By Emma Peterson. 

Industry experts break down what roof restorations are and why they are growing popular now. 

Roof restoration has grown to be the go-to alternative for traditional tear-offs and replacements. To help people learn more about what defines a restoration project and the key standards that guide a successful restoration project, the Roof Coating Manufactures Association (RCMA) recently sponsored a Coffee Conversation® on the topic. In the episode, Megan Ellsworth sat down with an expert panel that included Josh Poole from Tremco, Cody Wilson of Uni Roofing and James Santiago from Benchmark. 

Josh opened the conversation by defining what a roof restoration is, explaining, “I would define it as the process of extending the service life of an existing roof. And generally, that's going to feature a roof coating or some type of a liquid-applied roofing product.” As for why the fluid-applied restoration market has taken a while to grow in popularity, it all has to do with a misunderstanding of what coatings are. Cody explained:  

A lot of people used to think restoration meant temporary repair. And it really isn’t; we’re not just painting your roof and calling it a day. When a contractor restores a roof, there’s a lot of prep work that goes into it, from assessment of the existing structure to repairs that need to be done beforehand to make sure that this roof is tight and ready to go. 

James shared a bit more about what these preparation tasks might look like, saying, “The first step is always determining if a roof is a good candidate for restoration. Here, good contractors will do things like perform infrared scans determine the attachment of the existing system.” And, as the industry has finally begun to realize, when these proper preparation steps are taken, coatings can be a powerful option for aging roofs. As Josh added: 

Restoration has really established itself as a viable solution that truly performs for the customer or the end user at the end of the day. It can typically be done at a fraction of the cost of replacement, it minimizes disruption to the building beneath it, requires minimal contractor labor/equipment and has a number of sustainability benefits including reduction in landfill material and greenhouse gases. 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the episode to learn more about liquid-applied roof restoration and its benefits.  

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.

By Emma Peterson. 

Nudura ICFs are engineered and certified for structural integrity in the face of earthquakes.  

Across the world, seismic activity has been growing more threatening. In 2020 alone there were three major earthquakes across Croatia, Turkey and Greece that not only caused more than 1 billion Euros in damage but also put large numbers of human lives at risk. One of the most important things we can do in the face of this rising threat is to build stronger buildings that can endure Mother Nature’s worst.  

The first step to doing so? Making higher-performance products that can withstand high winds, flying debris, seismic waves and more. Products like Tremco Construction Products Group’s Nudura® Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). 

Nudura ICFs combine the strength of concrete with advanced engineering that not only provides increased energy efficiency but also safeguards lives during seismic events. In fact, Nudura ICFs meet and exceed a variety of building codes that cover earthquake resistance, such as the International Building Code (IBC), National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) and Eurocode 8.  

Further, Nudura has just been tested and certified to meet the ASTM E2126 standard. What is this standard? It is a dynamic seismic shear test that assesses the performance of framed wall assemblies in the face of in-plane seismic forces. The test of Nudura ICFs was conducted by the third-party Eucentre Foundation out of Pavia, Italy. Their findings indicated that:  

The Insulated Concrete Form walls performed equally compared to the conventional concrete walls in reducing lateral sway when faced with seismic shear loads. The findings also indicate that the success of concrete shear walls is less dictated on whether the walls use insulated concrete forming systems or traditional formwork, but rather dependent on steel reinforcement layout and type of concrete utilized. 

In addition to this, Nudura ICFs comply with Department of Defense (DoD) standards UFC 4-010-01 and UFC 4-023-03 and EN 1991-1-7 (Eurocode 1: Accidental Actions), which assess structures’ ability to endure and resist progressive collapse. 

Download Tremco’s Disaster Resilience Brochure to learn more about how Nudura stands up to earthquakes and more.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how Dryvit was used to renovate the New Mexico State Capitol, improving performance without sacrificing historical preservation. 

Santa Fe has a long and storied history as the capital city of New Mexico, even before statehood. In 1610, conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta built the Palace of the Governors in current Santa Fe as the “capital for the Spanish ‘Kingdom of New Mexico.” In 1821, when Mexico won independence from Spain, Santa Fe stayed as a capital, this time to the new Mexican province of Nuevo Mexico. By the time President William Howard Taft signed New Mexico into statehood on January 6, 1912, there was no question that Santa Fe would stay the capital. 

The current New Mexico State Capitol is the 232,000 square-foot Roundhouse. Called this because of its unique curved structure, the Roundhouse is the only round capitol building in the U.S. It was designed by W.C. Kruger based on “elements of New Mexico Territorial style, Pueblo adobe architecture and Greek Revival adaptations.”  

Not only does this design make the Roundhouse an iconic and unique structure, it also creates some unique maintenance requirements. This is something that Winter Finishes had to overcome when they were brought in to work on the Roundhouse’s façade in 2024. The last time the façade had been worked on was when a Dryvit Outsulation® system was installed 25 years ago. 

The goal of the 2024 renovation was to address cracks and minor moisture intrusions while also maintaining the historical integrity of the Roundhouse. To do this, Winter Finishes installed around 50,000 square feet of a Dryvit Direct-Applied system. This system was chosen for its impact- and crack-resistant exterior as well as its ability to secure the building envelope. They then used a custom Quarzputz® textured finish to accurately match the color and texture of the historic stucco.  

The result is a clean, vibrant finish on the New Mexico State Capitol that honors its original architectural design and historic significance without sacrificing performance.  

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

In healthcare, roofing is not just about the physical buildings; it is about patient safety and uninterrupted care. 

Healthcare facilities are among the most demanding environments in construction. Hospitals, surgical centers and specialized care facilities operate around the clock with no tolerance for failure. While attention is often focused on advanced medical technology and clinical expertise, one of the most critical components protecting both is the roof. From new construction to restoration and especially reroofing, roofing systems play a vital role in ensuring patient safety, operational continuity and long-term performance. 

The need for high-performing healthcare buildings continues to grow. According to analysis from Sage Economics, healthcare hiring has been a major driver of job growth, fueled by an aging population and increased demand for services. As more patients enter the system and facilities expand to meet that demand, the buildings themselves must perform at a higher level than ever before. Roofing is a foundational part of that performance, protecting everything beneath it from the elements while supporting a safe and controlled indoor environment. 

Unlike other commercial buildings, healthcare facilities cannot afford disruption. A roof leak in a retail building may be inconvenient, but in a hospital it can be devastating. Water intrusion has the potential to shut down operating rooms, damage highly sensitive equipment and introduce contaminants that put vulnerable patients at risk. For individuals undergoing surgery or those with compromised immune systems, even minor environmental issues can have serious consequences. This is why roofing in healthcare is not simply about durability, it is about reliability and precision under any and all environmental conditions. 

Reroofing presents one of the most complex challenges in this environment. Healthcare buildings rarely have the option to pause operations, meaning roofing work must take place while patient care continues uninterrupted. Contractors must carefully plan around surgeries, emergency services and daily operations while controlling noise, vibration and odors. Infection control becomes a central focus, with strict protocols in place to ensure that construction activities do not introduce dust, debris or airborne contaminants into sensitive areas. This level of coordination requires not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of how healthcare facilities function on a day-to-day basis. 

The selection of roofing materials plays a critical role in minimizing disruption and maximizing performance. Low-odor and low-VOC products help maintain indoor air quality during installation, while fast-curing systems reduce the time a roof deck is exposed and vulnerable. Moisture-resistant assemblies are essential for preventing leaks and long-term deterioration, and energy-efficient systems contribute to the overall performance of the facility. Manufacturers such as Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance have developed solutions specifically for healthcare environments, focusing on restoration and fluid-applied systems that can be installed with minimal tear-off, reducing noise, waste and disruption. 

Installation is equally crucial. Even the most advanced materials will not perform as intended without proper application. Healthcare roofing demands experienced contractors who understand infection control protocols, phased construction and the importance of communication with facility managers and medical staff. Every detail matters, from staging materials to scheduling work in a way that avoids interference. There is no margin for error when patient safety is involved. 

For many healthcare facilities, restoration offers a strategic advantage over full roof replacement. By extending the life of existing systems, restoration can reduce costs while significantly limiting disruption to operations. It also supports sustainability goals by minimizing waste and preserving resources. When combined with a proactive maintenance program, roof restoration can help facilities manage long-term capital planning while maintaining a high level of performance. 

Ongoing service and maintenance are essential for healthcare roofing. Regular inspections and preventative care allow contractors to identify and address small issues before they become major problems. This proactive approach helps protect the integrity of the building envelope, maintain indoor air quality and avoid costly emergency repairs that could disrupt patient care. For roofing contractors, it also represents an opportunity to build lasting relationships with medical providers by becoming a trusted partner in maintaining their facilities. 

As the healthcare industry continues to expand and evolve, the importance of reliable roofing will only increase. Every decision, from product selection to installation to long-term maintenance, directly impacts patient satisfaction, safety, operational continuity and the overall success of the facility. Roofing contractors and manufacturers who understand these unique demands are positioned to deliver solutions that go far beyond traditional construction.

By Emma Peterson. 

A candid conversation with two founders of NWIR about how ten years has changed the perception of female professionals. 

With the amount of stressful news constantly around us, it can be hard to remember to celebrate the good news and progress being made. To put the good in the spotlight, Heidi J. Ellsworth, CEO of The Coffee Shops™ and Jennifer Stone, the director of national accounts, Tremco, sat down for a Roofing Road Trips® episode all about the growth of the roofing industry since they helped launch National Women in Roofing (NWIR) a decade ago.  

Heidi opened the conversation by talking about how NWIR first came to be, sharing, “It started at the Midwest meetings. It was me, Jennifer, Jenny Ford Smith and Sherry Carlazzi. And we had this idea, called Trent Cotney and asked, “how do we make this happen?’” 

And now, ten years later, NWIR is stronger than ever, and today there has been a noticeable change in the perception of women in the roofing industry since the organization’s founding. Jennifer shared:  

When we were getting together 10 years ago, I remember Jenny saying, ‘I can't wait till the day people stop introducing me as the first female leader of sales and you as the first this and the first that.’ And it really feels like we’re getting there... You see so many women that are in the C-suite executive positions, and it isn't a first anymore. 

This growth not only helps women in the industry, but it helps the industry as a whole. Jennifer explained, “We’ve seen a huge growth of diversity in the roofing industry in the last decade, and it makes the industry better because you get diversity of thought, which is where retention, innovation and growth come from.”  

A great example of this was Tremco’s hiring of Mandy McIntyre in a specialized position all about culture and process development. Jennifer spoke a bit about this:  

Mandy's role as a strong woman who's passionate about culture and mental health and people, her focus positively impacts Tremco's culture in numerous, numerous ways, including process development, and performance management...And would she have been hired in this role a decade ago? I don’t know, but what we do know is that because she’s in this leadership role, Tremco’s culture and business are both stronger. 

Heidi added some of her thoughts, “It’s amazing to see this kind of thing. It really shows how the perceptions of women and the perceptions of what's acceptable and what's not acceptable have changed in the last 10 years.”  

Listen to the rest of Heidi and Jennifer’s conversation to hear more about how the perception of women has changed in the roofing industry.

By Emma Peterson. 

Tremco’s Bob Moretti and Sarah Fay talk about the importance of education in the industry. 

In a new episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Bob Moretti and Sarah Fay stop by The Coffee Shops™ for a conversation about the importance of training in the roofing industry. Bob has been Tremco’s director of sales operations and training for the last five years. As for Sarah, she has a background in learning and development, which she currently uses as Tremco’s director of learning. 

In recent years, training in the roofing industry has become more important than ever. Sarah explained, “Training is key to ensuring that our partners, customers, contractors, employees, distributors, everyone, is well equipped with the knowledge and skills that they need to be able to maximize their own performance. And with the rapid changing pace of the world that we live in today, it’s more imperative than ever.” 

It is this need that Tremco is working to fill through their extensive training programs. These training opportunities range from in-person installation guidance and industry education through Tremco University to continuing education seminars with opportunity for course credit collection and beyond.  

As Bob put it, “We created our training programs with the goal of helping professionals, whether it be with a designer, a contractor or a building owner, grow into their roles and potential, even if they don’t have any construction or roofing experience coming in. In other words, we see training as imperative to not just to help people advance, but keep them safe, keep them feeling relevant and keep our industry strong.”  

Listen to the recording or Watch the episode to learn more about the importance of training. 

Por Jessica Bravo.  

Lee el artículo y descubre cómo Tremco capacita a los profesionales para lograr instalaciones exitosas desde la base. 

En un episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, Jessica Bravo conversa con Danny Torres de Tremco sobre cómo los contratistas e instaladores pueden evitar problemas de impermeabilización al enfocarse en algo fundamental, la correcta preparación del sustrato. 

Con más de 30 años de experiencia en el campo, Danny comparte los desafíos más comunes que enfrentan los profesionales, así como las principales causas de fallas en los sistemas. Su mensaje es claro, la mayoría de los problemas se pueden prevenir cuando se cuenta con el conocimiento adecuado y se sigue un proceso correcto desde el inicio. 

Aquí es donde las capacitaciones de Tremco juegan un papel clave. A través de sus programas de entrenamiento, los usuarios de sus sistemas aprenden no solo a aplicar los productos, sino a entenderlos: qué sistema elegir, qué herramientas utilizar y cómo trabajar correctamente según la superficie. Esta formación permite reducir errores costosos, evitar retrabajos y lograr resultados duraderos. 

Danny enfatiza que todo comienza con lo básico, “Una limpieza adecuada de la base y una preparación correcta del sustrato son esenciales.” Aunque los sistemas y las herramientas pueden variar, la importancia de saber preparar la base no cambia. 

Incluso el mejor producto puede fallar si no se aplica sobre una superficie bien preparada. Como menciona Danny, “Puedo tener el mejor producto pero si no preparo la base de manera adecuada, el proyecto no será exitoso.” 

Por eso, Tremco no solo ofrece productos de alta calidad, sino también los recursos necesarios para que cada proyecto se ejecute correctamente desde el principio. Sus capacitaciones están diseñadas para asegurar que cada instalador tenga el conocimiento y las habilidades necesarias para trabajar de forma eficiente y profesional. 

El consejo final de Danny resume todo, "La calidad no se construye al final, comienza desde la preparación de la base.” 

Escucha o ve el episodio completo para conocer más sobre cómo una base bien preparada, junto con la capacitación adecuada, puede marcar la diferencia entre un proyecto con problemas y uno verdaderamente exitoso.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how intentional training and care builds teams that grow and succeed in the long-term.  

As labor shortages continue and workforce expectations shift, companies can no longer afford to treat onboarding as a minor checklist or training as a one-time event. Instead, they must find ways to consistently care for the crew members and help their teams grow. To discuss this topic, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down for an episode of Coffee Conversations® with Amy Staska, Maureen Greeves and Mandy McIntyre.  

These women were the perfect panel to talk to about investing in your team. Amy is the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen is Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy is WTI's CM development manager. Out of the gate, one of the most important things they highlighted was that labor retention is not a one-size-fits-all situation. 

Amy explained, “Finding ways to retain talent is not going to be a one-size-fits-all conversation. Take training, for example. People like learning new skills that can help advance their careers. But the format of that training needs to be comfortable for each individual.” For example, some people love the convenience of online training, where others find it disconnected and hard to work with. If you truly want to retain talent, you need to invest in your people as individuals.  

And retaining talent really should be your goal. Not only does it make your team stronger culturally, but it is also important for your long-term finances. Maureen explained, “The recruiting process and the onboarding process can cost companies anywhere between $5,000 to $6,000 on the low end and up to upwards of $10,000 to $12,000 on a high end.  For one person. So, retaining talent long term isn’t just about keeping talent and expertise, though that is key, it’s also about avoiding turnover and the high expenses that come with that.”  

So, how do you start bringing this intentionality into your operations? It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Mandy gave some examples of how you can meet your team where they are, sharing, “Start with just basic conversations. Ask people how's it going, how the first week was, the second week, etc. Because if you're not having those conversations and they end up leaving, you’ll never know why or if you could have changed something simple and retained their talent.” 

Learn more about intentional, individualized retention strategies by listening to the whole episode.

By Emma Peterson. 

Dive into the key role that company culture plays in building and retaining top talent.  

At the core of the roofing industry are the people who represent and advocate for it. Our businesses are all about serving customers, and a strong, talented internal team is the key to success. But building that team can be hard in an industry that has a seemingly constant labor shortage. To learn more about building and retaining a base of reliable employees, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager for an episode of Coffee Conversations®. 

Retention is a key part of a successful business. Amy explained, “When people leave, you’re not only losing their specific talents, but you’re also losing money and having to spend more time and energy to recruit a replacement for them.”  

So, how do you build a company that people want to stay at? It’s all about building a company culture that is comfortable and supportive. Amy elaborated, “I'm a huge proponent of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and truly believe that when people feel like they're safe and secure, when they feel like they belong, they're going to be able to work better and they're going to stay.” 

A simple way to start building such a culture i by having individual conversations with employees. Mandy shared:  

A lot of building a culture that retains employees is having one-on-one, face-to-face time, where you touch base with new hires, get to know them as a person and see how things are going. It sounds small, but it really goes a long way to build that psychological safety, build that confidence and build engagement. That is the foundation for a strong culture.  

This is something that Maureen and the team at Tremco are working to implement in their operations. She explained, “Culture starts at the top, and our president James McDonald takes the time to have what he calls ‘James unfiltered calls.’ In these calls he talks to individuals in the company at the field technician/foreman level to hear what’s going on, to know them as people and build that culture that retain people.”  

Want to learn more about building a culture of retention? Tune in to the whole podcast with Amy, Mandy and Maureen!