Get Our Email Newsletter

IN DEPTH: Roofing

The key reason, he notes, is that “radiant-barrier sheathing does exactly what it’s supposed to do for a home. Some builders are finding that it makes it more comfortable for their own crews to work inside once the envelope is up. It’s become so popular that it’s really become a commodity. Everyone makes it and it’s readily available.”

Techshield-radiant-barrier-sheathingLP Building Products’ TechShield radiant barrier sheathing is said to reduce attic temperatures by up to 30 degrees and is designed for optimum stability in both directions. It features patented VaporVents technology with post-lamination incising that allows panels to dry more quickly. It includes a 20-year transferable limited warranty.

Efficiency Drives Choices
Efficiency plays a key role in the contractor’s product decisions. “Contractors are looking for cost and time-effective solutions,” says Benjamin Obdyke’s McGill. “The movement is away from products and to systems, as is done on the commercial side more often.”

Ply Gem, for instance, designed its new slate-style tiles with ease of installation in mind. “The tiles are lightweight but will not break when handling and are designed with recessed nail flanges into the shingle, requiring no additional framing support or special skills for installation,” explains DeRogatis. “The roofing is still strong enough to stand up to roofers walking on the tile while installing it.”

LBM Resources

White Paper: How to Stage Your Company for Sale

WHITE PAPER: How to Stage Your Company for Sale Staging your company for sale and obtaining maximum value takes time and discipline because the process...

CertainTeed has introduced an emergency- repair kit for low-slope roofing to make the process easier and faster, says Ralph Galvan, marketing manager for commercial roofing. “Contractors can spend less time on the jobsite and eliminate the need to travel with multiple repair supplies.”

Aesthetics Still Dominate
Even as other factors raise awareness, many customers’ decisions still come down to aesthetics. “We see aesthetics as a driving force on the asphalt-shingle side,” says GAF’s Avitabile. “Quality and durability are long-standing expectations, so most people turn to aesthetics as a deciding point. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into enhancing the aesthetics of our products.”

That has led many customers away from traditional three-tab shingles. “The three-tab market is definitely dwindling, while the architectural lines are growing,” says Owens Corning’s Burkett. “Contractors like them because they offer a good look and provide good, solid performance.”

- Advertisement -

Metal roofing also is seeing more attention paid to aesthetics, says Metal Sales’ Davidson. “Metal roofing can have romance and aesthetic appeal, but it hasn’t been emphasized. Women play a big role in the decision on roofing, and they’re drawn to the clean, sleek lines of metal roofing and the color options. Aesthetics is not a barrier to metal roofing being chosen.”

The added attention also lifts the profile for other products. “More money is being spent on the aesthetics of the roof, which affects the underlayment that is used,” says MFM’s Reis. “When better shingles are selected, the contractor and homeowner want better underlayment to provide more protection and to ensure a good look.”

Get our free newsletter

Join thousands of other lumber and building material industry leaders and keep up with the companies, people, products and issues shaping the industry.

What's New

Digital Partners

Become a digital partner ...

Sales Comp Study

Download this 55-page, in-depth study by LBM Journal of industry trends in sales force compensation and benefits. See how your organization stacks up.

Webinars

- Advertisement -

White Papers

View all ...

- Advertisement -

Partner Content

View all ...

- Advertisement -

Registration is now open for the LBM Strategies 2024 Conference