Roofing Contractor articles from February 2003

Roofing Contractor archives from February 2003

Editor's note.
February 1, 2003... Growing a business or even sustaining a decent level of profitability in these challenging political and economic times is a daunting task at every level in our industry, especially for roofing contractors. At this point, most contractors...

Letters to the editor.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Editor's note: In the October 2002 issue of Roofing Contractor, Jim Olsztynski wrote about corporate ethics in his Smart Business column, noting, among other observations, that "Golf reveals more about people than their degree of skill with the...

Copper Sales named Energy Star Partner. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Copper Sales Inc., Anoka, Minn., was recently named an Energy Star-labeled Roof Product Partner and has obtained Energy Star listings for all UNA-CLAD brand unpainted Galvalume roof products. Roof products must meet or exceed a significant...

JGA celebrates 25th anniversary. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... JGA Corp., Atlanta, announces its 25th anniversary as a wholesale supplier of roofing and building products. JGA Corp. was founded by John G. (Jimmy) Alston. The firm began with the acquisition of John McDaniel Wholesale Supply Co., a...

Architectural industry recognizes Carlisle as top manufacturer. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Carlisle SynTec Inc., Carlisle, Pa., has been chosen by the readers of Architecture magazine as the recipient of the 2002 ACE Award-Architect's Choice for Excellence. According to Suzanne Tron Haber, the magazine's publisher, Carlisle ranked...

Englert announces expansion. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Englert Inc., Perth Amboy, N.J., announced that it has doubled the size of its metal roofing sales operations in Tampa, Fla., Plainfield, Ill., and Columbia, S.C. Englert doubled the size of its Tampa operation, moving into new facilities...

Information available from Johns Manville. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The Johns Manville Roofing Systems Group, Denver, has developed an educational package to assist designers, specifiers and contractors with understanding the newly adopted long-term thermal resistance values (LTTR) of polyisocyanurate foam roof...

Bradco acquires East Coast Supply. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J., recently acquired Florida-based East Coast Supply. Bradco will continue to operate the company's four offices in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tavares and West Palm Beach under the East Coast name. In a...

Petersen distributes S-5! ColorGard. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Petersen Aluminum Corp., Elk Grove Village, Ill., has become a licensed stocking distributor of the patented COLORGARD[TM] snow retention system from S-5![TM]. According to Mike Petersen, president of Petersen Aluminum Corp., "Snow...

Pacific Coast Building Products announces acquisition. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Pacific Coast Building Products announced that it completed the purchase of certain assets of Winroc Corp.'s Sparks, Nev., operations. Winroc is a building material distributor with headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The acquired...

National Slate Association. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The National Slate Association, originally incorporated in the 1920s, recently reorganized. A nonprofit organization, it is dedicated to promoting excellence in slate roofing practices. It will target a diverse membership, including slate...

Rheinzink debuts web site. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Rheinzink America Inc., Cambridge, Mass., has several features on its Web site, www.rheinzink.com. The bulletin board, in addition to serving as a discussion forum, gives customers the opportunity to access a large group of interested parties...

TAMKO[R] set to harness the power of 'Lamarite'. (Tamko[R] Times).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... JOPLIN, MISSOURI--With the mysterious 'Legend of the Lamarites' all but solved, representatives of TAMKO Roofing Products, Inc. have come forth with plans for Lamarite--the incredible material of natural beauty and unnatural performance. ...

Insiders claim a new 'Lamarite' shingle is in the works. (Tamko[R] Times).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... JOPLIN, MISSOURI -- TAMKO Roofing Products, Inc. is preparing to unveil its first application for 'Lamarite,' and several industry insiders claim it will be in the form of a superior-performance shingle. "Lamarite shingles will...

NRCA news.
February 1, 2003... NRLRC Breakfast to be Held During NRCA Convention The National Roofing Legal Resource Center, Rosemont, Ill., a legal resource for roofing contractors formed by the National Roofing Contractors Association, will host its annual NRLRC...

Entrepreneurialism: the disease that can ruin your business and your life. (Measuring Up).
February 1, 2003... When you own a business, your business life and personal life can all mesh into one giant ball of string. It can be tough to tell where your business life begins and the personal life stops. If your business is messed up, your life is messed up...

A customer's rant. (Smart Business).
February 1, 2003... I hate it when you don't show up on time. I hate it when you're slow in returning my phone calls. I hate it when you point fingers at the builder, the architect, the supplier, rush-hour traffic, the weather, someone calling in sick o any other...

Advances in modified bitumen roofing systems. (Technical Perspective).
February 1, 2003... There have been a number of improvements to modified bitumen roofing systems, both in the way they are manufactured and applied, since they were introduced originally to this country. While modified bitumen products always have provided...

Mold below decks. (Safety Advice).
February 1, 2003... Though most molds and fungi are benign, slightly irritating or even beneficial, some are very toxic to humans. The species that present the greatest hazard to roofers are classified as "black molds." Of this group, Stachybotrys chartarum and...

The dangerous path of mold. (Legally Speaking).
February 1, 2003... The biggest challenge that the construction industry faces may soon be the issue of mold. There have been countless lawsuits and claims related to this would-be epidemic that seems to be sweeping the nation as though it were a "black plague"...

Detriments of standing water. (Technical Details).
February 1, 2003... As roofing contractors you may not have direct input in initial drainage design, however, your input at as-built conditions could be valuable. The elimination of accumulated moisture from the roof's surface is vital to the success of a...

Survey of homeowners: demonstrates how contractors can build their business.
February 1, 2003... Have you ever felt like you were drowning in information about how to market, your roofing contracting business 40 homeowners but felt starved for knowledge on what, why and how consumers really made their purchasing decisions? As an...

Consolidation by the slice: the birth of RoofConnect.
February 1, 2003... The word "consolidation" has had its own distinct meaning in the roofing industry for nearly five years. Roofing Contractor has followed the ups and downs of the various individuals and enterprises that have played a part in changing the way...

Cool Roof update.
February 1, 2003... It may be a cliche by now to say that cool roofing is a hot topic, but there have been important developments in this area of the industry. Two things to keep an eye on in the coming year are a new product rating system from the Cool Roof...

Dreaming of a white coating.
February 1, 2003... The market for metal roof coatings is vast. There is certainly no dishonor in a metal roof giving out after performing well for decades, and the number of industrial and commercial uses seems limitless. The most frugal building owners one can...

NTRCA Golden Hammer Awards.
February 1, 2003... Roofing Contractor was recently asked to judge entries in the outstanding residential roofing project category of the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association's Golden Hammer Awards. We were honored to take part in this annual recognition of...

What's up with the asphalt roofing manufacturing industry?
February 1, 2003... While most people gaze up to the sky and marvel at the mysteries of the solar system, we in the asphalt roofing business have a slightly different vision. As our eyes glance towards the heavens, we see asphalt-roofing systems, and the vision to...

The future of built-up roofing? A pioneer's lament.
February 1, 2003... Editor's note: Jack Hageman is president of Hageman Roofing Co. in Ridgefield Park, N.J., a roof contracting firm founded in 1925. In 1985, Hageman patented the Polara roofing system, a hot built-up roofing system using polyester felts and Type...

Newest trend in low slope roofing...colors.
February 1, 2003... Salesman Mark Nelson faced an aesthetic challenge in the reroofing of this upscale home (pictured at right) in Piedmont, Calif. Much of the low-slope section tying in to the shingle roof is visible, not only from other levels of the home itself...

Contractor Profile: Petersen Dean Inc.
February 1, 2003... One of the hottest trends on the music scene today is the re-emergence of the so-called "garage bands" -- defined, according to the Detroit Free Press, as bands that play "stripped-down but propulsive arrangements, a reverence for the blues...

Pedal to the Metal.
February 1, 2003... Metal roofing is a tough business to hang your hat on. Equipment is expensive, good crews need to be apprenticed, and roofers get one shot at installation. But all of the work out there is tough to resist and those who don't have a sheet metal...

Developing a post-fall rescue plan.
February 1, 2003... The OSHA Fall Protection & Prevention Standard for Construction (1926.501(b)(10)) stipulates the employer's duty to provide fall protection for his employees working on low- or high-pitch roofs with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet or more...

Johns Manville Roofing Systems Group. (People).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... When Johns Manville Roofing Systems Group, Denver, opens its new state-of-the-art polyisocyanurate manufacturing facility in Fernley, Nev., in the second quarter of 2003, it will be managed by individuals with in-depth manufacturing experience....

Hawaii Roofing Contractors Association. (People).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Mike Tory, president of Tory's Roofing and Waterproofing Inc., has been elected president for a two-year term with the Hawaii Roofing Contractors Association in Honolulu. Serving as vice president is Steve Maero, president of Rainbow Roof...

Wayne's Roofing. (People).(award)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... As reported in the News Tribune, Wayne's Roofing was one of six Washington firms named Best in the Northwest by the Family Enterprise Institute of Pacific Lutheran University's School of Business. Wayne's Roofing took top prize for businesses...

Centria. (People).(hires John A. Roth)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Centria, Pittsburgh, recently hired John A. Roth as the company's new director of information technology. He will be responsible for the operation, support and development of the company's business systems and network, as well as the e-Centria...

Moody Insurance Agency. (People).
February 1, 2003... Moody Insurance Agency, Denver, which specializes in bonding services for contractors, risk management and insurance, announced a $491,110 dividend for members of its Colorado Roofing Association Workers Compensation Program, offered through...

Roof Consultants Institute. (People).(Michael DeFrancesco passes away)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 1, 2003... The board of directors of the Roof Consultants Institute is sad to announce that Michael DeFrancesco, owner of DeFrancesco Roof Consulting and second vice president of RCI, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002, after an extended illness. Mike...

W.P. Hickman Co. (People).(Don Schultz relocates)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... W.P. Hickman Co., Asheville, N.C., announced that Don Schultz, vice president of sales, is stepping back from his current position and will focus on sales management of a newly designated Capital Sales District to include Virginia, Maryland and...

Sarnafil Inc. (People).(Richard K. Foley retires)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Sarnafil Inc., Canton, Mass., a worldwide leading manufacturer of high-quality thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing systems, announces the retirement of its president, Richard K. Foley, effective May 31, 2003. Foley has led the company's...

H. James Dallas, an 18-year veteran of Georgia-Pacific. (People).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... H. James Dallas, an 18-year veteran of Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta, has been named vice president, Information Resources, and chief information officer for GP. Dallas, who has served as president, Lumber, since 2001, will lead the company's...

Liquid-applied membrane. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Topps Products Inc., Overland Park, Kan., offers Topps Seal[TM], a liquid-applied, waterless, rubber roofing system to restore all types of roofs. The fully adhered, seamless, roofing installs as an effective, lightweight cap. Choose from...

Tape measure. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Levelution, Hailey, Idaho, offers Next[TM], the first and only tape measure available to feature Unleaded Measuring[TM]. Unleaded Measuring allows the user one-hand, pencil-free marking of wood, metal, drywall, aluminum, tile, slate, granite,...

Adhesive spreader. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Rooftop Equipment Inc., New Wilmington, Pa., offers Insul-Liner, an easy-to-use, foam-insulation-adhesive spreader, developed and manufactured upon the request of Millennium Adhesive Products Inc. Looking somewhat like an oversized lawn...

Circular saw blades. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Tenryu America Inc., Florence, Ky., U.S. distributor for Tenryu Saw Manufacturing Co. Ltd. of Japan, offers the Steel-Pro line of circular saw blades to make steel-cutters out of standard portable and stationary saws. The blades feature C6...

TPO. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Stevens Roofing Systems, Holyoke, Mass., announced the availability of Stevens EP-XL, an 80-mil-thick membrane. The product can be used in any application where the roofing contractor, building owner, architect or roof consultant wants a...

Metal edge systems. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... LITSCO Industries, Glendale, N.Y., announced that it has received Factory Mutual approval on its proprietary Streamline[R] product line of roof perimeter flashing systems. The nonpenetrating Streamline[R] Flashdown Fascia System utilizes a...

Portable aluminum bender. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... J-Dan Inc., Romulus, Mich., has selected Proquip LLC, a supplier to the construction industry, to introduce its new, portable aluminum bender. The Trade-Loc self-adjusting feature allows the user to switch from different material thicknesses...

FM approved metal coping and fascia systems. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Streamline(R) metal edge systems include a concealed-fastener, snap-on coping system, and two fascia systems that are compatible with all commercial roof systems. The Flashdown fascia system is designed to eliminate the need to strip in...

Safety eyewear. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Bacou-Dalloz, a manufacturer of personal protective equipment and parent company of Uvex Safety, Smithfield, R.I., expands its line of Uvex Genesis[R] safety eyewear with a new "patriotic" frame design along with a wider selection of lens...

Modified bitumen. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Honeywell Commercial Roofing Systems, Cary, N.C., offers the Infinitee system, consisting of polymer-modified-asphalt membranes that can be mop-, torch- or cold-applied and are ideal for modern as well as traditional building designs. The...

Structural metal roofing system. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Englert Inc., Perth Amboy, N.J., announced the availability of a four-page brochure on a new 3-inch-deep structural roofing system. The system is designed to provide excellent structural span capabilities and a high weather-tight seam for low,...

Copings and Gravel Stops. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Perimeter Systems, Sanford, N.C., a division of Southern Aluminum Finishing Company Inc., Atlanta, announced its newly redesigned Press-Loc Series architectural copings and snap-on gravel stops. Circle RS#212 The Press-Loc Coping...

CertainTeed commercial roofing expands product offering. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... CertainTeed Corp., Valley Forge, Pa., announces major additions to its low-slope roofing product line. The enhanced line-up includes the new FlintBoard[TM] polyisocyanurate and EPS roof insulation boards, featuring standard panels as well as...

Asset-management program. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Digital Facilities Corporation (DFC) announced the release of Version 2.0 of its InfoRoof Professional software program. The program now features new CAD capabilities including a new CAD Viewer component, improved photo handling, and updated...

Portable electric drives. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Albion Engineering Co., Philadelphia, introduces a new line of portable electric drives to its present manual and pneumatic tool offerings. The company has recently partnered with Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. to develop and produce the first...

Software. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... AppliCad USA Inc., Jupiter, Fla., has just released Roof Master V4.0. The updated program offers all the latest advanced 3D modeling functions, automatic report generation including job costing (using net rates), automatic roof plan drawing,...

Adhesive/sealant. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Worthen Industries, Nashua, N.H., recently developed two new items for adhering and sealing PVC/Elvaloy (DuPont trademark) roofing membrane. The first, NH.SZ-0579, is a two-way dry contact adhesive for bonding PVC / Elvaloy roofing membrane to...

Portable guardrail. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Garlock Equipment Co., Minneapolis, offers the Railguard 200. The guardrail sets up in minutes without tools and without drilling holes. Even though it's portable, it meets or exceeds all OSHA requirements for permanent guardrails. The...

Cool Roofing. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Duro-Last Roofing Inc., Saginaw, Mich., offers a new 12-page, full-color brochure called "How to Thin Your Roof 'Green' and Save a Mint on Energy Costs." The publication provides building owners and roofing contractors with a detailed analysis...

Women's work wear. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... The 2003 Master Catalog from Gempler's Inc., Belleville, Wis., now features a wide selection of women's work wear, including shorts, pants, rainwear, socks, boots and shirts. The company had received many requests from women employed in...

Jumbo shingles. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., offers Jumbo Royal Sovereign[R] shingles. The shingle's patented, extra-large size (17 inches by 40 inches) reduces labor by up to 40 percent -- with only 48 shingles to install per square. It saves money on...

Roll batten system. (New Products).
February 1, 2003... Rheinzink America Inc. offers the Click Strip System. This roll batten system allows use of a rainproof longitudinal seam connection for roofs having a slope of more than 3 degrees, without having to undertake additional sealing measures. The...

Active Ventilation Products Inc. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Active Ventilation Products Inc. introduces the new Aura Skylight Ventilator, a wind-driven exhaust and skylight all in one. There is a dual advantage to this product in that one penetration provides sunlight and ventilation. For whole house or...

Strainer and drain guards from marathon. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Strainer and drain guards go missing or are broken and need replacement. Marathon Roofing Products Inc. carries a broad range of sizes and shapes in a variety of materials. Trying to match replacement roof strainer domes and guards to fit...

RAS TURBObend. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... The RAS TURBObend folding machine is now available with a new CNC Control. The Touch & More is the absolute state-of-the-art when it comes to machine controls. The Touch & More displays the part you want to fold on the screen and from this...

Rigid Roll Plus[R], shingle-over ridge vents. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... 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...

EcoStar. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Seneca Cedar Shake Tiles from EcoStar were designed to meet the need for a safe, durable alternative to wood roofing while maintaining the look of traditional cedar shakes. Produced using some of today's strongest, most flexible recycled...

Single-ply. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Custom Seal Roofing Inc. offers the highest standards in performance for single-ply roofing systems. Our pre-qualified contractors install the highest quality PVC membrane and have a proven track record of 15,000 roof applications covering 300...

Painted stainless steel screws. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Raytec Manufacturing offers 410 stainless steel screws in all the popular colors and sizes. All sizes have 1/4-inch hex heads and are easy to install. The addition of carbon steel to stainless creates a screw that offers good rust the...

Henry 869 Premium Elastomeric Aluminum Roof Coating. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Henry 869 Premium Elastomeric Aluminum Roof Coating meets EnergyStar[R] performance levels and can save you money on your utility bills, while increasing the life of your roof. Henry 869 has a highly reflective finish that will cool and protect...

Mobile fall protection system. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... The PR 600 is a fall-arrest anchoring system designed for use on flat roofs. The PR 600 clamps onto any three- or four-wheel utility roof cart. This allows the PR 600 to be moved along the roof by pulling the cart to the desired working...

Roofing boot by Cougar Paws. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Roofing boot by Cougar Paws. Double your roofing production. Cougar Paws roofing boot, with its traction-grip replaceable pads, allows you to walk the steepest roof. Slipping, sliding and scuffing work surfaces is a thing of the past. Cougar...

StaFast 2002-2003 rewards program for roofing contractors. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Earn valuable reward points with StaFast purchases that are good for merchandise, fabulous getaways and other exciting options. More than 20 different awards to choose from! Call or e-mail StaFast Roofing Systems for a FREE brochure! For more...

SmartVent. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... SmartVent is a tapered, under-shingle intake vent designed for installation along the soffit edge of the roof. Finally, a shingle roof intake vent that can be used along all key areas of the roof edge, is easy to install, and is less expensive...

Blocksom & Co. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Blocksom & Co., Michigan City, Ind., is proud to announce that Roof Saver rolled ridge vent is now nail gunnable. The revolutionary ridge venting system is made with natural fiber materials in a continuous shingle-over rolled style. Due to its...

Duro-Last can help reduce energy costs! (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Duro-Last can help reduce energy costs! Duro-Last manufactures a prefabricated, reinforced thermoplastic single-ply roofing system for flat or low-slope (commercial/industrial) buildings. It is leak-proof, virtually maintenance-free, energy...

The Garland Company Inc. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... The Garland Company Inc., Cleveland, offers White*Knight[TM] multi-purpose waterproofing products. The product line not only restores single-ply membranes that are reaching the end of their useful life, but it also improves the performance of...

G-P DENS-DECK Prime Roof Board. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... G-P DENS-DECK PRIME ROOF BOARD features a non-asphaltic, integral surface treatment for enhanced bond, reduced adhesive requirements, and reduced fasteners. Creating a more consistent, stronger bond, DENS-DECK is ideal for fully-adhered...

American Slate Company. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Natural slate roofing from American Slate Company provides one of the oldest and most durable roofs available in the United States. The widest range of natural colors and blends allows many choices for any custom roof or commercial project....

Garlock Equipment Co. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... SERVICE PRO repair kettles from Garlock Equipment Co. have room to store everything you need for most jobs in an organized, easy-to-access, lockable cabinet. The built-in, 115-gallon kettle is the perfect size for lots of repair and maintenance...

DECRA[R] Roofing Systems. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... DECRA[R] Roofing Systems stone-coated steel tile, shake, shingle and shingle plus is strong, does not break and is extremely lightweight. Manufactured by Tasman Roofing Products, DECRA is the original stone-coated steel roofing system proven...

Complete building envelope solutions. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Learn about the BASF-engineered building envelope system in the latest edition of Spray -- news on products, applications and important code changes. From roofing to insulating air barriers, SPF contributes to durability, energy efficiency and...

Advanced Coating Systems. (Product and Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Advanced Coating Systems is proud to introduce Energy Seal Coatings. This line of roof coatings includes new products such as ceramic coatings and butyl coatings for ponding water areas. All of the coatings meet the Energy Star guidelines for...