Cloverdale Paint, the largest Canadian paint manufacturer and member of the Nova Paint Club, announces today the launch of the international "Cool Roof, Smart Choice" campaign in Canada, with the aim of accelerating the adoption of reflective coatings on roofs by building professionals to address the growing problem of extreme heat.

Canada has been warming at more than twice the global average rate and has suffered more frequent and more intense heatwaves in recent years, making the need for scalable cooling solutions increasingly urgent.

Temperature and environmental changes are a global concern. In the northern hemisphere where cooler climates normally prevail, significant weather and environmental events are becoming both more frequent and more destructive. In Canada, heavy rains, flooding, landslides and incredibly destructive wildfires have decimated massive areas of land, and, some population centres. Cloverdale Paint, of Vancouver, Canada, recognizes these changes and has been long doing its part in reducing the environmental impact of its coatings and join its Nova Paint Club members in developing products that seek to contribute to the cooling of the atmosphere.

Darrin Noble, Cloverdale Paint's president and chief operating officer has environmental concerns as a top consideration at the company. "As a business and as global citizens, we each must do our part in reducing impacts on the environment, where the severity and frequency of weather events and increasing temperatures are affecting the markets in which we operate, which includes our customers and staff.  Cloverdale Paint is acting on this by the development of new roof coatings that reflect a portion of the sun's UV rays back to the atmosphere."  Says Noble.  The specialized roof coating has a dual effect; it contributes to lowering operational temperatures in the structures below, which provides a more comfortable environment for staff. And, has reflective properties that reflect UV rays back into the atmosphere.  Mr. Noble continues, "As global citizens, we all must do our best to contribute in our business and private lives to seek to reduce impacts on the environment.  It's not too late, but we do have to move – quickly." 

The power of reflection

The past three years (2023-25) have been the warmest years on record and half the world's population experienced at least one extra month of extreme heat in the year ending May 2025. Extreme heat is now the deadliest weather hazard and heat related deaths are projected to surge by 370% by mid-century if no major urban adaptations are undertaken. "Extreme heat is a significant health risk in our cities," says Dr. Aditi Bunker, an epidemiologist at the University of Heidelberg in Germany who has been doing global studies on cool roofs and health. "As temperatures continue to rise, adapting to heat is becoming a public health priority. Cool roofs are an example of an evidence-based solution that can reduce indoor heat exposure, thus improving health, wellbeing and comfort of people exposed to extreme heat." 

Cool roofs have been shown to lower internal temperatures by 2-5ºC, making it more comfortable for students to learn, workers to be more productive and for people to sleep better at night. They also lessen the thermal stress on roofing materials and improve the efficiency of solar panels. They offer an accessible cooling solution for low-income communities, who are disproportionately exposed to severe overheating and cannot afford air conditioning.

"Choosing a roof color is more consequential than most people are aware of," says Craig Eaton, product development manager of Cloverdale Paint. "We want to make building professionals know their color selection can make a world of difference in terms of letting heat in or keeping it out, level of energy use, and carbon footprints so they can make the smart choice. As our cities get warmer, we will have to design buildings that can keep the heat out. Cool roofs have proven themselves as one of the most effective ways to reduce heat gain and use less energy. Just as we adapt our way of life to survive stronger and longer heatwaves, we need to rethink how to cool our buildings and use as little energy as possible. Cool roofs save energy, have an immediate impact on people's health and well-being, are inexpensive and can scale easily. Cool roofs can cool our buildings, our people, our cities and our planet."

Eaton explains the positive impact on communities."Installing cool roofs at scale would also reduce peak energy demand across a city, keeping the most costly and polluting power plants offline, minimize grid failures and defer investment for infrastructure upgrades and new power plants. This translates to a lower energy bill and carbon footprint not just for buildings with cool roofs but savings for the whole community. "Cool roofs are an effective solution that makes a real difference. For developers and property owners, cool roofs can increase property value, help with energy accreditation and save money by lowering energy bills. For occupants, they improve health by reducing heat stress and preventing mould. For the wider community, they help the climate by reducing urban heat islands." Reports Eaton.

About Cloverdale Paint Inc. 

Cloverdale Paint is a Canadian market leader and coatings innovator.  We are the largest family-owned coatings company in North America. We operate directly and through a US-based subsidiary in Portland, Oregon (Rodda-Miller Paint Company) with manufacturing plants in Surrey, Calgary, Winnipeg, London, Oakville, Mississauga, Montréal, Portland, Vancouver, Washington and Wood's Cross, Utah.  We distribute our brands of architectural and industrial coatings as well as related products through 180 corporate service centers and over 350 independent dealers throughout Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Cloverdale Paint formulates architectural, industrial liquid and powder coatings as well as tapes and adhesives and holds a dominant position in industrial markets including agricultural and construction equipment, forestry, oil and gas, power transmission, truck body and trailers, water and wastewater management and coil coatings for metal buildings, roofing and drainage. Cloverdale Paint Inc. is proudly Canadian owned.

About Nova Paint Club

Nova Paint Club is an international alliance of twelve leading independent paint and coatings manufacturers from around the world. Founded in 1983, the group's main objective is to share knowledge, technology and best practices among its members, promoting innovation and sustainable development in the sector. Nova Paint Club members collaborate in areas such as research and development, marketing, sustainability and global trends, benefiting from synergies that strengthen their competitiveness at local and international level.

For more information, please go to https://www.novapaint.org/cool-roof-smart-choice/

About Dr. Aditi Bunker

Aditi is an epidemiologist and coordinates the Climate Change and Health Intervention Working Group at Heidelberg. Her research tests climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions to assess how they affect population health, environmental and economic outcomes. Using experimental and quasi-experimental designs, she conducts large-scale causal impact evaluations on interventions in the housing, urban design, infrastructure and food sectors to identify how they affect outcomes, including infectious disease.

For more information, please go to https://www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/

By The Coffee Shops™. 

ASC Building Materials’ contractor certification program helps roofers identify better coating candidates. 

For commercial roofs, long-term performance is determined by many factors. One of which is knowing when a roof is suitable for a coating, or when a membrane or bitumen would be a better solution.  

On a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Megan Ellsworth sat down with James Conneely of American Standard Coatings Building Materials (ASC Building Materials) to discuss why contractor certification programs matter in the coatings industry and how they help contractors move beyond product knowledge into practical roof evaluation. 

For James, the value of certification begins with quality assurance. “Even the highest quality product will fail if installed incorrectly,” he said. “Certification programs ensure that the end product, in this case the roof coating system, performs exactly as intended.” That performance, he explained, reflects not only on the contractor but also on the manufacturer whose name is tied to the completed work. 

A major part of that responsibility is knowing when a roof should not be coated. James noted that “not every roof is a good candidate for a coating system,” which makes training essential for helping contractors understand the difference between a roof that can be restored and one that may need replacement. 

That distinction becomes especially important when property owners are looking for cost-conscious options. “The biggest downside of coating a roof is that we want to help a lot of property owners that don't have other options,” James said. “Unfortunately, a lot of times those are the roofs that are in the worst condition. We don't want to coat over a roof that's been completely saturated with water.” Instead, contractors need to understand when saturated areas can be addressed and when the overall condition of the roof creates too much risk. 

Preparation is another recurring theme. James emphasized that cleaning, addressing penetrations and preparing movement-prone areas are essential steps before coating begins. 

By grounding contractors in evaluation, preparation and installation fundamentals, certification helps set expectations before a project starts. It also gives contractors a clearer way to explain coatings to owners who may still think the process is simply painting a roof. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about contractor certification programs. 

By Jesse Sanchez.  

Contractors must embrace data, disciplined budgeting and risk management to stay profitable in softer markets.  

As economic uncertainty, shifting storm patterns and evolving insurance rules reshape future demand, TAMKO leaders are urging contractors to approach data, risk mitigation and retail strategy as core business functions rather than optional add-ons. During this Read Listen Watch® (RLW), Director of Contractor Engagement Jon Abernathy and consultant Jon Broce discuss how they have sat down with contractors across the country to discuss what it takes to endure a softer market.*  

Abernathy has spent recent months observing how demand has cooled in many regions, especially within new construction, while storm cycles have become less predictable. He described today’s environment as “very competitive,” where relying solely on projects following weather events is no longer enough to sustain growth. That reality is also reflected in business survival rates. After reviewing recent LLC filings, Abernathy found that only a small percentage of new roofing companies remain active after five years, with most folding long before that mark. He ties this directly to production risk, noting that installation errors remain the leading cause of warranty claims and long-term liabilities.  

The consequences can be steep. Abernathy recalled a contractor who accumulated more than $400,000 in warranty costs within just a few years due to overlooked installation mistakes. His advice to avoid those setbacks is straightforward: slow the pace of growth, tighten quality checks and prioritize best practices on every job.  

While Abernathy focuses on production risks, Broce turns attention to financial discipline. He encourages contractors to move away from anecdotal decision-making by tracking closing rates, average tickets and multi-year revenue patterns. Budgeting, he explained, should include realistic baselines and stretch targets while analyzing “trends, anomalies and patterns” to understand whether performance stems from storms or replicable systems.  

Both leaders agree that relying entirely on insurance work can leave companies exposed. Retail sales provide steadier revenue, while disciplined job costing and monthly reviews help owners identify what is working and what is not.  

Listen to podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how TAMKO’s contractor program and expert guidance can help you strengthen financial discipline!  

*The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the participating roofing contractors and are based on their personal experiences in the roofing industry. These discussions are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice regarding insurance, financing, legal matters, or business transactions. Viewers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals before making any decisions related to their business operations. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

ContractorHUB brings sales, financial, marketing and operational data together to help roofing companies identify problems, track performance and plan for growth. 

Roofing companies rely on a growing number of software platforms to manage sales, accounting, marketing and production. When those systems do not communicate, business owners can struggle to determine which numbers are accurate and where their companies are headed. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Karen Edwards spoke with Matt Parks, founder and CEO of ContractorHUB, about creating a reliable source of business information. 

“People don’t have their data connected, and they’re making bad decisions because the data is not accurate,” Matt said. “And when the data is not accurate and you make a bad decision, you have no idea what direction you’re going.” The information contractors need to monitor often changes as their businesses grow. Smaller companies may focus on sales performance or the number of roofing squares installed each week. Larger organizations may need to examine more detailed measurements, including marketing spend, cost per lead and financial performance. 

ContractorHUB connects information from existing customer relationship management (CRM), accounting and other operational systems. Rather than requiring contractors to replace their current technology, the platform brings the data together so users can compare results and identify inconsistencies. “So, you end up getting a source of truth,” Matt said. “So, you have one login to go to and see all of your numbers at one place.” 

The platform’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities can also monitor information and provide proactive alerts when something appears unusual. Matt gave the example of a company that typically receives 50 leads per week but suddenly generates only 30. Because that decline may affect revenue weeks later, an early notification gives leadership time to investigate. 

ContractorHUB also offers benchmarking tools that allow contractors to compare selected key performance indicators with anonymized information from similar businesses. According to Matt, these comparisons can help owners recognize performance gaps and determine where operational changes may be needed. 

By making information easier to access and understand, contractors can spend less time gathering numbers and more time improving the processes behind them. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how ContractorHUB helps roofing companies connect disconnected data, identify performance gaps and make more informed business decisions! 

By Emma Peterson. 

A look at the rich history behind one of the biggest providers of quality commercial roofing products.  

This year marks four decades since BITEC was founded and in that time, BITEC has introduced multiple industry-leading innovations and built a resounding reputation of quality. To reflect on BITEC’s 40 years of history, Heidi J. Ellsworth invited Joel Shealey, BITEC’s president, to sit down for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Heidi and Joel’s conversation started by going back to 1986 when everything began. Joel shared:  

In the early 1980s, my dad, Bruce Shealey, and his friend David Allen were working at an Italian company, which is where they learned about using APP, atactic polypropylene, in asphalt to create a great modified product...My dad loved this technology, and so when he and David decided to split off and make BITEC a few years later, modified systems are what he focused on. 

The first product that Bruce and David created was a smooth APP, with the goal of introducing the American market to European-style mod bit. Joel shared why that was such an ambitious goal:  

In America, we’re all about speed and efficiency; we want to get the most bang for our buck. And sometimes the goal of making things cheaper accidentally causes a drop in quality. What my dad wanted to do was create products for the American market that last 30-some odd years like the European products.  

And once they figured out APP, they naturally began expanding their offerings. Joel gave some examples, sharing, “As more companies got technology and SBS became more prevalent, they created an SBS formula. And then they got into the reinforcements, which used things like fiberglass and polyester.”  

Today, BITEC offers a full suite of products that include everything from improved versions of those early APP and SBS membranes to acrylic, silicone and urethane coatings. As Joel put it, “We have grown to offer pretty much everything from the deck up, we've got a little something for almost everybody in the commercial space.” 

Listen to the whole recording or Watch the episode to learn more about BITEC and how they’ve built a legacy of high-quality, long-lasting products.  

By Emma Peterson. 

Trent Cotney and Heidi J. Ellsworth look back at the 2026 Roofing Day in D.C. 

Earlier this year, roofing contractors and professionals from around the country came together to advocate for the future of the industry in Washington, D.C. This event, Roofing Day in D.C., is annually coordinated by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) as an opportunity for industry professionals to speak directly with representatives and government officials about the importance of roofing. To reflect on how the event went, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Trent Cotney from Adams and Reese for a Roofing Road Trips® episode.  

Trent has attended nearly every Roofing Day since NRCA began the event and shared how the event is structured. He explained, “The event is really about educating people on Capitol Hill about our industry and our struggles. NRCA does a tremendous job helping attendees organize and understand the talking points. It makes it easy for anyone to join in and help make our industry’s concerns be heard.” 

Each year, NRCA’s lobbying team picks out a few key issues that they want to highlight over the course of the event. Then they create a list of talking points that help Roofing Day attendees start the conversation with their representatives. This year's key issues focused on workforce instability, lack of affordable housing and the need for continuing technical education.  

During his time on Capitol Hill this year, Trent specifically spent time talking to his representatives about the need for legislation like the Dignity Act in relation to the workforce shortage and instability facing the construction industry and other trades. He explained:  

The Dignity Act’s entire goal is to give an opportunity for people to come here and work legally, with an eventual pathway to permanent status. And it addresses the issues of immigration and workforce shortages that we’ve seen in the headlines for the last few years. Because every single roofing contractor, manufacturer and supplier wants a legal workforce, but there is simply not a sufficient domestic labor supply. So, if we're going to have a zero-tolerance immigration policy, we also have to have a mechanism to allow people to come here and work those jobs.  

To be clear, this is not a red or blue issue – it's an industry issue. As Trent put it, “It’s really easy to watch the news and form a politicized opinion one way or the other. But what I’m talking about shouldn't be politicized. We’re talking about a real issue in the industry – we don’t have enough workers and we need a solution. Right now, our best solution is the Dignity Act.”  

Listen to the episode or Watch the recording to hear more about NRCA’s 2026 Roofing Day in D.C.

By The Coffee Shops™. 

Fuel metal sales through training opportunities and customer education. 

Training may be the foundation of success in metal roofing, but contractors also need the ability to communicate value to customers. In an episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down for a conversation with Ray Kimble of Western States Metal Roofing, exploring how contractors can confidently sell metal roofing and capitalize on growing market demand. 

According to Ray, education extends beyond installation techniques. He also teaches contractors how to effectively communicate the differences between traditional and metal roofing systems to decision makers. Understanding how to explain the long-term benefits of metal roofing to homeowners and building owners who may be comparing it to lower-cost alternatives is just as necessary as learning how to correctly install metal roofs 

That conversation often centers on durability, energy performance and aesthetics. While metal roofing can require a higher upfront investment, Ray emphasized that contractors who understand the product are better equipped to explain its long-term value. He noted that building owners increasingly view roofing decisions through the lens of lifecycle performance rather than initial cost alone. 

At the same time, demand for metal roofing continues to create opportunities for contractors looking to expand their services. Ray pointed out that many companies are stepping beyond their traditional offerings because customers are actively seeking metal solutions. “The whole reason that you're getting into it is because you know the demand is there, and people want it,” he said. 

For contractors entering the market, choosing the right manufacturing partner can be just as important as learning a new roofing system. Ray stressed the importance of working with knowledgeable suppliers who can provide technical guidance, jobsite support and ongoing training. “Don't learn on the roof,” Ray advised. 

That philosophy reflects the broader message of the discussion: successful metal roofing programs are built on preparation, education and strong partnerships. As interest in metal roofing continues to grow, contractors who invest in both technical expertise and customer communication will be well-positioned to capture new business while delivering better outcomes for clients. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about metal sales strategies and contractor growth opportunities. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association is inviting contractors to help shape education, advocacy and the future of the growing roof coatings industry. 

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) has expanded its membership to include roofing contractors, creating new opportunities for collaboration among manufacturers, suppliers and the professionals applying coating systems in the field. Chris Huettig, vice president of technical services and client relations at KARNAK, and Cody Wilson, president of Unicote Industrial Roofing, discussed how the new membership category can strengthen communication across the industry. 

Dedicated solely to roof coatings, RCMA represents manufacturers, raw material suppliers and companies providing tools and services to the industry. Its work centers on education, technical expertise, advocacy and promoting the benefits of coatings, including roof protection, extended service life, energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

Chris emphasized the value of bringing contractors into those efforts, explaining, “You need that voice from the customer, the voice from the field that people like Cody can bring.” That field perspective can inform RCMA’s work on regulatory developments, building codes, testing standards, application guidance and industry best practices. Contractor members can participate in the association’s Government Affairs Committee and Technical Affairs Committee while accessing meeting minutes, technical bulletins and educational modules covering surface preparation, roof coating technology and application best practices. 

As a contractor specializing in spray foam and coating systems throughout Florida and much of the Southeast, Cody joined RCMA when the new membership category opened. He noted that the association helps contractors monitor developments they may not encounter while managing their daily operations. Cody shared, “We’re so busy in our own day to day that we’re not necessarily paying attention to what’s going on at the higher level, at the state level, at the national level. And RCMA has our backs when it comes to that.” 

In addition to its educational and advocacy resources, RCMA holds two in-person meetings each year and is exploring additional online and regional networking opportunities as contractor participation grows. By bringing manufacturers and contractors together, the association is working to improve communication, strengthen industry knowledge and build a more unified voice for roof coatings. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how RCMA contractor membership supports roofing professionals through education, advocacy and industry collaboration! 

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 Alex Tolle.

The Colorado Roofing Association has released a member resource and announced an upcoming panel discussion with IIBEC to help roofing professionals understand the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code.

As communities across Colorado adopt and enforce the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC), roofing contractors may encounter new project requirements and varying interpretations among municipalities. To help members navigate these changes, the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) Building Code and Standards Committee has developed a new educational advisory focused on the code’s implementation.

The member-only resource explains:

• When the CWRC may apply to roofing projects and outlines practical considerations for contractors preparing to work under the new fire codes
• New structure-hardening and defensible-space requirements
• Recommendations for coordination with local building and fire departments and communication with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)
• Documentation and compliance considerations
• Best practices intended to help contractors reduce inspection issues and project delays

It is important to note, that this advisory is a general educational resource. It is not a substitute for adopted codes, local amendments, project-specific requirements or guidance from the appropriate AHJ. Because code adoption, amendments and interpretations may differ by jurisdiction, CRA encourages contractors to verify the requirements for each project with the applicable AHJ. Members should also review the complete advisory for its legal disclaimer and limitations.

And the advisory isn't the only thing the CRA team is doing to help contractors navigate the new code. CRA will be collaboriating with the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) to host a panel dicsussion on September 10, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at MCA The Cube in Denver. The discussion, titled Fire Code: What Roofers Need to Know, will see roofing industry leaders, building officials, fire officials and legal counsels discuss code implementation, common questions and practical considerations for contractors.

Learn more about the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code by downloading the CRA advisory and exploring the upcoming CRA and IIBEC panel discussion.