By Emma Peterson. 

How contractors can use technology to deliver better roofs in a more efficient manner.  

While at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)’s 2026 International Builders’ Show (IBS), we had the opportunity to film a live Coffee Conversations® thanks to our sponsors, SRS Distribution! The episode featured an expert panel of industry leaders, including Eric Fortenberry of JobTread Software, Mitch Heitsch of Westlake Royal Building Products and Chris DePatria of HOVER. One of the main discussion points of the conversation was the trends that this panel is seeing across the industry this year and how contractors should adjust future operations accordingly.  

Mitch opened the conversation by sharing what product trends he’s seen, sharing, “From the product standpoint, we're seeing a heavy push to more resilient products. This is partially from an aesthetic perspective, but mainly about performance. A lot of this is because insurance is driving a lot of conversations, but homeowners are also wanting to upgrade their homes with the next best thing.”  

And this push for better performance extends beyond the manufacturing space. Clients and competitive markets are putting more pressure on contractors to perform at a high level of efficiency. Eric explained, “Contractors are realizing that they need to implement systems and technology to be able to keep up with everything that's going on in the industry. Because it’s the contractors who can create the most streamlined, efficient processes that are able to deliver the service homeowners want and run business that succeed even in tough markets.”  

So, what can contractors do to improve the performance of both the roofs they install and the operations of their business? Integrate technology. Chris shared some examples of what this type of integration might look like:  

In terms of internal operations, programs like what we have at HOVER take what used to be a 30+ minute process of measuring a roof and turn it into a two-minute program. And as for delivering performance to clients, visualizers have become key in helping homeowners understand how materials will actually look and act on their homes...In fact 74% of homeowners want to see a visualization before they purchase or make a commitment.  

Overall, these are just two examples of the countless technological solutions that are on the market helping contractors take performance to the next level. Mitch summed up the conversation neatly, adding, “Contractors need to not be afraid to adapt and to change with what the market is demanding. There's a lot of people that get scared about that, they don’t want to change products or processes, but these types of changes are needed to bring you to where you need to go.” 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about the trends shaping the industry.  

By Emma Peterson. 

Metal roofing is rising in popularity around the country thanks to its ability to withstand various climates. 

In his role as a regional sales manager for Westlake Royal Building Products, Mitch Heitsch works with contractors and clients across various regions, from North Dakota to Florida. This has given him a unique perspective on how different roofing products and materials perform in different climates. To share what he has seen, he stopped by MetalCoffeeShop® for an episode of MetalCast™.  

Mitch opened the conversation by discussing the different factors impacting roofing in the regions he covers, sharing, “It's been a lot of fun to see the vast difference across regions. For example, in Florida, we tend to get kind of tunnel visioned into wind uplift and wind driven rain and those kinds of topics, but getting further north, now you're starting to talk snow loads and hail impact.”  

And the common thread across these regions? The rising interest in metal roofing. In Mitch’s opinion, the biggest reason for this popularity is metal’s performance. He explained: 

From winds to snow to wildfires, metal roofing checks all the boxes. Take Westlake’s Unified Steel as an example. In a wind uplift category, we have testing standards that get us up over 200 miles an hour. In a hail category, we carry very severe hail (VSH).  When you start talking about fire prone areas, we are a class A rated system product...Further, you can design Unified Steel as a cool roof system, where air is constantly flowing above the roof deck and keeping the home cooler. 

While this incredible performance might be the main reason, there are still other factors that are influencing the rise of metal. One is insurance costs. Mitch explained, “I think insurance is driving a lot of the conversation about performance. As our weather grows more extreme, these companies are demanding higher performing roofs.”  

Overall, metal is rising in popularity across regions for its durability and performance. As Mitch put it, “We’re seeing a general shift in people trying to move towards prepping themselves for weather events versus being reactionary to it. And a metal roof is often part of that preparation.” 

Listen to the whole conversation or Watch the episode to learn more about the rise of metal roofing.  

By Emma Peterson. 

Join The Coffee Shops™ crew and our industry partners in Sacramento for four days of education, innovation and industry connection. 

The Coffee Shops™ crew is putting the finishing touches on our travel plans to get to Sacramento, California March 12–15, 2026 for the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)’s International Convention and we want to see you at our booth and soundstage, sponsored by Western Colloid!  

This year’s show is predicted to host “1,700 consultants, architects, engineers, design professionals and other experts” for four days of learning, networking and more! With national sponsors like Carlisle, Elevate™, GAF, IB Roof Systems™, Johns Manville, Polyglass USA Inc., Sika Corporation, SOPREMA and Versico, this show is a must-attend for professionals in all parts of the roofing world.  

Expert-led education  

This show gives attendees a chance to learn from a variety of industry leaders and experts through their cutting-edge education sessions. Here are some of the incredible presenters that will be at this year’s show:  

• Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese will be hosting a “State of the Industry” session that will explore contract provisions and other emerging regulatory trends.  
• Darren Perry of SOPREMA has a session that discusses how low slope roofing can be enhanced in response to severe climate risks. 
• Amrize’s National Technical Manager Victor Rosenthal and Project Manager Rachael DeMeio will be teaching about trends in roof re-cover applications this year. 
• Jennifer Stephan from Benchmark’s session will dive into the world of Refrigerated Processing and Cold Storage Operations in relation to industrial roofing projects.  

Check out the full speaker list online!

An expo floor route 

The Coffee Shops crew will be on the expo floor hosting a soundstage at booth #1113! Here’s just a few of the other Coffee Shops friends and partners that can be found on IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention expo floor:  

• All Weather Insulated Panels (booth #1216) 
• Anchor Products (booth #907)  
• ATAS International (booth #728)  
• BITEC Inc. (booth #1023) 
• Brava Tile (booth #208) 
• CertainTeed (booth #227)  
• General Coatings Manufacturing (booth #926) 
• H.B. Fuller (booth #113) 
• ICP Building Solutions Group (booth #133) 
• IKO Industries (booth #426) 
• Leister (booth #619) 
• Malarkey Roofing Products (booth #213) 
• MuleHide (booth #814) 
• Roof Hugger (booth #707) 
• S-5! (booth #1019) 
• Sheffield Metals International (booth #625) 
• Sherwin Williams Roofing Solutions (booth #422) 
• Tremco (booth #321) 
• USG Securock (booth #401) 
• Western Colloid (booth #923) 
• Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions (booth #433) 

Explore the full expo floor map!

Register today and make sure you stop by to say hi to us and our industry friends at the IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention!

This positive outlook is reflected in the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI), a quarterly survey of NAHB remodeler members that provides insight for the remodeling industry. 

The remodeling market is poised for growth in the coming years as many structural tailwinds, including an aging housing stock, the persistent lock-in effect and the trend for older home owners to age-in-place, will not be changing quickly, according to industry experts at a panel hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

This positive outlook is reflected in the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI), a quarterly survey of NAHB remodeler members that provides insight for the remodeling industry. In fact, the RMI has registered a reading above the break-even point of 50 for 24 consecutive quarters, showcasing a post-pandemic resiliency. The remodeling sector is also outpacing the single-family and multifamily housing markets when comparing their respective sentiment measurements over the past five years.

“There are many factors contributing to the continued growth of the remodeling market, including the aging housing stock,” said NAHB Economist Eric Lynch. “The typical age of a home has increased from 31 years old in 2006 to 41 years old in 2023. And with the dramatic rise in home equity post-pandemic, more home owners are able to finance remodeling projects that align with their needs.”

Another tailwind for the remodeling market is the mortgage rate lock-in effect, where home owners with low mortgage rates have chosen to stay in their current homes instead of moving and taking on a higher rate. Lynch noted that while the lock-in effect is lessening, it is still persisting which means households will be incentivized to pursue remodeling projects first before considering a sale.

Lynch explained that the remodeling sector is continuing to become a larger share of the residential construction market, especially when looking at the number of firms and overall construction spending. There were 128,000 remodeling firms at the start of 2025, up from 69,000 in 2000. And home improvement spending share increased from 33% in 2007 to 44% in the first quarter of 2025.

The trend for older home owners to age-in-place has positively contributed to the growth in the remodeling market. The RMI survey showed that 56% of remodelers are involved in home modification work relating to aging-in-place and that 96% of remodelers said that most or some of their consumers are familiar with the aging-in-place concept. The survey also showed that 73% of respondents indicated that requests for aging-in-place features have significantly or somewhat increased over the past five years.

A recent RMI survey found that the most common remodeling projects in 2025 were: bathroom remodels, kitchen remodels and whole house remodels. These findings are consistent with historical trends reported by NAHB where bathroom, kitchen and whole house renovations have traditionally ranked as the top three project types undertaken by NAHB remodelers.

Looking ahead, residential remodeling activity is expected to increase 3% in 2026 and an additional 2% in 2027 in inflation-adjusted terms. “NAHB is forecasting growth for the remodeling sector both in the short-term and the long run, driven by these structural tailwinds that are not expected to change in the near future,” said Lynch.

Attendees also heard from Alan Hanbury, Jr., CGR, CAPS, GMR, president and CEO of Consulting by House of Hanbury Builders Inc., based in Newington, Connecticut, who presented on best practices for setting KPIs for remodelers to grow and manage their businesses profitably.

For remodelers, a few best practices stand out in ensuring sustained success. “It is extremely important for remodelers to establish benchmarks and target attainable future goals if they want to continue to succeed and grow,” said Hanbury. “It is even better when those objectives are based on data from your fellow peers.”

This type of data can be found in NAHB’s Remodelers’ Cost of Doing Business Study, where remodelers can compare their current performance against the industry, broken down between top 25%, bottom 25% and average outcomes. The study shows gross and net profit, assets and liabilities, owners’ equity and financial ratios, among many other indicators broken down between design build firms and general remodelers as well as revenues.

“Every remodeling business is unique, so understanding the differences among various groups of remodelers is crucial for making the most appropriate benchmarks for your company,” said Hanbury. “It is also essential to know the most important financial ratios used for benchmarking and how they are calculated so your comparisons are legitmate.”

About NAHB

The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 700 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80% of the new housing units projected for this year. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how stone-coated steel roofing delivers unmatched protection and performance.  

Across the country, homeowners are in the market for roofing materials that not only deliver powerful durability, but also premium curb appeal and long-term performance. And that’s exactly what Westlake Royal Roofing Solution’s Unified Steel brand delivers.  

Unified Steel is a highly engineered stone-coated steel roofing material that delivers the “look of traditional roofing with advanced performance, energy efficiency and sustainability.” Further, the Unified Steel portfolio includes everything from shake and shingles to Spanish-inspired tile, making it perfect for every home, whether your style is a classic cottage, an ultra-modern retreat and everything in between. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of working with Unified Steel.  

Powerful protection 

Built to meet some of the industry’s toughest standards, Unified Steel delivers long-term peace of mind in the face of extreme weather. It is rigorously engineered to withstand events such as:  

• Hurricane: Westlake has multiple design assemblies featuring Unified Steel roofing that has been proven to withstand Category Five hurricane-force winds (120 mph). 
• Hail: Built to deliver unmatched strength in the face of even the worst hail, Unified Steel comes with a Class-4 impact rating. 
• Fire: Unified Steel can be incorporated into a variety of “Class-A fire-rated roof assemblies, ember-resistant underlayment options and WUl-compliant assemblies.” 

Efficient and eco-friendly 

Unified Steel roofing doesn’t just protect the home beneath its eaves; it protects the planet. Made of highly recyclable materials and designed with advanced ventilation and insulation features, Unified Steel roofing reduces a home’s environmental impacts while also increasing its energy efficiency.  

Add to that the ability to incorporate Westlake’s Cool Roof Colors, which lower energy costs by reflecting more thermal heat, Unified Steel becomes the obvious solution for efficiency and eco-friendliness. 

Versatility 

Made in the USA, these stone-coated steel panels are a versatile roofing option. They are designed to be lightweight and easy-to-install, making your crew’s job easier. They also come with a 50-year transferrable warranty that attests to their reliable and long-lasting performance. Overall, if you are looking for a versatile roofing solution that lowers repair costs and adds lasting value to a home, Unified Steel is a great option. 

Learn more about Unified Steel roofing.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how Unified Steel’s stone-coated roofing stands up to hurricanes, ice dams, snow and HOA demands.  

In 2025 the Guardian reported that “[a NASA study shows] extreme events are becoming more frequent, longer lasting and more severe, with last year’s figures reaching twice that of the 2003-2020 average.” With this rise of intense weather events, it has become more important than ever to build structures and roofs that can withstand the most extreme storm conditions. To learn more about how to do this, Karen Edwards hosted a new episode of Roofing Road Trips® featuring Mitch Heitsch from Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions. 

When it comes to handling inclement weather and high winds, Mitch has firsthand experience as a regional sales manager for Unified Steel in the Florida area. He said there are two primary factors to consider when designing a roof to withstand a storm – performance and aesthetics. He explained, “Here in Florida, we not only are getting hammered by hurricanes every single year, which falls into the performance factor, but we’re also a state that’s very heavily dictated by HOAs and the aesthetic aspect of that.” 

What Westlake has done with Unified Steel is find the balance between these two factors. Originally created in the 1960s, Unified Steel’s main product is their stone-coated metal roofing products. Mitch went into more detail, sharing, “Our products look just like other roofing products. Odds are you've driven by a stone coated metal roof and you've never known it. It's blended in really well, which is great from the aesthetic and the HOA side, and is metal, which is great from the performance side.”  

And Unified Steels’ stone coated metal roofing isn’t just a good option for homeowners dealing with increasingly severe wind events. It also performs well in the increasingly intense inter weather that has been hitting areas like the Midwest. Mitch explained, “In the Midwest snow accumulation and ice dams are big issues. And being a stone coated product, Unified Steel has a grittiness that can help avoid the dangerous snow avalanches... it also is really energy efficient and can help avoid dangerous dams that lead to leaks by moving that heat up and out of the home quickly.” 

Listen to the whole episode with Mitch to learn more about how Unified Steel combines performance with aesthetics.  

By Mitch Heitsch, Westlake Royal Building Products.

Residential metal roofing is often discussed in terms of standing seam and stone-coated steel, what's the difference?

Metal roofing has seen substantial growth in residential markets, from low single digits to the mid-teens over the past two decades, as homeowners increasingly associate metal with strength, fire resistance and dependable performance during severe weather. In general, residential metal roofing comes in two options — standing seam (panels) and stone-coated steel (shingles).

Standing seam roofs feature feature continuous vertical panels with raised seams and few exposed fasteners, giving them a sleek architectural appearance. This clean look paired with the aforementioned durability of metal has made them a popular choice for homeowners who like a modern aesthetic. 

As for stone-coated steel systems, such as Westlake Royal Roofing Products' Unified Steel, they come in a variety of profiles that replicate everything from shake to tile and shingles. This offers homeowners a wide variety of aesthetics while maintainnig the core benefits of metal, including impact resistance, fire performance and high wind ratings.

Comparing the two options

Installation

Standing seam panels may be manufactured by a controlled producer, but there is a growing trend of contractors forming panels onsite with portable roll formers, an approach that can reduce cost but may introduce variability in panel dimensions, finish or warranty eligibility. Alternatively, stone-coated steel is factory-manufactured under controlled conditions, with established quality checks that help support long-term reliability and consistent fit across the entire roof system.

Price

Standing seam is generally the higher-priced metal option due to specialized installation, continuous-panel fabrication and precise fastening methods. Stone-coated steel is typically more cost-effective while still delivering premium performance and strong protection from wind, fire and hail.

Longevity

Both systems are capable of lasting several decades with proper installation. Each style, material and brand may have different levels of durability. For example, stone-coated steel systems, such as Unified Steel, are engineered for severe weather conditions including hail impact, wind-driven rain, heavy snow and fire. Unified Steel also provides a fully transferable 50-year limited warranty, enhancing long-term value.

In short, there are advantages to each system

Standing seam metal benefits: 

• Sleek, modern, architectural appearance
• Minimal exposed fasteners
• Excellent long-term durability
• Strong fit for contemporary or modern home designs 

Stone-coated steel advantages:

• Replicates the look of shake, shingle or tile
• Lightweight for most reroof applications
• Strong resistance to wind, hail and fire
• Textured surface may help reduce rapid snow-shed in some climates

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how Tapco’s brake accessories boost efficiency when metal bending. 

Tapco Tools’ metal bending brakes have become known in the roofing and construction industries for their durability, portability and accuracy. With over 50 years of engineering experience behind them, these brakes “help contractors work smarter, faster and with greater confidence on every jobsite.” 

This is something you know firsthand if you already have a Tapco bender. But what you might not know about is the variety of accessories that Tapco Tools carries that can make the process even more efficient! To showcase the accessories that boost the performance of their brakes, Tapco teamed up with Desmond Tse, aka “The Siding Guy” for a series of videos about accessories like the Port-o-Slitter and Brake Buddy. 

An introduction to the Port-o-Slitter 

In the first two videos of the series, Desmond introduces the Port-o-Slitter. This accessory is used to create slit and rib forming in a portable and efficient package. It includes two sets of cutting knives and can be integrated with the “1/2 HP Motor Kit (specify 110v or 220v), Snap Stand, 24" Slitter Cut-Off, and PRO Coiler.” It can manage the following materials:  

    Soft aluminum up to .030 

    Galvanized steel up to 28 ga 

    Copper sheet and coil up to 16 oz 

Watch Desmond introduce the Port-o-Slitter and walk you through assembling and adjusting it.  

Exploring the Tapco Tools Pro Brake 

In another video of the series, Desmond walks viewers through adding a second handle to your Tapco brake. Adding this handle comes with a variety of benefits, including providing better leverage and maneuverability that aids in making more precise bends.  

Check out the entire process of adding a handle to a Tapco Pro Brake. 

Diving into the Brake Buddy 

And to round out the series, Desmond takes viewers through using the Tapco Tools Brake Buddy accessory. This accessory allows users to increase the style and originality of your trim coil, enabling the creation of complex products like brick mold trim and decorative ribs. In addition, the rollers for these specialized applications, the Brake Buddy comes with a measurement guide and a quick-twist handle. Compatible with any Tapco portable brake, it can manage “.019 aluminum, PVC-coated aluminum [and] vinyl-coated trim coil.” 

Learn more about the Brake Buddy and see it in action. 

Want to learn more about Tapco Tools’ brakes and accessories? Check out their YouTube channel for more walkthroughs and informational videos.

This year’s winners comprise five residential projects and two commercial projects from across the U.S.

Westlake Royal Building Products™ (Westlake Royal), a Westlake company (NYSE: WLK), has honored seven standout roofing projects with the 2025 DaVinci® Masterpiece Contractor Project of the Year Awards. The annual award recognizes projects built with DaVinci Roofscapes composite roofing while demonstrating excellence in installation, outstanding visual impact and the ability to transform the look of a home or commercial space. This year’s winners comprise five residential projects and two commercial projects from across the U.S.

The residential projects receiving top honors:

• Classic Construction & Consulting, Stillwater, Minnesota, for the replacement of an aging, hail-damaged cedar roof on a lakefront home with a DaVinci Multi-Width Shake roof in Aged Cedar. Homeowners’ insurance rates decreased 50% after receiving the new composite roof.
• Final Touch Construction & Design, Fontana, California, for the intricate job of adding DaVinci Multi-Width Slate tiles alongside new solar panels on an expansive roofing system. The mixture of Castle Gray- and European-colored tiles adds beauty plus low maintenance to the coastal waterfront home.
• Nitro Roofing and Construction, Columbus, Ohio, for an eye-catching replacement roof for a 1890 Victorian-style home. It features nearly 5,000 custom Inspire® Slate by DaVinci tiles in fish-scale and square-edge slate patterns and Cool Mist and Olive colors.
• Preferred Exterior, New Hyde Park, New York, for the roof on a newly constructed showplace home featuring DaVinci Single-Width Slate in the Smokey Gray color. Several structures, including a pool house, make up the sprawling home compound.
• Washington Roofing & Construction, Washington, Missouri, for the re-roof of a home using DaVinci Select Shake in Aged Cedar, following a hailstorm. The spacious property includes both a four- and eight-car garage plus various A-frame-style buildings with roofing pitches of 26/12.

The commercial projects receiving top honors:

• Burns & Scalo, Pittsburgh, for the replacement of a deteriorating roof on the administration building at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania, with DaVinci Single-Width Slate in the European color. The historic 1897 landmark building at the private college houses classrooms and offices.
• Weatherguard, Inc. (THE ROOFEREES), Omaha, Nebraska, for the re-roof of the storm-damaged Peter Kiewit Lodge at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park with DaVinci Single-Width Shake in a custom Forest Green color. Hosting 40 guest rooms, a restaurant and meeting rooms, the lodge features the largest pitched roof state building in Nebraska.

About DaVinci®Roofscapes

Industry-leading DaVinci® Roofscapes captures the authentic look of real cedar shake and natural slate in each of their composite roofing tiles. Made of virgin resins, UV and thermal stabilizer, plus a fire retardant, each tile resists impact, fire and severe weather. They also defy insects, rotting, fading and splitting. Available in dozens of colors, the composite tiles are backed by a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty. DaVinci Roofscapes is a division of Westlake Royal Building Products™.

About Westlake Royal Building Products

Westlake Royal Building Products™ USA Inc., a Westlake company (NYSE:WLK), is a leader throughout North America in the innovation, design and production of a broad and diverse range of exterior and interior building products, including siding and accessories, trim and mouldings, roofing, stone, windows and outdoor living. For more than 50 years, Westlake Royal Building Products has manufactured high quality, low maintenance products to meet the specifications and needs of building professionals, homeowners, architects, engineers and distributors, while providing stunning curb appeal with an unmatched array of colors, styles and accessories.

By Emma Peterson. 

How Unified Steel products keep contractors working in the cold season. 

For many roofers, the colder season means slower business and more downtime, in part due to the challenges of installing traditional asphalt shingles in temperatures below 40°F. In comes Westlake Royal Roofing Products’ Unified Steel™ Stone Coated Roofing. Engineered with a Galvalume® steel core that resists brittleness, it maintains lightweight durability, flexibility and strength even in cold weather. 

Systems designed for the cold 

In addition to its ability to be installed during colder months, Unified Steel has stronger performance during severe cold weather when compared to traditional asphalt shingles. Unified Steel’s structural integrity and flexibility also make it ideal for carrying heavy snow loads. Robin Anderson, technical and strategy development manager at Westlake Royal Building Products, recommends optimizing Unified Steel for snow and ice management by using a minimum of a 4/12 roof pitch in regions with over 100 inches of annual snowfall to ensure full-deck underlayment coverage, and incorporating elevated or counter-batten systems to maximize airflow and reduce ice dam formation.

Beyond the roofing product 

Making sure that laborers remain safe during installation is vital. Similar to the need to worry about environmental safety challenges in the summer, like sunburns and heat exhaustion, it’s important to consider the unique safety hazards common during colder months. Things like black ice are no laughing matter and can be very dangerous. You also need to have a plan in place for storing temperature-sensitive installation tools, such as adhesives, mastics and batteries. 

In conclusion 

Overall, winter roofing work is possible and can be a great way to keep your business competitive. Equipping your crew with the right products and safety measures helps to ensure that they’re ready to roof in a winter wonderland!