The award-winning media kit brings The Coffee Shops’ connected communities to life through immersive storytelling and innovative design.

The Coffee Shops®, the award-winning digital communities where the industries meet for technology, information and everyday business, has earned a Platinum Award in the 2026 MarCom Awards competition for its 2027 Media Kit. The Platinum distinction recognizes entries judged among the most outstanding in quality, creativity and resourcefulness. 

The 2027 The Coffee Shops™ Media Kit was created as more than a traditional collection of advertising opportunities and audience statistics. Built around a first-person point of view, the publication invites advertisers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, associations and industry partners to experience the company’s connected digital publishing ecosystem from inside the story. 

“Winning a Platinum MarCom Award is an exciting validation of the creativity, strategy and collaboration of The Coffee Shops team behind the creation of the media kit,” said The Coffee Shops CEO and President Heidi J. Ellsworth. “We wanted readers to feel the energy of our communities and understand how our brands work together to create meaningful connections across the construction trades. This recognition celebrates the talent of the designers and writers that brought that vision to life.” 

The vision was developed and executed by Joshua Smith, principal designer at The Coffee Shops. “Each spread in the media kit presents a distinct first-person experience inspired by RoofersCoffeeShop®, MetalCoffeeShop®, CoatingsCoffeeShop®, OutdoorCoffeeShop™ and AskARoofer®,” said Smith. “Custom illustrations, iconography, clean infographics and modular layouts guide readers through the personality of each community while maintaining a cohesive visual identity across The Coffee Shops network.” 

The media kit also serves as a comprehensive strategic communications resource, presenting audience demographics, multimedia offerings, sponsorship programs, partnership opportunities and integrated marketing solutions in a highly visual format. It demonstrates how organizations can build long-term relationships with industry professionals through editorial storytelling, podcasts, webinars, videos, social media, education and cross-platform campaigns. 

The 2026 MarCom Awards competition attracts more than 6,000 entries from the United States, Canada and 41 countries around the world. Winners are selected from more than 300 categories spanning print, web, video and strategic communications. 

MarCom Awards honors excellence in marketing and communication and is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), an international organization of creative professionals. Judges evaluate entries for creativity, execution, message effectiveness and overall impact, with each project considered on its own merits. 

Download the 2027 Media Kit here. 

About The Coffee Shops 

Award-winning websites and online communities make up The Coffee Shops. Starting with RoofersCoffeeShop, which launched in 2002, the growth of the sites has been explosive for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and their customers. Currently featuring four sites, RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop™, CoatingsCoffeeShop™, OutdoorCoffeeshop™ and AskARoofer™, all the sites are committed to advocating for the construction trades by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all contractors, while promoting positive growth, education and success of construction industries overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and overall construction information and education. The Coffee Shops are “Where the Industries Meet!” For more information, visit www.thecoffeeshops.online. 

About MarCom Awards 

MarCom Awards honors excellence in marketing and communication while recognizing the creativity, hard work and generosity of industry professionals. Since its inception in 2004, MarCom has evolved into one of the largest, most-respected creative competitions in the world. Each year about 6,000 print and digital entries are submitted from dozens of countries. 

MarCom is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization, founded in 1995, consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, digital and web professionals. AMCP administers recognition programs, provides judges and rewards outstanding achievement and service to the community. Entrants are not charged entry fees for work they create pro bono for nonprofits. In the past few years alone, AMCP has contributed more than $350,000 to charitable causes. 

By Emma Peterson. 

A look at the economic market, the industry outlook and more.  

In a new episode of Contractor Outlook™, Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Alex Chausovsky, the president and CEO of 3DM Consulting (a business and operations advisory firm), for a discussion about the state of the economy and construction industry going into the last quarter of the year.  

Alex began the conversation by highlighting the macroeconomics, saying, “Macroeconomically speaking, the economy has been nothing short of remarkable in terms of its ability to withstand... Think about things like the 2025 tariffs. They were hugely disruptive but at the same time we’ve seen companies adjust their prices, manage their margins and keep going.” And in a year with even more market upsetting events, like the war in the Middle East, remembering this resilience is important. As Alex put it:  

Everyone was really afraid because of those tariffs at the beginning of the year and it wasn’t as bad as we thought it might be. Economically speaking, the war is definitely a negative, but at the same time, it's not destroying the market... Looking at industrial production, which is a key benchmark for contractors and other B2B players, it’s still growing at a 1.5% pace year over year.  

This growth is very minimal, especially in the context of a GDP that, adjusted for inflation, is closer to 2.5-2.7%, but what that number does show us is that the industry is still here, that there are contractors still getting work, even with the struggles.  

How do you ensure you are one of the contractors getting work during this stressful time? Alex says it’s all about adaptability and scenario planning. He explained, “As we look out towards 2027, contractors should be asking themselves, what does my business look like? What does my supply of materials and components look like? What does the pricing environment look like? What do my energy costs look like? And how do I position myself where the demand is?”  

He gave an example of what this planning might look like, sharing, “If you look at data center spending through the end of 2025, it's bigger than all single-family housing, it's bigger than all factory construction, it's bigger than all industrial machinery.” He went on, “For contractors looking at this and trying to plan, they should look at their business and ask themselves, ‘Do I have the right people to be able to adapt with it as this market evolves?’” And if they don’t have those people, they need to find ways to get them, whether that’s hiring new talent or training your existing crew. Because operating in a market as complex as ours today is all about thinking ahead and having the right people in the right place.  

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

Industry titan leaves legacy of service.

L.L. “Buddy” Cockrell, 76, of WindsorMeade in Williamsburg, Virgina passed away unexpectedly at his home on October 11, 2026. Born in Hampton, Virgina on December 15, 1949, he was preceded in death by his father, Laverne Laughton Cockrell, Sr.; mother, Ella Mae Diehl Cockrell; and daughter, Kelly. He was also preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Carl Thompson, Jr. and Gus Best.

Buddy attended Hampton Roads Academy, Hampton High School and Christopher Newport University before joining the Air Force from June 1969 to March 1973. During his service, he was a missile electrical equipment specialist and instructor.

Buddy was also the co-founder, president, executive director and mentor of RPC Industries, Inc. and JACKCRETE. During his career, Buddy always prioritized the success of the entire polyurethanes industry in addition to his business. For the betterment of many, he served as the founding chairman of the board of directors of the Polyurethane Foam Contractors Division of the Society of the Plastics Industry (‘86-‘87), presented at the Polyurethanes World Congress in Aachen, Germany (‘87), testified before the United States Congress Committee in Washington, DC (’87), served as the SPI Elastomeric Coating Committee Chairman (’89-’91), held the treasurer position on the executive committee of the Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Alliance for nearly a decade and participated in research projects with NIOSH and OSHA leading to worker safety advancements.

He was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church and the WindsorMeade Residents’ Council.

Buddy loved spending time with friends and family at Lake Gaston, North Carolina, especially when he could be out on the water boating. He treasured time with Brenda, his beloved wife of 45 years and walks and naps with Cody. He loved traveling with family, friends and Gerry’s travel group. With Brenda by his side, he explored all seven continents and collected rocks from all over the world. Buddy loved bourbon and the friends he toasted. He found great delight in being the WindsorMeade Santa Clause for the last two years. Buddy especially loved watching his nieces and nephews grow up.

In addition to his cherished wife, Brenda Austin Cockrell, Buddy is survived by his sister, Margaret Thompson Best; several nieces and nephews, Tracy (Don) Patty, Carl (Jennifer) Thompson III, Leslie (Robert) LaBelle, Brian Patty, Caden and Lucy LaBelle, Tony (Doris) Sellers, Kim Orr and Vicky McCuen and sisters-in-law, Betty Sellers and Barbara Orr. He also adored his triplet godchildren, Gary, Ashley and Kimberly.

Over the years, Buddy and Brenda have cultivated many treasured friendships including Bryan, Maria, Liam, Brayden and Violet Heldreth; the Kingsmill neighborhood friends known as the “Usual Suspects” (Buddy and Brenda, Ron and Ann, Gus and Marge, Al and Rose, Bob and Susanne); and the WindsorMeade family and team members. Buddy will be deeply missed by his family, friends and professional colleagues.

A memorial service will be held at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, Virgina at a date still to be determined.

A celebration of life will be held at WindsorMeade in early 2027 with details announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. He found great joy in helping others, and a gift to a cause close to your heart would be a fitting tribute to his generous spirit.

The 2026 SolarGrade PV Health Report analyzes nearly 8 GW of solar assets and debuts the HelioVolta Quality Standard Awards, honoring Onyx Renewables and Greenskies Clean Energy.

HelioVolta, an independent provider of field inspections and technical services for solar and energy storage projects, today published its fourth annual SolarGrade PV Health Report, assessing quality and workmanship across 1,500-plus solar assets in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that were inspected by HelioVolta's field engineers.

New HelioVolta report debuts inaugural solar project awards and quantifies quality’s impact on PV system financials with inspection data from 1,500+ solar projects.

The report's key findings include:

• Quality issues can raise a PV system's levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by more than 20%, driven by lost production and higher operational costs.
• The lowest-quality systems underperform by an estimated 6% over their lifetimes and require up to three times more unplanned maintenance than the highest-quality systems.
• 87% of projects contained major issues requiring urgent corrective action, while 8% had critical issues requiring immediate de-energization.
• Tracker systems had the highest rate of critical issues of any system type (18%), driven largely by connector and wire management failures.

This year's report is built on the revamped HelioVolta Quality Standard® (HQS®), a proprietary rubric that starts every project at 1,000 points and deducts points based on the number, severity and remediation status of quality issues documented by HelioVolta. Scores translate to an A–F letter-grade that the report ties directly to lifetime energy costs.

"Quality in solar is no longer a matter of opinion; it's a number you can put in a contract," commented David Penalva, co-founder and CEO of HelioVolta. "This year's report proves that excellent workmanship is empirical, not subjective and the projects from Onyx Renewables and Greenskies Clean Energy show exactly what quality looks like."

"Our modeling reveals that the gap between an A-rated and an F-rated PV system can raise the levelized cost of energy by more than 20%," noted James Nagel, co-founder and CTO of HelioVolta. "That's the difference between a profitable asset and one stranded by expiring tax credits. Asset owners who tolerate aggressive EPC cost-cutting can no longer operate profitable portfolios."

For the first time, the report also recognizes excellence through the inaugural HelioVolta Quality Standard Awards, honoring the two highest-scoring projects under 5 MWDC inspected in 2025:

• A 1.15 MWDC ground mount array for a California homeowners association that was developed and owned by Onyx Renewables and built by Helix Electric.
• A 760 kWDC rooftop array for a Fortune 100 retailer that was developed and owned by Greenskies Clean Energy and built by Opulent Power Solutions.

"Not all energy is delivered equal. Our customers need solar that is engineered, inspected and validated to perform," said Angie Daoud, COO of Onyx Renewables. "We build accountability into every step of how we develop, build and care for our projects, and this independent award recognizes and confirms that this approach delivers."

"This recognition from HelioVolta is meaningful because it independently validates the standards we work to uphold across our portfolio," said Vijay Singh, CEO of Greenskies Clean Energy. "As a long-term owner and operator, we know the quality of how a project is built directly supports how it performs over time. That focus on disciplined execution and lasting performance guides every project we deliver."

This year's report also breaks down quality trends by PV system type. Canopy systems, which represent just 3% of all systems inspected by HelioVolta, have the lowest issue rates. HelioVolta has never found a critical issue in a canopy system and just 59% contained major issues.

To learn more about the HelioVolta Quality Standard® and explore profiles of this year's award-winning projects, download the 2026 SolarGrade PV Health Report at www.heliovolta.com/resources/pv-health-report-2026/.

About HelioVolta

HelioVolta provides independent technical services that ensure renewable energy assets perform safely and reliably today — and for decades to come. We help asset owners, managers and off-takers build actionable quality programs with robust EPC and O&M standards, comprehensive field inspections and data-driven benchmarking of partners and vendors. Every HelioVolta field inspection is conducted with SolarGrade, a field operations software platform developed by our affiliate, SolarGrade, Inc. Learn more at www.heliovolta.com.

The new international platform brings global roofing news, projects, products and industry connections together in one digital destination. 

RoofersCoffeeShop®, the award-winning website where the industry meets for technology, information and everyday business, proudly announces the launch of RoofersCoffeeShop.global in conjunction with the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD). It is a new site designed to connect roofing professionals, associations, manufacturers and thought leaders across international markets. 

Building on the success of RoofersCoffeeShop’s dedicated Canadian and United Kingdom sites, the global platform expands the reach of trusted roofing content by creating a centralized destination for stories, innovations and resources from around the world. The new site is sponsored by the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD), whose work connecting roofing trade organizations, advancing professional development and representing shared industry interests internationally aligns with RoofersCoffeeShop’s mission to strengthen the roofing community through information, education and connection.  

“Roofing is a global industry built on shared knowledge, skilled craftsmanship and strong relationships,” said Heidi J. Ellsworth, president and CEO of The Coffee Shops. “This new global site gives roofing professionals a dedicated place to discover and explore ideas and opportunities beyond their own markets. We are very proud to share the stories of the people, projects and technologies shaping the roofing industry worldwide.” 

The global site will feature international roofing news, notable projects, sustainability initiatives, product developments and business trends. It will also highlight national and regional associations and industry voices through articles, podcasts, webinars and social media content, giving contractors and roofing professionals access to practical insights from markets around the world. 

By bringing international perspectives together in one place, RoofersCoffeeShop continues its commitment to building an inclusive digital community where roofing professionals can learn from one another, identify emerging opportunities and strengthen connections across borders. 

Experience the new site today at RoofersCoffeeShop.global. 

About RoofersCoffeeShop 

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the positive growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop.com is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com. 

About The Coffee Shops 

Award-winning websites and online communities make up The Coffee Shops. Starting with RoofersCoffeeShop, which launched in 2002, the growth of the sites has been explosive for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and their customers. Currently featuring four sites, RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop™, CoatingsCoffeeShop™, OutdoorCoffeeshop™ and AskARoofer™, all the sites are committed to advocating for the construction trades by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all contractors, while promoting positive growth, education and success of construction industries overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and overall construction information and education. The Coffee Shops are “Where the Industries Meet!” For more information, visit www.thecoffeeshops.online. 

About the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD) 

The purpose of the International Federation of the Roofing Trade is to serve as a permanent bond between the members belonging to it, to study the common professional problems and to derive from them findings for individual members or the organization as a whole, and to safeguard and support the common national, business, professional, social, cultural and other professional interests of the members at the international level. To do this, they exchange documentation related to the profession and issues statements on common issues along with running initiatives that promote professional development and vocational training programs. To learn more, visit ifd-roof.com/index.php/en. 

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Making room for innovation beyond traditional markets.

Some of the best business opportunities come from looking beyond our own industries. Throughout my time at the National Parking Association Convention, I was reminded that many of the challenges faced by parking professionals mirror those faced by contractors working in waterproofing, restoration and protective coatings. Facility owners are focused on extending asset life, improving safety, enhancing customer experiences and preparing for the future. Those priorities create opportunities for contractors who understand infrastructure preservation, maintenance and long-term performance.

In the first two articles of this series, I focused on the people driving the industry and the importance of service, maintenance and restoration. What became equally apparent as I walked the expo floor was the amount of innovation taking place throughout the parking industry. From advanced materials and architectural systems to emerging technologies and transportation solutions, the convention showcased ideas and products that have applications well beyond parking structures.

One of the most interesting exhibits I visited was Solmax. Their membrane technologies are designed to enhance the performance and longevity of both concrete and asphalt infrastructure. As conversations around asset preservation continue to grow, membranes play an increasingly important role in protecting structures from water intrusion and environmental exposure. For contractors involved in waterproofing, coatings and restoration, these technologies reinforce the importance of protecting assets before deterioration begins.

I was also impressed by GKD Metal Fabrics and its architectural metal fabric systems. Parking structures today are no longer expected to function as simple concrete boxes. Owners, municipalities and architects are increasingly looking for ways to create visually appealing facilities that enhance the surrounding environment. The metal facade systems showcased by GKD demonstrate how parking structures can combine aesthetics, ventilation and functionality while creating attractive architectural features. The applications extend well beyond parking and can be incorporated into commercial, institutional and mixed-use projects.

Technology was another major theme throughout the expo. One company that immediately caught my attention was UMOJO. Their camera and monitoring systems are designed to improve visibility, security and operational awareness within parking environments. As I learned more about their capabilities, I could not help but think about the potential applications for construction sites. Contractors are continually seeking ways to improve safety, monitor projects and protect assets and solutions originally developed for parking facilities may offer valuable ideas for jobsite management and security.

Another company that stood out was Barrier Cable Systems. Their products are designed to improve safety within parking environments while maintaining functionality and durability. The emphasis on protection, risk mitigation and user safety aligns closely with the priorities of roofing, restoration and construction professionals. It was another example of how solutions developed for one industry can often translate into opportunities in another.

Beyond the products and technologies, the people I met throughout the convention reinforced many of the themes highlighted in the first two articles. Conversations with professionals from Parking Management Company (PMC) and Royal Valet Tulsa, a women-owned valet company based in Oklahoma, provided valuable insights into the service side of the industry. Both organizations demonstrated the professionalism, innovation and customer focus that continue to drive growth across the parking sector.

The convention also celebrated emerging leaders through the industry's 40 Under 40 program. It was encouraging to see the next generation of professionals being recognized for their leadership, creativity and commitment to advancing the industry. A lively Family Feud competition added some fun while sparking honest conversations about workforce development, operational challenges and opportunities for continued improvement.

Another memorable highlight was hearing from former NFL player and broadcaster Howie Long. His message focused on authenticity, preparation, family and showing up every day ready to do your best. While his career has spanned professional sports and broadcasting, his advice resonated with many business leaders in attendance. The importance of building relationships, staying true to your values and consistently delivering on commitments are qualities that apply to every industry.

As I reflected on everything I learned throughout the week, one theme continued to emerge. The parking industry is evolving rapidly, driven by technology, changing transportation patterns and growing customer expectations. Parking facilities are becoming much more than places to leave a vehicle. They are increasingly serving as transportation hubs that integrate EV charging infrastructure, autonomous vehicle planning, valet services, shuttle operations and enhanced customer experiences.

For waterproofing, restoration and protective coatings contractors, that evolution creates opportunity. Every modernization effort, infrastructure upgrade and maintenance program requires facilities that are safe, durable and properly protected. Contractors who understand those needs and are willing to engage with adjacent industries can discover valuable markets and long-term client relationships.

Throughout every conversation, introduction and educational session, I came away with a deep appreciation for the National Parking Association and its members. The industry is filled with professionals who are committed to innovation, dedicated to supporting one another and focused on delivering the services the public depends on every day.

For CoatingsCoffeeShop®, that is exactly why exploring industries like parking matters. By understanding the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping adjacent markets, contractors can uncover new ways to apply their expertise, expand their businesses and build stronger futures.

Editor's note: This article concludes a three-part series from the National Parking Association Convention. Part one explored leadership and mentorship through Women in Parking, while part two highlighted the value of proactive service and maintenance. Together, these experiences demonstrate how learning from adjacent industries can help contractors identify opportunities, build valuable relationships and better understand the markets that depend on waterproofing, restoration and protective coatings expertise.

Water-based lubrication platform uses water with specialized chemistry to advance lubrication performance, sustainability and efficiency for PAG level performance at much lower cost.

Meaningful innovation in lubrication must improve the attributes that matter most: wear, friction, heat handling, vibration, biodegradability and sustainability, while addressing logistics and cost. The field of tribology, the science of friction, wear and lubrication, continually seeks advances across these critical areas.

Tribology specialist B3C Fuel Solutions has redefined lubrication through the engineering of water. Instead of relying on conventional oil, Hydro Lubrication uses water as a functional component combined with specialized chemistry to provide advanced lubrication, wear protection and operating stability across a growing range of applications. Rather than treating water as a contaminant to be excluded from lubricating systems, Hydro Lubrication uses water as an intentional component of the formulation.

Beyond its biodegradability and sustainability advantages, Hydro Lubrication offers performance advantages over conventional lubricants across key performance measures while creating even greater opportunities in cost, transportation, storage, resource use and environmental impact.

B3C Fuel Solutions’ portfolio of hydro lubricants, developed under the Better Than Oil™ tradename, is among the most advanced and diverse hydro lubricants available and used today, demonstrating the usefulness and potential of Hydro Lubrication across an expanding range of applications and industries. As the world’s leading manufacturer of hydro lubricants, B3C’s portfolio includes bar and chain, blade and chain, air tool, conveyor belt, penetrating and other industrial lubricants. The unique formulation offers similar performance to traditional PAG (Polyalkylene Glycol) oil formulations at much lower cost parameters.

The future is now and the concentrate advantage

Hydro Lubrication represents more than an alternative to conventional oil. It is a more advanced lubrication platform. By engineering the unique properties of water with specialized lubrication chemistry, Hydro Lubrication can improve the attributes that matter most, including friction, wear, vibration, heat management, load capacity, biodegradability, sustainability and operating safety.

Concentrated Hydro Lubrication extends these advantages even further, creating significant opportunities to reduce transportation, storage, packaging, resource use, and cost and environmental impact while expanding the functional range of the technology. Depending on concentrate to water ratios and lubricant use, various savings (space, cost, packaging, weight, etc.) can be as much as 80% or even greater (as concentration increases, so does the potential to reduce packaging, storage space, freight weight, transportation, fuel consumption and associated environmental impact).

B3C’s Better Than Oil™ Biodegradable Bar and Chain Lubricant Concentrate is a primary example of a new hydro lubricant being unveiled at the 2026 Equip Exposition tradeshow in Louisville, Kentucky.

B3C Fuel Solutions has established a leadership position in this emerging field. With extensive research, testing and one of the world’s broadest portfolios of hydro lubricants already in use across consumer, commercial and industrial applications, B3C has advanced Hydro Lubrication from technology to practical application.

B3C’s Hydro Lubrication White Paper can be accessed by visiting B3C Hydro Lubrication white paper or Hydro Lubrication short link. More company and product information is available at B3C Fuel Solutions.

Learn more about Hydro Lubrication at the 2026 Equip Exposition: B3C Booth 10042

B3C Fuel Solutions develops and manufactures innovative chemical products that solve practical problems for engines, equipment, property and the people who use and maintain them. Its diverse portfolio includes Hydro Lubricants, fuel and oil treatments, patented fluid-drying desiccants, super-absorbents for spill remediation and specialized products for equipment care, maintenance and other consumer, commercial and industrial applications. Through brands including Mechanic In A Bottle™ and Ethanol Shield™ Fuel Stabilizer, B3C serves customers worldwide with practical solutions designed to protect valuable equipment, improve performance and productivity, reduce downtime, and save time and money.

By Emma Peterson. 

Explore this month’s most popular roofing stories.  

As we enter the final quarter of 2026, it can be hard to keep up with everything that’s happened so far! From the surge of AI tools to the constantly evolving landscape that is global geopolitics, there's a lot going on. To make it a bit easier, we highlighted the articles that resonated the most with our audience.  

For September 2026, our top ten list featured multiple articles focused on safety. One of these articles was written by Heidi J. Ellsworth, who is the CEO and president of The Coffee Shops®. Her article focused on Construction Suicide Prevention Week (which was September 14-18) and highlighted the importance of “creating a workplace where people know it is safe to speak up, supervisors know how to respond and everyone understands where immediate help is available.” The other safety article focuses more on the physical aspect of safety, specifically how maintenance and driver training are key to keeping your fleet of vehicles safe.  

The Coffee Shops’ talented writing team also made the list this month! One was Jesse Sanchez’s article about Polyglass’ new single-ply, insulation and waterproofing systems and how they protect “all six sides of the building envelope.” The other two articles from the editorial team came from me and focused on the state of the roofing industry market and an innovative solution to recycling construction waste.  

Read all ten of the top articles:

10 - METALCON announces inaugural 40 Under 40 honorees

9 - Customer reviews put roofing software on top

8 - An uneven but expanding market

7 - Keep your fleet safe on summer roads

6 - Master the market with metal

5 - Leadership takes the stage at MRCA

4 - Protecting all six sides of the building envelope

3 - How much wood could a Woodchuck divert?

2 - Don’t miss NRCA’s LEGALCon Live 2026

1 - Building a safer construction industry starts with a conversation

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.  

In the business of asset preservation, developing long-term maintenance strategies is the key to success. 

One of the greatest benefits of attending industry events outside our own market segments is the opportunity to learn how other professionals approach the challenges of maintaining and protecting critical infrastructure. During my time at the National Parking Association Convention & Expo, I discovered that parking professionals share many of the same priorities as roofing, waterproofing and restoration contractors. They are focused on extending service life, protecting valuable assets and developing long-term maintenance strategies that reduce risk, control costs and ensure facilities continue serving the public for decades.  

In my previous article, "Women in parking continue to redefine leadership in a growing industry," I highlighted the people, mentorship and leadership development helping shape the future of the parking industry. Equally impressive was the industry's commitment to preventative maintenance and asset preservation. Throughout the convention, conversations repeatedly returned to one central theme: the most successful organizations do not wait for infrastructure to fail. They plan, budget and invest in maintenance long before problems become costly repairs.  

One of the most insightful conversations I had during the event was with a team from a large municipal parking operation. As we discussed the challenges of maintaining parking structures, they shared their philosophy on preventative maintenance and long-term asset management. Rather than viewing restoration as a reaction to deterioration, they approach it as a planned process that protects the entire structure throughout its lifecycle. 

Their strategy includes scheduled evaluations and maintenance programs every three to five years, bringing together engineers, waterproofing specialists and restoration contractors to assess the condition of facilities. These reviews help identify potential issues before they become major problems while ensuring paving surfaces, walls, waterproofing systems and structural components continue to perform as intended. It is a disciplined approach that prioritizes preservation instead of emergency repairs.  

Another fascinating conversation was with professionals responsible for parking operations at an international airport. Their perspective expanded the maintenance discussion beyond restoration and into the future of transportation infrastructure. They shared how contractors regularly bid on projects involving paving, concrete restoration, architectural facades, barrier systems and other improvements designed to keep parking facilities safe, attractive and functional.  

What stood out most was their comprehensive approach to planning. Along with routine maintenance and weather-related repairs, they are evaluating seismic upgrades and infrastructure improvements that will help accommodate evolving transportation needs. Their focus is on ensuring parking facilities continue meeting public expectations while adapting to emerging technologies and services. 

That forward-thinking approach includes preparing for expanded EV charging infrastructure, the growth of autonomous vehicles and the continued demand for valet and shuttle services. For restoration contractors, this is an important reminder that parking structures are no longer simply places to store cars. They are becoming increasingly sophisticated transportation hubs that must evolve alongside the changing ways people travel.  

As I listened to these conversations, I could not help but think about the parallels to roofing and building envelope management. Too often, owners delay maintenance until leaks, deterioration or operational problems force action. Parking professionals, however, increasingly view preservation as an ongoing investment. By scheduling assessments and addressing issues early, they can avoid much larger and more expensive repairs while extending the useful life of their assets.  

For waterproofing, restoration and protective coatings contractors, that mindset creates significant opportunities. Parking structures rely on systems designed to protect concrete and steel from moisture intrusion, corrosion, freeze-thaw cycles and daily wear. Maintaining those systems requires expertise in inspections, restoration, waterproofing, coatings and long-term maintenance planning.  

The conversations also highlighted the collaborative nature of successful preservation programs. Owners, engineers, architects and contractors work together to develop strategies that address current needs while preparing for future demands. Whether that future includes structural upgrades, new technologies or changing transportation patterns, facility owners understand that investment today protects performance tomorrow.  

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from my discussions with parking professionals was simple: maintenance is not an expense. It is an investment. The organizations achieving the greatest success are those that view preservation as a critical component of asset management rather than a response to failure. Every dollar spent on maintaining infrastructure today helps protect against much larger costs in the future while ensuring facilities remain safe, functional and relevant. 

As CoatingsCoffeeShop® continues exploring industries that depend on waterproofing, restoration and protective coatings, the parking industry stands out as a market that truly appreciates the value of long-term planning. For contractors looking to expand their businesses, it offers important lessons on asset preservation and a growing number of opportunities tied to modernization, transportation technology and infrastructure maintenance.  

Editor's Note: In Part One of this series, Women in Parking Continue to Redefine Leadership in a Growing Industry, we explored how mentorship, leadership development and a strong culture of support are helping shape the future of the parking industry. This second installment shows that the same commitment to long-term success extends to the facilities themselves, where proactive maintenance, restoration and modernization continue to create value for both owners and the communities they serve. 

By Emma Peterson. 

By examining centuries-old buildings and historical climate records, researchers found evidence that roof geometry evolved alongside changing snowfall conditions. 

As weather events continue to grow in extremity, there’s a lot of discussion going on about how we can build structures stronger so that they can withstand the elements. This can seem like an overwhelming task, but it might be one that humans have already overcome in the past.  

Research published in the journal Science Advances points to a connection between China’s historical roofs and changing snowfall patterns. This research was conducted by a team from 南京 (Nánjīng) University that included Siyang Li, Ke Ding, Aijun Ding, Lejun He, Xin Huang and Congbin Fu in collaboration with Quansheng Ge of the Chinese Academy of Science in 北京 (Běijīng).  

Collecting the data 

To set up their study, the team began with field research. As an EOS article by Katherine Kornei describes:  

The team amassed records of roughly 200 wooden buildings constructed in northern China from the 8th to 18th centuries (from the middle to late 唐 [Táng] dynasty to the middle of the 清 [Qīng] dynasty)... For each building, the researchers calculated the ratio of its roof’s height to its span. 

The reasoning behind collecting that ratio was that roof slope is a trackable change in construction design that could show a correlation between construction and weather changes (a steeper slope is better at shedding precipitation like snow).  

After collecting the data on the different buildings, the team turned to historical weather data. As Katherine wrote, “To infer what the climate was like in northern China from the 8th to 18th centuries, the team mined published paleoclimatic reconstructions.” In other words, the team used historical documents and data to understand weather anomalies in Northern China between the 8th to 18th centuries with a special focus on snowfall anomalies.  

The connections 

With their data collected, the researchers began putting the puzzle pieces together. And what they found was “that the main factor driving the modification of roof pitch and curvature of official buildings was the fluctuation in snowfall intensity associated with climate change over the past thousand years.”  

In the study, they highlighted 龙门(Lóngmén) Temple in the 山西 (Shānxī) province as an individual case study supporting this connection between roof design and weather. As written in the study:  

According to the historical document of building standards of the Song Dynasty (Yingzao fashi, 1103 CE) (36), [the buildings] in the Lóngmén Temple were supposed to have a nearly identical roof pitch of ~27%. However, the two buildings constructed in cold periods presented steeper roofs, at 29.67% (1098 CE) and 30.50% (1498–1504 CE), whereas the one in the warm period was smoother, at 26.92%. 

This is a perfect illustration of the larger pattern found by the group – that historical Chinese architects built roofs in response to the weather patterns experienced during the construction period.

Further, this example showcases how we know that the steeper slopes were due to historic snowfall rather than other forms of precipitation like rain. As Ke Ding told EOS, “If the roof [slope] changed according to rainfall, it should be steeper in warmer periods.” And, as roofs like those Lóngmén Temple, changed during the cold periods, it can be concluded that snowfall was the primary precipitation impacting the construction methods.  

Beyond this study 

Overall, this study showcases the resilience of roofers and humans in general to adapt to changing environments. As Katherine put it, “Given the rapid climate change the planet is currently experiencing — [the fact that] people in the past made changes [is heartening and a testament to our current capability] of doing the same.” 

Image sources in order of appearance: People’s Daily, Science Advances