Education From Experts
Education and ideas at METALCON come in all forms with an unbeatable blend of product exhibits, a comprehensive education conference, and several different live-action demos highlighting the latest field techniques and trends. Many of the industry experts in the education programs and the product exhibits at METALCON began their careers in the field and continually help strengthen field talent and expand business opportunities for roofing contractors by sharing their knowledge with contractors.
One of those, Rob Haddock, heads the Metal Roof Advisory Group Ltd., Colorado Springs, Colo., and teaches “Understanding Metal Roofing, Parts I and II,” which are two of METALCON’s most popular programs. “Frequently I get comments from contractors in the field that after attending my seminar they got into metal roofing. This session kind of demystifies metal roofing, so once they understand more about it they aren’t afraid anymore and are ready to take the plunge,” said Haddock.
So why is metal roofing growing in popularity? According to Haddock, the answer hinges on education and metal’s environmental benefits. “Market penetration for metal roofing continues to increase in commercial and more so in residential. This is due to the growing awareness of metal’s superior durability as a roofing material and its appeal to the market’s environmental influences. It particularly has appeal when solar is incorporated into the roof design because of the fact that metal is the only roof type that will outlast solar. There’s also an increased use of natural metals, primarily zinc. And the trend toward portable site forming continues to grow; the site forming suppliers are doing more and more to make those systems user friendly and code compliant.”
Roofing techniques and details are also covered by Jerry Iselin, Founder of Metal Roof Specialties, Inc., Tacoma, Wash., in “Penetration Flashings for Residential Standing Seam Roofing,” an interactive session with visual real-life examples of correct and incorrect installation of skylights, chimney, furnace vent, power mast and other flashings that generate problems for installers.
“This year’s session has a new format. It focuses more on the technical detail for roof penetrations. That’s where a lot of people unfamiliar with metal roofing get confused. They don’t know what to do because the techniques are so different for metal than for other types of roofing,” Iselin said.
This session is sponsored by the Metal Roofing Alliance, an organization that promotes the use of metal roofing for the residential market. “The residential re-roof market is picking up because people who have been waiting to make a decision are now deciding to do it,” Iselin added. “Metal is also becoming more desired in this market because more people recognize the environmental benefits, such as metal’s ability to help cool the home, provide water catchment and protect it from extreme conditions such as high winds, hurricanes, and fire. Also, about 10 years ago many people didn’t think of metal for a home. Now it’s more popular and we’re seeing more of it, especially on newer high-end homes because it’s also so attractive.”
http://www.roofingcontractor.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000001102583
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