By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how Dryvit was used to renovate the New Mexico State Capitol, improving performance without sacrificing historical preservation. 

Santa Fe has a long and storied history as the capital city of New Mexico, even before statehood. In 1610, conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta built the Palace of the Governors in current Santa Fe as the “capital for the Spanish ‘Kingdom of New Mexico.” In 1821, when Mexico won independence from Spain, Santa Fe stayed as a capital, this time to the new Mexican province of Nuevo Mexico. By the time President William Howard Taft signed New Mexico into statehood on January 6, 1912, there was no question that Santa Fe would stay the capital. 

The current New Mexico State Capitol is the 232,000 square-foot Roundhouse. Called this because of its unique curved structure, the Roundhouse is the only round capitol building in the U.S. It was designed by W.C. Kruger based on “elements of New Mexico Territorial style, Pueblo adobe architecture and Greek Revival adaptations.”  

Not only does this design make the Roundhouse an iconic and unique structure, it also creates some unique maintenance requirements. This is something that Winter Finishes had to overcome when they were brought in to work on the Roundhouse’s façade in 2024. The last time the façade had been worked on was when a Dryvit Outsulation® system was installed 25 years ago. 

The goal of the 2024 renovation was to address cracks and minor moisture intrusions while also maintaining the historical integrity of the Roundhouse. To do this, Winter Finishes installed around 50,000 square feet of a Dryvit Direct-Applied system. This system was chosen for its impact- and crack-resistant exterior as well as its ability to secure the building envelope. They then used a custom Quarzputz® textured finish to accurately match the color and texture of the historic stucco.  

The result is a clean, vibrant finish on the New Mexico State Capitol that honors its original architectural design and historic significance without sacrificing performance.  

Por Jessica Bravo.  

Con un updated look y aún más ofertas, RCS En Español es donde se conecta la industria. 

Desde 2018, RoofersCoffeeShop ha ofrecido contenido en español para profesionales del roofing, proporcionando artículos, podcasts, eventos y recursos diseñados para la comunidad hispanohablante. 

En 2024, esta oferta se expandió en respuesta a la creciente demanda de la industria por más contenido y un centro de recursos dedicado y ahora cuenta con su propia extensión: es.rooferscoffeeshop.com, un micrositio con un nuevo look que refleja mejor la comunidad y la conexión dentro de la industria del roofing. Patrocinada por SRS Distribution Para Latinos, esta iniciativa busca seguir brindando contenido relevante, aprendizaje y oportunidades de crecimiento a los techadores de habla hispana. 

En la portada del micrositio, se destaca en letras grandes “Donde se conecta la industria”, un mensaje que reafirma la misión de crear un espacio donde la comunidad hispanohablante pueda aprovechar todos los recursos disponibles: artículos, podcasts, seminarios web, eventos y más. Además, se pueden encontrar enlaces directos a las redes sociales de RoofersCoffeeShop para mantenerse al día con las últimas novedades. 

Entre las actualizaciones también se encuentran nuevas categorías de artículos, que incluyen últimas noticias, eventos, tecnología y más. Dentro de Últimas Noticias, se destacan los RCS Influencers En Español, quienes cada mes comparten experiencias auténticas, perspectivas relevantes y voces expertas sobre distintos temas clave de la industria, ofreciendo una visión integral para empoderar a la comunidad de techadores. 

Como parte de la iniciativa Read, Listen, Watch, también hemos ampliado nuestra oferta multimedia para brindar más contenido que permita a los contratistas aprender cómo quieran y cuando quieran. Los usuarios pueden explorar episodios de La Voz de los Ruferos, Almuerzo y Aprendizaje y videos de empresas como Tremco o NRCA, todos organizados para ofrecer contenido útil y actualizado en español. Además, pueden consultar el canal de YouTube para encontrar más contenido y conversaciones con expertos de la industria. 

RoofersCoffeeShop En Español agradece a sus lectores y oyentes por el apoyo constante. La comunidad seguirá creciendo, al igual que los recursos disponibles. Por ahora, a disfrutar del nuevo look de es.rooferscoffeeshop.com y de todo lo que ofrece para conectar a esta gran industria. 

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

In healthcare, roofing is not just about the physical buildings; it is about patient safety and uninterrupted care. 

Healthcare facilities are among the most demanding environments in construction. Hospitals, surgical centers and specialized care facilities operate around the clock with no tolerance for failure. While attention is often focused on advanced medical technology and clinical expertise, one of the most critical components protecting both is the roof. From new construction to restoration and especially reroofing, roofing systems play a vital role in ensuring patient safety, operational continuity and long-term performance. 

The need for high-performing healthcare buildings continues to grow. According to analysis from Sage Economics, healthcare hiring has been a major driver of job growth, fueled by an aging population and increased demand for services. As more patients enter the system and facilities expand to meet that demand, the buildings themselves must perform at a higher level than ever before. Roofing is a foundational part of that performance, protecting everything beneath it from the elements while supporting a safe and controlled indoor environment. 

Unlike other commercial buildings, healthcare facilities cannot afford disruption. A roof leak in a retail building may be inconvenient, but in a hospital it can be devastating. Water intrusion has the potential to shut down operating rooms, damage highly sensitive equipment and introduce contaminants that put vulnerable patients at risk. For individuals undergoing surgery or those with compromised immune systems, even minor environmental issues can have serious consequences. This is why roofing in healthcare is not simply about durability, it is about reliability and precision under any and all environmental conditions. 

Reroofing presents one of the most complex challenges in this environment. Healthcare buildings rarely have the option to pause operations, meaning roofing work must take place while patient care continues uninterrupted. Contractors must carefully plan around surgeries, emergency services and daily operations while controlling noise, vibration and odors. Infection control becomes a central focus, with strict protocols in place to ensure that construction activities do not introduce dust, debris or airborne contaminants into sensitive areas. This level of coordination requires not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of how healthcare facilities function on a day-to-day basis. 

The selection of roofing materials plays a critical role in minimizing disruption and maximizing performance. Low-odor and low-VOC products help maintain indoor air quality during installation, while fast-curing systems reduce the time a roof deck is exposed and vulnerable. Moisture-resistant assemblies are essential for preventing leaks and long-term deterioration, and energy-efficient systems contribute to the overall performance of the facility. Manufacturers such as Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance have developed solutions specifically for healthcare environments, focusing on restoration and fluid-applied systems that can be installed with minimal tear-off, reducing noise, waste and disruption. 

Installation is equally crucial. Even the most advanced materials will not perform as intended without proper application. Healthcare roofing demands experienced contractors who understand infection control protocols, phased construction and the importance of communication with facility managers and medical staff. Every detail matters, from staging materials to scheduling work in a way that avoids interference. There is no margin for error when patient safety is involved. 

For many healthcare facilities, restoration offers a strategic advantage over full roof replacement. By extending the life of existing systems, restoration can reduce costs while significantly limiting disruption to operations. It also supports sustainability goals by minimizing waste and preserving resources. When combined with a proactive maintenance program, roof restoration can help facilities manage long-term capital planning while maintaining a high level of performance. 

Ongoing service and maintenance are essential for healthcare roofing. Regular inspections and preventative care allow contractors to identify and address small issues before they become major problems. This proactive approach helps protect the integrity of the building envelope, maintain indoor air quality and avoid costly emergency repairs that could disrupt patient care. For roofing contractors, it also represents an opportunity to build lasting relationships with medical providers by becoming a trusted partner in maintaining their facilities. 

As the healthcare industry continues to expand and evolve, the importance of reliable roofing will only increase. Every decision, from product selection to installation to long-term maintenance, directly impacts patient satisfaction, safety, operational continuity and the overall success of the facility. Roofing contractors and manufacturers who understand these unique demands are positioned to deliver solutions that go far beyond traditional construction.

By Emma Peterson. 

What roofing professionals need to know about wildfire risk and product performance. 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth hosted Tremco’s Andrew LeCampion and Ron Velichka for a conversation about fire-resistant building materials and products. Wildfires are a growing issue in much of the world, with the U.S. Department of Energy estimating that between 2016 and 2020, the federal government spent $2.5 billion per year on wildfire suppression. And this number is just a small part of the story. Wildfires threaten our communities in many ways each year, either directly through loss of property and life as well as indirectly through respiratory issues and long-lasting environmental pollution. 

The magnitude of this issue is why May has been designated National Wildfire Awareness Month. This month, which precedes fire season for much of the United States, is all about “shedding light on the damaging impact of wildfires, how to prevent them and how to protect yourself this upcoming wildfire season.” And a key part of prevention and protection is building with fire-resistant materials and products. Andrew explained:  

On the product development side there's a lot of new products designed for dynamic fire stopping. For example, there’s a new insulation called mineral wool that is made from crushed and pulled rock and it is the one true non-combustible insulation that we know of; it can be under a fire for hours and hours and then you just cut the flame out, pull it out and the mineral wool is still fully intact. Tremco also uses intumescent sealants, which have a carbon supplement that swells up and cuts off airflow as soon as a flame touches it. 

How do you find these products? An easy way is to look for test ratings from places like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM). Ronald explained, “When building, you have to be aware of threats like wildfires and make sure you're putting materials on there that are going to protect the people in the building. And in terms of fire safety, the best way to do that is make sure your assemblies meet UL and FM fire ratings, like Tremco’s products do.” 

You can also work directly with some manufactures to build a fire-safe space. Andrew shared a story of a professional that did that with his team, saying, “I was approached by an architect who had their drawings all ready to go and wanted their fireproofing checked. And we got on the phone with them and walked through the UL400 two-hour fire rating and helped the find the products that would give that standard of protection.” 

Want to learn more about building with fire safety in mind this May? Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording.  

By Emma Peterson. 

A candid conversation with two founders of NWIR about how ten years has changed the perception of female professionals. 

With the amount of stressful news constantly around us, it can be hard to remember to celebrate the good news and progress being made. To put the good in the spotlight, Heidi J. Ellsworth, CEO of The Coffee Shops™ and Jennifer Stone, the director of national accounts, Tremco, sat down for a Roofing Road Trips® episode all about the growth of the roofing industry since they helped launch National Women in Roofing (NWIR) a decade ago.  

Heidi opened the conversation by talking about how NWIR first came to be, sharing, “It started at the Midwest meetings. It was me, Jennifer, Jenny Ford Smith and Sherry Carlazzi. And we had this idea, called Trent Cotney and asked, “how do we make this happen?’” 

And now, ten years later, NWIR is stronger than ever, and today there has been a noticeable change in the perception of women in the roofing industry since the organization’s founding. Jennifer shared:  

When we were getting together 10 years ago, I remember Jenny saying, ‘I can't wait till the day people stop introducing me as the first female leader of sales and you as the first this and the first that.’ And it really feels like we’re getting there... You see so many women that are in the C-suite executive positions, and it isn't a first anymore. 

This growth not only helps women in the industry, but it helps the industry as a whole. Jennifer explained, “We’ve seen a huge growth of diversity in the roofing industry in the last decade, and it makes the industry better because you get diversity of thought, which is where retention, innovation and growth come from.”  

A great example of this was Tremco’s hiring of Mandy McIntyre in a specialized position all about culture and process development. Jennifer spoke a bit about this:  

Mandy's role as a strong woman who's passionate about culture and mental health and people, her focus positively impacts Tremco's culture in numerous, numerous ways, including process development, and performance management...And would she have been hired in this role a decade ago? I don’t know, but what we do know is that because she’s in this leadership role, Tremco’s culture and business are both stronger. 

Heidi added some of her thoughts, “It’s amazing to see this kind of thing. It really shows how the perceptions of women and the perceptions of what's acceptable and what's not acceptable have changed in the last 10 years.”  

Listen to the rest of Heidi and Jennifer’s conversation to hear more about how the perception of women has changed in the roofing industry.

By Emma Peterson. 

Tremco’s Bob Moretti and Sarah Fay talk about the importance of education in the industry. 

In a new episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Bob Moretti and Sarah Fay stop by The Coffee Shops™ for a conversation about the importance of training in the roofing industry. Bob has been Tremco’s director of sales operations and training for the last five years. As for Sarah, she has a background in learning and development, which she currently uses as Tremco’s director of learning. 

In recent years, training in the roofing industry has become more important than ever. Sarah explained, “Training is key to ensuring that our partners, customers, contractors, employees, distributors, everyone, is well equipped with the knowledge and skills that they need to be able to maximize their own performance. And with the rapid changing pace of the world that we live in today, it’s more imperative than ever.” 

It is this need that Tremco is working to fill through their extensive training programs. These training opportunities range from in-person installation guidance and industry education through Tremco University to continuing education seminars with opportunity for course credit collection and beyond.  

As Bob put it, “We created our training programs with the goal of helping professionals, whether it be with a designer, a contractor or a building owner, grow into their roles and potential, even if they don’t have any construction or roofing experience coming in. In other words, we see training as imperative to not just to help people advance, but keep them safe, keep them feeling relevant and keep our industry strong.”  

Listen to the recording or Watch the episode to learn more about the importance of training. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how intentional training and care builds teams that grow and succeed in the long-term.  

As labor shortages continue and workforce expectations shift, companies can no longer afford to treat onboarding as a minor checklist or training as a one-time event. Instead, they must find ways to consistently care for the crew members and help their teams grow. To discuss this topic, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down for an episode of Coffee Conversations® with Amy Staska, Maureen Greeves and Mandy McIntyre.  

These women were the perfect panel to talk to about investing in your team. Amy is the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen is Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy is WTI's CM development manager. Out of the gate, one of the most important things they highlighted was that labor retention is not a one-size-fits-all situation. 

Amy explained, “Finding ways to retain talent is not going to be a one-size-fits-all conversation. Take training, for example. People like learning new skills that can help advance their careers. But the format of that training needs to be comfortable for each individual.” For example, some people love the convenience of online training, where others find it disconnected and hard to work with. If you truly want to retain talent, you need to invest in your people as individuals.  

And retaining talent really should be your goal. Not only does it make your team stronger culturally, but it is also important for your long-term finances. Maureen explained, “The recruiting process and the onboarding process can cost companies anywhere between $5,000 to $6,000 on the low end and up to upwards of $10,000 to $12,000 on a high end.  For one person. So, retaining talent long term isn’t just about keeping talent and expertise, though that is key, it’s also about avoiding turnover and the high expenses that come with that.”  

So, how do you start bringing this intentionality into your operations? It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Mandy gave some examples of how you can meet your team where they are, sharing, “Start with just basic conversations. Ask people how's it going, how the first week was, the second week, etc. Because if you're not having those conversations and they end up leaving, you’ll never know why or if you could have changed something simple and retained their talent.” 

Learn more about intentional, individualized retention strategies by listening to the whole episode.

By Emma Peterson. 

Dive into the key role that company culture plays in building and retaining top talent.  

At the core of the roofing industry are the people who represent and advocate for it. Our businesses are all about serving customers, and a strong, talented internal team is the key to success. But building that team can be hard in an industry that has a seemingly constant labor shortage. To learn more about building and retaining a base of reliable employees, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager for an episode of Coffee Conversations®. 

Retention is a key part of a successful business. Amy explained, “When people leave, you’re not only losing their specific talents, but you’re also losing money and having to spend more time and energy to recruit a replacement for them.”  

So, how do you build a company that people want to stay at? It’s all about building a company culture that is comfortable and supportive. Amy elaborated, “I'm a huge proponent of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and truly believe that when people feel like they're safe and secure, when they feel like they belong, they're going to be able to work better and they're going to stay.” 

A simple way to start building such a culture i by having individual conversations with employees. Mandy shared:  

A lot of building a culture that retains employees is having one-on-one, face-to-face time, where you touch base with new hires, get to know them as a person and see how things are going. It sounds small, but it really goes a long way to build that psychological safety, build that confidence and build engagement. That is the foundation for a strong culture.  

This is something that Maureen and the team at Tremco are working to implement in their operations. She explained, “Culture starts at the top, and our president James McDonald takes the time to have what he calls ‘James unfiltered calls.’ In these calls he talks to individuals in the company at the field technician/foreman level to hear what’s going on, to know them as people and build that culture that retain people.”  

Want to learn more about building a culture of retention? Tune in to the whole podcast with Amy, Mandy and Maureen!

By Emma Peterson. 

Whether you’re an attendee or an exhibitor, you don’t want to miss this premier air barrier event!  

The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) will be hosting their annual building enclosure conference and trade show this May! This two-day show (May 5-6, 2026) will be held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is an unparalleled opportunity for design professionals, general contractors, air barrier contractors, consultants and testing labs to network, learn and grow together. 

Come as an attendee 

For attendees, this is your chance to earn valuable professional credits, network with industry leaders and discover the latest innovations in the air barrier world. There will be 22 dynamic presentations from top building enclosure experts sharing real-world insights and best practices across the two days of programming, offering professionals a chance to earn up to 12 total credits.  

There will also be unique in-person training opportunities that combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences. These trainings run a bit longer than the rest of the program, as they are divided into three core modules over three days (May 5-7, 2026). This year’s tracks include self-adhered/fluid applied installer training (SA/FL), spray polyurethane foam installer training (SPF) and auditor training.  

The best part? ABAA is providing “all BEC members, specification writers and architectural firm employees with a discounted rate.” Please note, these rates do not apply for the installer or field auditor training courses. Contact ABAA to learn more about eligiblity for these discounts.  

Exhibit on in the expo hall 

Looking for a way to meet your clients face-to-face? Consider exhibiting at ABAA’s annual building enclosure conference and trade show! The expo hall at the show is strategically placed at the heart of the event, giving you a great opportunity to gain exposure, build partnerships and foster new business growth. 

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your offerings alongside industry leaders like SOPREMA, VaproShield, Polyglass, Tremco, Sika, Georgia-Pacific and RAiNA. 

Learn more about the show and why it’s a great investment in your future, both as an attendee and an exhibitor.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about engaging and retaining new hires through intentional training. 

In a new episode of Coffee Conversations®, Heidi J. Ellsworth is joined by a panel of industry leaders to talk about the importance of contractors helping new hires engage and connect with their company. This panel included Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager.  

Amy has been with the NRCA for over 20 years, and bringing new talent to the roofing industry has been a top concern during her tenure. She explained, “Training’s not cheap and a lot of contractors worry about if new hires are going to stick around...” The problem with this is that it creates a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy where contractors hold new hires at an arm’s length to make sure they’re serious about the job, and new hires are unable to show their interest in the job because of that distance.  

So, how do you build a company that can avoid this pattern? Mandy shared, “I think the industry sometimes forgets about the human component of hiring. Those new people have emotions, they have goals, they have questions, they have fears and if you can cultivate people to be the best versions of themselves, that’s when you’re going to engage them and retain talent.” 

The key to cultivating them into the best version of themselves? Intentionality. Amy explained:  

At NRCA, we talk constantly about the idea of doing intentional training. It’s impossible to train all your new people to be experts immediately. But if you work towards conversational competence, so that someone can go up onto a roof and at least is going to understand a little bit of what's happening, and will be able to have better conversations with the crew there, they’re going to be more connected to your company and more likely to stay to keep learning. 

This is something that Maureen and the others on her team at Tremco have implemented over the last couple of decades. She shared, “We grew very fast, and one of the downsides of that is you can lose some of that intentionality that Amy mentioned. We realized that was happening, so we made changes.” Some changes were bigger, like hiring Mandy into her current role, but others were smaller, like opening conversations. Maureen elaborated, “We started simply talking to people and making sure they knew that they were a part of something bigger. And just that has been tremendous.”  

Mandy summed the entire conversation up well, saying, “At the end of the day, it's all about actions and feelings. If you're having a problem retaining people and recruiting people, take a good, hard look at what's going on and make some intentional changes to help people belong.” 

Watch the entire Coffee Conversation to hear more of Amy, Mandy and Maureen’s discussion.