By The Coffee Shops™. 

The Titebond Heavy Duty lineup delivers serious grab, tough bonds and dependable performance. 

Whether the project calls for broad compatibility, added strength for heavy materials or dependable application in cold weather, Franklin International’s Titebond brand has a heavy duty option designed to meet the demand.   

Each formula in this line is built for a different jobsite reality: 

• Titebond Contractor Grade Heavy Duty: This versatile contractor grade is designed for a wide range of interior and exterior projects, including trim, paneling, drywall, foamboard, masonry, metal and more. Thanks to its low-VOC, nonflammable formula, contractors can get professional-strength performance without producing strong fumes. Further, the adhesive is water-based and can be cleaned by water when still wet. This means that your crews spend less time dealing with tools, spills and excess material at the end of the job.  
• Titebond Solvent-Based Heavy Duty: Meant to be used on projects that require more initial grab, greater strength and the ability to hold demanding materials in place, this is a powerhouse solvent-based solution. It features a waterproof formula and can bond everything from wood, metal, brick, concrete, ceramic tile, drywall, plywood and oriented strand board. It is also able to fill gaps and irregularities between surfaces while maintaining a permanent flexibility that handles material movement due to temperature and moisture with ease. 
• Titebond PROvantage Heavy Duty: This product was specially formulated to continue extruding and bonding when temperatures drop. How is this possible? Titebond PROvantage’s VOC-compliant formula, the utilizes a fast initial grab, waterproof durability and a flexible bond that keeps it performing even when conditions are less than ideal. It is compatible with heavy materials and common construction products, including wet, frozen and treated lumber. 

By offering these three distinct formulas, the Titebond Heavy Duty lineup allows contractors to select an adhesive based on the realities of the jobsite. For contractors looking for one dependable adhesive that can handle a variety of materials and applications, Contractor Grade Heavy Duty provides the flexibility needed to move efficiently from task to task. As for the situations that require the installation of heavier products, Titebond’s solvent-based formula provides the power needed to complete the job with confidence. And for the projects during less-than-ideal weather, the cold-weather capacity of Titebond PROvantage can’t be beat. 

Together, these three products make up a complete Heavy Duty product line that sticks to wood, drywall, masonry, metal, foamboard and more, making it easy to choose the right adhesive for the climate, the materials and the conditions on site. 

Contractors can explore the full lineup, review product details and access additional resources through the Titebond Heavy Duty resource page. 

By Titebond.

WeatherMaster™ Metal Roof and Ultimate MP Sealants meet Florida’s toughest building standards, giving contractors confidence in high-velocity hurricane zones.

When it comes to roofing in hurricane-prone regions, durability isn’t optional; it’s essential. Not only for the roofing materials themselves, but also for the sealants. Titebond® WeatherMaster™ Metal Roof Sealant and WeatherMaster™ Ultimate MP Sealant earned official Miami-Dade County Product Control approval in 2022. This recognition confirmed that both products meet the rigorous standards of the Florida Building Code, including the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements.

What is the Miami-Dade County approval?

Miami-Dade County’s Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is one of the most respected certifications in the construction industry. Products that earn this approval have been tested to withstand extreme wind, moisture and structural stress, making them ideal for roofing contractors working in coastal and hurricane-prone areas.

Sealants built for the storm

Titebond’s WeatherMaster™ Metal Roof Sealant is engineered for metal-to-metal applications, offering superior adhesion and flexibility. It resists UV rays, remains permanently flexible and performs in extreme weather conditions.

The WeatherMaster™ Ultimate MP Sealant is a multi-purpose powerhouse. It bonds to a wide range of materials, including aluminum, wood, concrete, vinyl and glass, and can be applied to damp surfaces. With ±50% joint movement capability and excellent tear strength, it’s built to last through the toughest conditions.

Other specifications

Both sealants passed ASTM C920 testing for tensile strength, elongation, adhesion peel and UV resistance. These results, combined with their Miami-Dade NOA status, make them a trusted choice for contractors who demand performance and peace of mind.

What this means for roofers

Whether you're sealing a metal roof in Florida or prepping for storm season elsewhere, these sealants deliver the reliability your crew and your clients need. With Titebond, you’re not just getting a product, you’re getting a solution that’s been vetted by one of the strictest building departments in the country.

Visit Titebond.com to learn more about WeatherMaster™ Metal Roof and Ultimate MP Sealants, view technical specs and find a distributor near you.

By Dani Sheehan. 

From research and manufacturing to the marketing and selling of their products, Franklin International is committed to green initiatives.  

Darci Kunard, national accounts manager at Franklin International, is passionate about caulks and sealants. In season five, episode 25 of Roofing Road Trips, Heidi J. Ellsworth joins her once again to share Franklin International’s commitment to green products. Throughout their discussion, they evaluate the production process for chemicals and hypothesize about improving the roofing industry’s commitment to the environment. 

Even though it’s been a buzz word for years, the commitment to providing products with little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a recent push in the industry. Many companies are moving toward products that are low in VOCs, but Darci says Franklin International is also committed to research and development that ensures their products stand out for sustainability and high performance. Contractors can weave a story of sustainability into their pitches without worrying about the quality of the product suffering for it. From the roofing material itself, whether it’s shingles, tile or something else, down to the sealants, caulking and insulation, customers can rest assured that their roof won’t harm their family or the environment, and it will also retain its longevity and durability.  

From a business standpoint, Darci mentions, “I think that that’s a really good way to be able to incorporate what products you’re using to differentiate your business.” You wouldn’t want to be stuck with harmful and smelly products on your own home remodel, so why would you want to put your customers at risk? By explaining which products you’re using ahead of time, homeowners can research the products themselves and see that they’re sustainable. Franklin International often provides materials at no cost so “that contractors can, when they’re presenting either their service or maintenance, or a bid, they can show [them] to that homeowner or business owner and say, ‘here’s part of our guarantee and some of the products we use, and we’re more than happy to provide those at no charge.’” 

Listen to the full conversation to hear more about Franklin International’s green product line and other tips for innovative sales approaches.

By Cayden Wemple. 

See why contractors love Franklin International’s highly effective green product line.  

In a never-ending world of infrastructure products, it’s important for contractors to use the greenest products possible. This keeps harmful chemicals out of the air and keeps waste out of landfills. Franklin International has committed to this green initiative by creating eco-friendly products that contractors love. On a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips with Heidi J. Ellsworth, a representative of Franklin, Darci Kunard, stopped by to discuss why contractors love the product.  

One of the great features of Franklin products is their low VOCs (volatile organic compound) output. There are companies that put out products with low VOC output, but they are not as effective on the rooftop. This is not the case with Franklin products. Darci explained, “There are some products that are low VOC, low smell, but they're not suitable for the roof. And that's where Franklin really dove in with their expertise with all of our chemistry backgrounds and all of our polymers where we've really created products that also perform.” 

Because they are so low in VOC output, contractors absolutely love the product. “[Our line of] products have been around over 23 years, and we have so many people who just love those products. They know that they work, they know that we stand behind them. They're available in a multitude of colors to match any color. But it's also that little caveat of these are low VOC products while they're high performance and they know that they'll work.” 

Darci recalls an experience she had with a contractor at the International Roofing Expo (IRE) who raved about the products. “One contractor stopped by [our] IRE booth and he kept running up. He was so excited. He saw our little color boards and said, ‘Oh my gosh, we use this product. It's so great. We can't believe that it even sticks to coated metals.’” 

Darci is proud to work at a company that delivers quality products that contractors love. “I think, of course, we engineered our products to actually perform the way they should, and that's something that makes Franklin stand out.”  

Listen to the full conversation to hear more about Franklin International’s green line of products.

Highlights from the last day of IRE 2023.

Editor's note: The following is a transcript of a conversation the Coffee Shop crew had after day three of the International Roofing Expo 2023. 

Karen Edwards: This is late night with Karen Edwards and we at RoofersCoffeeShop, are going to talk about the IRE. So, guys, we went to a speakeasy after the show to celebrate and have a dirty martini and it was fabulous. And it was a little secret door. We had to put a code in it was at the Statlar Hotel. It was so much fun.

James Ellsworth: And the most memorable part I felt, was that to get in you had to know some esoteric history. And to know that the code to get in was the year the world First World War started. And the fact that the Titanic was part of the North Star liners.

Karen Edwards: Okay, I have to say that a highlight of the day for me was being on the Patrick Carr Show podcast. I had no idea who this guy was. I've been told he's an influencer in the industry. He has sponsors of his show in the form of Leap and JobProgress who are partners of RoofersCoffeeShop. And he listens to the Weekly Blend with Heidi and I, every week and said we give him the inside information on what's happening in the industry. And I couldn't believe that people actually watch the Weekly Blend. I know they do.

Tim Ellsworth: I had a person come up in the booth today. And it was the best experience I've ever witnessed. I handed them these new bumper stickers we have that are all in Spanish and he just about dropped on the ground. He was so excited and so happy to have this happen that someone appreciated that aspect and recognized the Spanish-speaking people in the industry. And anyway he's taking that back to Louisiana. Yeah, he was from Louisiana. And yeah, he was great. Yeah, that was my that was my highlight of the of the trade show.

Karen Edwards: Tim. I am so happy that you got to experience that because that is one topic that we talked about on the podcast with Patrick. And he was kind of saying he didn't see a lot of the field workers who are the ones who are actually installing roofs. And I see so many people on the roof at these shows. And immediately what popped into my head was, SRS Distribution. They have a Para Latinos lounge, they had a Para Latinos happy hour. On Tuesday they had a mariachi band, they are embracing this. And this is where our industry is going. And I was super excited to see that. 

James Ellsworth: Karen I couldn't agree with you more. 

Lauren White: James and I again, wandered around the show floor. We got 9,393 steps in today, we didn't quite hit 10,000 however. But it was so nice. Because it was a quieter day, day three is usually quieter, got to have more calmer conversations with people because not everyone was crowding to chat with them. And what was cool too when we were recording, we were having interviews in the booths to put on social media and promote later on and turn into articles. But what's cool too, is that people from those companies were filming us filming the interviews to put on their social medias. So there were just cameras and phones everywhere and it was surreal. But it was great and we had the chickens. The chickens made their debut on day three, check the chicken out on TikTok, aka ChikTok, because Chuck is making its debut and it's amazing. And now James gets to share more about the show floor.

James Ellsworth: I thoroughly enjoyed being able to talk with the folks on the floor and hear from the people about what they were seeing, hearing from everyone about what was important to them. Also seeing the new things we had Equipter give us a full demonstration of their rig up and down left and right forward and back. It was quite a scene. Not to mention, we had multiple demonstrations from Franklin International's Titebond product, Tropical Roofing Products, Chem Link. But we had great conversations. RESISTO talked with us about their products.

Lauren White: Vicwest was also great. We got to see their metal shingles and metal siding that look like wood paneling and wood shingles. They even have slate and they're introducing clay but it's all made out of metal and it looks so realistic. James has more because he was very excited about this.

James Ellsworth: Well speaking of slate reminds me of the Slate Roofing Contractors Association who had a guy on the floor crafting a slate roof, crafting the shingles on the floor with a drill and a hammer. And then at the end of the day just for fun made a hat and I love it and it was wonderful. And he also made a little decoration that said "Love it." It was great. And Lauren got to sit down with a fella who was in Russia just before the invasion.

Lauren White: Yes, I did. Him and the gentleman who was making the slate hat, went to Russia to learn onion dome metal roofing and they were the first people from the states to go over there and learn that technique. And the family who hosted them, is still safe thankfully, they're still in contact. But that was a very interesting conversation. So stay tuned for that one.

Karen Edwards: Well, we brought the chickens out. It's the last day of the trade show. We brought the chickens out and they are so much fun. They are so much fun. It just it brings you even closer to your neighbors. And have to commend Will Riley from Centerpoint Connect on his beef jerky, this hot and spicy jerky. We all had some. It was amazing. 

Tim Ellsworth: The flying chickens are always fun on the third day because you bring them out about two or three hours before the show closes. And it's just a kind of fun time. The show is slower always on the last day. It's a fun time to get to know your neighbors a little bit better. And it lightens the mood and everybody has a smile on their face when you fly a chicken 30 feet or 40 feet to your neighbor's booth and it hits them you know in the head or wherever. And they go, 'What the heck happened?' 

Lauren White: I have to say one more thing, this is my third IRE and they keep getting bigger. And I'd say this is probably the best attendance just in terms of people attending and booths, it was a huge floor. Everyone we talked to whether it's in the soundstage, in the booth or in their own customer booths, everyone was thrilled with the outcome, very happy with who they saw and how many people were there. And I mean we're exhausted. Heidi is already in bed.

Karen Edwards: Half our team is in bed.

James Ellsworth: Yes. But we had a great time we have almost no more swag left. And we're ready to go home tomorrow or go exploring Dallas tomorrow.

Karen Edwards: I am on a flight tomorrow morning. Driving in Hank the tank to get there. I've been here a week and it's nice to go home to family and pets and normalcy. Because it's crazy. When you're at the IRE. You don't even know what's happening in the world. You don't know what's happening in your business. You live in this world while you're here. Connected but disconnected as Lauren says it. But it's hard. It's tiring. We had a good time and yet we still get stuff done. So, signing off. Sleep well.

Until next time!

Tune into our YouTube channel to see all of our coverage from IRE 2023! 

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Here’s what’s been trending on RoofersCoffeeShop®(RCS) this past month. 

This last month has shown us that metal roofing is still a popular topic! Our second most popular article last month was announcing the launch of MetalCoffeeShop.com, our sister-site dedicated to everything metal. We also saw a rise in popularity for articles on metal trade shows and conventions, like the recent Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) 100th Annual Convention or the upcoming METALCON! 

Our visitors were also loving our articles about technology last month. Two of our top 10 articles highlighted advancements being made in roofing technology and both were written by John Kenney from Cotney Consulting Group! 

Although metal roofing is seeing growth in the industry, our readers still love the beauty of asphalt roofing. Our number one article of the month came to us from Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) where they highlighted the winner of their 2022 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program. 

Check out our top 10 articles from the last month below: 

Honorable Mention (#6-#10):  

10- The Future of Carbon Capture Technology in Roofing 

9- Design Definitions: Understanding the Basics of Metal Roofing Styles 

8- Indicators Your Company Needs To Improve Its Safety Culture 

7- Military Snaps to Attention 

6- Win a METALCON Total Experience Pass 

Read the Top 5 articles: 

5- FRSA 100th Annual Convention is Right Around the Corner 

4- Empowering Women to Lead 

3- Drones in Roofing 

2- RoofersCoffeeShop® Announces MetalCoffeeShop™ 

1- Island House Wins National Asphalt Roofing Award 

Stay up to date with the latest roofing industry news when you sign up for the RCS Week in Roofing e-news. 

About Evelyn  

Evelyn works as a writer for RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When she isn’t writing about roofing, she’s either at the gym lifting weights or curled up on the couch watching a movie.  

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

January 15 through 17, 2020, attend seminars, meet with over 150 manufacturers and suppliers, and learn about the latest in roofing and waterproofing products and technologies. 

Save the date for January 15-17, 2020!  The Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) will be hosting the 37th annual CRCA Tradeshow and Seminars at Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.  Since 1983, CRCA has worked hard to help roofers and waterproofers expand their knowledge in technology, safety, product, and service enhancements.  

This three-day event provides a professional learning environment with demonstrations, educational seminars, and new products.  Whether you’re a roofing and waterproofing contractor, architect, specifier, roof consultant, or building official, everyone will find something of interest at the CRCA Tradeshow and Seminars.

The show opens Wednesday, January 15 with seminars on mentorship and marketing.  End the day with the Roofing Week in Chicago Kick-Off Welcome Reception. On Thursday you won’t want to miss the popular Roofing Industry Breakfast.  Make sure you pre-register to secure your spot!

Seminars on Thursday and Friday will touch on: steep slope safety, building envelope discussions, crisis management, safety, talent acquisition, dealing with the new cannabis laws, and roofing technical issues.  

In the exhibit hall, you’ll have access to over 150 manufacturers and suppliers that will be showcasing the newest roofing and waterproofing products and technologies.  On Thursday afternoon and Friday, the exhibit hall and seminars are all FREE!  

“The CRCA Trade Show Committee’s goal is to offer educational resources for attendees to develop top-level practices which will ultimately provide building owners and managers the best roofing, waterproofing, insulation and air barrier installation that can be found,” shared Mark Duffy, 2020 CRCA President.  

Not only does the CRCA Tradeshow and Seminars provide industry-specific education to attendees, but it also, “provides continuing education learning units for attendees to maintain professional certification,” according to Mark Duffy.

Make sure you visit our RoofersCoffeeShop® partners:

Booth 1, Lobby | National Roofers Contractors Association (NRCA) - http://www.nrca.net/ 

Booth 5, 6 | GAF - www.gaf.com 

Booth 7 | Beacon Roofing Supply, Commercial Division - www.beaconroofingsupply.com

Booth 25 | Duro-Last Roofing Inc. - duro-last.com

Booth 30 | The Estimating Edge - www.estimatingedge.com/

Booth 110 | BITEC, Inc - http://www.bi-tec.com/index2.html 

Booth 111 | Leister Technologies - https://www.leister.com/en

Booth 202 | SOPREMA - soprema.us/

Booth 209 | Geocel - https://www.geocelusa.com/

Booth 212 | USG Securock RFG Solutions - https://www.usg.com/

Booth 214 | A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply – www.metaldecksupply.com

Booth 304 | DECRA Metal Roofing - https://www.decra.com/

Booth 310 | McElroy Metal - https://www.mcelroymetal.com/

Booth 410 | TAMKO Building Products - https://www.tamko.com/ 

Booth 501, 503 | Karnak Corporation - www.karnakcorp.com/

Booth 700, 701 | Beacon Roofing Supply, Residential Division - www.beaconroofingsupply.com 

Booth 709 | Titebond - http://www.titebond.com/

Booth 718 | CertainTeed Roofing - https://www.certainteed.com/ 

Booth 802 | Cotney Construction Law, LLP - https://trentcotney.com/ 

Booth 814 | GCP Applied Technologies - https://gcpat.com/en

Three RCS partners are also sponsoring the show.  Make sure you stop by and visit with Cotney Construction Law, Beacon Roofing, and ACT Metal Deck Supply.

Don’t miss out, register now!  Check here for all the CRCA show details. 

 By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Don’t miss out on the Monte Carlo fundraiser, Roofer Olympics, and a dance through the decades November 20 through November 22.

The 70th Annual MRCA Conference and Expo is coming up!  Mark your calendars for November 20-22, 2019.  The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association is hosting the conference and expo at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas, you won’t want to miss the new conference format, keynote speaker, and prom night!  Whether you’re a commercial or residential contractor, foreman, insurance agent, engineer, or have another role in the roofing industry, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The special events this year won’t disappoint.  Daniel Cormier, a UFC heavyweight champion, two time Olympian, and highly accomplished and awarded individual will be the MRCA Conference Keynote Speaker!  You won’t want to miss the YCC fundraiser welcome party and Monte Carlo night complete with games, trivia, and a chance to win the bucket raffle. All the funds that are raised from this event will benefit the MRCA Foundation’s Scholarship Program.  And if that isn’t enough to entice you, the theme of the MRCA reception and foundation auction is Dancing Through the Decades Prom! Show up in prom attire from your era for a silent and live auction and dance the night away.  

Calling all contractors and their employees!  Are you looking for a challenge and a chance to test your speed and quality of work?  Look no further, because this year is the first annual MRCA Roofer Olympic Games!  There will be four events for you to test your skills: fastest shingler, fastest pre-taped lap, fastest heat welder, and fastest fastener.  Cash prizes will be awarded to the gold, silver, and bronze medalists.  

There are a number of educational sessions planned for both Wednesday and Thursday.  Learn more about the DISC personality assessment and how to manage in an uncertain economy, attend the steep slope and low slope university sessions, hear an update on current roofing industry technical issues, and much more.  GAF is sponsoring a few of the sessions including current trends in the commercial roofing industry and the state of the roofing industry.  

The Young Contractors Council service project is one that is open to all.  The YCC connects communities to the roofing industry and in Overland Park they’re “spreading the love” to the local community.  Join them in making and distributing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to local hungry families.  

Make sure you stop by our RoofersCoffeeShop® booth, booth 200, and visit our RoofersCoffeeShop® partners too:

Booth 201 | The Estimating Edge - www.estimatingedge.com

Booth 321 | Duro-Last Roofing Inc. - duro-last.com

Booth 424 | Tropical Roofing Products - www.tropicalroofingproducts.com

Booth 512 | SOPREMA - soprema.us

Booth 521 | A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply – www.metaldecksupply.com

Booth 523 | Fibertite Roofing Systems - www.fibertite.com

Booth 601 | Beacon Roofing Supply - www.beaconroofingsupply.com 

Booth 617 | Tremco Inc. - www.tremcosealants.com

Booth 621 | Karnak Corporation - www.karnakcorp.com

Booth 717 | GAF - www.gaf.com 

Booth 720 | IB Roof Systems - ibroof.com

Booth 710 | Franklin International – www.franklininternational.com

Don’t miss out, register now!  Check here for all the MRCA show details.