RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more.

These give the fire lucky winners access to the trade show, annual luncheon, en Español content, educational sessions and the legislative luncheon. Don’t miss this chance to shingle and mingle!

Including:

• All Inclusive Package
• Western Roofing en Español
• Monday & Tuesday Educational Sessions
• Monday & Tuesday Trade Show
• Legislative Luncheon
• Annual Luncheon

Contest closes August 22 wtih winners to be announced LIVE on the Weekly Blend on August 24. Winners receive one Full Pass for entry to the show ($500.00 value). Winners will be interviewed LIVE at Western Roofing Expo. Travel and hotel are not included. 

Enter for your chance to win a pass and join us at the Paris Las Vegas September 27 - 29, 2026!

Check out the 2026 WRE schedule.

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more.

These give the fire lucky winners access to the trade show, annual luncheon, en Español content, educational sessions and the legislative luncheon. Don’t miss this chance to shingle and mingle!

Including:

• All Inclusive Package
• Western Roofing en Español
• Monday & Tuesday Educational Sessions
• Monday & Tuesday Trade Show
• Legislative Luncheon
• Annual Luncheon

Contest closes August 22 wtih winners to be announced LIVE on the Weekly Blend on August 24. Winners receive one Full Pass for entry to the show ($500.00 value). Winners will be interviewed LIVE at Western Roofing Expo. Travel and hotel are not included. 

Enter for your chance to win a pass and join us at the Paris Las Vegas September 27 - 29, 2026!

Check out the 2026 WRE schedule.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

Advancing roofing knowledge through industry education. 

Trade shows are the best time for continuing education. This fall as roofing professionals head to Las Vegas, they will have an opportunity to sharpen their expertise and earn continuing education credits during IIBEC's Education Day at the Western Roofing Expo on September 30, 2026. 

Designed for roofing consultants, contractors, architects and other building enclosure professionals, the program offers a full day of education focused on roofing fundamentals and the future of building codes. The day begins with Roofing Practice Series: Roof Assemblies – Fundamentals, a comprehensive course covering the design, installation, inspection and maintenance of roof systems. Attendees will gain a stronger understanding of roofing terminologies along with the importance of common roof assemblies, water and vapor movement, heat transfer and the overall role that roof design plays in protecting buildings while supporting energy efficiency and code compliance. 

As building science continues to evolve and performance expectations increase, roofing professionals are expected to understand more than ever before. Today's projects require knowledge of how moisture management, thermal performance and material selection work together to create durable and resilient roof systems. This session helps attendees strengthen their technical foundation while earning 3.0 IIBEC Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) and 3.0 AIA Learning Units/Health, Safety and Welfare credits. 

The afternoon session, Changes to the I-Code 2027 Edition, focuses on significant updates coming to the International Code Council's 2027 codes. Participants will learn about evolving energy conservation requirements, key differences between ASHRAE 90.1-2025 and the 2027 International Energy Conservation Code, as well as broader trends influencing the code development process. The course also provides insight into how code changes are developed and adopted throughout the industry. 

For contractors, consultants and design professionals, staying ahead of regulatory changes is a key part of delivering successful projects. Understanding upcoming code requirements not only helps ensure compliance but also allows professionals to provide greater value to building owners seeking long-term performance, sustainability and resilience. The session provides 1.5 IIBEC CEHs and 1.5 AIA Learning Units. 

Opportunities like IIBEC's Education Day continue to be an important part of industry events such as the Western Roofing Expo. Beyond earning credits, attendees gain access to practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in the field while also preparing for changes that will shape roofing and building enclosure design for years to come. 

To learn more about IIBEC's Education Day and register for the program at the Western Roofing Expo, visit the IIBEC website and secure your place today.  Be sure to also enter the Western Colloid WRE contest for free registration at 2026 Western Roofing Expo Ticket Giveaway — RoofersCoffeeShop®.

By Emma Peterson. 

Enter for an opportunity to access top-tier educational sessions, networking events, luncheons and an industry-leading trade show floor. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more. 

The five (5) lucky winners of our contest will be given an all-inclusive package ($500.00 value, travel and hotel not included) to the show. This package includes access to:  

• Western Roofing en Español sessions: This year’s show will have four seminars and two lunch-and-learn sessions taught in Spanish! Topics range from hiring the right roofing team to maximizing commercial claims. And the incredible speaker list includes Amparo Sancen of Latinos En Roofing, Monica Vornbrock of the GLO Group and Imelda Perez from CertainTeed. 
• Educational sessions: As for the English-language education sessions, this year’s show boasts four different blocks of session.  
  • The first block (8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026) will feature a variety of speakers including The Coffee Shops™’ own Heidi J. Ellsworth!  
  • Some highlights of block two (10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026) include John Kenney of Cotney Consulting’s estimating session and Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese’s risk mitigation class.  
  • In block three (8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026), you’ll want to make sure to catch the WSRCA Young Roofing Professionals Committee’s roofing roundtable, led by Malarkey Roofing Products’ Rachel Garcia as well as Paul Reed of Roofers in Recovery’s mental health talk.  
  • And in block four (10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026), our friends Mindy Dahlquist (TRA Snow and Sun), Brian Chamberlain (Carlisle Construction Materials) and Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) will all be hosting informative and engaging sessions. 
• Trade show floor: As always, the trade show floor promises to be a great opportunity to see the latest innovations and newest technology in the industry as product demos will be hosted on the hour. And, per tradition, roofers will walk free on the show floor – making it an unmatched opportunity for peer-to-peer networking.  
• Legislative luncheon: The first of the two luncheons that will be held at this year’s show, the legislative luncheon will be hosted by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group, and Chad Collins, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). It will dive into key changes and developments happening in Washington, D.C. that relate to roofing. 
• Annual luncheon: As for the second luncheon, this is your opportunity to hear from the WRE 2026 keynote speaker – Shereen Thor. Shereen is a comedian turned coach whose keynote will be a great resource to professionals and business owners in all parts of their careers. 

Want a chance to win access to all that and boost your business at WRE 2026? Enter the RoofersCoffeeShop and Western Colloid Spin to Win contest! The contest will close August 22, 2026, and announced live on the August 24, 2026 Weekly Blend episode. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about all the events, seminars and exhibitors that will be at this year’s Western Roofing Expo. 

Navigating today’s roofing industry can be a bit of a challenge. Whether you’re facing more extreme storms in the field or juggling labor issues and material shortages in the office, it can be hard to stay up to date with the information and tools you need to succeed. Luckily, the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) hosts a two-day event designed to help professionals handle all those issues and more – Western Roofing Expo (WRE).  

This premier regional roofing and waterproofing event boasts a two-day trade show, over two dozen education seminars, multiple engaging luncheons, The Roofing Games™ shingling competition, golf and sporting clays tournaments, a live auction, product demonstrations and more! Keep reading to learn about what to expect from this year’s show, which will be held September 27-29, 2026 at the Paris Las Vegas! 

The core of the show 

The core of the show occurs on Monday (9/28) and Tuesday (9/29) with 30 seminars planned, two luncheons organized and a trade show floor that is free for contractors to attend. 

The seminars at WRE are a great way to upgrade your skills! Experts from across the industry will be teaching about everything from business management to technical developments. And if you’re a part of The Coffee Shops™ family, there will be a lot of familiar faces like Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese, Amparo Sancen from Latinos En Roofing, John Kenney from Cotney Consulting Group and our very own president, Heidi J. Ellsworth!  

As for the luncheons, WSRCA has organized two invaluable luncheons for WRE attendees. The first will be hosted on Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and is presented by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group, and Chad Collins, NRCA, will take this opportunity to talk to attendees about the key developments in Washington D.C. that are impacting the roofing industry.  

The second luncheon will run at the same time (11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) on Tuesday and is sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products. This luncheon gives attendees an opportunity to hear from the WRE 2026 keynote speaker – Shereen Thor. Shereen is a comedian turned coach who has worked with organizations like Google, Pandora, Slack, Safe Place For Youth and The Social Justice Learning Institute. Her keynote will be a great resource to professionals and business owners in all parts of their careers.  

And last but not least, the trade show floor will be open both Monday and Tuesday. This is a great opportunity to see the latest innovations and newest technology in the industry as product demos will be hosted on the hour. At that same demo stage there will also be the return of the much-anticipated Roofing Games on Tuesday!  

The trade show is a great opportunity to talk to representatives of leading companies around the industry. And the best part? The exhibit floor is FREE for contractors and roofers to attend! We’ll be in booth 12, so make sure to stop by and say hi, and we have countless industry friends who will be around the floor, such as Anchor Products (815), APOC (609), BITEC (151), Brava Roof Tile (840), Carlisle Architectural Metals (509), Drexel Metals (509), Equipter (826), Integrity Insurance & Bonding (360), Lakeside Construction Fasteners (154), New Tech Machinery (356), PABCO Roofing Products (703), Rocket Equipment (638), RoofScope (822), Sentry Building Innovations (150) and VELUX (361). 

Additional events and more 

In addition to the core two days, there are extra events both before (Sunday, 9/27) and after (Wednesday, 9/30). On Sunday, the Davis Memorial Foundation will host two tournaments, one sporting clays tournament and one golf tournament. The proceeds from these events go directly to the Davis Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund. The scholarships from this fund have helped more than 195 aspiring high school, undergraduate and graduate students pursue their dreams. These events have their own registration and their own fees. 

And on that Wednesday, the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants will host a special education day. This event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will elevate attendees’ expertise in the building enclosure industry. It features two courses, one about the fundamentals of roof assemblies and the other highlighting key updates to international codes. The registration and fees for this education day are separate from general registration. 

Get registered and reserved 

Registration for the 2026 WRE is now open! You can register online, again the show will be held at the Paris in Las Vegas, Nevada from September 27-29, 2026. Being at the Paris, there are many options for hotels nearby. WSRCA has worked specifically with the Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood and Horseshoe Hotel to get discounted room blocks that start as low as $91.  

Not sure if you can make the registration fee work in your budget? RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the show for free! By entering our contest, you get the chance to win an all-inclusive pass to the show, which gives you access to the trade show, annual luncheon, en Español content, educational sessions and the legislative luncheon.  

Learn more about the 2026 WRE show!

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Why the details matter so much when it comes to restoring metal roofing systems.  

Looking at a commercial metal roof (the type you see on warehouses and industrial buildings), it might appear simple at first – especially for standing seam systems that, at first glance, look just like a panel of metal that’s been attached to the roof with fasteners. But as anyone who has worked on a metal roof can tell you, the devil’s in the details. To dive into the hidden intricacies of metal, Western Colloid’s president, Greg Hlavaty stopped by for an Understanding Roof Restoration podcast episode on restoring metal roofing.  

Greg opened the conversation by discussing the actual design of a commercial metal roof – from the slope of the system to the hidden fasteners under the overlapping panels. Each of these features requires careful consideration, both in the initial installation of the roof and any subsequent restorations. As Greg put it, “You need somebody that knows what they're doing in restoring or repairing that roof as the contractor really is the key to the future performance of the roof. They need to know the configurations of these metal roofs and how to attack each one differently.” 

An example of needing to understand why all of the details that go into a metal roof are vital is when a metal roof has a leak. Leaks in metal roofs can come from a lot of different sources, as Greg explained: 

There are rubber grommets on those hidden fasteners. And as they get older, the rubber wears out and you can have leaks start at those fastener holes...Another source of leaks is people walking on the panels. It crimps the metal between joists, and that bend in the metal creates a place where water collects and then finds its way inside. 

But the throughline of these leak sources and others is that you need to know what you’re looking for and the right way to fix it. Greg shared, “If they're not attacked properly, you can create more leaks in a roof by doing an improper sealing than what was there before.” 

Overall, as metal roofing continues to rise in popularity due to its durability and longevity, it’s important for contractors and other professionals to fully understand all the details and factors that impact the installation, maintenance and eventual restoration of these roof systems. 

Listen to the entire podcast to learn more.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn why more professionals are treating fluid-applied roofing as membranes.  

Fluid-applied roof systems are exactly what they sound like – roofing systems that are applied in a liquid (fluid) form. Once they are installed, they then cure into a seamless, waterproof barrier across the roof substrate. Made from a variety of materials, such as polyurethanes, acrylics, rubberized asphalts and acrylics, they have grown popular because they don't have weak points in the form of seams found in traditional sheet membranes.  

These fluid-applied systems have often been used as coatings. Roof coatings are typically installed in thin layers with the purpose of “protect[ing] against UV exposure, improv[ing] reflectivity and/or provid[ing] limited waterproofing.” Traditionally, this is the only role that fluid-applied has filled in roofing. But there is a shifting sentiment in the industry that fluid-applied systems can also be installed as full-on membranes. Membranes, in contrast to coatings, are considered the primary waterproofing system on a roof and must handle movement, all types of weather and long-term use.  

What is driving this change in perspective? Developments in the technology behind fluid-applied systems that make them more durable and higher performance! These include:  

• Seamless finish: As we mentioned, fluid-applied roofing avoids seams as it cures into one continuous layer. This avoids one of the most common sources of roof failure. 
• Easy installation: Fluid-applied systems do not require complex installation steps like mechanical fastening or heat welding; this lowers safety risks and labor requirement.  
• Long-term sustainability: Many fluid-applied products are low-VOC and can be re-coated at the end of their service life, rather than completely torn off. This makes them both more environmentally sustainable and financially affordable. 
• Monolithic coverage: The same continuous coverage that avoids seams also makes it easy to apply around penetrations, irregular surfaces and complex roof details. Further, these systems have no layered assemblies that could separate or delaminate. 

These are just some of the many reasons the industry is shifting towards thinking about fluid-applied systems as more than just coating options. To be clear, when we think about fluid-applied as a membrane, rather than just a coating, it is important to note that the systems must be installed accordingly. Western Colloid explained:  

When fluid-applied systems are treated only as coatings, they’re often under-specified or applied too thinly. But when they’re treated as membranes, they’re designed and tested to meet — or even exceed — the performance standards of traditional systems like TPO, PVC, EPDM or modified bitumen. 

At the end of the day, as roofing technology and products evolve, it is natural to discover new ways to use products and systems.  

Learn more about using fluid-applied roof systems as membranes.

Understanding the FM approval process and why they are the gold standard for roofing insurance testing. 

While many home and business owners think of roofs as singular entities, here in the roofing industry we know that they are actually a collection of different products that work together to create a strong assembly. And because all parts of the assembly must work together, choosing what roofing products to use is a key part of building a long-lasting, healthy roof system.  

So, how do you choose what products to use? One trick is to look for something called an FM approval! FM, otherwise known as Factory Mutual Global, is one of the largest insurance carriers in the world. They were founded back in 1835 and provide some of the industry’s most thorough testing for product and system performance.  

To learn more about FM testing and why you should use their approvals to help choose products for your next project, Western Colloid's Greg Hlavaty and Hal Leland stopped by for an episode of the Understanding Roof Restoration (URR) podcast.  

FM truly is the gold standard of insurance carrier approvals. Prior to FM, testing roofs for insurance purposes hadn’t been done as robustly. And under FM, testing isn’t as simple as a one and done test. Instead, approved products will be tested quarterly to ensure the products are produced to the same FM standard. Greg described how the process went when the team at Western Colloid sent in products and systems for approval:   

We had inspectors at our plants for FM and UL and ICC-ES, but especially FM, quarterly to make sure we're making the exact same products. They take tests of the products just to make sure the formulas are the same... Everything is rigorously followed up on quarterly. 

The long story short is that if you want to know a product has been tested, time and time again, and proven to perform as intended, look for the FM approval diamond. Hal added, “[Getting an FM approval] says a lot about your company and the commitment to having that FM approvals mark on your product. If your product has an FM-approved mark, that means it's been through the certification testing process to verify its functioning as intended.” 

Want to learn more about choosing high-performance products, like FM-approved options? Listen to the whole Understanding Roof Restoration episode!

By Emma Peterson. 

A panel of industry experts discusses the growth and evolution of the roofing industry. 

Earlier this month, The Coffee Shops™ crew headed to the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)’s 2026 Conference and Trade Show. While there, we had the opportunity to host a special, live Coffee Conversations® that brought contractors and other building envelope experts together for a panel discussion about the show and state of the industry. 

The panel was made up of four incredible professionals: Greg Hlavaty of Western Colloid, Sean Connolly of Walker Consultants, Lauren Morley of R3NG and Dustin Smoot of Terracon Consultants. Together, this panel offers expert insights into all sides of the industry they serve, and how contractors and manufacturers are moving forward into 2026. 

When asked about this year’s show, Greg highlighted the incredible turnout, sharing, “In the past, it was a show that only the big manufacturing firms were at, but today we’re really seeing a great turnout.” Sean had a similar takeaway, adding, “It's bigger and better than ever, I'm seeing more and more manufacturers participating, which is fantastic.” 

One of the main talking points of this year’s show was the significant changes that the building industry has gone through in recent years. Dustin elaborated, “I've been in the industry for about 25 years. I started out as a roofer as a kid. And I’ve seen a lot of change in the way we think about roof performance...” One of the biggest changes being that we now think about how an entire building envelope functions, rather than just thinking about how individual elements perform. This outlook has shifted how brands must market their products and services.  

With this perspective shift, building consultants have become more important than ever.  Lauren explained, “Of course, I try to stay on top of the trends and think about the big picture, but having consultants involved is really helpful. They know what's happening and they know what to design, and I'm lucky that I can just kind of trust them to think about the whole envelope so I can focus on my part.”  

Watch the whole recording from the show to hear more from Greg, Sean, Lauren and Dustin.

Live from the IIBEC 2026 Conference and Trade Show, this special Coffee Conversations®, sponsored by Western Colloid, brings together leaders from across the roofing and building enclosure industry to explore how performance expectations are evolving in 2026. With increasing climate pressures, tighter energy codes and growing lifecycle accountability, roofing professionals are being asked to deliver more than ever before. This discussion will examine how consultants, contractors and manufacturers are approaching durability, moisture management and long-term asset planning. From repair versus replacement decisions to quality control in the field, we’ll unpack the factors shaping smarter roofing strategies. Join us live from IIBEC as we explore what true performance means for the future of roofing.

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