Roofing Contractor articles from August 2001

Roofing Contractor archives from August 2001

Editor's note.(Brief Article)(Column)
August 1, 2001... In the April 2000 edition of this column we put forth the notion that while the good times were rolling, they might not roll on forever. It was suggested that it might be a good idea to begin to make strategic plans in the event a downturn...

Commercial Roofing. (Letters to the Editor).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Dear Editor: In your June edition of Roofing Contractor (Technical Viewpoint: Observations From the Field), Dick Baxter made a number of false assertions about polyiso performance. In his analysis, Mr. Baxter so often confuses facts with...

Retailers in Roofing: A New Player in the Game. (Letters to the Editor).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Dear Editor: I'm writing with regard to your article "Getting Ready for March 18th," in the Portfolio section of your March issue. My immediate reaction was: "What the hell is this doing in a professional magazine?" It paints a picture...

Metal Roofing. (Letters to the Editor).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Dear Editor: It was a pleasure to finally read an article that we at MBCI Florida have been telling anyone that would listen (Dick Baxter's Metal Roofing Technical Viewpoint, May 2001). Even though we felt that we were biased in our...

Single-Ply Roofing Turns 40. (Letters to the Editor).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Dear Editor: Roofing Contractor magazine is very informative. Thank you for your efforts. Two items I wish you would consider. First, Shawn Holiday wrote a piece in February 2001 ("Landing the Big One"). I stopped reading after the...

Beacon adds The Roof Center and West End Lumber to its affiliation of regional suppliers. (Industry News).(Beacon Roofing Supply)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., Somerville, Mass., announced that it has finalized the purchase of The Roof Center, Gaithersburg, Md., and its subsidiary West End Lumber, Houston. The Roof Center, a full-service wholesale building materials...

USG files for bankruptcy. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Building materials manufacturer USG Corp., Chicago, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to contain spiraling costs from asbestos lawsuits. There have been 22,000 new claims filed against the company since the beginning of this year....

No recession, but construction activity will slow. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Leading economist Raymond G. Torto told construction executives at the CMD/CSI CEO Breakfast in Dallas that a strong consumer sector in the U.S. economy will keep the nation from slipping into recession. But he warned that the construction...

Gladding McBean chosen for Masters of the Building Arts Exhibit. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Gladding McBean, Lincoln, Calif., a manufacturer of architectural terra cotta ornamentals, has been chosen as one of a select group of Masters of the Building Arts who will display their craftsmanship at a new Smithsonian Institute Exhibit. The...

Pittsburgh Corning launches newly designed Web site. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Pittsburgh Corning, Pittsburgh, has launched its newly designed FOAMGLAS [R] insulation Web site, www.foamglasinsulation.com. The overall goal was to create a more intuitive site design that allows the user to think through specific needs and...

CBIA launches new Web site. (Industry News).(California Building Industry Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... The California Building Industry Association, Sacramento, launched www.cbiajobs.com, a job-placement Web site dedicated exclusively to California's building industry. The site matches California employers with job seekers from the state as well...

Tips for improving your business. (Measuring Up).
August 1, 2001... Question: I use the cash accounting method. As business has grown, it has been harder and harder to get an accurate understanding of where we are financially. Do other contractors use a cash system? Answer: I am not a tax accountant, but I...

11 Marketing basics that most contractors ignore, Part I. (Smart Business).
August 1, 2001... 1. Don't confuse marketing with advertising or selling. Most roofing companies don't do any real marketing. Many don't even know what it is. This is because most roofing contractors traditionally have generated work through competitive...

What you need to know about bankruptcy, Part I. (Legally Speaking).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... To most people the word "bankruptcy" causes feelings of stress, dread and confusion. People don't know what it means or what is involved in declaring bankruptcy. They don't know if bankruptcy is right for them, or what to do when someone with...

A safety self examination. (Safety Advice).(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2001... Here's an interesting idea: Gall your corporate safety director into your office Monday morning and inform him that for the next 30 days he will no longer be a safety director, but rather whatever trades person you happen to decide that day. He...

Simplifying your finances. (Personal Finance).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... You probably remember the KISS adage -- keep it simple stupid. Since effective management of your finances involves a lot of scorekeeping, much of which is time consuming, following the KISS principle is especially important. This article...

Better roofs are less expensive. (Guest Column).(Statistical Data Included)(Column)
August 1, 2001... The ultimate question for roofing is: "What is the best roof?" The accountants will tell you that the answer is simple: It is the roof that costs the least over its life. It really does not matter what material is used or how the roof is...

Top it off: Coatings for Metal Roof Restoration.
August 1, 2001... Pop quiz: What can save your customers the cost of replacing their metal roofs and reduce their energy costs while saving you labor? If you said coatings, you're right! If you said spray polyurethane foam, you're right too, but you have to...

Learning some cool new systems: Atlanta distributor sponsors seminar on Cool Roofing.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... The roofing industry is (at last!) being recognized as a major part of the solution to the energy crisis. Roofing systems that have been touted for their energy-saving characteristics have been around for years. Now we see that the same "Cool...

Rising to the occasion: Spray Polyurethane Foam.(contractors' use of spray polyurethane foam is projected to increase)
August 1, 2001... In a recent commercial roofing market trends study conducted by Roofing Contractor, 7 percent of our readers indicated that they currently use spray polyurethane foam. Within the next three years, 27 percent of them expect the use to increase....

SPF blowing agent switch: "will be easier this time" BASF, Honeywell, put HFC-245fa to the test.(spray polyurethane foam)
August 1, 2001... Boyne City, Mich., late June -- On a day when temperatures in Northern Michigan were higher than in Phoenix and Miami, a team of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) industry leaders joined forces to test a new ingredient on the 68,000-square-foot...

The little things really add up.(General Insulation's job in Elgin, IL)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... A simple, well organized photo album and a sharp-looking trailer played big roles in landing a job for Larry Paulson, the owner/operator of General Insulation in Elgin, Ill. After a series of brutal winters, the owners of a 90-year-old,...

Profit from shingle valleys.(roofing techniques)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... One of the most leak-prone areas of a roof is the valley area. Think of that monsoon-style storm that passes through occasionally -- a valley has to handle all of the water from two separate roof planes. If there are any weak spots, they'll...

CertainTeed Commercial Roofing. (Focus on Software).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... CertainTeed Commercial Roofing, Valley Forge, Pa., introduces RoofWrite[TM], a proposal-writing program that allows commercial roofing contractors to design more professional, creative proposals for their prospective clients. RoofWrite...

Carlisle-SynTec. (Focus on Software).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Carlisle-SynTec, Carlisle, Pa., offers proposal-writing software developed by Digital Roof Corp. The Proposal Writer software package allows photos to be inserted along with descriptions explaining the existing roofs problems and suggested...

GAF Materials Corp. (Focus on Software).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., recently introduced its Smart Choice[R] Solutions CD ROM, a package of cutting-edge business building tools for certified contractors. The standard package offers "Smart Visions," a software program that...

IB Roof Systems. (Focus on Software).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... IB Roof Systems, Eugene, Ore, offers Spec-Writer, designed to write a full, customized CSI-formatted spec in four minutes. The program takes the user through a series of questions on what the project entails, then automatically prepares a...

Stevens Roofing Systems. (Focus on Software).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Stevens Roofing Systems, Holyoke, Mass., recently introduced Stevens CAD, a computer-aided design program developed exclusively for Authorized Stevens Applicators by True North Estimating Systems Inc. The program allows contractors to turn...

Versico. (Focus on Software).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Versico, Akron, Ohio, offers a new Roofing Resource CD, which provides ready access to all roofing details for Versigard [R] (EPDM) and Versiweld [R] (TPO) Roofing Systems in AutoCAD, Drawing Interchange and Adobe Acrobat formats. The new CD...

Westile, Casa Grande. (Focus on Software).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Westile, Casa Grande, Ariz., has released its Electronic Specification Version 2.0. This updated CD-ROM has even more details and is compatible with AutoCAD 14 and AutoCAD LT. The CD includes dropdown menus of the most common and many of the...

ALCO-NVC Inc. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... ALCO-NVC Inc., Detroit, offers Alco Shie1d[TM] ice and water protector, now with an even stronger fiberglass reinforcement combined with the highest quality of modified asphalt. The membrane is used as a shingle underlayment to resist...

Bitec. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Bitec, Morrilton, Ark., offers IMPERFLEX MSA, a factory-installed mineral-surfaced self-adhered membrane; and IMPERFLEX USA, a smooth-surfaced, self-adhered membrane. Both sheets are composed of select distilled asphalt and prime grade SBS...

GAF Materials Corp. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J. offers Weather Watch[R] Granular Surfaced Leak Barrier. The product creates a 100-percent watertight seal at the most vulnerable areas of a roof (eaves, rakes, in valleys, around chimneys). A special adhesive...

Grace Construction Products. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Grace Construction Products offers Vycor[R] Basik[TM], a granular-surfaced, self-adhered roofing underlayment. The product is suitable for application under traditional roof coverings requiring protection from the wind-driven rain of strong...

Johns Manville. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Johns Manville, Denver, offers NordShield(TM), a self-adhering modified asphalt membrane used under shingles, shakes and tiles in residential applications and as an underlayment for metal roofing systems in commercial applications. The membrane...

MFM Building Products Corp. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(offers aluminum roll roofing)
August 1, 2001... MFM Building Products Corp., Coshocton, Ohio, offers Peel & Seal Self-Stick Aluminum Roll Roofing. The product is a self-adhering, waterproofing material with a reflective, aluminum surface. The sheet features multiple laminations of special...

Monsey Bakor. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Monsey Bakor, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, a division of Henry Co., offers Perma-Seal FG, a glass-fiber reinforced membrane with a granule surface for skid resistance. It is designed for application under tile, shingles, slate and metal...

Polyglass. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(offers roofing membranes)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Polyglass, Reno, Nev., offers a new generation of roofing membranes, Elastoflex SA P cap sheet and Elastoflex SA V base sheet. These membranes combine the best of fiberglass and polyester mat technologies with the best of SBS and APP...

Protecto Wrap Co. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(offers waterproofing underlayment)
August 1, 2001... Protecto Wrap Co., Denver, offers Rainproof, a 40- or 60-milthick peel-and-stick sheet waterproofing underlayment. It can be installed on any exterior grade solid sheathing normally used for roof decking, down to 2:12 pitches. The membrane...

Soprema. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(offers self-adhesive membranes for roofing)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Soprema, Wadsworth, Ohio, offers self-adhesive membranes that are manufactured with either custom or specified SBS elastomeric bitumen blend cast onto a polyethylene film or by building a self-adhesive membrane onto a non-woven polyester,...

TC MiraDRI. (Focus on Self-adhering Membranes).(MiraDRI EZRoof)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... TC MiraDRI, Duluth, Ga., offers MiraDRI EZRoof, a self-adhering, waterproofing, roll-roofing membrane. It consists of a fiberglass-reinforced pliable and highly adhesive rubberized asphalt with a granular-surfaced finish. The product is...

The dog days have arrived. (Portfolio).(how roofing employees work in the heat)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Roofing mechanics are all-too familiar with working in hot conditions, and they're a hearty lot besides. A contractor in Texas tells us, "Our guys can handle it. They're used to it and know how to do it right and take care of themselves. The...

Get out those sequined jumpsuits. (Portfolio).(Elvis Presley)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Or do you plan on doing the earlier tight-black-leather look for Elvis Week (August 10-19)? How 'bout that -- Elvis is so cool he gets a 10-day week. Also a little unusual is not having the celebration take place around his birthday. Elvis...

Be careful handing out praise. (Portfolio).(giving feedback to employees)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Positive feedback is an important motivator but give it only when it has been earned, advises management consultant Russell Justice. He warns that gratuitous praise for routine performance can lead subordinates to believe they are doing a...

People.(various personnel briefs in the roofing industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Copper Sales Inc., Anoka, Minn., appointed Mike Wallace president. He has been with the company since 1985 and has held several positions including sales division manger, vice president of architectural sales, and most recently, executive vice...

More support from Met Fab. (Product and Literature Focus).(Metal-Fab Manufacturing LLC)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Metal-Fab Manufacturing LLC, Baltimore, doesn't just dump and run. We're there for you. Big job, small job - it doesn't matter. We're there to show you how to install a Met-Fab roof quickly and easily for commercial buildings, industrial...

Corrugated fiber-cement. (Product and Literature Focus).(Eternit)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Profile 6R corrugated fiber-cement panels from Eternit offer you a new element in roofing and cladding in the most aggressive environments. In a range of colors or natural gray, Profile 6R adds good looks on any commercial, agricultural or...

Save energy, maintenance, and tax money. (Product and Literature Focus).(ERSystems)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... COOL ROOF RESTORATION SYSTEMS for metal, smooth asphalt BUR, modified bitumen, EPDM single-ply, thermoplastic single-ply and spray polyurethane foam. White coatings add reflectivity and emissivity while SPF adds R-value to roof substrates....

Tie down. (Product and Literature Focus).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Tie Down is proud to offer 3 models of its TranzSporter Platform Hoist for every contractor's needs at the most competitive price. The hoists come in 200- and 400-pound capacities with a full line of accessories including gravel hoppers, track...

Rubberized coating from Ruscoe. (Product and Literature Focus).(aluminized, rubberized coating product data)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Ruscoe Roof Restoration is an aluminized, rubberized coating with superior reflective properties for use on virtually ALL roof types. It will not emulsify or delaminate in ponded water on flat roofs. Circle RS #3

The Korkers convertible. (Product and Literature Focus).(company product data)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Korkers, a manufacturer of roofing safety sandals for over 45 years, announces the hottest item to hit the roofing industry since the shingle. The convertible is a sandal that straps on over the roofer's own boot. There are three...

Protective Roofing Products Ltd. (Product and Literature Focus).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Protective Roofing Products Ltd. offers the PR 2000 Work Platform. It is a platform that suspends from the roof and replaces any conventional scaffolding for roofing work. It only weighs 22 pounds per bracket and all was the installation of...

Polyglass introduces revolutionary roofing membranes Elastoflex[TM] SA P cap and SA V base. (Product and Literature Focus).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Elastoflex SA roofing membranes are polyester and glass-reinforced modified bitumen roof membranes on the top with self-adhesive backing. Elastoflex SA V is an exceptionally strong base sheet. The self-adhering properties provide the perfect...

Underlayment from Flexia. (Product and Literature Focus).(FlexiaCorporation product information)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... TRI-FLEX[R] 30, available from FlexiaCorporation, is a UV-stabilized polypropylene, lightweight, weather-resistant and highly slip-resistant roofing underlayment. It won't rip or tear away from nails even under the strongest wind conditions....

Solutions from Gutter Topper. (Product and Literature Focus).(gutter protection system product data)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Gutter Topper is the most advanced gutter-protection system available. It is installed over existing gutters with a patented clip-on system, without unsightly hangers or brackets. The design also provides an ice-release system. The Gutter...

Why Westile? (Product and Literature Focus).(company product data)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Westile offers a full line of concrete roof tiles to enhance any architectural style and meet all budgets. Westile products include a full range of Ballast Paver and Plaza Paver products and systems to the commercial and residential market. We...

Spikes Needle Strips keep birds away. (Product and Literature Focus).(roof product data)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... SPIKES Needle Strips block pest birds from everywhere they alight or roost, easily, inexpensively and permanently. Birds avoid SPIKES as people avoid a bed of nails - SPIKES isn't lethal, just uncomfortable. All-plastic transparent barrier...

MB from BITEC. (Product and Literature Focus).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... BITEC INC. is proud to offer Mineral Design; America's only pattern-design modified-bitumen roofing membrane. Mineral Design utilizes colored granules, factory applied in various patterns to provide aesthetically pleasing designs, available in...

Insulating coating from Nationwide Chemical Coatings Manufacturers Inc. (Product and Literature Focus).(PermaKote)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... PermaKote elastomeric ceramic insulating coating uses the same principle that NASA uses on the Space Shuttle. NASA discovered that a thin layer of ceramics protects the Shuttle from burning up during re-entry into the atmosphere. In producing...

Presidential[TM] TL. (Product and Literature Focus).(from CertainTeed Inc)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... With its patented tri-laminate technology and rugged sculptured tab design, CertainTeed's Presidential[TM] TL is a super-heavyweight shingle (450 pounds per square) designed to give the rich look and depth of wood shakes. Presidential TL is...

Hangtite[TM] gutter hanger: The second generation. (Product and Literature Focus).(Raytec Manufacturing LLC product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 2001... Raytec Manufacturing LLC, Ephrata, Pa., is launching the second-generation Hangtite[TM] hidden hangers. Since its introduction, Hangtite has set new strength standards for gutter hangers. Tested in the field, Hangtite's patent-pending design...

Mullane Snow Guards. (Product and Literature Focus).(roofing materials)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Mullane Snow Guards is entering its 20th year manufacturing quality snow and ice guards for all roof types. Bronze Guard[R] products manufactures snow protection products for use on slate, copper, shingle and shake roofs, and the new Snow...

Peel & Seal from MFM Building Products Corp. (Product and Literature Focus).(company product data)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Peel & Seal from MFM Building Products Corp. helps lower labor costs while making fewer callbacks. That means bigger profits for you. Peel & Seal is the perfect solution for most roofing, patching and flashing applications. Available in...

The PS 2001 heat-welding gun from Primus-Sievert Inc. (Product and Literature Focus).(welding gun data)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... The PS 2001 heat-welding gun from Primus-Sievert Inc. features the IntelliTemp Airflow Control System[TM] that constantly monitors output and adjusts airflow as required to maintain an accurate temperature. The unit contains separate controls...

The Regency from IKO. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introduction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... IKO has developed a new Designer Shingle called the "Regency." The Regency shingle resembles the natural appearance of classic slate. One of the many features of Regency is that it has a double layer of extra-heavy fiberglass mat that deepens...

Rigid Roll Plus[R], shingle-over ridge vents. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introduction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Trimline[R] Rigid Roll[R] Plus shingle-over ridge vents offer the most attractive, effective and easy-to-install ventilation system on the market. Rigid Roll Plus offers roofers the unique ability to install ridge vents and cap shingles in one...

K-Guard[R]. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introduction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... is simply the best Leaf Free Gutter System anywhere. Its unique two-piece design features a hood that deflects leaves and debris. The large gutter flows a huge amount of water to flush out and prevent clogs. The hood can snap off for access and...

Your conventional roofing alternative. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introduction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Metal Sales offers a complete line of metal roof, wall and fascia panel systems for the commercial, architectural, industrial, residential and agricultural markets. Metal sales offers over 30 profiles with a wide selection of widths, colors and...

Ventilator from Active Ventilation. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introduction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Active Ventilation Products' Aura Ventilator, exhausts air like a turbine, with no moving parts. It is non-electric, made from heavy-gauge aluminum and is maintenance-free. The Aura Ventilator ranges in diameter openings from 4 to 48 inches....

GAF's EverGuard[R] TPO. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introduction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... GAF's EverGuard[R] TPO provides the value of EPDM with the performance of TPO technology! It reduces the risk of roof failure with up to 733 percent stronger seam strength and 229 percent greater puncture resistance than typical EPDM membranes....

Hatteras[R] from CertainTeed. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introductions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Hatteras[R] from CertainTeed is an oversized 18- by 36-inch fiberglass asphalt shingle designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. The shingle features a dramatic 8-inch exposure; deep 1-inch shadow lines; seven colors; and a 40-year limited...

Versico's Versiweld[TM] TPO Roofing System. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introduction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... The Versiweld Premier Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) Roofing System installs faster, welds better, costs less per square, uses fewer accessories and reduces life-cycle costs substantially. Mechanically attached or fully adhered, Versiweld...

Natural Slate roofing. (Product and Literature Focus).(products)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Natural North Country Slate[R] For enduring character, nothing else compares. No wonder [R] it's perfected by nature! Free product brochure. showcases the wide variety of sizes and colors, and comes with our architect's guide to working with...

RoofGuard water barrier underlayment from Drexel Metals Corporation. (Product and Literature Focus).(product introduction)(Abstract)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Today's state-of-the-art, easy-to-install alternative to conventional roofing underlayments. High tensile strength resists cracking, delaminating and puncture. Weather resistant to extremes of cold and heat. Marketed and manufactured in Europe...

Snow Guards with Debris Screen. (Product and Literature Focus).(Alpine SnowGuards)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2001... Alpine SnowGuards introduces the new Ice Screen attachment for pipe-style snow guards. Until now, small accumulations of snow and freezing rain could slide under snow rails rendering the entire system useless. The screen is also effective in...