By Megan Ellsworth.  

Discovering the legacy and longevity of slate roofing in the U.K. 

There are some trips that leave you inspired both professionally and personally, and my recent journey to the United Kingdom with the National Slate Association (NSA) and Slate Roofing Contractors Association (SRCA) was exactly that. From walking the streets of London to standing deep inside a historic slate quarry in England’s Lake District, the experience gave me a whole new appreciation for the craftsmanship, history and community behind slate roofing. 

The trip centered around attending the NFRC Awards, hosted by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. The awards ceremony brought together some of the most talented roofing professionals in the United Kingdom and showcased the incredible work being done across the industry. It was inspiring to see how much pride contractors take in preserving traditional roofing methods while still embracing innovation and modern building practices. A main highlight for me during the awards was seeing the green roofing finalists. I look forward to that trend becoming more prevalent in the states because it is such a beautiful roofing system. The winner of that award was SAFESEAL Roofing LTD for their work on the Chester Zoo, check it out here! 

One of the most exciting parts of the trip was having the opportunity to connect with roofing professionals through RoofersCoffeeShop.uk. Throughout the week, I met contractors, manufacturers and industry leaders who were incredibly welcoming and passionate about their work. Even though roofing practices can differ between the United States and the U.K., the sense of community felt very familiar. Conversations about craftsmanship, workforce development, industry challenges and pride in quality work transcended borders. 

Beyond the networking and events, one of the most unforgettable experiences was visiting the Burlington Stone quarry, owned by the Holker Group. Seeing where slate roofing materials originate completely changed my perspective on slate as a roofing product. Standing inside the quarry and watching the process firsthand was incredible. We were able to see how slate is mined, split and prepared for roofing tiles using techniques that combine generations of tradition with modern precision. I even got to split some slate roofing pieces myself!  

The scale of the operation was impressive, but what stood out most was the respect everyone had for the material itself. Slate roofing is not just another roofing system; it is craftsmanship rooted in geology, history and longevity. Learning about the durability and natural beauty of slate directly from the people who extract and produce it made me appreciate why slate roofs can last well over a century when installed properly.  

The quarry! 

This is inside their plant, cutting the slate into smaller pieces to start creating building materials from it.  

We loved seeing this on the plant floor, safety always comes first! 

Our favorite part was seeing how the roof tiles are made!  

John Chan from Durable Slate Company holding a 200-year-old slate roofing tile! 

The coolest part of the entire trip was realizing just how much history is literally sitting above your head everywhere you go in the U.K. As we toured places like Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, I could not stop staring at the roofs. So many of the slate roofs we saw were well over 100 years old, and some even older than that, which honestly blew my mind. We had the honor of touring Haulker Hill House, which has been in the Cavendish family for generations; we all enjoyed marveling at the ornate slate roof and lead and copper finishes.  

Slate roofs are everywhere! This was in Cumbria, England near the Burlington Quarry.  

Coming from the roofing industry, you hear people talk about slate longevity all the time, but seeing these massive historic buildings still protected by beautiful slate systems after centuries of harsh rain and weather made it feel real in a completely different way. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into slate roofing and why it has remained such an important part of architecture throughout the U.K. and Europe for generations. Everywhere we went, from London to Scotland, the roofs themselves felt like part of the storytelling, and I found myself constantly looking up. 

What I walked away with most from this trip was gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to learn, to represent the roofing community internationally and to build relationships with people who care deeply about the industry. The roofing world may seem large, but experiences like this make it feel surprisingly connected. 

This U.K. trip reinforced something I already believed: roofing is more than construction. It is storytelling, craftsmanship, preservation and community all rolled into one. I am incredibly thankful to the Slate Roofing Contractors Association, the team at RoofersCoffeeShop.uk and everyone we met along the way for making this experience unforgettable.

By Emma Peterson. 

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

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

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

Sunday – Kickoff  

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

Monday – Signature projects 

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

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

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

Tuesday – Charitable projects 

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

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

They put it best in their post:  

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

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

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

Wednesday – Employee appreciation 

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

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

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

Thursday – Training and learning 

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

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

Friday – Celebration 

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

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

Saturday – Wrap up 

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

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

By The Coffee Shops. 

The 2025 IFD Congress was a celebration of roofing craftsmanship, industry partnerships and the future of the trade. 

Roofing professionals from across the globe gathered in Bratislava, Slovakia from October 22–25, 2025, for the 73rd Annual Congress of the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD). Hosted at the Sheraton Bratislava Hotel, the annual event served as a meeting point for industry leaders to discuss the evolving challenges facing the roofing sector while exploring opportunities for innovation, education and international collaboration. This meeting also saw the election of a new IFD president, Dirk Bollwerk. Dirk is the president of ZVDH, the president of the German Roofing Association and will be serving the IFD as their president for the next three years.  

The week began with a welcome reception on Wednesday evening, setting the tone for several days of professional exchange and relationship building among delegates representing countries from around the world. From there, the congress shifted into a series of expert presentations and forward-looking discussions focused on the future of the global roofing industry. The event concluded with a Thursday evening traditional dinner hosted by the Slovak Roofing Association and a Friday night gala dinner at the historic Reduta Concert Hall. 

One of the most anticipated moments of the week was the IFD Awards 2025, which recognized exceptional roofing and façade projects from around the world. Nearly 100 projects were submitted across four categories — façade, flat roof, metal roof and pitched roof — underscoring the depth of craftsmanship and technical expertise represented throughout the industry. 

“This year’s submissions once again demonstrated the diversity and creativity of our trade – and how closely innovation and tradition go hand in hand,” said Sabine Rothschuh, general secretary of the IFD. 

Among the winners, the pitched roof category stood out in particular, with the jury awarding three equal first-place honours in recognition of the exceptional quality of the submissions. The winners included:  

Façade 

1. Battle of Don Memorial Site (Appreggio Bt, Ervin Király and BH Metall Kft., Hungary) 
2. National Széchenyi Library Archival Centre (Pilisi Pléh-Boy Kft., Hungary) 
3. Kovács Katalin National Kayak-Canoe Academy (Horex Kft, Bauer Bádogos és Szigetelő Kft., Hungary) 

Flat roof 

1. SFH K. (Spitzer Gesellschaft m.b.H., Austria) 
2. Whinfell Forest Centre Parcs, Subtropical Swimming Paradise (Central Group, United Kingdom) 
3. Seaplane Harbour, Estonian Maritime Museum (Aruna-Ehitus OÜ, Estonia) 

Metal roof 

1. Logan County Courthouse (The Durable Slate Company, USA) 
2. Reconstruction of the former Red Cross Headquarters (Pilisi Pléh-Boy Kft., Hungary) 
3. Reduta, Bratislava (SiQiS-S, s.r.o., Slovakia) 

Pitched roof (where three equal first prizes were awarded) 

1. Christ’s College Cambridge (Claude N Smith Ltd, United Kingdom) 
2. Restoration of Saint Helena Cathedral (The Durable Restoration Company, USA) 
3. Detached House Dentling (Schmid Dachbau GmbH, Germany) 

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

International collaboration brings new ideas home.

The Coffee Shops™ were proud to participate in the 2026 National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) Study Tour to Cologne, Germany and Brussels, Belgium. The tour began in Cologne where the global roofing community gathered for Dach + Holz International, one of the world’s premier roofing trade shows. Industry leaders, manufacturers and contractors from around the world came together to share ideas, showcase new technology and discuss best practices shaping the future of roofing. 

Participants on the NRCA 2026 Study Tour represented a diverse cross section of the roofing industry including contractors, consultants and manufacturers. Attendees included John Chan and Gary Howes of The Durable Slate Company; Matt Dupuis of SRI Consultants; Ruben Gonzalez of AIS Construction Inc.; Ron Harriman, retired from Benchmark, Inc.; Alex Hernandez of Clark Roofing Company; Dean Jagusch of Wagner Roofing Company; Sherri Miles of J.D. Miles & Sons, Inc.; Lorna Rojas of National Women in Roofing and Tremco CPG; Jason Stanley and Jamie Treglio of IB Roof Systems; Joe Zale of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; Abad Zarate of AzaPro Roofing and Heidi J. Ellsworth of The Coffee Shops. Together the group represented a broad range of expertise and perspectives from across the roofing industry. 

The purpose of the NRCA 2026 Study Tour was to provide participants with valuable insights into international roofing practices while exploring best practices, gaining a deeper understanding of global trends and establishing meaningful connections with professionals from around the world. By bringing contractors, consultants and industry leaders together in an international setting, the tour created opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience firsthand how roofing technologies and practices differ across markets. 

During the event, NRCA CEO McKay Daniels spoke about the importance of international engagement for roofing professionals. One of NRCA’s priorities, he explained, is helping contractors make tomorrow better than today by creating opportunities to see how roofing is practiced in different regions of the world. 

“Part of our role is bringing contractors and industry professionals to international events like this so they can see how others are approaching roofing,” McKay said. “Different climates, different building methods and different technologies all influence how roofing is done. There’s no monopoly on good ideas.” 

For many attendees on the NRCA 2026 Study Tour, the experience of walking the Dach + Holz show floor was eye opening. From waterproofing technologies to solar integration and green roofing systems, international manufacturers showcased innovations that offered a glimpse of where the industry may be heading. Seeing these developments firsthand allows U.S. contractors to better understand how global markets are evolving and how those ideas may influence roofing practices at home. 

The agenda for the NRCA 2026 Study Tour included the Dach + Holz Trade Show along with site visits, facility tours and group dinners designed to encourage discussion and collaboration among participants. The tour also included a visit to the Derbigum manufacturing facility in Belgium. Derbigum, a Kingspan company, provided attendees with a behind-the-scenes look at manufacturing processes and product development. A highlight of the visit was learning about the company’s commitment to sustainability through its “No Roof to Waste” initiative, a dedicated program that collects and recycles old roof membranes and installation waste, reducing the need for new raw materials. 

Together, these experiences provided a unique opportunity to broaden perspectives and bring back valuable knowledge that can help strengthen roofing businesses and organizations across the United States. Events like Dach + Holz have long served as a hub for global roofing innovation, bringing together manufacturers, contractors and craftspeople from around the world. For U.S. contractors attending with NRCA, the goal was not only to observe but to return home with new ideas and perspectives that can help advance the industry. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

As U.S. teams competed alongside international peers in Austria, the event became a living example of how respect, workforce development and global standards are shaping roofing’s next generation. 

From the competition floor at the Student Competition in Innsbruck, Austria, Heidi J. Ellsworth shared candid conversation with industry professionals from the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD),  National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and a first-time U.S. delegation backed by Durable Slate, KPost Roofing and Waterproofing and Global Roofing Group. 

Hosted by the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD), the Student Competition brings young roofers from around the world together to test their skills against shared international standards across multiple roofing disciplines. For the first time, a U.S. delegation supported by NRCA and industry sponsors joined the field, stepping into a highly structured environment designed to measure not only technical ability but professionalism, organization and care for the worksite. 

Before anyone picked up a tool, the work was logistical, emotional and human. Flights, buses, schedules, coaches, sponsors and young competitors trying to sleep in a new country before an eight-hour day under judges who measure everything from precision to the way a workspace is kept. Jon spoke about the process, noting the complexity of bringing so many moving parts together. He shared, “At the end of the day I was, as I affectionately say, I was herding cats and they are the best cats in the world and we brought it all together and I breathed a big sigh of relief when everyone was tucked into bed Sunday night.” 

What he framed as humor pointed to something more practical. Bringing young roofers into a space like this takes intention, coordination and care, long before competition begins. By the time teams stepped onto the floor, the groundwork for learning, growth and comparison was already in place. 

From above, the competition moved steadily, with each task governed by clear rules and time limits. The U.S. teams rotated through low-slope, standing seam metal and slate and tile assemblies, often working with European tools and materials they had not used before. Jon watched the floor as teams worked at different speeds, all measured against the same standard. He shared, “Team USA's greatest skill we have courage and we are inquisitive and we are learning as we go.” 

By the second day, conversations around the competition began to shift. Between long hours on the floor and informal discussions off camera, Jon returned to a central reason NRCA chose to engage internationally through IFD: workforce development depends on how the trade is valued. For him, the competition was not just about skills, but about signaling what roofing can offer to the next generation. Jon shared, “Roofing respect; its seed bed is in the home. What do you want your children to be? They say, ‘we want them to be respected. Kids don't grow up to become roofers, they don't grow up saying I want to be a roofer.’ One of the reasons for that is we don’t respect our roofers as we should.” 

In Innsbruck, that idea took physical form. The competition showed what respect looks like when it is built into standards, expectations and shared craft, offering young roofers a clearer pathway and contractors a stronger model for attracting and keeping talent. 

Watch our interviews to learn more about how NRCA and IFD are using international competition to build workforce pathways and raise roofing respect in the U.S. 

By READYSLATE®. 

An international jury crowns Duhamel Couverture the Best of the Best while reinforcing the enduring excellence of natural slate craftsmanship. 

In a competition defined by technical rigor and respect for tradition, Duhamel Couverture has emerged at the top of the Best of the Best 2025, earning recognition that represents both mastery of craft and clarity of execution. For READYSLATE®, the result reflects more than a winning scorecard; it highlights the values that continue to elevate natural slate roofing on a global stage. Judged by an international panel of seasoned professionals and decided through a closely contested final vote, this year’s outcome reinforces the importance of precision, presentation and uncompromising standards in an industry where details define distinction. 

In the final vote, the French company secured 19 points, ahead of Haesen Rik Dakwerken (Belgium) with 11 points. The Durable Slate Company (United States) completed the podium with 9 points. 

Also taking part in the final round were CP Roofing Solutions (United Kingdom), with 5 points and Ardesia Couverture, which finished with 3 points. 

In their assessment, the jury stated, “Duhamel Couverture’s proposal stands out for its attention to detail and for the clarity with which complex construction solutions were presented.” 

The Best of the Best 2025 decision was made by an international jury of highly respected professionals, including Matt Timby (United Kingdom), Heidi J. Ellsworth (United States), Severino González (Spain), Henri Lefin (Belgium) and Sébastien Therenty (France). 

All jury members bring extensive professional experience and a strong background in the natural slate and roofing sector, ensuring a rigorous and well-balanced evaluation process. We would like to thank them once again for their commitment and continued collaboration. 

Our thanks also go to the five finalists and to the 35 companies that took part in this year’s edition. Because beyond being a competition, the Best of the Best is, above all, a way to recognize the wonderful craft of the natural slate roofer and the value of work carried out to the highest standards. 

We now look forward to welcoming Duhamel Couverture to our quarries, where they will have the opportunity to discover first-hand the origin of our slate. And to all other participants, we look forward to seeing you again in next year’s Best of the Best! 

Original article source: READYSLATE

The IFD Congress at the Sheraton Bratislava Hotel focused on current challenges and opportunities in the global roofing trade.

From 22 to 25 October 2025, the international roofing community gathered in Bratislava for the 73rd Annual Congress of the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD). The event opened on Wednesday evening with a warm welcome reception, where delegates from many countries met in a spirit of international friendship.

The following two days (23 and 24 October) were dedicated to expert presentations, future-oriented discussions and global collaboration.

On Thursday evening, the Slovak Roofing Association hosted a traditional Slovak dinner – a lively highlight featuring local cuisine and music that fostered intercultural exchange. The gala dinner at the Reduta Concert Hall on Friday marked the festive conclusion of the week.

IFD Congress: Future topics, dialogue and presidential transition

The two-day IFD Congress at the Sheraton Bratislava Hotel focused on current challenges and opportunities in the global roofing trade.

After opening remarks by Walter Bisig (IFD president) and Eduard Jamrich (president of the Slovak Roofing Association), as well as greetings from the city of Bratislava, the IFD presented updates on its ongoing projects and strategic developments.

International speakers provided valuable insights and practical perspectives on the future of the trade:

• “Façade of the future” – Wolfgang Häußler, FVHF e.V.
• “Climate change challenges for pitched roofs” – Ernst Gregorites, PREFA GmbH
• “Sustainable solutions for existing flat roofs” – Marc Niewöhner, Triflex GmbH & Co. KG
• “Green roofing” – Werner Venter, ZinCo GmbH
• “Successful strategies for attracting young talent in Germany” – Ulrich Marx & Rolf Fuhrmann, ZVDH e.V.

During the General Assembly on 24 October, Walter Bisig (Switzerland) handed over the IFD presidency to Dirk Bollwerk (Germany) after a successful term of office. The transition symbolized continuity and commitment – two experienced leaders sharing a strong dedication to international cooperation in the roofing sector.

Gala evening at the Reduta: Transition, appreciation and international friendship

The gala dinner at the Reduta Concert Hall was the social highlight of the week. Walter Bisig and Dirk Bollwerk jointly opened the evening, underlining a spirit of partnership and continuity within the IFD.

Eduard Jamrich, president of the Slovak Roofing Association, warmly welcomed all international guests.

In a moving speech, Henrik Mosegaard Johansen, IFD board member, paid tribute to outgoing president Walter Bisig, honoring his long-standing commitment and contribution to global cooperation.

The evening provided a festive atmosphere for personal encounters, cultural impressions – and the celebration of the IFD Awards 2025.

IFD Awards 2025: Excellence from the global roofing community

Nearly 100 projects from around the world were submitted for the IFD Awards 2025 – a prestigious international recognition of outstanding achievements in the roofing trade. The awards honor superior quality, craftsmanship and creative solutions.

“This year’s submissions once again demonstrated the diversity and creativity of our trade – and how closely innovation and tradition go hand in hand,” said Sabine Rothschuh, general secretary of the IFD.

The jury selected the best projects in four categories:

Façade

1 - Battle of Don Memorial Site (Appreggio Bt, Ervin Király and BH Metall Kft., Hungary)

2 - National Széchenyi Library Archival Center (Pilisi Pléh-Boy Kft., Hungary)

3 - Kovács Katalin National Kayak-Canoe Academy (Horex Kft, Bauer Bádogos és Szigetelő Kft., Hungary)

Flat roof

1 - SFH K. (Spitzer Gesellschaft m.b.H., Austria)

2 - Whinfell Forest Center Parcs, Subtropical Swimming Paradise (Central Group, United Kingdom)

3 - Seaplane Harbour, Estonian Maritime Museum (Aruna-Ehitus OÜ, Estonia)

Metal roof

1 - Logan County Courthouse (The Durable Slate Company, USA)

2 - Reconstruction of the former Red Cross Headquarters (Pilisi Pléh-Boy Kft., Hungary)

3 - Reduta, Bratislava (SiQiS-S, s.r.o., Slovakia)

Pitched roof

In this category, the jury awarded three equal first prizes – a clear sign of the exceptional standard of the entries:

• Christ’s College Cambridge (Claude N Smith Ltd, United Kingdom)
• Restoration of Saint Helena Cathedral (The Durable Restoration Company, USA)
• Detached House Dentling (Schmid Dachbau GmbH, Germany)

Sponsors

• Premium Sponsors: VELUX, Wienerberger, KJG
• Sponsors: Triflex, Fleck, Riwega, Fakro, Prefa

About the IFD

The International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) unites national roofing associations and companies from the construction industry. It promotes quality, safety and education in the trade and regularly organizes international congresses and the World Championship for young Roofers.

With these 2025 wins, Durable Restoration extends their history-making streak, becoming the first American company to receive an IFD Award more than once.

The Durable Slate and Restoration Companies are proud to announce two first-place wins at the IFD (International Federation of the Roofing Trade) Awards, which recognizes the best of the best in the roofing industry across the globe.

The winning projects were announced on the final full day of the IFD Congress & Awards 2025 in Bratislava, during a gala held at the Bratislava Concert Hall. Out of over 100 total submissions, one Durable Slate and one Durable Restoration project took home the coveted first place trophy in their respective categories: Durable Slate’s restoration of the Logan County Courthouse in Lincoln, Illinois won in the Metal Roofing category and Durable Restoration’s work on The Cathedral of St. Helena in Helena, Montana tied for first in the Steep Slope Roofing category.

The IFD Congress & Awards is an esteemed ceremony which takes place every two years and receives submissions from over a dozen nations across the world, including Switzerland, Russia, China and the United Kingdom. At the 2019 ceremony in Edinburgh, The Durable Restoration Company became the first American company in 67 years to place first at this prestigious competition, in recognition of their metalwork at Steeple Square in Dubuque, Iowa. With these 2025 wins, Durable Restoration extends their history-making streak, becoming the first American company to receive an IFD Award more than once.

“It is a huge honor to be selected as winners among so many great contractors and projects from around the world,” said John Chan, vice president of The Durable Slate Company. “We are incredibly proud of our craftsmen and the dedication displayed through these projects, and it is very gratifying to share this achievement with them.”

In addition to the first-place projects, Durable Restoration's preservation of the Heinz Memorial Chapel flèche in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania finished fourth in Metal Roofing and the slate installation on the Sweet Residence, a custom-built home in Bethesda, Maryland, placed sixth in the Façade category.

“We set out at the very early years of the company only hoping that we could one day stand among the industry's best, and for a long time we were not entirely sure if it was possible,” said Gary Howes, president of The Durable Slate Company. “We spent decades working towards this goal, and to see our efforts pay off in this huge way not once, not twice but three times is beyond what we ever expected.”

Howes continued, “It has also been wonderful seeing local craftsmen come to us and end up working on these world-class restoration projects. We hope that our work inspires more people to come join our team and learn the restoration trade from us so that they may carry on the preservation of America’s most treasured buildings.” For a recap of the IFD Congress & Awards 2025, visit www.ifd-roof.com

About The Durable Slate Company and The Durable Restoration Company

The Durable Slate Company is a leading provider of slate roofing solutions and historic preservation services, specializing in the restoration and repair of traditional roofs across the United States. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship and unparalleled expertise, The Durable Slate Company has earned a reputation for excellence in Slate, Metal and Tile roofing. For more information, visit www.durableslate.com

The Durable Restoration Company specializes in the preservation and restoration of historic structures, combining exceptional craftsmanship with a commitment to safeguarding architectural history. By preserving the past, Durable Restoration ensures the legacy of these structures for future generations. For more information, visit www.durablerestoration.com.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

U.S. company stands out among global elite with two heritage projects up for international recognition. 

The Durable Slate Company, a leader in historic roofing restoration, has secured finalist status in two distinct categories for the 2025 International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD) Awards, an achievement that demonstrates the company’s artful craftsmanship on the global stage. The IFD Awards represent one of the highest honors in the international roofing and sheet metal community. Judged by a panel of the industry’s top experts, the competition celebrates both technical excellence and heritage preservation. 

The awards will be presented during the IFD Congress gathering in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 22–25. The event alternates annually between a hands-on international competition for young roofers (in even years) and project awards recognizing architectural excellence (in odd years). This year, 12 projects worldwide were named finalists, three in each of the four categories: steep slope, sheet metal, low slope and façade. 

Durable Slate is the only American company to earn finalist nods in two categories. Their restoration of the St. Helena Cathedral in Helena, Montana, is one of three finalists in the steep slope category. The 1908 Gothic Revival structure, inspired by Vienna’s Votivkirche, underwent a meticulous roof restoration, including the reinstallation of Ludowici French tile and copper standing seam roofing, along with internal masonry reinforcements. 

In the sheet metal category, Durable Slate’s work on the Logan County Courthouse in Lincoln, Illinois, was recognized. The building’s copper-clad dome, originally built in 1891 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has already earned both the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) Gold Circle Award and the North American Copper in Architecture Award. It was the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln once practiced law before becoming president. 

“Another huge congratulations to the fabulous Durable Team,” wrote John Chan, executive vice president of Durable Slate. “Amazingly, we’re finalists in both steep slope and sheet metal, 2 out of the 4 categories.” 

While the IFD has not released the full list of competitors publicly, John confirmed that the NRCA nominated all of its Gold Circle Award winners for consideration. This places Durable Slate in elite company, though they won’t know the outcome until the awards gala on October 24 at the Reduta Concert Hall in Bratislava. 

Learn more about how Durable Slate's award-nominated restorations are raising the bar for historic preservation on the world stage!

By Emma Peterson.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at preparing the first U.S. team to compete at IFD’s Championship of Young Roofers.

At the end of 2024, The Coffee Shops™ crew got an incredible opportunity — cover the first U.S. team’s participation in the prestigious International Federation for the Roofing Trades (IFD) competition live from Austria! So, as they were packing their bags and checking their passports, Heidi J. Ellsworth and Megan Ellsworth sat down with R.J. Radobenko, Gary Howe and Steve Little for an episode of Roofing Road Trips® to talk about the significance of the U.S. joining the global roofing community through IFD.  

The IFD was originally founded over 70 years ago. The organization brings together member companies from around the world for seminar-based meetings that focus on “creating  a permanent bond between its members, studying common professional problems and to derive from them knowledge for individual members or the organization as a whole and  safeguarding and supporting the common economic, business, technical, social, cultural and other professional interests of the members at international level.”  

As a part of this initiative, the IFD hosts what is called the World Championship of Young Roofers, which is what Megan and Heidi attended and covered in 2024! Gary took a team from his company, Durable Slate. He shared what they competed in, saying, “The category we competed in is what they consider the steep-slope category. The host country picked the types of materials from certain manufacturers and guide the installation standards. So for this competition, Austria chose a natural clay tile roof installation from a German-based clay tile manufacturer and another product called Eternit, which is a synthetic cementitious based roofing shingle.”

Steve’s team from KPost Roofing and Waterproofing represented in another category, focused on single ply. He explained, “We competed in the TPO side of the business, working with the Sika Sarnafil product line and of course adapting all the European standards for that.” Last but not least, R.J.’s team from Global Roofing Group came in to compete in the metal roofing and siding part of the competition. He explained, “Some of the most interesting things to navigate were just the basics. Like, they use a metric system versus imperial, so that's inches versus centimeters. That's a huge thing. There are also different tools and terminology that our teams had to learn.”  

Even with all the products, tools and other difficulties, the U.S. teams rose to the challenge and made us all proud last November. As Megan observed when she got back home after the competition, “It was amazing to see all these young competitors’ artisanship and pride. It was evident in every detail, whether it was slate, metal or low-slope work.”

Read the transcript or Listen to the episode to get more behind-the-scenes on how these teams prepared for the global stage. You can also rewatch all the action on our YouTube channel.