New membership category provides advocacy, education, networking, and business development opportunities for contractors in the growing roof coatings market.

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) is proud to announce the launch of its new Contractor Membership program, a strategic initiative developed in response to feedback from roofing contractors seeking greater support, industry engagement, and opportunities to differentiate themselves in the increasingly competitive roof coatings marketplace.

The new membership category expands RCMA's commitment to advancing the roof coatings industry by bringing contractors into the association's growing network of manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, and industry stakeholders.

"Contractors are on the front lines of the roof coatings industry, and we've consistently heard that they want a stronger voice, greater access to technical resources, and more opportunities to distinguish themselves in the marketplace," said Jenn Brake, Executive Director of RCMA. "Our new Contractor Membership program was designed specifically to meet those needs while creating stronger connections across the entire roof coatings 
industry."

RCMA Contractor Members will gain access to a variety of valuable benefits designed to help them stay informed, improve performance, and grow their businesses, including:

• Advocacy and representation on key codes, regulations, and legislative issues impacting the roof coatings industry
• Significant discounts on RCMA's Virtual Training Program for members of their team
• Access to technical bulletins, white papers, and ongoing updates from RCMA's Technical Affairs Committee and Government Affairs Committee
• Networking opportunities with roof coating manufacturers, raw material suppliers, roofing consultants, and other industry professionals
• Enhanced marketing exposure through RCMA's online contractor directory, social media channels, newsletters, and project spotlights
• The ability to showcase RCMA membership as a differentiator when bidding roof coating projects

In addition, new Contractor Members will receive six complimentary passes to RCMA's Virtual Training Program, providing immediate access to valuable education and professional development opportunities.

As part of the program launch, RCMA is inviting contractors to become Founding Contractor Members. These early participants will have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of the membership program by providing feedback and helping identify new benefits and resources that bring the greatest value to roofing contractors.

"Contractors don't just join RCMA—they help lead it," added Brake. "Founding members will play an important role in helping us build a program that delivers meaningful benefits and addresses the real-world challenges contractors face every day."

The Contractor Membership program also includes opportunities for members to participate in contractor-focused webinars, advisory groups, networking events, roundtable discussions, and industry advocacy initiatives designed to strengthen the voice of contractors throughout the roof coatings industry.

RCMA's Contractor Membership program aligns with the association's mission to promote the benefits of roof coatings while supporting the professionals who install them. Through education, advocacy, collaboration, and industry leadership, RCMA aims to help contractors protect, perform, and progress.

For more information about RCMA Contractor Membership or to apply, visit www.roofcoatings.org/benefits/rcma-contractor-membership/ or contact 
questions@roofcoatings.org.

About RCMA

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) is a non-profit trade association that serves as the unified voice of the roof coatings industry. RCMA advocates for its members and promotes the many benefits of roof coatings in extending roof life, improving energy efficiency, and advancing sustainability. Through education, technical resources, advocacy, and industry collaboration, RCMA works to support the continued growth and success of the roof coatings industry

By Emma Peterson. 

The 2026 RCMA Project of the Year Award Program is looking for projects that showcase the best of roof coatings!  

Last year, the Roofing Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) gave out their first-ever Project of the Year Award, which Brazos Urethane took home gold in for their work on the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana! Silver went to RB Roofing, LLC and bronze was given to S&S Roofing Systems Inc. All three of these award-winning contractors demonstrated incredible craftsmanship and skill in their submitted projects and showcased the power of asphaltic and solar reflective roof coatings. 

This year, RCMA is bringing the award program back! Applications for the 2026 RCMA Project of the Year Award program are open! This is your chance to showcase your team's accomplishments and help advance awareness of roof coating solutions across the roofing industry by sending in submissions.  

How to enter 

The RCMA Project of the Year Award program is free to enter and open to all contractors in the United States, including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. The RCMA does require that, for the 2026 entries, the submitted projects must have been completed between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, but there is no limit to the number of projects that each entity can submit (in fact, multiple submissions are encouraged!).  

Your submissions should include a completed application form along with the completed Contractor Release and Building Owner Release forms. Additionally, you must upload high-resolution (a minimum of 300 dpi at 4" x 6" or larger is preferred) photos of the project you are submitting. Up to five images are allowed. Please note that by entering a submission, you are consenting to the public sharing of your project on the RCMA website, social media platforms and marketing materials. 

The timeline 

The deadline to submit your project is June 30, 2026. Once all submissions have been collected, eligible projects will be reviewed by a panel of judges. These judges will use the following criteria to evaluate the projects:  

• Innovation: How unique and/or creative is the work presented? 
• Technicality: In areas such as application process, adherence to industry standards and overall craftsmanship, how precise and high-quality was the work performed?  
• Aesthetics: Beyond the structural work, judges will also look at the overall design, color harmony and visual appeal of the roof in relation to the building’s architecture. 
• Complexity: From challenges related to scale, site conditions, structural intricacies and beyond, judges will consider the difficulty and complexity related to each submission. 
• Sustainability: Did the submitted project demonstrate the ability of roof coatings to extend the lifespan of a roof without the need for a complete tear-off?  

Winners will be announced at RCMA's 2027 Spring Meeting. 

Submit your project today!

In this episode of Coffee Conversations®, industry experts explore the growing role of roof restoration in today’s market. The discussion covers what defines a restoration project, the challenges contractors face in selling and executing these services, and the key standards that guide successful outcomes. Panelists dive into best practices before, during, and after a restoration, and examine how adhering to these standards shapes market perception and builds confidence with clients. This webinar will provide practical guidance and thought leadership to help you succeed in roof restoration.

Register today!

In this episode of Coffee Conversations®, industry experts explore the growing role of roof restoration in today’s market. The discussion covers what defines a restoration project, the challenges contractors face in selling and executing these services, and the key standards that guide successful outcomes. Panelists dive into best practices before, during, and after a restoration, and examine how adhering to these standards shapes market perception and builds confidence with clients. This webinar will provide practical guidance and thought leadership to help you succeed in roof restoration.

Register today!

By Dani Sheehan. 

Contractors looking to differentiate in 2026 are finding new opportunities in spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofing systems that solve challenges traditional systems can’t always address. 

For contractors looking to grow their commercial capabilities, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) can be more than another system to offer. It can become a strategic service line that opens the door to restoration work, complex reroofing projects and energy-focused upgrades. 

Why spray foam stands out 

Many roof systems perform well on straightforward projects. But not every roof is straightforward. Buildings with multiple penetrations, rooftop equipment, irregular layouts or curved structures often create labor-intensive installation challenges for conventional materials. 

Because the material is spray-applied and fully adhered, SPF conforms to the substrate and creates a seamless surface across transitions, penetrations and hard-to-detail areas. Instead of cutting and fitting around every obstacle, you can create a continuous insulated roofing system that helps simplify difficult applications. 

As Will Lorenz of General Coatings Manufacturing Corp shared during a live soundstage interview at the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2026, “The more difficult the building is, the more it’s a perfect fit for spray foam.” 

A smart path for recover and restoration projects 

As more commercial roofs age, owners are increasingly interested in restoration and recover options that preserve existing assets. In many cases, a full tear-off may not be necessary if the substrate remains sound. 

Spray foam can help you answer restoration demand by adding insulation, improving waterproofing performance and renewing aging roof systems without the cost and disruption of removing the entire roof assembly. 

For owners, that can mean: 

• Reduced landfill waste from tear-offs 
• Lower disruption to occupied buildings 
• Faster project timelines 
• Improved thermal performance 
• Extended roof service life 

Training is what turns opportunity into profit 

Spray foam roofing is not a plug-and-play category. Successful installation requires an understanding of proportioning equipment, spray technique, substrate conditions, weather variables and coating application standards. Industry associations such as the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) continue to play an important role in advancing best practices, education and professionalism across the category. 

Manufacturers matter too. Contractors entering or expanding in SPF need partners who can provide product guidance, jobsite support, inspections and warranty pathways. As Will explained, “People install it and make it a roof.” Quality materials matter, but quality outcomes depend on trained contractors backed by responsive manufacturers. 

General Coatings is available to help you evaluate opportunities, choose the right coating systems, troubleshoot field conditions and build long-term confidence in SPF installations. If you want to expand their commercial offerings, improve margins and solve more complex problems for your customers, spray foam may be one of the smartest additions to the toolbox. 

Learn how General Coatings can help build your business with spray foam! 

By Dani Sheehan. 

KARNAK is helping move roof maintenance from a reactive service to a strategic growth driver for contractors. 

Across the industry, maintenance is creating new entry points into commercial roofing, strengthening relationships with building owners and helping contractors build more resilient, diversified businesses. 

This shift is being driven by evolving roof systems, economic pressures and a growing emphasis on extending roof life through restoration. Industry insights continue to show that building owners are increasingly choosing restoration as a cost-effective, less disruptive alternative to replacement when conditions allow. 

“There’s so many people that are new to roofing that are getting into the maintenance side first,” said Chris Huettig of KARNAK in a recent interview on The Coffee Shops™ sound stage. “That steppingstone to get into commercial roofing and repair is what they need, and they need to know which products do what.” 

Compared to full replacements, repair work often requires lower upfront investment, shorter timelines and quicker decision-making. It also allows time to gain hands-on experience with different systems while building trust with customers. If you can respond quickly, diagnose issues accurately and deliver reliable repairs, you’ll be the one who gets the call when bigger projects arise. 

Education is defining the next generation 

As more contractors enter the maintenance space, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: success depends on technical knowledge. Roofing systems today are more complex than ever, and repairs are no longer one-size-fits-all. Different substrates, membranes and coatings require specific approaches, and applying the wrong product or technique can lead to premature failure. “We need to be more technically sound getting these kinds of systems and products applied correctly so that they last and they have value,” John McDermott of KARNAK added.  

The push for education is being driven across the industry, including through organizations like the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA), where manufacturers like KARNAK are actively working to bring contractors into the conversation. By expanding contractor involvement, RCMA is helping bridge the gap between product development, technical standards and real-world application. The goal is to ensure that as coatings and restoration systems continue to grow in popularity, they are installed and repaired correctly, so they deliver long-term performance. 

Practical innovation on the roof 

Solutions like Karna-Seal 671 are examples of how manufacturers are responding to the evolution of roofing systems and system-specific solutions. Silicone coatings, for example, have seen widespread adoption across commercial roofing, creating a new set of challenges. “Over the last decade there’s been 10 million gallons of silicone coating applied in the U.S. on commercial roofs every year. So, there’s just a lot more of that out there. You have to have a really good repair component for silicone because nothing else will stick to it,” John shared. 

Not only is Karna-Seal 671 compatible with silicone coatings, but it also offers excellent adhesion across multiple substrates. KARNAK now also offers Karna-Seal in two-liter pouches and caulk tubes in addition to their two and a half gallon buckets. Transporting materials onto a roof, often while climbing ladders or navigating tight access points, requires solutions that are easy to carry and quick to use. This thoughtful change in packaging helps crews stay mobile and perform more effectively on each project. 

Partnering with manufacturers like KARNAK and investing in training to deliver consistent quality will position your business for any changing market conditions. Because increasingly, growth in roofing isn’t starting with tear-off. It’s starting with maintenance.  

By Jenny Yu.  

RCMA’s new membership program gives contractors the opportunity to expand their expertise, grow their business and contribute to the advancement of coatings in the marketplace. 

After dedicating over 10 years in the construction industry working for big firms, Jon Hudson and Brody Christenson realized it was time to start their own business. About four years ago, they cofounded Crow Commercial Contracting, a commercial roofing company set in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. “We wanted to be smaller, more hands-on and less stressed,” Jon shared. “We're strategically low overhead, so we target projects that we want to be a part of. We're on every project, every day.” 

With their combined experience in the field, Jon and Brody were well equipped to establish themselves as a premier choice for businesses needing top-tier roofing solutions. Still, they know that in order to grow a competitive, sustainable business, they need to prioritize ongoing learning and networking in the industry.  

“Knowledge is power: the more you know, the better equipped you are to handle problems that come at you — not if, but when problems come at you, because it's going to happen. That's just the name of the game,” Brody stated. This commitment to continuous learning led Jon and Brody to attend the 2026 International Roofing Expo, where they rubbed shoulders with plenty of industry leaders and associations.  

One association that especially caught their eye was The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) , the national trade association dedicated to advancing the market for roof coatings through education, advocacy and technical innovation. “What drew us into RCMA in the first place is that we really, really like the idea of coatings,” Brody said. “We are trying to be a sponge; anybody that has any information or knowledge about coatings, we want to hear what you have to say. The more we know, the more [competitive] we can be out here.” 

After speaking with RCMA representatives, Jon and Brody decided to join the association’s new contractor membership program, a program dedicated to ensuring that the voice of professional contractors is represented in the organization’s discussions about standards, advocacy, education and best practices.  

“Coatings is a really interesting category of roofing, but there's a lot of misinformation about coatings out there,” Jon said, noting the stigma that is still sometimes attached to the roofing solution. “If a roof is a good candidate for coating, it's the best system you can do for a lot of reasons. But the coatings segment of the roofing industry is lacking from a lot of industrial standards, so anything that we can do to help regulate it, bring professionalism, have customers with good experiences and change the assumptions people have about coatings — that is something that we want to be a part of.” 

The new RCMA contractor membership program is aiming to do just that! 

Learn more about RCMA’s contractor membership program and apply to join to make sure your voice is heard!

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Join RCMA this October in Atlanta for the 2026 Fall Meeting.

At The Coffee Shops™, we are committed to sharing timely industry information while supporting the associations that move roofing forward. Organizations like the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) play a vital role in advancing education, advocacy and innovation, and we are proud to help promote their work and encourage membership across the industry. 

That momentum is clear in 2026. Under the leadership of President Josh Poole, RCMA continues to expand its impact through growing contractor engagement, strong technical initiatives and new leadership guiding the association forward. 

RCMA recently welcomed new board leadership, including George Daisey of Dow Chemical Company as supplier vice president, along with Brent Crenshaw of EPS Materials and Jayne Rollason of Polyglass USA, Inc. as directors. Their experience and commitment reflect the strength of leadership shaping the future of roof coatings. 

A key focus continues to be RCMA’s growing Contractor Membership, bringing applicators into the conversation around codes, standards and best practices. This inclusion ensures that real-world insights are helping guide the industry while giving contractors access to technical resources, education and valuable industry connections. 

RCMA is also advancing technical excellence with resources like Coatings Tech Note 6 on white roof coatings, providing practical guidance on performance, application and energy efficiency. At the same time, member companies are driving innovation across the industry, with SOPREMA USA and Fluid Applied Roofing (FAR) recognized at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE) for their award-winning technologies. Collaboration remains at the core of RCMA’s success, with new members like BITEC® and AB Specialty Silicones strengthening the association’s network and expertise. 

Looking ahead, the RCMA 2026 Fall Meeting, taking place October 7–8 in Atlanta, Georgia, will bring together industry leaders, technical experts and decision-makers for two days of collaboration and forward-thinking discussion. For contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, this is the time to get involved.

Plan to attend the Fall Meeting and be part of the conversations shaping the future of roof coatings. 

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations.

The National Roofing Contractors Association encourages roofing professionals to join industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada in taking part in the latest Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing to evaluate business conditions during the first quarter of 2026.

For more than two years, the survey has taken the pulse of the reroofing industry and continues to serve as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions. By asking a handful of business questions and measuring responses across several demographics, the survey helps indicate the reroofing market’s strength and trajectory. Your response provides valuable insight.

The results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are made available to all survey participants via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics.

For the previous survey that measured business activity during the fourth quarter of 2025, 75% of responses came from roofing contractors and 25% came from roof consultants.

The survey is an industrywide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, Metal Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

The Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing is available at bit.ly/RoofingSurvey. Survey responses may be submitted through April 20.

About National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America’s families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit www.nrca.net.

Who is this for?
Contractors and applicators who specialize in roof coatings, restoration, and maintenance — or those looking to expand their services into roof coating applications. RCMA’s Contractor Membership connects you directly to the industry’s leading manufacturers, suppliers and technical experts.

Purpose: RCMA created this category to ensure that the voice of the professional contractor is represented in discussions about standards, advocacy, education and best practices.

• Advocacy & Representation: Stay informed and have a voice in codes, regulations, and legislative issues that impact your business.
• Technical Resources: Access technical bulletins, white papers and updates from RCMA’s Technical Affairs Committee.
• Education & Training: Stay ahead with industry webinars, workshops and standards education on coatings application and compliance.
• Networking & Collaboration: Build connections with manufacturers, suppliers and other contractors at RCMA meetings and events.
• Set Yourself Apart: Be recognized as a professional and have access to tools to help grow your business.
• Marketing Exposure: Get listed in RCMA’s public Contractor Member Directory and leverage opportunities for project spotlights.

*New Contractor Members Receive 6 FREE Virtual Training Passes!

Learn more and join today!