By Jenny Yu.  

Learn how new approaches to tapered insulation and membrane technology are helping contractors work more efficiently. 

Building owners and roofing contractors face a variety of challenges when it comes to long-term roof performance and effective water management. During a recent conversation with The Coffee Shops™, Austin Kulp, senior product manager of membranes, and Tim Rood, tapered department manager for Versico Roofing Systems discussed how product innovation, education and labor-saving technologies are helping address some of the industry's biggest challenges. 

According to Austin, building owners are placing greater emphasis on roofing system quality and long-term asset protection. "One of the things we hear the most is: quality matters,” Austin said. “They want to ensure that the roofing system that they're putting down is going to perform to the expectations and protect their assets at the end of the day.” 

To meet these performance expectations, Versico developed tapered polyiso extended panels, an innovation designed to reduce the number of insulation layers required in traditional tapered systems. In a conventional 1/4-inch-per-foot tapered layout, contractors often install multiple layers of fill insulation beneath tapered panels as roof elevations increase. Extended panels increase the amount of taper built directly into the panel, allowing installers to use fewer fill layers while maintaining proper drainage design. 

"We created what's called an extended panel system, which offers more tapered and less fill," Tim explained. "If it's going down in adhesive, that's huge. Adhesive can be expensive, so if we can reduce the number of layers of glue, the amount of squares applied, you're going to win bids, and it's going to be a lot quicker to put down as well." 

Beyond insulation design, Versico is also focused on reducing risk and improving installation quality through membrane innovations, including 16-foot TPO with SeamShield, a factory-laminated protective film designed to keep TPO seam areas clean until contractors are ready to weld them. By combining wider 16-foot TPO sheets with SeamShield’s seam protection, the system helps reduce the number of seams while protecting them from jobsite contaminants such as dirt, oil transfer and adhesive overspray, improving weld consistency and reducing the potential for installation errors.  

"By going to a 16-foot-wide sheet, you can reduce your seams by up to 60% versus a 10-foot sheet. Less seams and less risk from water penetration,” Austin stated. “SeamShield gives peace of mind that that seam is properly addressed, because it's factory-cleaned prior to welding.” 

Both experts believe the future of roofing system design will continue to focus on labor savings, risk reduction and installation efficiency. "A lot of our innovations are aimed at minimizing the time it takes to install the entire roofing system," Austin said. "It's also directly tied into risk mitigation." 

For Tim, education is central to achieving those goals: "The more the contractor, the more the rep, the more the architect knows, the easier everyone's job is.” 

Learn more about the latest roofing innovations from Verisco Roofing Products!

By Emma Peterson. 

How commercial roof recycling programs benefit both contractors and the environment. 

In a new Read Listen Watch® (RLW) webinar, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted Ashley Horner, Chris Kann and Richard Garrison for a conversation about the process of recycling commercial roofing materials. Richardis the vice president of operations at Nationwide Foam Recycling, a company focused on “finding recycling pathways for materials that are commonly not recycled.” He opened the webinar by explaining how they developed a recycling program for the roofing industry, sharing, “The Boston Globe called us up one day because we recycled Styrofoam cups, and they said, ‘We have all this Styrofoam insulation coming off our roof, can you recycle it?’ And we, of course, said yes and one thing led to the next and suddenly roofers were contacting us from all over the country. Today, we do jobs in all 50 states.” 

Part of what helped them grow their roofer-user base was partnerships with manufacturers like Versico Roofing Systems. Chris, a product manager at Versico for specialty systems and sustainability talked about this, saying, “We provide roofing systems for all over the U.S., and we were always looking for a partner that could help us with recycling. Keeping things out of landfills the right thing to do, but it also helps us reach our company's sustainability goals. And so, when we found Nationwide Foam Recycling, it was a natural partnership.” 

Today, Chris’ team at Versico not only connects contractors to Nationwide Foam Recycling, but they also offer rebate programs that encourage the use of the recycling program. The result? Contractors like Ashley, Morrison Roofing Company’s vice president, have incorporated recycling into their day-to-day operations. Ashley shared a bit about the experience of working with this program: 

It's been great. During the pre-construction phase, we send an initiate service form to Nationwide Foam Recycling. Then, as we start tearing off the old roof, our crews identify the recyclable polyiso insulation and the single-ply membrane right as it's being removed from the deck. We separate it cleanly on-site, load it straight into some designated pallets or rolls and then Nationwide Foam’s team comes and takes it away for us.  

By using this recycling program, Ashley’s team is able to feel good about diverting thousands of square feet of commercial roofing material from landfills, and they also are left with far less dumpster management. As Ashley put it, “Instead of having material hanging out of a dumpster, you have things neatly stacked so your jobsite stays cleaner. When it comes time for hauling debris away, you’re also paying less in landfill fees because you’re sending less.”  

A sense of pride in your work and removing waste from the landfill are just the beginning of the benefits for contractors participating in commercial roof recycling programs.  

To learn about more of the benefits, Listen to the whole podcast or Watch the recording!  

By The Coffee Shops™.  

A closer look at the genius behind the ImpactR-7™, a sustainable and hardy polyiso solution for the modern roof.   

Proper insulation is vital to completing a proper roofing installation, and many contractors turn to polyiso insulation panels as their go-to solution. In particular, looking at polyiso, contractors must keep in mind the best value and function that a product option provides; the higher the thermal value (R), the better. To provide contractors with a strong, reliable product, Versico Roofing Systems has introduced the ImpactR-7™, marking a leap in innovation and ingenuity.  

To discuss the features of ImpactR-7, Aparna Jaggi, innovation manager for Versico, joined Karen Edwards in an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. Tasked with bringing the next generation of revolutionary products to the market, Aparna is passionate about the benefits of polyiso solutions, and what the brand’s ImpactR-7 means for the industry. 

ImpactR-7 is the next generation polyiso board from Versico, offering next-level protection in a more sustainable way. The closed-cell polyisocyanurate insulation panels are designed to deliver the highest thermal value – R-7 per inch – which is a major jump from the standard polyiso product many contractors are used to, which typically yield around R-5 or R-6. 

Aparna shared, “It has the highest R-value per inch polyiso board that exists on the market. No one else has it. We even took home awards at the International Roofing Expo (IRE) this year after we debuted the product, landing the award for Expert Choice, too.”  

A significant part of the innovation process that leads to breakthroughs like the ImpactR-7, as Aparna explains, is thinking outside the box and striving to look beyond the limitations of what came before. “With the increasing regulations on building codes, larger quantities and values of insulation being necessary and even height restrictions, we knew there was a significant need in the market for a product that offered a higher R-value per inch. A bigger bang for your buck.”  

With a laser focus on innovating and engineering, there’s now a product available to bridge the gap that has existed on the market for years. Now, contractors look to Versico and the ImpactR-7 as a path toward a more efficient and sustainable tomorrow. 

Listen to the conversation to learn more about the innovation behind the ImpactR-7!

By Emma Peterson. 

As labor shortages continue to impact roofing, Versico Roofing Systems is creating solutions that simplify installation and help crews maximize productivity. 

These days, because of factors such as an aging workforce, immigration policy changes and lack of trade education, the term “labor shortage” feels as commonplace as “PPE” or “flashing” — it’s just a part of working in the roofing industry. To learn about how using the right tools can help you maximize your crew's efficiency, Megan Ellsworth brought Austin Kulp from Versico Roofing Systems on for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Developing tools that save crews time and labor is something that Versico has dedicated themselves to recently. Austin explained, “When it comes to new product development, we’re really thinking about how we can not only speed up the application process for our contractor base, but also how we can make things simpler to install and lower the number of mistakes that occur during installation.” 

One example of their labor-saving products is Versico’s extended tapered panels. Austin explained how these save time:  

The benefit is reducing the number of panels needed to install a tapered system. So, if we can reduce the number of boards that the installer has to handle install, especially if it is a fully adhered system, we're speeding them up, and at the end of the day, we're saving them money and time on that job, and ultimately, they can move on to the next project quicker. 

This is just one of 15-20 products that have been released in the last five to six years as part of their goal of improving the installation speed of roofing jobs. Austin summed it up well, saying, “The core of our innovation effort is identifying needs and problems that our customers are seeing and developing something that can make their day easier. And the big one everyone is talking about is labor shortages. So this is how we are trying to help.” 

Listen to the episode or Watch it on YouTube to hear more from Austin about the time-saving products Carlisle is producing. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Strategic material staging and supplier partnerships can be the difference between a profitable project and costly delays. 

In roofing, the old adage that “time is money” couldn’t be truer. As Ashley Pietsch of Integrity Insurance and Bonding puts it, “After years of working alongside roofing contractors, I have seen that the owners who achieve long-lasting growth are the ones who master time management and embrace delegation.” 

In response to the emphasis the industry places on the importance of time, contractors are incorporating new digital programs and roofing tools to help improve their efficiency in both the field and the office. But one area that is often forgotten when it comes to streamlining the roofing process happens between the two – material staging, sequencing and timing.  

Getting materials to the jobsite might seem simple in comparison to trying to accurately quote a project or install products tens of feet in the air, but it is more complex than you might assume at first glance. As Nick Fryer writes for Roads and Bridges, “Jobsite staging doesn’t just shape where equipment and materials get stored. It also affects the overall workflow. Done poorly, it can lead to several issues that quietly drain construction budgets.” These issues can include material damage, safety hazards and frustrated crew members.  

What can you do to avoid these material staging issues? Partner with the right supplier. As the writers behind RoofCon put it, “The movement of materials from delivery to installation represents one of the biggest opportunities for efficiency gains in roofing projects. Creating a smooth flow requires careful coordination between suppliers, delivery crews and roofing teams.” 

This type of coordination is something that the team at SRS Distribution prioritizes. Their team is well-aware of the often-limited space contractors are working with on their projects and have a variety of strategies already in place to help with staging and sequencing materials:  

• Supportive team: SRS Distribution territory managers are always ready to help! Whether it’s consultations on products, sales insights or helping you figure out how to stage a jobsite, they are there for you. 
• Extensive product selection: Your local branch will already be well stocked with the best commercial products from manufacturers like Carlisle, Johns Manville, GAF, Elevate and Versico. And if they don’t have it on site, they can get it there from one of their 200+ other locations!  
• A powerful delivery network: At SRS Distribution, they have their own fleet of trucks and knuckle booms that keep project deliveries on track! Some SRS Distribution locations are even equipped with will-call programs that make sure that contractors get the right products when they need them. 

Overall, working with a supplier like SRS Distribution that understands the limited space on jobsites and the importance of properly staging materials is key to saving time and money on your projects.  

Find an SRS Distribution branch near you!

By Jenny Yu.  

As buildings undergo re-roof cycles, VIP technology offers a practical solution for achieving code compliance without major structural modifications. 

As building codes continue to demand higher thermal performance, roofing contractors are increasingly challenged to meet insulation requirements on existing structures that were never designed for today’s standards. Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) are emerging as a solution, offering high R-values in an ultra-thin profile that can help overcome space limitations on low-slope commercial roofing projects. 

During a recent Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Tom Swope of Versico Roofing Systems discussed how VIP technology is helping contractors address complex reroofing scenarios, particularly on aging buildings undergoing full tear-offs. “These panels are able to achieve pretty impressive numbers - up to R-66 per inch,” Tom said. “There's significant R-value in a really, really thin package.” 

The technology is gaining attention as more buildings reach their re-roofing cycle. In many jurisdictions, a full tear-off requires the roof assembly to meet current energy code requirements. Buildings originally designed to comply with lower insulation standards often lack the space needed to accommodate thicker insulation systems. 

Tom explained that this challenge is especially common in dense urban environments where rooftop equipment, penthouse doors, windows, parapet walls and through-wall penetrations limit available clearance. “There are some significant hurdles that, depending upon how complex those scenarios are, it can be really expensive to change all of those things, or sometimes even impossible,” he said. Rather than modifying rooftop structures or relocating equipment, contractors can use VIPs to achieve code-required thermal performance while maintaining existing roof elevations. 

According to Tom, the panels consist of a glass wool core enclosed in a foil barrier and maintained under vacuum pressure. Versico’s ADVANC-R® Vacuum Insulated Panels are most commonly supplied in two-foot-by-four-foot sizes and are integrated into layered roofing assemblies. 

While the panels offer exceptional thermal efficiency, installation requires careful handling. “If it's pierced,in any way like if someone nicks it with a fastener, you lose about 80% of the R-value,” Tom explained. “It's really important that you pay special attention when you're installing these panels.” 

As energy codes continue to evolve and re-roofing projects becomes more complex, VIP technology is expanding the design options available to contractors, consultants and building owners seeking high performance without added thickness. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to hear more insights from Tom on vacuum insulated panels and their role in modern commercial roofing. 

Carlisle SynTec Systems engineers insulation panels designed for thermal efficieny. 

Carlisle SynTec Systems has introduced ThermaThin 7™, a new polyiso insulation solution that delivers R-7 per inch for commercial roofing applications. Compared to standard polyiso insulation at approximately R-5.7 per inch, ThermaThin 7 helps project teams achieve thermal performance with less insulation thickness. The thinner profile helps reduce roof assembly height and offers greater flexibility around rooftop details, transitions, tie-ins, and code-driven R-value requirements. 

ThermaThin 7 is especially relevant for cold storage and refrigerated facility applications because its thermal performance increases as temperatures drop. At 25°F, the product delivers approximately 36% higher thermal performance compared to conventional polyiso insulation*. This innovative feature helps support more stable interior conditions, lower refrigeration demand, and achieve long-term operating cost savings in temperature-critical facilities. 

Its thin format also benefits jobsite logistics and project execution. An R-30 assembly can be achieved in just 4.3 inches with ThermaThin 7 versus 5.2 inches with standard polyiso insulation, reducing roof profile by approximately 17%. With less material volume required to achieve thermal performance targets, it helps simplify product staging, handling, and coordination for roofing crews.

ThermaThin 7 is designed for compatibility with a range of single-ply commercial roofing systems and features ReadyFlash® technology, a dual-sided facer that allows installers to influence adhesive flash-off times by selecting the appropriate facer side based  on jobsite conditions. Plus, with an HFC- and HCFCfree formulation and up to 34% recycled content by weight, ThermaThin 7 can support  sustainability goals and contribute to LEED® and Green Globes® certification efforts.

“Roofing teams are being asked to do more with less space, especially on projects where roof height, details, and energy requirements all have to be balanced,” said Julie Eno, vice president of marketing for Carlisle. “ThermaThin 7 gives project teams a practical way to get R-7 performance in a thinner assembly, while also helping address the demands of cold storage and refrigerated buildings.” 

ThermaThin 7 expands Carlisle SynTec Systems’ portfolio with an innovation-led insulation solution engineered to support advanced thermal performance and system design flexibility and was recognized at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE) Innovative Product Awards, where it received both the People’s Choice Award in the Siding & Insulation category and an Experts’ Choice Award.

Contact your local representative for product availability, system guidance, and project-specific support. 

For more information about ThermaThin 7, including technical specifications and installation resources, visit https://www.carlislesyntec.com/en/Roofing-Products/Other-Components/Insulation/Polyiso/ThermaThin-7
*Tested in accordance with ASTM C518 and using publicly available competitor data.

About Carlisle Construction Materials

Carlisle Construction Materials LLC (“CCM”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Carlisle Companies (NYSE: CSL). CCM is a leading supplier of premium roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope solutions. With a legacy of first-to-market innovation and a focus on customer success,  Carlisle delivers high-performance products that enhance building durability, improve installation efficiency, and support long-term value.

About Carlisle Companies Incorporated
Carlisle Companies Incorporated is a leading supplier of innovative building envelope products and solutions for more energy efficient buildings.  Through its building products businesses – Carlisle Construction Materials ("CCM") and Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies ("CWT") – and family of leading brands, Carlisle delivers innovative, labor reducing and environmentally responsible products and solutions to customers through the Carlisle Experience. Carlisle is committed to generating superior shareholder returns and maintaining a balanced capital deployment approach, including investments in our businesses, strategic acquisitions, share repurchases and continued dividend increases. Leveraging its culture of continuous improvement as embodied in the Carlisle Operating System ("COS"), Carlisle has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

By Jenny Yu.  

Versico Roofing Systems’s approach to product development focuses on labor savings, risk reduction and direct contractor feedback. 

For roofing manufacturers, innovation often begins with a simple question: What challenges are contractors facing in the field? According to David French, Vice President of Product Management and Design Services for Versico Roofing Systems, customer feedback remains one of the most important drivers behind the company’s product development strategy. 

David, who has been with Versico for approximately 20 years, oversees product managers and design service personnel supporting the company’s commercial roofing business. He said successful innovation starts by identifying real-world challenges and developing solutions that create measurable value for contractors. 

“At its core, innovation is really rooted in problems to solve, whether that's problems with labor or problems with not having enough time or not reducing risk on the roof or solving installation issues, whatever it might be,” David stated. “Innovation is instrumental to Versico’s success because it helps develop partnerships where we can add value with our customer partners.” 

To uncover the problems that need solving, Versico relies on multiple sources of customer insight, including direct conversations with contractors, field observation and a structured process Versico calls “outcome-driven innovation.” The approach focuses on understanding the specific responsibilities and pain points of different job roles, from estimators and project managers to installers working on the roof and gathering feedback from a variety of ways — surveys, observation and conversations. Of these, David says direct, in-person feedback often breeds the best information. 

“It's always best to get direct feedback because it's necessary and critical to ask qualifying or follow-up questions,” he said. “By asking clarifying questions, you can get to the root of the importance and how big a problem it is to solve. Every substantial, revolutionary new product that we developed was rooted in direct feedback from contractors.” 

Direct feedback has helped shape numerous products introduced by the company in recent years. David pointed to TPO membrane with peel protective film as one example. The product originated from a contractor’s complaint about installed roofing becoming dirty during construction. After extensive follow-up discussions and research, the concept evolved into a successful product offering. 

Labor challenges continue to influence innovation across the roofing industry. David said every new solution under consideration must either simplify installation or reduce labor requirements. “My edict to the folks is: any solution to any problem has to be easier to install than the thing it's replacing, or it has to be labor-saving in general,” he said. 

Looking ahead, Versico plans to expand its investment in research and development, including facility growth and additional innovation resources. “If you're impressed by what we've done in the last 25 years, I would say just wait for the next five years because it will be even better than it's been in any year in the past,” David said. 

Support Versico as they continue to innovate by filling out the Request More Information form on the Versico directory page.

By Jenny Yu.  

Industry experts will share practical strategies for creating value for customers while supporting environmental goals. 

An upcoming RoofersCoffeeShop® Read Listen Watch® titled “How Roofers Win With Recycling” will explore how contractors can turn recycling from an afterthought into a strategic business advantage. Hosted by Megan Ellsworth, the webinar brings together Ashley Horner of Morristown Roofing, Chris Kann of Versico Roofing Systems and Richard Garrison of Nationwide Foam Recycling for a practical discussion about commercial roofing recycling and the opportunities it presents across the industry. 

One focus of the conversation will be addressing common misconceptions that often prevent contractors from pursuing recycling initiatives. Many contractors assume recycling is too complicated, too expensive or lacks sufficient market demand to justify the effort. The panel will break down these concerns and share insights into how recycling programs can be incorporated into existing workflows while delivering both environmental and business benefits. 

Attendees will also learn why recycling has become an increasingly important consideration for commercial roofing projects. Beyond supporting sustainability initiatives, recycling can provide financial incentives and help contractors strengthen their marketing efforts. As building owners place greater emphasis on environmental responsibility and ESG goals, recycling programs can serve as a valuable differentiator during the sales process. 

In addition, the discussion will examine how recycling differs between commercial and residential roofing, including the impact of project scale, material types and logistics. The panelists will highlight which project types are best suited for recycling efforts, such as large commercial tear-offs and projects with significant volumes of recyclable materials. 

Furthermore, the webinar will explore the role manufacturers, distributors and recycling partners play in supporting successful programs. Attendees will gain practical guidance on identifying recyclable materials, coordinating collection and transportation, separating materials on-site and communicating the value of recycling to building owners. 

For contractors ready to dive into the opportunities recycling bring, the panel will discuss available resources, including manufacturer-supported programs, project planning considerations and connections to local recycling partners. 

Register today for How Roofers Win With Recycling on June 24, 2026, and discover how recycling strategies can support sustainability goals, create new opportunities and help your business stand out in a competitive market.

By Jenny Yu.  

Evolving energy codes drive roofing professionals to rethink how they meet performance demands. 

As energy efficiency requirements continue to tighten across the United States, roofing contractors are facing a new set of challenges, from increased insulation demands to fewer code exceptions. Wes Sherrer of Versico Roofing Systems spoke with The Coffee Shops™ about how the evolving landscape is reshaping how contractors meet these challenges.  

The core of these changes is updated energy codes aimed at reducing overall energy consumption. “At the federal level, energy consumption continues to be a big concern,” Wes stated. “One of the ways codes evolve is by increasing R-values so that buildings and our built environments use less energy to maintain comfort than what they may have in the past.” 

While federal guidelines set the baseline, states are setting even more stringent standards while also removing historical exceptions. “We continue to see states adopting stricter and stricter energy codes, which is driving changes in the way we're insulating buildings,” Wes explained. “While states used to allow a lot of exceptions, now even residential buildings are starting to require continuous insulation where they've not in the past.”  

These kinds of shifts are creating new challenges for contractors. Higher R-value requirements typically mean thicker insulation materials, which can be difficult to accommodate, especially for buildings with height restrictions. “A larger amount of panels and thicker material means more trucks, more coordination on the job site, more modifications to the existing structure,” Wes said. “Ultimately, it drives higher costs if they can even accommodate the R-values. Some get stuck where there's not a reasonable solution for them to meet the requirements of a project and what code is asking.” 

These challenges are further magnified in urban environments where roof space is at a premium and increasingly used as occupied space, like rooftop pools, gardens and porches. Another layer of complexity Wes noted was thermal shunting, where fasteners and other materials allow heat or cold to transfer through insulation layers quickly. Together, these create an opportunity for more innovative solutions.  

That’s where the Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP) comes in. “We've created this problem, and vacuum-insulated panels are a great solution to it,” Wes shared. The ADVANC-R® Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP) is a high-performance insulation panel designed to deliver exceptional thermal efficiency in a slim profile. With an industry-leading R-66 at the center of the panel, ADVANC-R VIPs are a great solution for re-roofing projects with height limitations and other complex scenarios. “You can essentially meet code requirements without the cost and disruption of significant structural changes.”  

Learn more about Versico Roofing Systems at their RoofersCoffeeShop® directory or visit their website to explore their ADVANC-R Vacuum Insulation Panel solution.