October 2014

The outcome of the Nov. 4 midterm races for the Senate and the House of Representatives could have a substantial effect on policies that affect all aspects of the roofing industry. If Republicans take control of the House of Representatives and Senate, they may be able to move on major initiatives and begin to address the government's long-term budget problems with modest reforms of entitlement programs.

Although the roofing and construction industries were hit hard by the most recent economic recession, the photovoltaic (PV) industry grew exponentially between 2009 and 2012. The growth went largely unnoticed by the roofing industry, but for roofing professionals who become more engaged in the rooftop PV market, there is great opportunity to significantly grow their businesses.

United Materials LLC, Denver, spent nearly two years repairing the roof systems on Denver's Byron R. White U.S. Courthouse. To completely reroof the building would have cost taxpayers $7 million, but United Materials created a plan to make repairs that only cost about $700,000, equating to an annual taxpayer savings of $280,000. For its work, United Materials received a 2014 Gold Circle Awards honorable mention in the Outstanding Workmanship: Low-slope category.

New research shows that during the first half of 2014, 53 percent of new electric-generating capacity in the U.S. came from solar energy, much of it attributable to residential installations. Through its collaborations with the roofing industry and affected organizations, the solar industry is creating jobs and environmental sustainability. Tens of thousands of U.S. households now generate their own electricity, and more than 143,000 U.S. workers are employed in solar manufacturing and services.

Choosing an energy-efficient roof system is no easy task. Much of the discussion within the industry focuses on the choice between black and white membranes, but it is more than a black or white issue. Every roof is different, one researcher says, and instead of focusing on a roof system’s components, the industry must look at how a roof system as a whole affects energy.