By Emma Peterson. 

Celebrate your crew and share your story with NRCA this June. 

Roofing is the hidden hero in many people’s lives; roofs protect their homes, families, businesses and possessions from the elements. To raise awareness about the significance of roofing and the important work of professionals across the roofing industry, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) will be hosting their annual National Roofing Week from June 7-13, 2026. 

During the week, NRCA will be sharing stories from professionals around the industry across their social media platforms. NRCA encourages members to “share their stories of charitable giving, crew and staff appreciation and signature roofing projects” by using the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 tag.  

Another great way to show your support for this initiative is by decking your crew out in National Roofing Week swag! These shirts are a great way to show your roofing pride with style. You can find more detailed information about participation and National Roofing Week assets to use in your photos and videos online. 

This year’s event is sponsored by a variety of industry-leading companies, including Georgia-Pacific, SRS Distribution, International Roofing Expo, Hanover Architectural Products, OMG Roofing Products, Roofing Alliance, SOPREMA and TuffWrap. If you need more information on National Roofing Week, contact NRCA Director of Communications Krista Berns (847-493-7531 or kberns@nrca.net) or NRCA Social Media Manager Madison Mahoney (847-493-7548 or mmahoney@nrca.net). 

Join the NRCA in celebrating the essential work your crew does each day and promote the importance of hiring professionals!

In this CoatingsTalk™, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Ryan Knippel, a business development manager from SOPREMA, to explore how modern roof coatings are reshaping the roofing industry, from extending roof life and boosting energy efficiency to reducing costs and waste for building owners. Ryan will break down when coating restorations make sense versus full re-roofs, what warranties and system compatibility look like and how technical reps guide those decisions in the field. Plus, he’ll dive into the shifting workforce, training challenges and the next wave of coating innovations. Join us as we uncover how coatings are reshaping the roofing landscape — and what’s next for contractors, building owners and the industry at large.

Listen to the podcast.

Watch the CoatingsTalk.

By Jenny Yu.  

The National Women in Roofing’s Central Oregon Council’s first reroof event gifted a local veteran with a free new roof. 

For their first reroof event, The National Women in Roofing’s Central Oregon Council gave a local veteran a new roof in Redmond, Oregon.  

The event, titled “Raise the Roof for a Hero,” gathered more than a dozen businesses that donated their time, materials and labor to support veteran Larry Moyer.  

“The National Women in Roofing is a giving group,” Larry told KTVZ News. “They’re a wonderful bunch of people from all different businesses. It’s really something.” 

The NWIR is a volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of women roofing professionals. Its Central Oregon chapter launched early 2025, and this reroof showcased its core value of impact: seeking to make a difference and contributing positively to the lives of others.  

“We are able to do something really special just by coming together and volunteering whatever it is that our strength is, and this is the result,” Amy Cashman, NWIR social media manager, stated. 

Another NWIR core value is connection — building and maintaining meaningful relationships — and the event brought to the forefront the power of bringing many different people and companies coming together for a shared cause.  

“CertainTeed and I are more than happy to support Oregon Band of Brothers, NWIR and, of course, the veteran we have here today,” said Jack McDonnell, territory manager of CertainTeed. “My grandfather is a veteran. He was a Marine in Vietnam, so that motivates me to a significant extent.” 

Other sponsors of the NWIR Central Oregon chapter and the Raise the Roof event included SRS Distribution, GAF, RESISTO by SOPREMA and RoofersCoffeeShop®.  

For Larry, this experience served as an affirmation and a reminder about how to live. “They’re trying to give back to the community, and that’s what I do a lot,” Larry stated, emphasizing the duty we all have to one another. “It’s an important thing for all of us — I don’t care who you are or where you’re from. Take care of each other.” 

Photo source: National Women in Roofing

In this CoatingsTalk™, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Ryan Knippel, a business development manager from SOPREMA, to explore how modern roof coatings are reshaping the roofing industry, from extending roof life and boosting energy efficiency to reducing costs and waste for building owners. Ryan will break down when coating restorations make sense versus full re-roofs, what warranties and system compatibility look like and how technical reps guide those decisions in the field. Plus, he’ll dive into the shifting workforce, training challenges and the next wave of coating innovations. Join us as we uncover how coatings are reshaping the roofing landscape — and what’s next for contractors, building owners and the industry at large.

Listen to the podcast.

Watch the CoatingsTalk.

By International Roofing Expo (IRE).

Congratulations to all of the 2026 IPSA winners – Their innovations are set to transform and shape the future of our industry!

The votes are in, and the future of roofing has been decided! Meet the winners of the 2026 International Roofing Expo® Innovative Product Showcase and Awards Program (IPSA) – the game-changing innovations that are officially taking our industry to new heights.

After an incredible response from roofing professionals who cast their votes both online and on the show floor in Las Vegas, these groundbreaking solutions have risen to the top, proving they're not just products – they're the tools that will reshape how we work and drive our businesses forward. From cutting-edge materials to revolutionary tools and services, these winners represent the very best of what's possible when our industry comes together to celebrate innovation.

The People’s Choice

People’s Choice is determined by the industry, roofing professionals casted their votes both online and onsite at IRE 2026, early January through February 5th. Here are this year's winners: 

• Business, technology software and services: VILPE Sense Leak Detectors by VILPE Oy
• Coatings, caulks and sealants: FiberSeal Base by Fluid Applied Roofing
• Gutters and roof drains: Sasquatch Structural Gutter Protection System by E-Z Gutter Guard
• Roofing products: Elevate Max PVC Single-Ply Roofing Membrane by Elevate
• Safety and fall protection: LifeGrab Upper and Lower Ladder Stabilizers by On Top Safety
• Siding and insulation: ThermaThin™ 7 by Carlisle Syntec Systems
• Solar panels and products: KAST Connect by KAST
• Tools, equipment and machinery: Burro Volt by Donkey Forklifts
• Water proofing, flashing, vapor barriers, underlayments and insulation: AeroNet by Benjamin Obdyke

The Experts’ Choice

The Experts’ Choice award winners were selected by industry experts. The winners stood out from the competition in their ability to boost performance, drive sales, enhance customer satisfaction, improve worker safety or establish a new industry standard in the field. 

• Seal Bond® FlexCurb™ Universal Curb Kit by Seal Bond
• Duro-Last PVC to TPO Tie-In by Duro-Last
• LifeGrab 360° Roof Bracket and LifeGrab Elevated Roof Bracket by On Top Safety
• ThermaThin™ 7 by Carlisle Syntec Systems
• SOPREMA MINI-MACADEN® by SOPREMA
• AeroNet by Benjamin Obdyke

Learn more about these incredible products!

By Emma Peterson. 

Ryan Knippel discusses industry trends and what a major brand integration means for SOPREMA this year.  

In a recent CoatingsTalk™, Megan Ellsworth sat down with Ryan Knippel, business development manager from SOPREMA, to talk about the state of the coatings industry and what SOPREMA has been up to so far in 2026.  

The state of the coatings industry 

In the last few years, coatings have steadily grown more popular as a preferred roofing solution. One of the biggest reasons for this rise in interest is the cost-effective nature of these products. Ryan explained, “There’s a lot of savings in coatings. Even for a full coating restoration, it’s way more cost effective than a full tear off. A lot of those savings come from material and labor costs, but you also get savings from avoiding landfill use and other smaller things that add up.”  

But these initial savings are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of working with a roof coating. A lot of coatings also offer long-term benefits such as easier maintenance with less inhabitant disruptions and better energy efficiency when working with cool coatings. Overall, as Ryan put it, “When you look at the big picture, coatings really are just a great offering.”  

SOPREMA’s role in the industry 

For contractors who want to either continue or start offering coatings and their many benefits to their customers, SOPREMA is a great resource. They have a broad portfolio of roofing products, including coatings. In fact, this year they made a huge leap in expanding their product line through a brand integration with Tropical Roofing Products (TRP). Ryan shared a bit about what this integration means for the brands and their products:   

You’ll see things like the flagship 924 coating, which comes from TRP, under the SOPREMA label now...To be clear, all the great numbers, performance and technology of 924 are still there, they’ve just gotten some new packaging and now have the great SOPREMA brand supporting them. 

Overall, this integration is a powerful move to support the growing interest and demand for roof coating systems across the market. Ryan shared, “This integration puts everything under one umbrella and gives TRP the stability, the strength and everything that comes with the brand recognition of SOPREMA.” Ultimately, TRP’s integration with SOPREMA gives more contractors access to the high-performance coatings they need to stay competitive with the rising coatings market.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about SOPREMA, their offerings and the state of the coatings industry. 

The resulting roofing systems enhance both the durability and the visual impact of the museum, supporting the long‑term performance of a building designed to honor American service and sacrifice.

SOPREMA, Inc. is proud to recognize the selection of the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, a project featuring SOPREMA roofing materials, as a Best‑in‑Class Award winner in the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) 2026 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program. The project’s roofing contractor, KPost Roofing & Waterproofing, received the honor in the Commercial/Mixed Use Category for their exceptional work on this architecturally significant and nationally meaningful facility.

The National Medal of Honor Museum, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, required a roofing solution that delivered long‑term durability while supporting the building’s striking and complex geometry. The project includes multiple elevations, steep and sloped planes, and hundreds of penetrations, requiring close coordination between the architect, general contractor and KPost Roofing & Waterproofing throughout the installation.

To meet the museum’s performance and design requirements, the project team selected a SOPREMA roofing system incorporating ELASTOPHENE® SP 2.2, SOPRALENE® 180 Sanded and COLPLY® EF Adhesive for the primary membrane assembly. For the extensive detailing and complex transitions across multiple roof elevations, ALSAN® RS 230 Field and ALSAN® RS 230 Flash provided a seamless, liquid‑applied solution capable of conforming to the building’s unique geometry. Together, these products delivered the long‑term durability, flexibility and weatherproofing performance needed to protect the structure against the demanding conditions of the Texas climate without compromising the museum’s architectural vision.

“This project reflects excellence not only in construction, but in purpose,” stated Reed Hitchcock, ARMA executive vice president. “KPost Roofing & Waterproofing delivered remarkable work on a building that carries deep national significance.”

“This project is a great example of what’s possible when skilled contractors, thoughtful design and reliable, high-performance materials come together,” said Tim Kersey, CEO of SOPREMA U.S. “KPost Roofing & Waterproofing delivered an exceptionally complex roofing scope with professionalism and precision, and we’re proud that our systems were complemented by their work on such an important landmark.”

Despite the demanding schedule and the museum’s highly complex architecture, KPost Roofing & Waterproofing executed the project with outstanding precision. The resulting roofing systems enhance both the durability and the visual impact of the museum, supporting the long‑term performance of a building designed to honor American service and sacrifice.

ARMA’s Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program recognizes the top steep‑ and low‑slope asphalt roofing projects across North America based on four categories: Why Asphalt, Project Challenges, Distinction and Beauty. The 2026 program received 82 submissions, highlighting innovation and exceptional workmanship across the industry.

To learn more about the awards program or ARMA, visit asphaltroofing.org.

About SOPREMA

SOPREMA delivers high-performance solutions for roofing, waterproofing, wall protection and civil engineering, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, sustainability and product excellence. The comprehensive building envelope portfolio includes SBS and APP-modified bitumen, PMMA/PMA liquid-applied membranes, synthetic PVC membranes, STPE and PU sealants and adhesives, air and vapor barriers, below-grade waterproofing, vegetative roofing and indoor BioWall solutions, silicone and acrylic roof coatings and accessories. With a legacy of proven performance, SOPREMA sets the standard for durability and reliability in the building industry.

The awards program is an industry recognition program that celebrates the most cutting-edge solutions that are available in the roofing and exteriors sector.

Informa Markets, The International Roofing Expo® (IRE), announced the winners of their annual Innovative Product Showcase and Awards Program for People’s Choice and Experts’ Choice. The awards program, powered by the International Roofing Expo, is an industry recognition program that celebrates the most cutting-edge solutions that are available in the roofing and exteriors sector.

The Innovative Product Showcase and Awards Program entries were on display at the International Roofing Expo 2026, January 20-22 in Las Vegas. Attendees viewed the products and services in the showcase area and cast votes for the People’s Choice Award across eight categories. The People’s Choice Award is presented to one winner in each program category. Voting opened in early January and ended on February 5.

“Our warmest thanks to all companies that brought their innovations to the 2026 IRE Innovative Product Showcase and Awards program this year, and to all who voted to recognize industry excellence,” Rich Russo, show director for the International Roofing Expo. “Spotlighting the products and services that are redefining possibilities in our market is fundamental to our collective progress. Congratulations to our remarkable 2026 award winners for setting new standards of innovation!”

The People’s Choice winners:

• Business & technology software & services: VILPE Sense Leak Detectors by VILPE Oy
• Coatings, caulks and sealants: FiberSeal Base by Fluid Applied Roofing
• Gutters and roof drains: Sasquatch Structural Gutter Protection System by E-Z Gutter Guard
• Roofing products: Elevate Max PVC Single-Ply Roofing Membrane by Elevate
• Safety & fall protection: LifeGrab Upper and Lower Ladder Stabilizers by On Top Safety
• Siding & insulation: ThermaThin™ 7 by Carlisle Syntec Systems
• Solar panels & products: KAST Connect by KAST
• Tools, equipment and machinery: Burro Volt by Donkey Forklifts
• Water proofing, flashing, vapor barriers, underlayments and insulation: AeroNet by Benjamin Obdyke

The Experts’ Choice award winners were selected by industry experts. The winners stood out from the competition in their ability to boost performance, drive sales, enhance customer satisfaction, improve worker safety or establish a new standard in the field.

The Experts’ Choice winners:

• Seal Bond® FlexCurb™ Universal Curb Kit by Seal Bond
• Duro-Last PVC to TPO Tie-In by Duro-Last
• LifeGrab 360° Roof Bracket and LifeGrab Elevated Roof Bracket by On Top Safety
• ThermaThin™ 7 by Carlisle Syntec Systems
• SOPREMA MINI-MACADEN® by SOPREMA
• AeroNet by Benjamin Obdyke

The Experts’ Choice honorees received exceptional feedback from judges:

Judges praised the LifeGrab 360 Roof Bracket as “an ingenious solution to keep roofers and rooftop laborers safely tied-off while providing complete mobility and minimizing disconnection from the tie-off point.” This innovative product is redefining safety standards for roofing professionals, ensuring both security and efficiency on the job.

The AeroNet product was commended for its ability to “provide clear-field drainage below steep-slope roof coverings where traditional installations might incur impediments to roof assembly drainage below the roof covering.” This solution addresses a critical need for effective drainage in challenging roofing scenarios, offering a reliable and practical approach to improving roof performance.

To learn more about the 2026 Innovative Product Showcase and Awards Program, please visit www.theroofingexpo.com.

About International Roofing Expo

The International Roofing Expo® is the premier event for both the commercial and residential roofing and exterior construction industries. The IRE brings the professional community together to help them stay current on trending knowledge and to see the largest selection of products and services. The event helps professionals improve their business through education, exhibitions and networking. The International Roofing Expo is owned and operated by Informa Markets. The official show sponsor is NRCA and the official show publication is Roofing Contractor. For more information, please visit www.theroofingexpo.com.

Follow International Roofing Expo on social at Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter to stay in touch for the most up to date information on the 2027 expo.

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Every swing, every putt and every sponsorship helps strengthen the future of the profession.

Spring in Northern California sets the perfect stage for a day on the links, and the 2026 RCI-IIBEC Foundations' Golf Outing is shaping up to be a standout event. Registration is now open for Thursday, March 12 at the Haggin Oaks Alister MacKenzie Course in Sacramento, California, and golfers are encouraged to secure their spot early as the field is limited to just 144 players.

Hosted by the RCI-IIBEC Foundation and RCI Foundation Canada, this annual outing brings together building enclosure professionals, manufacturers, consultants and friends of the industry for a day that blends great golf with meaningful impact. With the generous support of event sponsors SOPREMA and Performance Roof Systems the outing will once again raise critical funds for the next generation of industry leaders.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Joe Hale Student Sponsorship Fund along with the Lyons and Newlan academic scholarship funds. These programs play a vital role in supporting students pursuing education and careers in building enclosure science, roofing, waterproofing and related disciplines.

The venue itself is a highlight. Designed by the legendary Alister MacKenzie the Haggin Oaks course is known for its flowing layout, strategic shot values and timeless design philosophy. MacKenzie believed golf should be enjoyable for players of all skill levels, while still rewarding, thoughtful, shot making and smart positioning. His designs are famous for balancing challenge and playability, and Haggin Oaks delivers exactly that experience. Golfers can expect approachable holes, subtle risk and reward decisions, and just enough unpredictability to keep the round exciting from the first tee to the final green.

Beyond the course, the outing offers unmatched networking opportunities. Participants will spend the day alongside peers from across the industry, building relationships that extend well beyond the fairways. Whether you are reconnecting with long time colleagues or meeting new faces, the relaxed atmosphere of the golf course provides the ideal setting for meaningful conversation and collaboration.

Golfers, sponsors and supporters alike are invited to be part of this special day. Individual and team registrations are available, along with sponsorship opportunities that offer visibility while directly supporting scholarship and student sponsorship initiatives. Space is limited, and the event has a strong history of selling out, so early registration is highly recommended.

To reserve your spot and learn more visit https://birdease.com/RCIIIBECFoundationsGolf.

It is more than a round of golf. It is a chance to give back, support education and enjoy a memorable day on a classic course. The RCI-IIBEC Foundations look forward to welcoming you to Sacramento this March.

In this CoatingsTalk™, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Ryan Knippel, a business development manager from SOPREMA, to explore how modern roof coatings are reshaping the roofing industry, from extending roof life and boosting energy efficiency to reducing costs and waste for building owners. Ryan will break down when coating restorations make sense versus full re-roofs, what warranties and system compatibility look like and how technical reps guide those decisions in the field. Plus, he’ll dive into the shifting workforce, training challenges and the next wave of coating innovations. Join us as we uncover how coatings are reshaping the roofing landscape — and what’s next for contractors, building owners and the industry at large.

Register today!