United States. Jon outlined their plan for moving forward, sharing, "Earlier this year, we started to put together a national structure for competition to be able to earn a spot on what we call Team USA."

The goal is larger than competition alone. Industry leaders see the effort as a means of elevating craftsmanship, create career pathways and bring greater visibility to young roofing professionals across the country. “We stayed dedicated to the idea we're going to develop our people. And so for us, it was about capitalizing on that training, capitalizing on the craftsmanship,” noted Gary.

As excitement builds for the next championship in Budapest, Hungary in November of 2027, the NRCA is holding tryouts for the next team USA. Those interested can compete at IRE in Las Vegas on February 16-17, 2027.

In the meantime, the IFD is holding their annual connection forum in Vienna, Austria on October 14-15, 2026.

As young roofers across the nation sharpen their techniques, the United States looks forward to participating in a global push for workforce development and cultural exchange across the roofing industry.

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about the World Championship for Young Roofers.

Highlight your charitable involvement!

Many roofing contractors are making a difference far beyond the jobsite by supporting local charities, volunteering in their communities and helping causes that matter. Now, those efforts could earn them national recognition through the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award.  

Sponsored by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and CNA, the award recognizes charitable projects, activities and donations completed by NRCA contractor members. Whether your company has organized a community service project, raised funds for a local nonprofit or volunteered time and resources to support a cause, your efforts may qualify for consideration.  

The program is designed to highlight the roofing industry's commitment to service and generosity. Eligible charitable activities completed between January 1, 2026 and November 1, 2026, can be submitted for a chance to earn recognition while also benefiting the organizations supported by your company’s efforts. Four winning charities will receive financial awards, including $7,500 for first place, $5,000 for second place, $2,500 for third place and $1,500 for the People's Choice Award winner.  

For contractors, the award offers more than just a chance to win. It provides an opportunity to showcase company culture, celebrate employees who contribute to their communities and demonstrate the positive impact roofing professionals have outside of their daily work. Sharing these stories can also help strengthen relationships with customers, employees and community partners. 

Submitting an entry requires more than a simple nomination. Contractors should provide an entry form, a detailed description of the charitable work performed, a testimonial from the receiving charity and supporting materials such as photos, videos or press coverage. Entries must also include an image that can be used for public voting related to the People's Choice Award.  

A panel of judges will select the first-, second- and third-place winners, while the People's Choice Award will be determined through online voting. Winners will be recognized during NRCA's Industry Awards and Reception at the association's 140th Annual Convention in Las Vegas.  

If your company has spent the past year giving back, now is the time to share that story. Community involvement is a powerful part of the roofing industry's legacy, and this award offers an opportunity to spotlight the people and organizations making a lasting difference. 

Learn more about the award.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

As daylight fades and temperatures drop, roofing contractors can strengthen safety culture by making mental health part of everyday crew conversations.

Editor’s note: Statistics and health information were checked against NRCA, CPWR and the National Institute of Mental Health.

When contractors prepare for winter, the conversation typically focuses on cold-weather safety, fall protection, equipment maintenance and changing schedules. Those priorities are essential, but the darker months also bring an important opportunity to talk about mental health.

Mental health and the construction industry

The construction industry has made meaningful progress in addressing mental health and suicide prevention, but the numbers show why this work must continue. The National Roofing Contractors Association reports that an estimated one in five adults live with a mental illness and fewer than half seek treatment. NRCA also notes that construction has the second-highest suicide rate among major U.S. industries. Research from CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training, found that the 2021 suicide death rate among construction workers was 46.1 per 100,000 workers, compared with 19.5 per 100,000 across all industries, making the construction rate 2.4 times higher.

Seasonal changes add another reason to keep mental health visible as winter approaches. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that many people experience mood changes when the days become shorter, while winter-pattern seasonal affective disorder often begins in late fall or early winter. Symptoms can include lower energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite and social withdrawal, all of which deserve awareness and compassion rather than judgment.

Resources for roofers

Roofing is already demanding work, and shorter days can affect people differently. Contractors do not need to diagnose employees or turn supervisors into counselors. They can create a workplace where checking in is normal and support is easy to find.  Most of all, it is normalizing that when employees ask for help it is a sign of strength.

A practical place to begin is the NRCA Suicide Prevention Toolbox Talk. The resource helps supervisors and crew leaders start conversations about stress management, self-care and healthy lifestyles while recognizing when someone may be struggling. It identifies potential warning signs such as withdrawal, hopelessness, decreased productivity, increased tardiness or absenteeism, extreme mood swings and comments that suggest a person feels like a burden.

The toolbox talk also reinforces a message every roofing company can use. People do not need to be mental health experts to make a difference, but they do need to pay attention along with showing concern and responding when something does not seem right. Asking a coworker how they are doing, listening without minimizing their experience and helping them connect with support can be an important first step.

Contractors can download the toolbox talk and use it during winter safety meetings, then return to the topic throughout the season. Mental health should not be limited to a single annual presentation or awareness week. Short, consistent conversations can help make support part of everyday company culture and remind employees that they are not expected to handle difficult moments alone.

NRCA also offers a broader Mental Health Resource Center created for the roofing industry. Contractors can find fact sheets, posters, hard hat stickers, educational programs, English and Spanish materials and connections to additional construction-focused organizations. NRCA member companies can also access free online suicide prevention training through the association’s partnership with LivingWorks.

Roofing and mental health safety

At The Coffee Shops, we strongly encourage roofing contractors to review these resources and make mental health part of their winter safety strategy. Just as companies inspect equipment, monitor weather and reinforce fall protection, they should regularly check on the people who make their businesses successful. A stronger safety culture protects the whole person, both on and off the roof.

We also encourage contractors to look at the broader value of membership in the National Roofing Contractors Association. NRCA provides advocacy, education, technical expertise and workforce resources while continuing to invest in the health and well-being of roofing professionals and their families. Its mental health and suicide prevention materials give contractors credible, practical tools they can bring directly to their teams.

Winter presents real challenges, but it also creates an opportunity to strengthen connections across a company. By adding mental health to toolbox talks along with watching changes in coworkers and sharing trusted NRCA resources, contractors can help build workplaces where employees feel valued and supported. And those workplaces are where focus, decision-making and productivity all thrive.

If someone is in immediate emotional distress or may be considering suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and call 911 when there is an immediate life-threatening emergency.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Outside education can help roofing companies fill knowledge gaps, strengthen fundamentals and build employee development into a more complete training system. 

Building a strong training program does not require a company to teach every skill internally. Service First Solutions emphasizes that industry education can complement in-house instruction by giving employees access to technical knowledge and perspectives they may not encounter within their own organization. 

Programs such as NRCA’s Roofing 101 can provide a foundation in roofing systems and industry fundamentals. The University of Wisconsin’s Low Slope and Metal Roofing Systems courses offer another opportunity for employees to deepen their technical knowledge. By identifying resources that align with specific roles and responsibilities, companies can use outside education to support the skills their teams need to develop. 

The value of these programs grows when companies make them part of an intentional training system rather than treating them as occasional events. Leaders can identify the skills needed for each position, select outside programs that support those needs and incorporate those opportunities into individual development plans. This approach also demonstrates a company’s investment in employee growth. 

Internal training remains essential because each organization understands its own processes and expectations best. Those company-specific lessons should continue to be taught from within. At the same time, outside expertise can strengthen a team by supplementing internal knowledge with additional technical instruction and industry perspectives. 

Service First Solutions also highlights several ways companies can continue developing their organizations, including intensive contractor visits, service-focused peer groups and total access consulting. Together with outside educational resources, these opportunities can help companies create a broader approach to employee development. 

Learn more about Service First Solutions and its training and consulting resources!

By The Coffee Shops®. 

NRCA leaders say persistent workforce challenges make industry engagement more important than ever. 

During a recent episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) leaders offered their insights regarding the state of federal advocacy and why roofing professionals should remain engaged despite an increasingly difficult political environment. 

When asked to describe the current state of advocacy in a word, NRCA Vice President of Government Relations Duane Musser shared “The one word I would use is challenging.” 

Duane explained that political polarization and a slower congressional process have made it harder to advance legislation, even when broad industry needs are clear. “We do, in this day and age, live in a challenging political and legislative environment in Washington, D.C. so our advocacy efforts have become more challenging.” 
 
 Still, he emphasized that despite the difficulties, their work is increasingly important, saying, “Advocacy has only become more important as the challenges grow.”  

A major focus continues to be workforce development. For NRCA, that means supporting policies that expand career and technical education (CTE), increase funding for Perkins grants and create more pathways into the skilled trades. According to the discussion, workforce issues have remained a central priority since Roofing Day in D.C. began in 2018. 

Brad Stine, NRCA's director of federal affairs, acknowledged the challenges and when asked for his own one-word assessment, Brad chose “potential.” 

“There's some potential there. We've seen an explosion of interest in apprenticeships. There's a lot of discussion on Capitol Hill, a lot of chatter, around the value of apprenticeships,” he shared. 

He pointed to growing bipartisan support for CTE programs and apprenticeships, noting that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle increasingly recognize the need to strengthen the skilled labor pipeline. As Congress continues to discuss workforce shortages, those areas remain opportunities for meaningful progress. 

The conversation also underscored the value of relationship-building. Heidi J. Ellsworth noted that engagement with elected officials often mirrors success in the roofing business itself, where trust and long-term connections drive results. Duane agreed, highlighting Roofing Day and political engagement through ROOFPAC as important tools for strengthening connections with policymakers. 

While progress may be difficult, NRCA's message was clear: advocacy remains one of the industry's most important investments. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about roofing industry advocacy and workforce development. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

This association promotes professional roofing practices through contractor standards, education, industry advocacy and warranty protection. 

For more than 30 years, the New Brunswick Roofing Contractors Association (NBRCA) has served as a voice for the roofing industry in New Brunswick, Canada, with a focus on quality roofing systems, safe practices and protecting the public interest. Founded in 1969, the association represents professional roofing contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, consultants and quality assurance observers. NBRCA contractor members, supported by associate, consultant and observer members as well as trained employees, have installed more than four out of five roofs in New Brunswick’s commercial, industrial and institutional sectors. 

Membership requires contractors to complete an extensive screening and qualification process covering business and technical expertise, financial stability and a history of professional service. Contractor members must carry a New Brunswick business license, maintain a minimum of $2 million in roofing-related liability insurance and hold WorkSafeNB coverage. Members are also expected to meet safety and training requirements, maintain qualified staff, adhere to an established code of ethics and participate in continuing education. 

NBRCA is affiliated with the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) in the U.S. NBRCA contractor members must also belong to CRCA, giving them the ability to offer clients the nationally recognized two-year CRCA Standard Form of Warranty. 

The warranty covers actual deficiencies resulting from a failure to substantially comply with approved plans, specifications and changes during its two-year term, subject to the warranty’s conditions. Clients receiving a CRCA warranty are also provided with the CRCA Roof Maintenance Guide. 

Through contractor qualifications, education, advocacy and warranty resources, NBRCA works to support professional roofing practices throughout New Brunswick. 

Learn more about the New Brunswick Roofing Contractors Association and its membership, standards and warranty resources!

By The Coffee Shops®.

New tariffs on Canadian imports could affect construction costs and supply chains, making it important for roofing contractors to monitor pricing, supplier updates and project planning.

Roofing contractors already are navigating a challenging business environment, and a new round of tariffs on certain Canadian imports could add another factor to monitor in the months ahead. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), new 50% tariffs on a broad range of Canadian products officially took effect August 22 after a brief delay from their original implementation date. The tariffs were announced July 20 and followed unsuccessful trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada.  

While the tariffs are not aimed specifically at the roofing industry, they cover a variety of goods that can influence construction and building supply chains, including cement and some building materials. For roofing contractors, that means the potential for cost fluctuations throughout the broader construction market, even if roofing products are not directly affected.  

The tariffs were implemented under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a trade measure used to address what the U.S. government considers discriminatory treatment of American industries. According to NRCA, the tariffs apply to covered goods regardless of whether they qualify under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, certain products already subject to tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 are excluded.  

For roofing businesses, the immediate impact may be less about specific products and more about overall market uncertainty. Changes in material pricing, transportation costs and supplier strategies often ripple through the construction sector when major trade actions are introduced. Contractors who rely on long-term estimates, fixed-price contracts or large project bids may want to keep a close eye on supplier communications and pricing trends in the weeks ahead. 

The announcement also serves as a reminder of how quickly economic and policy developments can influence the roofing industry. Whether it's tariffs, labor challenges or broader economic conditions, staying informed helps contractors make smarter purchasing decisions and better manage risk. 

As the situation develops, roofing professionals should continue monitoring updates from NRCA and their suppliers to understand whether these new trade measures could affect future project costs, material availability or business planning decisions. 

Learn more about tariffs on Canadian imports.

By Emma Peterson. 

Insights on navigating consolidation, managing risk and building the operational discipline needed to succeed in today’s roofing industry.  

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth and Trent Cotney sat down for a conversation about the current state of the roofing industry and how contractors can navigate a market that is increasingly less forgiving of error. Trent is a partner at the Adams and Reese law firm with over 30 years of experience counseling roofers, giving him a firsthand seat to how the struggles of contractors have shifted over the years.  

Looking at the industry today, Trent says that operational excellence is even more important than it has always been. He shared, “Having that operational excellence is always something that that we advocate for, but it’s even more key as our market tightens and there is less and less room for error.”  

What is causing this tightening industry? Trent points out how the competition and market landscape are constantly shifting due to consolidation. As he put it, “We're continuing to see consolidation among the industry that's created a lot of uncertainty. It goes two ways. One, you have your competitor down the street and if they join a bigger company and suddenly have a lot more market capability overnight, that’s hard to navigate.” He went on, “On the flip side, some of these consolidations are backfiring. There’s a handful of examples of people getting into the business and not understanding the nuances of roofing and suddenly there’s a gap in the market from a business closing down.”  

Trent’s best advice for navigating this highly uncertain market? Run a tight ship and lean on trusted resources. He explained, “In roofing, the market is tight. There will be 10 contractors that go under today and 20 new ones tomorrow, and that’s just how it is... How do you avoid being one that goes under? Get as much information you can.”  

Take the time to read articles from experts like Trent (which you can find here on RoofersCoffeeShop), check out the resources from industry associations like National Roofing Contractors Association and talk to your peers in the industry at events and gatherings. As Trent put it, “Find a really solid group of people that you can talk to and learn from. Even if they’re your competition in some spots, this is really a great industry. Most people want to help; I know I’m always happy to answer questions no matter if I’m on the road or sitting at my computer. That community is how you survive an unstable market like we have today.” 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more!