Por Emma Peterson, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

El evento de este año se acerca rápidamente, con el primer día programado para el 27 de septiembre de 2026, y queremos ayudarte a crear la agenda ideal para aprovechar al máximo tu experiencia. 

El Western Roofing Expo (WRE), patrocinado por la Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), es uno de los eventos más importantes de la industria del techado y la impermeabilización. No solo está lleno de actividades reconocidas, como la competencia de instalación de tejas Roofing Games™ y la subasta en vivo, sino que también cuenta con 28 sesiones educativas, dos almuerzos con conferencias y mucho más. 

Es una gran cantidad de actividades para solo tres días (el evento de 2026 se llevará a cabo del 27 al 29 de septiembre), por eso queremos compartir algunas de las sesiones y actividades que no te puedes perder. 

Domingo, 27 de septiembre de 2026 

El primer día del evento estará enfocado principalmente en establecer conexiones con expertos y colegas de la industria. Hay varias actividades opcionales, como el Bob Porter Golf Tournament y el Sporting Clays Tournament, pero el evento principal del día será la bienvenida y subasta de WRE. Patrocinado por GAF,  este evento no solo marca el inicio de WRE 2026, sino que también recauda fondos para la Davis Memorial Foundation, la organización benéfica de WSRCA.

Lunes, 28 de septiembre de 2026 

El lunes comienza la acción con una agenda llena de más de una docena de sesiones educativas. Estas son algunas de las sesiones que recomendamos: 

• Tendencias importantes en la industria del techado: Heidi J. Ellsworth, de RoofersCoffeeShop®, presentará las tendencias que están marcando la industria. Esta sesión ofrecerá a los asistentes información valiosa sobre dónde ha estado la industria del techado y hacia dónde se dirige.  
• ¿Listo o no?: Nuestros amigos Trent Cotney y Benjamin Briggs, de Adams and Reese, hablarán sobre las redadas de ICE, las auditorías I-9 y cómo los contratistas de techado pueden gestionar su exposición ante el panorama migratorio actual.  
• De contratar rápido a contratar bien: En esta sesión en español, Amparo Sancen, de Latinos En Roofing, explorará cómo formar un equipo de techado que contribuya al éxito de tu negocio.  
• Uso de la IA en la estimación de proyectos de techado: John Kenney, de Cotney Consulting Group, compartirá información sobre el uso de la inteligencia artificial (IA) en las operaciones de techado, específicamente en los procesos de estimación.  

Además de estas oportunidades educativas, el lunes habrá dos opciones de almuerzos educativos, tres demostraciones y el esperado evento Roofer’s Feud. Aquí te contamos un poco más: 

• Almuerzos: El lunes habrá dos oportunidades para aprender durante el almuerzo. Una será para profesionales de habla hispana y contará con Victor Maya (Advantage Roofing, GAF), quien hablará sobre cómo maximizar las reclamaciones de seguros para techos comerciales. La otra contará con Craig Brightup (corresponsal político de WSRCA) y Chad Collins (presidente de la junta directiva de la National Roofing Contractors Association), quienes ofrecerán una actualización sobre temas políticos.
• Demostraciones: Habrá tres demostraciones el lunes. La primera comenzará a la 1:30 p.m. y estará a cargo de Polyglass U.S.A. La segunda, que comienza a las 2:30 p.m., será presentada por TAMKO Building Products, y la última demostración del día será a las 3:30 p.m. con Johns Manville.  
• Roofer’s Feud: Para cerrar las actividades del lunes llega Roofer’s Feud. Patrocinado por CertainTeed, será una excelente oportunidad para poner a prueba tus conocimientos y disfrutar de una competencia amistosa.  

Martes, 29 de septiembre de 2026 

¡Pero todavía hay más! Comienza el martes con un desayuno y conversaciones en mesas con el equipo de National Women in Roofing a las 7 a.m. (ten en cuenta que esta actividad requiere un registro adicional de $55). Después del desayuno, será momento de regresar directamente a las sesiones educativas. Algunas de las que recomendamos para el martes incluyen: 

• Mesa redonda sobre techado: Organizada por el Comité de Jóvenes Profesionales del Techado de WSRCA y dirigida por Rachel Garcia, de Malarkey Roofing Products, esta sesión se enfocará en cómo formar equipos multigeneracionales. 
• Estado de la industria: Trent Cotney regresa para otra sesión, esta vez para analizar desde una perspectiva legal lo que está sucediendo en la industria.  
• Salud mental y adicción en el lugar de trabajo de la industria del techado: Paul Reed, de Roofers in Recovery, dirigirá esta sesión sobre cómo los contratistas pueden apoyar mejor la salud mental de sus cuadrillas.  
• El costo de la desconexión: En esta sesión en español, Monica Vornbrock, de The GLO Group, analizará cómo las fallas en la comunicación después de una venta pueden afectar la confianza de los clientes y los ingresos de los contratistas.  
• Diseño de techos duraderos para climas fríos: En esta sesión, Mindy Dahlquist, de TRA Snow and Sun, analizará el papel de los sistemas de retención de nieve en el diseño de techos para climas fríos.  
• De un servicio reactivo a uno proactivo: En la última sesión de nuestra lista, Tracey Donels, de Service First Solutions, hablará sobre cómo crear un crecimiento empresarial más predecible a través de los servicios que ofrece una compañía.  

Al igual que el lunes, el martes habrá dos opciones para aprender durante el almuerzo y varias actividades que no te puedes perder: 

• Almuerzos: Imelda Perez, de CertainTeed, estará a cargo del almuerzo en español del martes. La otra opción será en inglés y contará con la oradora motivacional Shereen Thor.  
• Escenario: Después del almuerzo, el equipo de RoofersCoffeeShop® tomará el escenario de demostraciones para una interesante conversación con el presidente de WSRCA, Stan Robinson, y el próximo presidente de WSRCA, Ron Lloyd.  
• Roofing Games™: ¡Y para cerrar el día llega la esperada competencia de instalación de tejas! Patrocinada por Malarkey Roofing Products, esta es una excelente oportunidad para reunir a la comunidad y quizás hasta ganar algunos premios.  

Estas listas son solo una pequeña muestra de todo lo que encontrarás en el Western Roofing Expo de este año. 

¡Consulta la agenda completa y regístrate para asistir a WRE 2026! 

By Emma Peterson.

This year’s show is coming up fast with the first day being September 27, 2026 and we wanted to help you build the ultimate attendee schedule.

The Western Roofing Expo (WRE), which is sponsored by Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), is one of the premier events in the roofing and waterproofing industry. Not only is it chock full of iconic moments, like the Roofing Games™ shingling competition and the live auction, but it also boasts 28 educational sessions, two keynote luncheons and more!

That’s a lot of programming for just three days (the 2026 show will be held from 9/27/26 to 9/29/26), which is why we wanted to break down some of our must-attend sessions and events!

Sunday, September 27, 2026

The first day of the show will mostly be networking with industry experts and peers. There are a few events you can opt to attend, such as the Bob Porter Golf Tournament and Sporting Clays Tournament, but the main event of the day is the WRE Welcome event and auction. Sponsored by GAF, this event not only marks the beginning of the 2026 show, but also raises funds for the Davis Memorial Foundation, WSRCA’s charitable organization.

Monday, September 28, 2026

Monday is when things get really busy with a stacked schedule of more than a dozen education sessions. Here’s our shortlist of must-attend sessions from this day:

• Roofing Trends That Matter: RoofersCoffeeShop®’s own Heidi J. Ellsworth will be presenting about roofing trends! This presentation will give attendees valuable insight into where the roofing industry has been and where it’s moving towards.
• Ready or Not: our friends Trent Cotney and Benjamin Briggs of Adams and Reese will be diving into ICE raids, 1-9 audits and managing roofing contractor exposure in our current immigration landscape.
• From Hiring Fast to Hiring Right: in a Spanish-language session, Amparo Sancen of Latinos En Roofing explores how to build a roofing team that will help your business win.
• Using AI in Roofing Estimating: John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group shares insight into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in roofing operations, specifically related to estimating.

In addition to those education opportunities, Monday boasts two luncheon options, three demonstrations and the much-anticipated Roofer’s Feud event. Here’s a bit about those options:

• Luncheons: there are two lunch learning opportunities on Monday. One is for Spanish-speaking professionals and features Victor Maya (Advantage Roofing, GAF) discussing how to maximize commercial roofing claims. The other features Craig Brightup (WSRCA political correspondent) and Chad Collins (chairman of the National Roofing Contractors Association board) as they give a political update.
• Demonstrations: as we mentioned, there are three demos on Monday. The first kicks off at 1:30 p.m. is hosted by Polyglass U.S.A. The second (which starts at 2:30 p.m.) is from TAMKO Building Products and the last demo of the day is at 3:30 p.m. and features Johns Manville.
• The Roofer’s Feud: closing out the Monday schedule is the Roofer’s Feud. Sponsored by CertainTeed, this is a great chance to test your trivia knowledge and enjoy some friendly competition.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

But wait, there’s more! Hit the ground running on Tuesday with breakfast and table talks with the National Women in Roofing team at 7 a.m. (please note, additional registration of $55 required for this event). After breakfast, it’s time to jump straight back into education sessions! Some of our must-attends for Tuesday include:

• The Roofing Roundtable: hosted by the WSRCA Young Roofing Professionals Committee and led by Rachel Garcia of Malarkey Roofing Products, this session is all about building multi-generational teams.
• State of the Industry: Trent Cotney is back for another session, this time exploring the legal perspective of what’s going on the industry.
• Mental Health and Addiction in the Roofing Workplace: Paul Reed of Roofers in Recovery takes the helm during this session about how contractors can better support the mental health of their crews.
• The Cost of Disconnection: for this Spanish-language session, Monica Vornbrock of the GLO Group dives into how post-sale breakdowns are costing contractors customer trust and revenue.
• Designing Durable Cold-Climate Roofs: in this session, Mindy Dahlquist of TRA Snow and Sun explores the role of snow retention in designing roofs in cold climates.
• Escaping Reactive Service: the last session on our shortlist is Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) talk about creating predictable business growth through service offerings.

And just like on Monday, there are two options for lunchtime learning and some can’t miss events:

• Luncheons: Imelda Perez of CertainTeed will be hosting Tuesday’s Spanish-language luncheon. The other lunch option will be in English and features motivational speaker Shereen Thor.
• Sound stage: The RoofersCoffeeShop® crew will be taking over the demonstration stage after lunch for an insightful conversation with WSRCA President Stan Robinson and incoming WSRCA President Ron Lloyd.
• The Roofing Games™: and closing out the day is the much-anticipated shingling competition! Sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products, this is a great opportunity to bring the community together and maybe even win some fun prizes!

These lists are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to everything going on at this year’s Western Roofing Expo!

See the whole schedule and register to attend the 2026 show!

By Emma Peterson. 

Industry veteran John Kenney shares his perspective on the current opportunities and challenges in the construction coatings market. 

In a new CoatingsTalk™, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with John Kenney about the state of the construction coatings industry and what is driving its current changes. John is the CEO of Cotney Consulting Group and has an extensive background in the industry, both being a third-generation roofer and having had over 45 years of experience in the field personally.  

When asked about what he’s seeing in the industry, specifically the coatings market, John used the word uneven. He explained, “I don't think you can simply describe construction as good or bad right now. Conditions are varying considerably by geographical and market segment... Overall, I’d say the market isn’t moving collectively in one direction.”  

But even without a clear direction, there are some trends that John has observed beyond the diversity of experiences across regions. One is the expansion of coatings beyond the roof. As he put it, “One of the things that I see as far as coating opportunities, they definitely extend beyond the roof; you have waterproofing, walls, decks and other type of protective applications... All this means that, even though backlogs have shrunk in some areas, there’s still profitable work in this market.” 

What has created this uneven but expanding market? John pointed to deferred capital spending and rising building owner understanding as some of the growth drivers. “Deferred capital spending can create many, many restoration opportunities. The need to maintain the assets are not going to disappear simply because the owner delays a larger capital project,” he explained. “And what we’re seeing is a lot of clients who are realizing coatings are the solution to deferring large amounts of spending while still maintaining their properties.” 

As for some of the factors slowing the market, John’s main points were about fuel prices that have been impacted by geopolitics, “ 

As we all know, geopolitics are turbulent and where we’re feeling that is with oil. Specifically, there’s less refining capabilities because of all the wars, so the reason why the output is less is because there's no way of making more. And that pressure is keeping things like oil prices, fuel shortages, diesel especially, and chemical costs high with no sign of coming down. And those high prices and shortages are felt in everything from gas prices and mobilization expenses to delivered material costs and more. 

Overall, John’s outlook is hesitant positivity. In his own words, “Projects aren't going to disappear. And I think that puts us in even a better position for what we're talking about here, restoration, coating, service and maintenance work even with the challenges.” 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more!  

By Emma Peterson. 

Want to take your estimating skills to the next level? Don’t miss the chance to learn in-person from industry expert John Kenney!  

John Kenney will be teaching an Advanced Roofing Estimating Workshop in Lakewood, Florida this coming November. John, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group, has an extensive history in the industry doing everything from installing millions of square feet of roofing systems to managing multi-branch operations and generating millions in annual revenue. This level of expertise makes him the perfect person to learn from. His classes take attendees through real-world examples so that they are not only knowledgeable about the theory of estimating but experienced in the realities of it as well.  

This two-day workshop will cover:  

• Evaluating opportunities and knowing when to bid, pass or wait  
• Reviewing plans, specifications and scope requirements  
• Identifying estimating risk before pricing is finalized  
• Validating labor, crew size and productivity assumptions  
• Developing complete direct and indirect project costs  
• Reviewing material, equipment and subcontractor costs  
• Protecting margin through proper contingency and cost allocation  
• Identifying scope gaps and unclear project requirements  
• Developing responsible and competitive bid strategies  
• Reviewing estimates before submission  
• Preparing a complete estimating-to-operations handoff  
• Using the results of completed projects to improve future estimates 

This is a great opportunity for roofing estimators, project managers, operations leaders and business owners to take their skills beyond quantity takeoffs and basic unit pricing into strategy and skills that will improve their business’ profitability and efficiency. 

For this training in particular, attendees should already have a fundamental knowledge of estimating. Coffee, drinks, snacks and lunch will be provided during both training days, and all classroom exercises can be completed by hand using paper, pencil and a calculator. Laptops and estimating software are welcome but are not required. 

After registration, attendees will automatically receive a welcome package, which includes event details, travel information, preparation guidance and a pre-workshop self-assessment. 

Learn more about the event and get registered!

By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. 

The first hour on a jobsite isn't just another sixty minutes on the schedule. It's where preparation meets execution. 

I've walked onto enough roofing projects over the years to know that crews usually understand how the day is going to unfold long before lunch. Sometimes it takes less than an hour. 

The materials arrive where they're supposed to. The crew knows the plan. Equipment is ready. Everyone understands their role, and work begins with purpose. There isn't much discussion because the important conversations already happened before the first ladder was climbed. 

Other times, you can feel the difference almost immediately. People are standing around waiting for direction. Materials aren't where they need to be. Someone is looking for tools that should have been loaded the day before. The foreman is answering three different questions at once while trying to coordinate deliveries and speak with the project manager. The crew is moving, but very little meaningful work is getting done. 

The project hasn't failed. But it has already begun to drift. 

One lesson this industry has taught me is that roofing projects rarely get into trouble because crews suddenly stop working hard. More often, they struggle because the day starts without a clear plan. Once that happens, everyone spends the rest of the day trying to recover time that was never really recoverable. 

The first hour on a jobsite isn't just another sixty minutes on the schedule. It's where preparation meets execution. Everything leading up to that moment either supports the crew or creates obstacles they have to overcome. The estimate, material orders, scheduling decisions, project handoff, weather planning, equipment coordination and communication all arrive on the roof at the same time. If any one of those pieces is missing, the crew feels it immediately. 

I've always believed that crews deserve better than having to solve problems that should have been resolved before they arrived. Roofers are there to build roofs. They're not there to figure out why materials were delivered to the wrong location, why the crane wasn't confirmed, why another trade is occupying the work area or why yesterday's unanswered questions are suddenly today's emergency. 

Unfortunately, those situations happen far more often than they should. One thing I've noticed throughout my career is that experienced foremen don't just manage work. They manage momentum. 

They understand that once a crew finds its rhythm, production improves naturally. The opposite is also true. Every unnecessary interruption forces the crew to stop, regroup and start over again. Most people underestimate how much productivity is lost each time that rhythm is broken. 

That's why the first hour matters so much. A strong start creates confidence. The crew sees that leadership has prepared the job properly. Materials are staged where they're needed. The day's objectives are understood. Safety expectations have been reviewed. Everyone begins working from the same plan. Confidence grows. Communication becomes easier. Production follows. 

A poor start creates something entirely different. Questions replace direction. Assumptions replace planning. Frustration begins building before meaningful production has even started. Once that happens, the foreman isn't leading the project anymore. They're managing disruption. 

There's an important distinction between motion and progress. I've watched jobs where everyone looked busy from the ground. Trucks were unloading. Equipment was moving. People were walking across the roof carrying materials. It appeared productive. But when you looked more closely, much of that activity stemmed from the work not being properly organized. Being busy has never guaranteed meaningful progress. Strong operations understand the difference. 

I've also learned that successful mornings actually begin the day before. The best project managers don't wait until sunrise to think about tomorrow's work. They've already confirmed deliveries. They've reviewed weather forecasts. They've communicated with suppliers and subcontractors. They've anticipated questions before the crew ever asks them. 

By the time the first truck arrives, leadership is thinking about execution—not scrambling to solve yesterday's unfinished business. That level of preparation rarely happens by accident. It's part of the company's culture. 

One characteristic I've consistently seen in high-performing roofing companies is that preparation is viewed as productive work, not administrative work. Too often, planning is treated as something that gets done if there's extra time. In reality, planning creates the extra time. 

The strongest foremen I've worked with understand something that younger leaders often learn through experience. They know they cannot control every challenge the day will bring. Weather changes. Deliveries get delayed. Hidden conditions appear after tear-off. Those realities are part of roofing. 

What they can control is how prepared the crew is when those situations occur. Preparation doesn't eliminate surprises. It gives the team the capacity to handle them without losing control of the project. 

Another observation that's stayed with me over the years is that crews pay close attention to leadership, even when they don't say much. They notice whether the foreman arrives prepared. They notice whether project managers follow through on commitments. They notice whether problems are anticipated or constantly reacted to. Those observations shape confidence, and confidence influences performance. 

Good leadership isn't measured by how many problems you solve during the day. It's often measured by how many problems your preparation prevented from happening in the first place. 

I've never believed that roofing is won solely by working harder. It's won by removing obstacles before hard work begins.  That's why the first hour tells me so much. It reflects every operational decision that led up to it. It reveals whether estimating communicated effectively. Whether project management planned thoroughly. Whether leadership stayed ahead of the work instead of reacting to it. Whether the company built a process or hoped experience would fill the gaps. By the end of that first hour, the crew usually knows whether they're executing a plan or creating one as they go.  

The difference isn't always visible on the first day. But over the life of the project, it almost always shows up in production, quality, customer confidence and profitability. 

The best roofing companies don't rely on great recoveries. They rely on great beginnings. Because in this business, the first hour on the jobsite rarely determines everything. But it usually tells you where everything is headed. 

Por Alex Tolle, The Coffee Shops®, traducido por Alberto Torres 

Explora oportunidades educativas enfocadas en temas que van desde el rendimiento de los techos y la evolución de los códigos hasta el diseño de la envolvente del edificio y la administración de negocios durante el evento de este año. 

La educación continua brinda a los profesionales del techado la oportunidad de alejarse por un momento de las exigencias del día a día y conocer más a fondo los sistemas, materiales, requisitos y factores económicos que influyen en su trabajo. En el Western Roofing Expo 2026, organizado por la Western States Roofing Contractors Association, los asistentes podrán explorar una amplia variedad de seminarios diseñados para fortalecer sus conocimientos sobre techado, relacionar las decisiones técnicas con edificios de mejor rendimiento y ayudarlos a tomar mejores decisiones de negocio. 

El programa comienza con la evolución de los principales sistemas de techado. Ken Klein analizará cuatro décadas de sistemas de membrana de una sola capa (single-ply), incluyendo los cambios en materiales, métodos de fijación y detalles de instalación que han surgido a partir de la experiencia en el lugar de trabajo. Trent Cotney y John Kenney ofrecerán una perspectiva más amplia de la industria al analizar cómo los materiales para techos, la mano de obra especializada, los códigos y la tecnología han evolucionado con el paso del tiempo.

La resistencia al fuego es otro tema importante. Marco Sieber y Maury Alpert hablarán sobre cubiertas y capas base para techos que pueden ayudar a reducir los efectos de las llamas y las brasas en las zonas donde las áreas naturales se encuentran con las comunidades. Continuando con este tema, Jess Grandy analizará las nuevas regulaciones de ventilación y las opciones de ventilación resistentes al fuego diseñadas para ayudar a los propietarios de viviendas a preparar sus propiedades y cumplir con los códigos correspondientes. 

Los asistentes también podrán ampliar sus conocimientos sobre la humedad y el rendimiento de los techos ante diferentes condiciones climáticas. Phil Dregger compartirá los resultados de un estudio de tres años sobre la acumulación de agua y el deterioro de la madera debajo de sistemas de techado reflectantes. Mindy Dahlquist analizará cómo la retención de nieve, la ventilación, la geometría del techo y la selección de materiales afectan el rendimiento de los techos en climas fríos y mixtos del oeste de Estados Unidos. 

Varias sesiones se enfocarán en las responsabilidades de diseño y los cambios en los requisitos de construcción. Brian Chamberlain explicará las diferencias entre las expectativas de diseño y la cobertura incluida en las garantías publicadas por los fabricantes. Matt Braun analizará los nuevos requisitos para las barreras de aire en proyectos de reemplazo de techos y explicará cómo interactúan las capas de control de aire, humedad y temperatura. Brian también dirigirá una sesión sobre las conexiones entre el techo y los muros, abordando las filtraciones de aire, la resistencia al viento, la compatibilidad de los productos y la coordinación entre los diferentes oficios en uno de los puntos más importantes de la envolvente del edificio. 

Además de las sesiones enfocadas en temas técnicos, habrá otras dedicadas a la administración de negocios. Una de ellas será impartida por nuestra presidenta y directora ejecutiva, Heidi J. Ellsworth! En la sesión Roofing Trends That Matter, Heidi compartirá información del RoofersCoffeeShop 2025 Trends Report, que recopiló datos de encuestas realizadas a más de 200 profesionales del techado, incluyendo contratistas residenciales, comerciales y mixtos de empresas de diferentes tamaños. 

Durante esta presentación, los asistentes conocerán cómo los contratistas se están adaptando mediante la tecnología, el marketing digital y cambios en sus operaciones. También recibirán consejos prácticos sobre cómo utilizar el marketing, la tecnología y la participación en la comunidad para generar confianza, aumentar la visibilidad y fortalecer la estabilidad del negocio a largo plazo. 

En conjunto, estos seminarios ofrecen educación práctica para los profesionales que buscan mejorar la instalación, el diseño, el cumplimiento de códigos y normas, y el rendimiento de los techos a largo plazo. Algunas sesiones también ofrecen oportunidades de educación continua a través del American Institute of Architects (AIA) y el International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants.

Obtén más información sobre las oportunidades educativas disponibles en el Western Roofing Expo 2026.

Conoce más sobre Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) en su Coffee Shop Directory o visita www.wsrca.com. 

By Emma Peterson. 

From major industry announcements and scholarship awards to emerging market trends and wildfire preparedness, these were the RCS articles that got the most clicks this August.  

August was a month of announcements here at The Coffee Shops®! For our team, we launched a new microsite (www.RoofersCoffeeShop.ca) designed specifically for the Canadian market. Similar to our U.K. microsite (www.RoofersCoffeeShop.uk), this site will not only bring together contractors in its dedicated region but also strengthen the global roofing community.  

In addition to our big announcement, our site saw a lot of announcements and quite a few of them made our August 2026 top article list. For example, one of our R-Club members, Excel Roofing and Siding, sent out an announcement of a name change to Excel Slate and Copper. This change was designed to “better reflect the company’s long-standing expertise in slate roofing, copper craftsmanship and historic home restoration.”  

Another example was the Roofing Alliance’s announcement about the 2026-2027 Melvin Kruger Scholarship. “A total of $59,000 was awarded for new scholarships with an additional $55,000 for 12 renewal scholarships.” 

And coming in first and second on our August 2026 top 10 article list were two announcements, both from industry associations. In second place was an article about the Colorado Roofing Association’s new advisory about wildlife code requirements. As for first place, that went to the he Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) and the Metal Construction Association (MCA)’s announcement of the results of metal roofing market study conducted by FMI Consulting. 

The top 10 August articles 

10 - Excel Roofing and Siding becomes Excel Slate and Copper

9 - Why the most successful roofing contractors plan further ahead by John Kenney. 

8 - TPO or metal retrofit? Understanding the tradeoffs by The Coffee Shops® 

7 - When the economic signals don’t agree by John Kenney. 

6 - Becoming a ROOFEREE by Emma Peterson. 

5 - The secret to managing commercial roofing projects by Emma Peterson. 

4 - The Roofing Alliance announces 2026-2027 Melvin Kruger Scholarship recipients.

3 - Heavy-duty adhesives for every jobsite by The Coffee Shops®. 

2 - New advisory helps Colorado roofers prepare for wildfire code requirements by Alex Tolle. 

1 - New market survey forecasts strong growth, significant potential for residential metal roofing in U.S. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Industry veteran John Kenney explains how stronger connections between Canadian and American contractors can drive innovation, education and long-term industry growth. 

In our first-ever Roofing Road Trip® Canada edition, John Kenney and Karol Weyman discuss how the launch of RoofersCoffeeShop.ca will help build bonds between the Canadian and American roofing markets. John is the CEO of Cotney Consulting Group and a roofing veteran with decades of field experience. In his own words, “I started in the roofing industry more than four decades ago and working on the roof and learning the trade from the ground up. From there, I moved through estimating, project management operations and eventually executive leadership. Those experiences gave me a practical understanding of nearly every part of the roofing company.” 

And over the course of that storied career, John has experienced the value of collaboration between Canadian and American professionals firsthand:  

As my consulting and training work expanded, I began receiving more opportunities to work with contractors and manufacturers and also industry organizations like the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) throughout Canada. Working further north was a natural progression and I've learned just as much from the Canadian contractors as I hope they have learned from me as every market and every company offers a different perspective. 

It is experiences like John’s that the RoofersCoffeeShop.ca microsite aims to foster. Because when we all learn from each other, we all grow stronger. John shared some insights related to this, saying, “The roofing industry definitely becomes stronger when we take the time to learn from one another. The challenges contractors face don't stop at any kind of national borders or provincial borders, but each market does approach solving them differently based on their environments and cultures.”  

By building a space where contractors can build relationships with their peers in a different country, RoofersCoffeeShop.ca is helping share ideas and solutions that benefit everyone. In John’s words, “The more we openly share ideas, I think the stronger the entire industry becomes.” 

Check out the whole episode to learn more about how the launch of RoofersCoffeeShop.ca is fostering industry-growing relationships.

By Emma Peterson. 

The importance of strong estimating practices in managing risk, protecting profitability and setting projects up for success. 

Estimating is the foundation of roofing projects – without an accurate assessment of a project, and the costs related to it, it's difficult to expect a project to go smoothly. But making sure your estimate is accurate is also one of the most challenging parts of a roofing project. To learn about how you can level up your estimating skills, we hosted John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Across the decades he has spent in the roofing industry, John has seen quite a few professionals struggle to build estimates. He shared the most common issue he sees, saying, “Estimators are taught how to measure roofs, how to price materials, but not how to manage the most important items, which is assumptions, communicate scope and company margins.”  

Why is it important that an estimator is aware of and managing these more abstract factors? As one of the first parts of any project, estimating is also the first step in risk management. John explained, “Estimating is really a decision-making role, not the takeoff one we see it presented as. As an estimator, you are the first to think through the project and make decisions about what will be done. That is directly tied to profitability and the risk.”  

So, how do you ensure you or your estimator are ready to tackle managing risk during the estimating process? Get the right training. John described how he trains estimators to go beyond the measurements and into risk management:  

We help them with estimating with a focus on giving them the skills that they won’t get in the field. So we focus on planning, communication, accountability and problem solving. Our goal is to give these leaders confidence and structure so they're not reacting all day. They're actually managing proactively. 

And managing proactively? That’s what shifts your estimating from just measurements and math to risk management and decision-making. And by making that shift, your company will be set up for successful, smooth projects. 

Want to learn more about estimator’s roles in risk management? Listen to the rest of the podcast!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Industry leaders explain why financial discipline, diversification and customer education matter as roofing businesses navigate economic and insurance pressures. 

During a live Coffee Conversations® discussion at the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA), roofing professionals examined the pressures impacting contractor success across the United States. The panel agreed that shrinking backlogs, insurance changes and aggressive pricing are forcing companies to strengthen their operations rather than chase every available project. 

What market shifts are creating the most concern for contractors? 

As contractors adjust to a changing business environment, John Kenney, chief executive officer of Cotney Consulting Group, said several challenges are creating uncertainty at the same time. He shared: 

“I think insurance claims and understanding the industry’s new insurance rules are causing a lot of angst for contractors. AI, robotics and other technologies are also major issues people are trying to understand. Contractors are also watching prices, fuel costs and shrinking backlogs.”  

John encouraged contractors to use slower periods to improve their companies and pursue work that fits their established capabilities. Bridget Jenkins Wilson, owner of Cardinal Roofing, added that roofing is cyclical and contractors should prepare during strong years for the slower periods that follow. 

How can contractors move from storm-dependent work to retail sales? 

Changes in the insurance market are also pushing some roofing businesses to pursue more retail work. Adam Bensman of TAMKO® and the Roofing STRONG Alliance said this transition requires more than simply finding a different type of customer. He explained: 

“The hottest trend in roofing is the shift from storm-dependent to retail-driven business. I am seeing roofing companies that were built to catch or chase storms, but lack formal sales processes and structure, now trying to learn how to sell retail.”  

Adam warned that companies without structured sales processes may respond to pressure by discounting projects below sustainable levels. Bridget emphasized educating homeowners about policies, deductibles, materials and payment responsibilities rather than relying on high-pressure sales tactics. 

What should contractors prioritize during an economic slowdown? 

Although contractors cannot control the economy, John said they can improve their decision-making by developing a detailed understanding of their financial position. He noted, “Right now, you need to know your numbers, understand exactly what your overhead is and focus on the work your business is best suited to perform.”  

That financial clarity can help contractors avoid pursuing unprofitable work simply to keep crews busy. Marc Hansen of JobNimbus agreed that contractors need reliable systems for estimating, customer communication, payment collection and follow-up. Bridget also encouraged companies to examine everyday expenses, material waste and internal financial controls. 

The panel’s message was clear: Contractors cannot control market cycles, but they can control their pricing, processes and customer experience. Companies that understand their costs and serve homeowners transparently will be better positioned for the next phase of the market. 

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about adapting a roofing business to economic and insurance changes.