By Jenny Yu. 

Western States Metal Roofing showcases popular architectural finishes with Corten and Charcoal Gray. 

As a leading manufacturer of metal roofing materials, Western States Metal Roofing (WSMR) centers its product design and engineering to meet and anticipate consumer trends. Two standout finishes that the company highlighted in a recent newsletter are Corten ® and Charcoal Gray.  

Warm and timeless: Corten  

With a naturally weathered appearance, WSMR’s A606-4 Corten steel panels deliver a warm, rugged aesthetic that stands the test of time. The naturally oxidizing material is designed to develop a rust-like patina that protects the steel beneath while creating a rich, textured appearance. The finish has become increasingly popular in both modern and rustic architectural applications when designers want materials that feel organic while maintaining durability and high performance.  

Corten steel panels are available in both standing seam and exposed fastener metal panels, made custom to whatever lengths needed. Designers, architects and contractors can view 3D textures of the various Corten textures, from Corrugated Corten (Western States’ most popular roofing and metal siding panel), PBR panels and Western Rib®, accessing realistic representations in seconds. 

Sleek and modern: Charcoal Gray 

On the opposite end of the design spectrum, Charcoal Gray continues to stand out as the company’s most downloaded 3D texture. Designed with a PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) paint finish, Charcoal Gray metal roofing and siding panels offer long lasting performance in demanding environments. This finish offers a neat, classic look that complements a wide variety of colors, materials and architectural styles.  

Charcoal Gray panels are available in a variety of textures, including standing seam, corrugated, Western Rib T-Groove®, Narrow Groove®, Western Wave® and more.  

While the two finishes offer distinctly different aesthetics, both are designed to support long-term durability and architectural versatility. Together, they reflect the growing demand for metal panel systems that balance performance with elevated visual appeal. 

Visit Western States Metal Roofing to browse the company’s vast texture library of 3D textures and finishes.

By Cotney Consulting Group.

Crews take their cues from the top. If you bring structure, clarity and expectations, they bring performance.

You can tell a high-performing roofing crew within the first thirty minutes of arriving on a job. It’s not about who moves the fastest or who makes the most noise. It’s the order. The pace. The tone. The way they step onto the deck with purpose instead of wandering around waiting for direction. After 45 years in this industry — from laborer to operations manager to consultant — I’ve watched thousands of crews work, in every system, every climate and every level of complexity. And the best crews, regardless of the job or the market, share the same habits. 

High-performing crews don’t start the day guessing what they’re doing. They start with a plan. That plan begins long before the truck leaves the yard. A good foreman studies the drawings, walks the job, evaluates access, looks at the weather and reviews safety considerations before the crew ever climbs a ladder. By the time the truck rolls in, the crew already knows the order of work, where materials will be staged, how debris will be managed and what the first hour of production should accomplish. That clarity alone puts them miles ahead of the average crew. 

Most roofing delays aren’t caused by big problems — they’re caused by the first hour of confusion. High-performing crews eliminate that chaos. They unload in a specific sequence. They stage with intention, not convenience. They know that five minutes saved at the start of the day becomes an extra square or two by lunch, and those small gains compound across the entire project. 

Communication is another major difference. On a well-run crew, everyone knows their role and everyone lines up behind the foreman’s direction. You won’t hear shouting matches or long debates. You hear fast, clear direction. You see heads nod, not heads shake. Foremen on high-performing crews don’t bark orders — they establish expectations and keep the team aligned. They review the next steps before the crew finishes the current ones. They stay ahead of the work instead of reacting to it. That steadiness builds trust, and trust builds production. 

Consistency is the habit I see most often in successful crews. They don’t reinvent their process on each job. They set up the same way every morning. They keep walk paths clear. They maintain their tools and keep materials tight to the work area. Nothing is scattered. Nothing is improvised. When you watch them operate, you can see the discipline in every movement. They aren’t rushing, but they aren’t wasting a single step. Roofing is about repetition, and the crews that master their routine produce better, safer and with fewer mistakes. 

Leadership is the invisible engine behind all of it. A high-performing crew is never a coincidence — it’s the reflection of a strong foreman. The foreman sets the pace, the expectations and the culture. They hold the line on quality. They don’t tolerate shortcuts. They correct the small errors before they become big ones. They maintain a calm, steady presence when conditions change. And they care about the people on their crew — not just the work they produce. When a foreman leads well, the crew works well. It’s that simple. 

One of the clearest separators between good crews and great ones is how they handle problems. Every job throws surprises at you: bad decking, missing substrate, incompatible details, equipment failure, weather shifts, overlapping trades or unclear specs. Average crews stop everything and look around for someone else to solve it. High-performing crews don’t panic or freeze. They stabilize the situation, communicate quickly and work through what they can while escalating what requires leadership. That ability to stay productive under pressure is one of the main reasons high-level crews outperform others on jobs with similar labor counts and equipment. 

Another trait you’ll notice is crew chemistry. The best crews have a rhythm. They move like a unit. They don’t step on each other’s tasks. They stay aware of each other’s positions and pace. You can tell when a crew has worked together long enough to anticipate each other’s moves. They look out for each other’s safety, help newer members and share responsibility for the quality of the final product. That chemistry builds loyalty, and loyalty keeps turnover low. When a crew stays together year after year, their performance compounds. 

Training is also a major factor. High-performing crews didn’t get that way by accident — they were invested in, corrected and developed. Contractors who commit to training see the payoff daily: cleaner installations, fewer callbacks, stronger production numbers and safer operations. Crews can’t be expected to perform well if they’ve never been shown the right way. Training isn’t a cost. It’s an accelerant. 

Something else the best crews do differently: they think ahead. They don’t just focus on the square in front of them. They anticipate transitions, foresee conflicts and prepare materials before they’re needed. They don’t wait until the tear-off is complete to think about insulation layout. They don’t wait until the end of the day to organize tools. They operate with tomorrow in mind, not just today. That forward-thinking mindset keeps production smooth and minimizes downtime. 

Another consistent trait: pride. You can see it in the way they seal laps, the way they clean up, the way they handle details and the way they leave the job at the end of the day. High-performing crews take ownership of the roof. They want it to reflect well on them. They know their work is their signature, and they carry themselves accordingly. 

As contractors head into the busy season, it’s worth taking a hard look at your crews. The difference between an average crew and a high-performing one isn’t luck — it’s leadership, training, discipline, communication and culture. These are things you can influence. These are things you can strengthen. 

When a company commits to building high-performing crews, everything improves: production, quality, morale, safety, profitability and customer satisfaction. Crews take their cues from the top. If you bring structure, clarity and expectations, they bring performance. That’s how strong seasons are built. And that’s how strong companies stay strong. 

By Jenny Yu.  

The Malco Group highlights training and mentorship as essential to addressing the industry's labor shortage. 

Nobody in the industry gets to where they are alone, and with an ongoing labor shortage, participating in hands-on mentorship and training programs are more important than ever. In a recent episode of MetalCast™, Karen Edwards sat down with Jon Olson, MetalCoffeeShop® Influencer and learning and product training manager for The Malco Group, to discuss how training, mentorship and industry involvement can help bridge the talent gap. 

According to Jon, the challenge facing the trades is twofold: an aging workforce and fewer young people entering the industry with hands-on experience. “The industry is facing a major generational transition,” Jon stated. “Too many people are retiring for the number of people coming in.” 

To help address that challenge, Malco has invested heavily in workforce development initiatives. Through programs such as their Head of the Class Student Recognition Program, as well as partnerships with organizations like SkillsUSA and Building Talent Foundation, the company works to introduce students and aspiring trade professionals to rewarding careers in the skilled trades. “Training, in many ways, is the industry solution to try and bridge that gap between, ‘I'm just starting out,’ and ‘I'm a productive addition to the team,’” Jon explained. 

Beyond formal training, Jon emphasized the importance of mentorship and creating a culture of continuous learning, not only for those new to the industry but for everyone. He encourages contractors to adopt a mindset of “winning and learning,” where every challenge becomes an opportunity for growth.  

“Training doesn't need to be over-structured,” Jon said. “You need to embrace each opportunity you have through continuous improvement and other means to really allow people to learn in their own way.” 

As labor challenges continue across the construction sector, Jon believes contractors who embrace this type of culture while prioritizing training, mentorship and professional development will be best positioned to build stronger teams and long-term success. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about workforce development, training and Malco's impact on the overall future of the skilled trades. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Angi’s co-founder stops by for a conversation about how contractors can build trust and generate leads in a digital world.  

Before the advent of the Internet, word of mouth was one of the best ways to find new business as hearing another person’s positive experience is key to building trust in a new client. And just because we have the Internet doesn’t mean that word of mouth and trust-building are no longer powerful, they just look a little different. To learn about how word of mouth operates in a digital era, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, for an episode of Contractor Outlook™. 

Angi, formerly Angie’s List, was founded 30 years ago, prior to the advent of the Internet. At that point, it was a call-in service and newsletter. Angie explained, “You would call in and ask me something like, ‘Hey, do you have any plumber for me?’ And I would get their info and then call around the area and say, ‘I have someone who needs a plumber. Do you have a plumber that I can add to our list and we give them a review.’”  

This method helped a lot of contractors and homeowners, but the huge jump for Angi was when the Internet came around. Angie shared:  

It didn't change the purpose of our business, which was always about helping homeowners feel confident in the experts they are bringing into their home and trusting with their money, but it did change how we achieved that. Instead of relying on traditional word of mouth, where you might find a contractor because one person has hired them, Angi was able to become a resource for people where they can hire based on 20 people’s experiences that are available to read about online.  

This shift in Angi’s business operations showcases a larger change happening in the world of contractor marketing – the way word of mouth and trust-building happen are no longer in one-on-one conversations or interactions. Angie explained, “In the pre-Angi days, contractor lead generation was basically just putting an ad in the yellow pages and making sure your business started with an ‘A’ so it showed up first in phone books... Today, it’s grown beyond that. We have a whole new generation of homeowners coming up that grew up in a digital world and their expectations from an experience standpoint are different.”  

How is it different? People expect immediacy; they want to be able to go onto a site like Angi to see 20 reviews in one place, rather than asking individuals around town, or they want an instant estimate from a contractor and will look somewhere else if there is a three-day wait time. Trying to deliver on this can feel overwhelming for contractors, but just as technology has changed how homeowners operate, it has also changed how contractors can operate. Angie elaborated on this:  

We’ve grown Angi to include some tools that can help make your process more efficient and speedy. For example, we have messaging tools that allow you to set up a custom message to send if you are in the middle of a job and can’t respond to inquiries immediately. This is a great place to show who you are as a company, to tell the customer about your business’s story and really build trust by letting people get to know you. 

Because even though the way we go about it has changed, building that trust through word of mouth has always been and will always be at the heart of a successful contracting business. 

Listen to the newscast or Watch the recording to learn more!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Industry experts discuss how to turn more leads into loyal customers. 

In an upcoming MetalTalk™, host Karen Edwards meets with Dean Curtis of Ingage to talk about the blueprint for higher lead conversion. Together, they will break down how contractors can guide homeowners through the customer pathway, from first contact to closing the deal, with professionalism, consistency and trust. 

Lead conversion is one of the most important parts of contractor success. Every lead has value, but too often, companies lose opportunities because there is a gap between their top-performing sales reps and the rest of the team. Dean will discuss why many contractors do not just have a sales problem; they have a presentation problem. From educating homeowners before the appointment to overcoming misinformation during the sales process, this conversation will help contractors better understand how to create a stronger, more repeatable path to “yes.” 

Dean brings real-world experience from the metal roofing industry and understands what homeowners need to see before making a premium investment. In this webinar, he will share how professionalism, brand consistency and proof help build trust with customers. He will also explore how contractors can explain the complexity and value of metal roofing, present strong options and use interactive content to better educate homeowners. 

By the end of the conversation, contractors will walk away with practical strategies for improving presentations, building trust and creating a sales process that every rep can follow. Dean will also explain what the best reps do differently and how companies can make every rep their best rep through a consistent, repeatable customer pathway. 

Join Karen Edwards and Dean Curtis on June 17, 2026, to learn more about creating a blueprint for higher lead conversions. 

Register for this MetalTalk™ and start turning more leads into loyal customers!

By Emma Peterson. 

Tremco’s cold fluid‑applied solutions for new construction and restoration. 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards sat down with Jay Anderson, a business development specialist of fluid-applied roofing for Tremco, to talk about their newest product – the VULKEM® Roofing System. The goal of this release was to reach the construction market in a new way. Jay explained: 

Our applications for new construction were really focused on direct to concrete applications. And when we think about that particular market strategy, it's typically gone to hot rubberized asphalt roofing systems. And one of the challenges of those systems is the safety aspect of working with hot rubberized asphalt. So, what we did with VULKEM was create a cold fluid-applied product that fills that role performance-wise without the safety concerns. 

Within the VULKEM line there are four main product options – MCW, X4, AT and 4083. Jay shared a bit about each of these:  

1. VULKEM MCW – The MCW, or moisture cure waterproofing, product was developed from Tremco’s high-performance below-grade waterproofing products. Jay explained, “MCW is designed for direct to concrete and plywood decks. It is ideal for high build systems because it goes down at 120 wet mils in application with an additional coarse layer of protection on top of that. The result is 180 mils of product installed that is going to give you long-term performance.” 
2. VULKEM X4 – As for X4, this is the VULKEM line’s low-odor, reinforced membrane perfect for light-traffic applications (such as maintenance). In Jay’s words, VULKEM X4 is “a multi-component modified polyurethane methacrylate membrane that cures in as little as 45 minutes, no matter the temperature.” 
3. VULKEM AT – And while VULKEM was created with new construction in mind, they have not forgotten the role of fluid-applied roofing in the restoration market. In fact, that’s what VULKEM AT is designed for. Jay shared, “AT is a single-component urethane product designed for roofing and waterproofing restorations...It is a fully reinforced system and goes down in two coats over everything from a smooth BUR system, a granulated modified bitumen roof system and a single-ply system.”   
4. VULKEM 4083 – Last but not least is the VULKEM 4083, which is an elastomeric acrylic coating designed to protect existing metal roofing. Jay explained what this means, sharing, “It's not intended to be a waterproofing; it's really intended to be a protective coating. Think about these low-slope roofs that are beginning to rust, this is a great opportunity for VULKEM 4083 to come in and provide a protective coating that's going to help sustain that existing metal asset.” 

Overall, if you are looking for a high-performance fluid-applied restoration or new construction roofing system, the VULKEM line stands out. Jay explained, “VULKEM stands out because we developed it by taking what we’ve learned from the industry over the past several decades with our existing products to re-engineer our products into the more competitively priced VULKEM series.” 

Listen to the whole episode to learn more about Tremco’s new VULKEM line of products.

Date: June 16-18 | Location: Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk

The 2026 CRRC Annual Conference will be held on June 16-18 at the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX!

The CRRC Annual Meeting has officially been renamed the CRRC Annual Conference. The event’s new branding reflects the transition to a three-day event that we piloted in 2024 and 2025 and our aim to make this the premier gathering of professionals engaged in the cool surfaces arena.

The conference will include the CRRC Member Meeting (June 16), Technical Committee and Education Committee meetings (June 17), and a Board of Directors (Board) meeting (June 18). One ticket grants access to all three days. As in years past, the Member Meeting will feature organizational updates, the Board election, presentation of the Marty Hastings Award, expert guest presentations and a complimentary cocktail reception. As we embrace the theme of COOL CONNECTIONS, the Member Meeting will also feature a new interactive breakout session to foster deeper conversations around the CRRC’s activities.

Register for the show today!

Become a sponsor.

Roofing inspections are slow, messy, and hard to manage. Too many tools, inconsistent reports, and wasted time between the field and the office and that's where jobs start to fall apart.

1. Photos stuck on someone's phone: Site evidence gets separated from the lead, estimate, and client record. Then someone has to chase it down before the quote can move.
2. Inconsistent inspection data: Every rep captures information differently. That makes estimating harder to standardize and proposals slower to build.
3. Admin-heavy handoffs: The office has to piece everything together before an estimate can move forward. Time lost, details missed.

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By The Coffee Shops™. 

A shift in durability expectations and cost analysis is driving more homeowners toward metal roofing systems. 

Contractors across the country are rethinking traditional roofing materials as performance, durability and long-term value take center stage. In the article “Why More Contractors Are Recommending Metal Over Asphalt Shingles to Homeowners,” experts from Drexel Metals outline the growing shift away from asphalt shingles toward standing seam metal roofing systems. While asphalt has long dominated the market due to affordability and familiarity, changing conditions are driving a new conversation. 

The first factor the article points to as a driver of this shift is performance. Asphalt shingles often fall short under real-world conditions, especially in regions prone to extreme weather. Heat, humidity, wind and heavy rain can significantly shorten their lifespan, leading to more frequent repairs or full replacements. In contrast, standing seam metal roofing systems are engineered to withstand harsh environments, offering superior resistance to wind uplift, water infiltration and impact from debris. The article references post-storm data that continues to reinforce this gap, showing significantly less damage to metal roofs compared to aging asphalt systems. 

Another consideration that Drexel Metals notes as having an impact on the rise of metal is pressure from insurance companies. As insurers tighten requirements and raise premiums for asphalt roofs, homeowners are feeling the financial impact. Metal roofing, with its proven durability, is often viewed more favorably by insurance providers. This can translate into longer coverage terms and potential premium reductions, making metal a more attractive long-term investment for homeowners. 

On top of insurance pressures, warranty coverage further strengthens the case for metal. Metal roofing systems backed by manufacturers like Drexel Metals often include non-prorated warranties that extend for decades and may even be transferable. Asphalt warranties, on the other hand, typically decline in value over time, leaving homeowners responsible for a larger share of replacement costs. 

Read the full article by Drexel Metals or visit Drexel Metals' directory on MetalCoffeeShop.com to learn more about the benefits of metal roofing.

By The Coffee Shops™.

During National Roofing Week, the National Women in Roofing Oregon Council helped coordinate a roof replacement for a Portland homeowner in need. 

For the past three years, the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Oregon Council has partnered with Catalyst NW during National Roofing Week to provide complimentary roofs for community members in need. This year, the council’s effort brought together contractors, manufacturers, distributors and industry partners to replace the roof of Maria George’s home in Northeast Portland. 

Maria’s home had multiple active leaks and had been tarped several times over the past year, according to information shared by Rachel Garcia of Malarkey Roofing Products®, chair of the NWIR Oregon Council. Her insurance carrier had also set a May deadline for the roof to be replaced or she would face cancellation of her policy, though that deadline was extended. Because of the roof’s steep pitch, the project was not well-suited for a traditional volunteer-based Catalyst build. 

The workday became a clear example of the collaboration the roofing industry can create when companies set aside competition to focus on service. Stephanie Baird of Oregon Roofing Co said this year’s project had more roofers involved than ever before. 

“Seeing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and industry partners come together with a shared purpose — without competition, without agendas and focused solely on helping someone else — is truly inspiring,” Stephanie said. “For one day, company names and logos took a back seat to teamwork, generosity and service.” 

The project included more than 25 people throughout the day, with at least 13 working on the roof and others handling cleanup on the ground. Rachel said the roof had five or six layers that needed to be removed, including cedar shingles. Maria’s grandchildren also came outside to express their gratitude to the volunteers. 

For Melissa Hill of Snyder Roofing, the most meaningful moment came when a neighbor stopped while walking her dog and shared how deserving Maria was of the new roof. 

“She said they both have lived in the area a long time and that she is always taking care of someone at that house,” Melissa said. “It was her turn to be taken care of.” 

Learn more about the National Women in Roofing Oregon Council and its community outreach efforts.