AAR Experts celebrates its continued commitment to helping home and building owners make confident roofing decisions. 

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning digital platforms where industries come together for technology, insight and everyday business, announces 2026 AskARoofer Experts.    

Each month, AskARoofer™ Experts share their insights on timely topics such as warranties, wildfire protection, ventilation and roof performance, commercial roof inspections, preparing for spring weather and more. Information is shared through interviews, videos and articles on AskARoofer.com. Representing all facets of the roofing, exteriors, metal and coatings industries, these Experts are also recognized in a dedicated section of the site. 

“At AskARoofer, we are committed to connecting owners with the trusted expertise they need when questions arise about their roofs,” shared Heidi J. Ellsworth, President and CEO of The Coffee Shops. “By bringing together not only our AskARoofer Experts but also more than 140 roofing companies across the country, we’re creating a powerful network that communicates directly with home and building owners — answering their questions, providing local expertise and helping them make smarter decisions that protect what matters most in their roofs and exteriors while building lasting confidence in the roofing process and the industry itself.” 

We are proud to announce the following 2026 Experts: 

• John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group 
• Jerry Iselin – Metal Roof Specialties, Inc. 
• Mindy Dahlquist – TRA Snow and Sun
• Wendy Marvin – Matrix Roofing and Home Solutions
• Henry Staggs – The Arizona Roofer
• Brittany Wimbish – Fields Roof Service
• Rachel Garcia – Malarkey Roofing Products 
• Bridget Wilson – Cardinal Roofing 
• Emily and Paul Marshall – Mr. And Mrs. Post Frame 
• Will Lorenz – General Coatings 

Find more information on the 2026 AskARoofer Experts!

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 Coffee Shops, RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop®, CoatingsCoffeeShop®, OutdoorCoffeeShop™ and their sister site 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. The Coffee Shops also feature strong microsites with RoofersCoffeeShop.ca, RoofersCoffeeShop.uk and En Español. 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. 

By Emma Peterson. 

How associations build networking and community that helps roofing professionals grow. 

In a new Roofing Road Trips® episode, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Kris Hitesman and Mindy Dahlquist to talk about uplifting contractors through associations. Mindy, who is the business development manager for TRA Snow and Sun opened the conversation by emphasizing how associations have helped her career:  

TRA Snow and Sun is actually a pretty small company that manufactures snow retention based out of Utah. And so, one of the things that I have to utilize in my role is associations. By leaning on and getting involved in associations my network and opportunities are much larger than I would have without. And that has not only helped me build up TRA, but it has also helped me build my own career.  

Kris, who is the owner of Capitol Roofing, has also greatly benefited from associations over the course of her career. She explained, “The experiences that I've had with associations like Western States Roofing Contractors Association have literally changed my business. It gave me a great network and I recommend it for everyone, because if you don't get out of your own little world, in your own little office, you can’t grow.”  

Now, both Mindy and Kris are working to pay forward the support they got through the Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA), which Kris is the current president of. Their first step is to grow the organization. Kris gave some context, sharing, “We’re really working on getting more contractors involved with URCA. As it is currently, I am the only commercial roofing contractor on the board. There's a couple of residential contractors, but that's it.” 

And once they are able to get people in the door, they will be able to start building the type of experiences that they both got from associations at the beginning of their careers – one of comraderies and support. Mindy shared some of their vision: 

We want to build a space where other contractors aren’t just competition. They’re peers. And you can sit next to them and have conversations about larger industry issues, like cost increases or supply issues. And that space creates unmatched comraderies that helps everyone build their businesses and improve the industry.  

Listen to the whole podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about Mindy, Kris and their work in URCA. 

Por Emma Peterson, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

Participa para tener la oportunidad de acceder a sesiones educativas de primer nivel, eventos para establecer contactos, almuerzos y una de las exposiciones comerciales más importantes de la industria. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® se ha unido a Western Colloid para enviar a cinco profesionales a la Western Roofing Expo (WRE). Reconocida como uno de los principales eventos regionales de techado e impermeabilización en Estados Unidos, la WRE es una exposición organizada por la Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). El evento se llevará a cabo del 27 al 29 de septiembre en el hotel Paris Las Vegas y contará con educación, oportunidades para establecer contactos y mucho más.

Los cinco (5) afortunados ganadores de nuestro concurso recibirán un paquete con valor de $500.00 para asistir al evento (viaje y hospedaje no incluidos). Este paquete incluye acceso a: 

• Sesiones de Western Roofing en español: ¡Este año, el evento contará con cuatro seminarios y dos sesiones de almuerzo y aprendizaje impartidas en español! Los temas van desde cómo contratar al equipo de techado adecuado hasta cómo maximizar las reclamaciones de seguros comerciales. Además, la increíble lista de presentadores incluye a Amparo Sancen de Latinos En Roofing, Monica Vornbrock de The GLO Group e Imelda Perez de CertainTeed. 
• Sesiones educativas: En cuanto a las sesiones educativas en inglés, el evento de este año contará con cuatro bloques diferentes. 
  • El primer bloque (de 8:45 a.m. a 10:00 a.m. el lunes 28 de septiembre de 2026) contará con una variedad de presentadores, incluida Heidi J. Ellsworth de The Coffee Shops™. 
  • Entre los aspectos destacados del segundo bloque (de 10:15 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. el lunes 28 de septiembre de 2026) se encuentran la sesión sobre estimaciones de John Kenney de Cotney Consulting y la clase sobre mitigación de riesgos de Trent Cotney de Adams and Reese. 
  • En el tercer bloque (de 8:45 a.m. a 10:00 a.m. el martes 29 de septiembre de 2026), no querrás perderte la mesa redonda sobre techado del Comité de Jóvenes Profesionales de Roofing de WSRCA, dirigida por Rachel Garcia de Malarkey Roofing Products, así como la charla sobre salud mental de Paul Reed de Roofers in Recovery. 
  • Y en el cuarto bloque (de 10:15 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. el martes 29 de septiembre de 2026), nuestros amigos Mindy Dahlquist (TRA Snow and Sun), Brian Chamberlain (Carlisle Construction Materials) y Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) presentarán sesiones informativas y dinámicas. 
• Piso de exhibición: Como siempre, el piso de exhibición promete ser una gran oportunidad para conocer las últimas innovaciones y las tecnologías más recientes de la industria, con demostraciones de productos cada hora. Y, como ya es tradición, los profesionales del techado podrán recorrer el piso de exhibición de manera gratuita, lo que lo convierte en una oportunidad inigualable para conectar con otros profesionales de la industria. 
• Almuerzo legislativo: El primero de los dos almuerzos que se llevarán a cabo durante el evento de este año estará a cargo de Craig Brightup de The Brightup Group y Chad Collins de la National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). Durante esta sesión se analizarán cambios y acontecimientos importantes que están ocurriendo en Washington, D.C., y que tienen un impacto en la industria del techado. 
• Almuerzo anual: En cuanto al segundo almuerzo, esta será tu oportunidad de escuchar a la conferencista principal de WRE 2026, Shereen Thor. Shereen es una comediante que se convirtió en coach profesional, y su conferencia será un gran recurso para profesionales y dueños de negocios en cualquier etapa de sus carreras. 

¿Quieres tener la oportunidad de ganar acceso a todo esto e impulsar tu negocio en WRE 2026? ¡Participa en el concurso Spin to Win de RoofersCoffeeShop y Western Colloid! El concurso cerrará el 22 de agosto de 2026 y los ganadores se anunciarán en vivo durante el episodio de Weekly Blend del 24 de agosto de 2026. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Enter for an opportunity to access top-tier educational sessions, networking events, luncheons and an industry-leading trade show floor. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more. 

The five (5) lucky winners of our contest will be given an all-inclusive package ($500.00 value, travel and hotel not included) to the show. This package includes access to:  

• Western Roofing en Español sessions: This year’s show will have four seminars and two lunch-and-learn sessions taught in Spanish! Topics range from hiring the right roofing team to maximizing commercial claims. And the incredible speaker list includes Amparo Sancen of Latinos En Roofing, Monica Vornbrock of the GLO Group and Imelda Perez from CertainTeed. 
• Educational sessions: As for the English-language education sessions, this year’s show boasts four different blocks of session.  
  • The first block (8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026) will feature a variety of speakers including The Coffee Shops™’ own Heidi J. Ellsworth!  
  • Some highlights of block two (10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026) include John Kenney of Cotney Consulting’s estimating session and Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese’s risk mitigation class.  
  • In block three (8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026), you’ll want to make sure to catch the WSRCA Young Roofing Professionals Committee’s roofing roundtable, led by Malarkey Roofing Products’ Rachel Garcia as well as Paul Reed of Roofers in Recovery’s mental health talk.  
  • And in block four (10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026), our friends Mindy Dahlquist (TRA Snow and Sun), Brian Chamberlain (Carlisle Construction Materials) and Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) will all be hosting informative and engaging sessions. 
• Trade show floor: As always, the trade show floor promises to be a great opportunity to see the latest innovations and newest technology in the industry as product demos will be hosted on the hour. And, per tradition, roofers will walk free on the show floor – making it an unmatched opportunity for peer-to-peer networking.  
• Legislative luncheon: The first of the two luncheons that will be held at this year’s show, the legislative luncheon will be hosted by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group, and Chad Collins, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). It will dive into key changes and developments happening in Washington, D.C. that relate to roofing. 
• Annual luncheon: As for the second luncheon, this is your opportunity to hear from the WRE 2026 keynote speaker – Shereen Thor. Shereen is a comedian turned coach whose keynote will be a great resource to professionals and business owners in all parts of their careers. 

Want a chance to win access to all that and boost your business at WRE 2026? Enter the RoofersCoffeeShop and Western Colloid Spin to Win contest! The contest will close August 22, 2026, and announced live on the August 24, 2026 Weekly Blend episode. 

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

This educational session in Salt Lake City focuses on protecting people, property and roofing professionals in high snow regions. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® and MetalCoffeeShop® recently attended a powerful and eye-opening snow retention training hosted by TRA Snow and Sun at the AGC of Utah Training Center in Salt Lake City. Roofing contractors from across Utah and the western United States gathered to better understand one of the most dangerous and often underestimated risks in roofing, the weight and movement of snow. 

The reality is simple and sobering. Snow is heavy. When it releases from a roof, it does not gently slide away, it can avalanche with devastating force. The training shared a striking example showing how quickly that weight adds up. In a 100 pound per square foot snow load scenario, just a small section of snow coming off a roof can weigh thousands of pounds. When that mass hits a person, the results can be catastrophic and often fatal. 

But the danger does not stop with human safety. Uncontrolled snow movement can rip gutters from the structure, tear off rooftop accessories, crush landscaping, destroy outdoor furniture and cause significant structural damage. For building owners, this means unexpected costs and liability. For contractors, it introduces a serious level of risk that cannot be ignored. 

Leading the training were Ben Anderson and Mindy Dahlquist, along with TRA teammates including Terry Anderson, founder and CEO, who shared the company’s history and answered questions. Their passion for engineered snow retention systems was evident throughout the day. They emphasized that snow retention is not an accessory, it is a critical part of a complete roofing system in any region that experiences significant snowfall. 

The training also featured Brava Roof Tile, who demonstrated how snow retention systems integrate with their premium roofing products. Their participation highlighted the importance of designing snow retention solutions that work seamlessly with different roofing materials, ensuring both performance and aesthetics. Seeing how snow retention interacts with synthetic roofing systems reinforced the need for a customized, engineered approach for every roof type. 

Also in attendance were leaders from key industry associations, including the Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA) and the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), represented by Kris Hitesman of Capitol Roofing Service. Their presence reinforced the importance of collaboration across the industry to promote best practices, safety and ongoing education. 

A key part of the training focused on specific product applications, including the proper use and installation of snow brackets and snow fences. Attendees learned when each system is appropriate, how they perform under load and how to correctly install them to maximize effectiveness. The TRA team also demonstrated the use of their specialized clamp systems for installing snow fences without compromising roof integrity. Another major takeaway was TRA’s deep commitment to testing. The team shared how they rigorously test their systems to ensure the highest levels of performance in real-world conditions. Their approach goes beyond standard requirements, with a focus on making sure every product meets and exceeds building codes and delivers reliable, engineered protection. This dedication to testing reinforces confidence for contractors, architects and building owners alike. 

The training focused on three key areas, proper engineering, correct installation and effective communication with building owners. Contractors learned that every roof in a high snow area should be evaluated for snow retention and that systems must be designed based on load calculations, roof design and site conditions. Guesswork is not acceptable when lives and property are at stake. Equally important was the discussion around liability. Contractors were reminded that when snow avalanches off a roof, building owners often pursue legal action against everyone involved in the project. This includes manufacturers, designers and especially the installing contractor. One of the strongest takeaways was the need to include snow retention in every proposal and contract. If an owner chooses not to include it, contractors should require a formal sign-off acknowledging the risk. This step is critical for protecting roofing professionals from future claims. Beyond risk mitigation, the training also highlighted the opportunity for contractors to build stronger relationships with their customers. By educating owners on the importance of snow retention, contractors position themselves as trusted advisors, not just installers. This creates ongoing sales opportunities and reinforces the value of quality roofing systems that perform in real-world conditions.

Adding a bit of fun to the day, the TRA team also handed out custom trucker hats with unique branded badges, a small but memorable touch that reflected their strong culture and connection to the contractor community. Demonstrating a strong commitment to education and safety for the entire industry, the training was live streamed through TRA’s YouTube channel and will be available on demand through both MetalCoffeeShop and RoofersCoffeeShop YouTube channels as well as within TRA’s directories. This extended access ensures that contractors across the country can benefit from the training, reinforcing TRA’s dedication to making critical safety education widely available. For contractors working in snow-prone regions, the message is clear. Snow retention is not optional. It is essential. By understanding the risks, specifying engineered systems and educating customers, roofing professionals can protect their businesses while delivering roofs that truly perform. 

To learn more about engineered snow retention systems and how to integrate them into your roofing projects, visit TRA Snow and Sun or explore their directories on RoofersCoffeeShop® and MetalCoffeeShop® and view the full training on demand. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Learn how a roofing consultant’s search for answers led to a new standard in snow retention engineering. 

What began as a roofing consultant’s challenge has evolved into one of the industry’s leading voices in snow retention engineering. At TRA Snow & Sun’s 3rd Annual Snow Retention Educational Seminar, Heidi J. Ellsworth had a chance to speak with founder Terry Anderson about how decades of field experience, research and innovation shaped the company’s origin story. 

Terry’s journey started while consulting for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he was tasked with solving widespread failures in tile roofing systems exposed to snow and ice. “I found out right away that in snow country, when snow and ice moved on tile roofs, it broke them up, especially in the valleys and at the eaves,” Terry said. 

With no clear answers from manufacturers in the United States, Anderson took his search overseas. “They didn’t know the answer either,” he said. “I was referred to England to talk to Dr. Nigel Cherry, and from there I went to Norway, Germany and Austria to see how they handled tile roofs in snow climates.” 

What he discovered reshaped his approach to roofing design. European systems relied on engineered snow retention strategies based on roof slope, snow load and run length — a stark contrast to the methods commonly used in the U.S. “It dawned on me immediately there was no engineering behind this at all,” Terry said. “People were just saying, ‘Put two rows of snow brackets on,’ and that was it.” 

Determined to bring science into the equation, Terry began developing and testing snow retention systems with Brigham Young University. “I designed and patented my first snow bracket with six tests and all different types. I didn’t believe in testing my bracket just by itself,” Terry shared. “We engineered everything from the fail point of the roof system — that makes us different than others. We’ve been a success ever since.” 

That focus on engineering and safety became the foundation of TRA Snow & Sun. Over time, Terry’s work expanded beyond product development into advocacy, driven by real-world consequences. “When snow slides off and hits someone, it’s preventable with proper engineering,” Terry stated. “That’s what I’ve been trying to promote.” 

Today, TRA continues to educate contractors through training, tools and engineered layouts designed to improve safety and professionalism across the industry. 

Watch the full interview to hear more of Terry's story and learn how TRA Snow & Sun’s snow retention can protect lives and property.

By Jenny Yu.  

Mindy Dahlquist of TRA Snow and Sun shares how and why to bring young people into the industry. 

Everyone’s career journey has to start somewhere, and no one does it all on their own. For Mindy Dahlquist, business development manager at TRA Snow and Sun, her journey started in trade school and developed with the aid and support of experienced adults in the field. 

“My entire goal with trade school was to have some type of license or certificate to make sure that when I walked out of school, I wasn’t going to be homeless,” Mindy shared in this episode of Roofing Road Trips^®. But attending trade school was not enough by itself. “I needed guidance and help, so having an adult come into that school and dedicate their time was so important. It gave me an introduction, an entrance as soon as I left the vocational school.” 

Now, Mindy is a champion for young roofers and the volunteers who give their time to usher the next generation into the industry. TRA Snow and Sun works with the Let’s Build Construction Careers Camp (LBCC) for girls, a hands-on learning experience that introduces middle- and high-school-aged girls to the trades. Volunteering, as it turns out, is a win-win situation. It provides needed guidance for the youth while also creating a cohort of competent, confident individuals ready to enter the field. 

“There is such a large number of people who are retiring in this industry. If we are not replacing these people early, how are they going to learn from the masters?” Mindy posed. “Find these young students who are already in trade schools and get them involved in your business early so once they graduate, they know the terminology. They’re ready. They’ve been standing at that starting line, ready to take off running.” 

Furthermore, sharing your knowledge with people who need it is a rewarding act in itself. “We all want to have purpose in our lives. Being able to provide that purpose and mentor [young people] is amazing,” Mindy expressed.  

For contractors who are concerned about the future of the industry, put your time where it’s most fruitful: getting involved with your local vocational school and offering your time, expertise, wisdom and materials to help prepare the next generation. “Once you get somewhere worth being, turn around and give somebody a hand as they take that step up,” Mindy said. She also shared a message for the up-and-comers: “Do not avoid the older generations. Go out of your way to get to know them, ask questions and be interested.” 

Read the previous article in this series or Listen to the podcast to learn about more ways to get involved in your local community and build the next generation of roofers.  

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Learn how the event delivered strong networking, education and business opportunities for roofing professionals. 

The Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) show reinforced its position as a cornerstone regional event, bringing together contractors, manufacturers and industry organizations for one of its largest gatherings to date. This year’s show was defined by record attendance, an expanded trade floor and a steady pace of meaningful connections that translated into real business opportunities. 

That growth was immediately evident to attendees. The Coffee Shops™ (TCS) Multimedia Producer Zane Deluccie described the event as the biggest CRA show yet, emphasizing the value of reconnecting with industry partners such as TRA Snow & Sun and National Women in Roofing (NWIR). Even outdoor exhibits drew attention, with Rocket Equipment’s Trash Rocket standing out despite temperatures dropping below 40 degrees. Throughout the event, Zane noted, “We met plenty of great contractors who were interested in what we stood to offer. Our floor team talked to a number of existing clients and our booth wrangled a series of leads.” 

The scale of the show also shaped the experience on the floor. TCS Podcast Producer Adam Cabrera said, “It turned out to be much larger than I expected going in. There were a ton of exhibitors and the show had great turn out.” With a large number of exhibitors spread across multiple warehouse spaces the layout created continuous foot traffic, giving the team opportunities to introduce TCS to new audiences while building interest among contractors who were previously unfamiliar with the platform. 

For TCS Multimedia Manager Megan Ellsworth, the event’s momentum was most visible in both participation and energy. “It was the biggest year attendance wise that I've been to with about 2000 people in attendance,” as Megan described an environment that remained active from start to finish where she conducted interviews with companies including FlashCo, Brava Roof Tile, TRA Snow & Sun, Owens Corning® and GAF, along with organizations such as Duro-Last® and Latinos En Roofing. Her conversation with Amparo from Latinos En Roofing, attending for the first time, highlighted the growing influence of the Colorado market. 

Megan also supported the NWIR Denver/Northern Colorado chapter booth, which saw steady traffic and new member signups throughout the event. Alongside well-attended educational sessions and upcoming programming, including a March 18 Lunch and Learn, the show reflected continued growth and opportunity across the Colorado roofing industry. 

Learn more about how the CRA show is driving industry growth through connections, education and new business opportunities!

By Jenny Yu.  

This spring, TRA Snow & Sun’s 3rd Annual Snow Retention Educational Seminar offers expert-led sessions on snow management solutions for modern roofing systems.  

Roofing professionals looking to expand their expertise in cold-climate performance and safety have an exciting educational opportunity this spring! On Thursday, April 9, 2026, TRA Snow & Sun is hosting th 3rd Annual Snow Retention Educational Seminar at the AGC of Utah Training Center in West Valley City, Utah.  

Open to all industry professionals, this free event is designed to provide practical insights into the design, application and installation of snow retention systems. With increasing awareness around the risks associated with snow and ice movement on roofs, events like this are becoming essential for contractors working in regions impacted by winter weather. 

The program begins with check-in at 9:00 a.m., followed by an educational session starting at 9:30 a.m. Attendees will hear from industry experts on key topics including engineering and design considerations, snow brackets, clamp-on snow fences and deck-mounted snow fence systems. The session will also highlight new products and ongoing development in snow retention technology. 

A complimentary lunch will be provided at noon, offering attendees time to network with peers and discuss real-world applications. The afternoon session will focus on installation techniques and include an open question-and-answer segment, giving contractors the chance to address specific project challenges and gain hands-on insights. 

The seminar will emphasize the importance of engineered snow retention systems in managing snow loads and preventing hazardous conditions such as rooftop avalanches. Attendees can expect to leave with a deeper understanding of best practices across different roof types and how to implement solutions that enhance both safety and performance. 

With no registration fee and a full agenda of technical education, the event offers strong value for contractors, architects and building professionals alike. 

To learn more and secure your spot, register for the Snow Retention Educational Seminar today!

By Jenny Yu.  

TRA Snow and Sun leaders discuss product design and the push for industry standards. 

In this MetalTalk™, Karen Edwards spoke with TRA Snow and Sun’s Business Development Manager Mindy Dahlquist and Technical Director Lane Gardner about how collaboration and testing are shaping the future of snow retention systems.  

For Mindy, field feedback is central to product development. “When receiving feedback, we ask, ‘What can we do better? How can we make the contractor's life easier? How can we make installation faster so they’re saving money on labor costs?’” Mindy shared. “The best thing is the open dialogue we have with manufacturers, architects and contractors. It’s the best type of situation we could ask for.” 

Lane agreed, explaining that early collaboration with manufacturers allows TRA to move quickly from concept to finished product. “The advantage in partnering early with manufacturers is that we can do early prototypes, modify them and create something quickly. We can do all those tweaks, the custom machining, the design,” Lane described, noting the gratification that comes with creating something from paper napkin drawings to real life. “It feels so good to have that go from a sketch through all those iterations, hold it in your hand, give it to the customer and receive positive feedback from them.” 

Beyond product design, Mindy and Lane addressed the exciting opportunity to create standardized codes for snow retention. “Industry-wide, there's not a set standard or code,” Lane explained. “We are part of a group that is working to develop some standards for testing snow retention systems. It’s really neat to have that opportunity on that ground floor level. We’ve been in the industry for multiple decades and working through that.” 

The lack of codes and standards relating to snow retention currently allows manufacturers to make systems however they want, with no requirements. This allows installers to install wherever and however while the liability of incidents push back to those involved with the build, including architects, owners, roofing contractors, etc. It’s important to protect yourself and your company while dealing with inadequate systems, such as plastic snow brackets.  

Read the first article in this series, Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about how TRA Snow and Sun continues to prioritize collaboration, testing and proactive design.