The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is urging roofing professionals nationwide to contact their representatives in support of H.R. 5494, the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act.

The bipartisan bill would establish a new H-2C visa program to help contractors fill long-vacant positions and meet growing project demands. NRCA leaders say the measure offers a practical, long-term fix to the roofing industry's ongoing workforce shortage and have launched a Grassroots Advocacy Network portal to streamline member outreach to Congress.

NRCA estimates that chronic workforce shortages cost the roofing industry between $9.5 billion and $19 billion in lost economic growth annually. The problem is expected to worsen due to an aging workforce and despite family-sustaining wages — the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average hourly wage for roof system installers was $32.62 in June 2025.

"This legislation will provide a vital resource to meeting the workforce challenges we face today and in the future," said NRCA CEO McKay Daniels. "We urge Congress to act now to help ensure America's roofing contractors can continue providing affordable, life-sustaining shelter to all Americans and help build our nation's economic prosperity."

The legislation would create a new H-2C visa category for temporary non-agricultural workers to fill positions that have remained vacant and are in areas with unemployment rates of 7.9% or lower. Positions requiring a bachelor's degree or higher would be excluded from the program.

The bill addresses what supporters call a critical gap: the absence of a legal, year-round pathway for non-degree jobs outside agriculture, an omission analysts say has fueled unauthorized hiring in construction, hospitality, and other sectors.

Employers would face several requirements before hiring H-2C workers, including demonstrating extensive recruitment efforts for U.S. workers and registering open positions with the Department of Homeland Security. DHS would maintain a public registry of all registered positions. The bill also mandates E-Verify use by participating employers to ensure only legal workers are hired.

The program would be capped at 65,000 positions in its first year, with subsequent years ranging from 45,000 to 85,000 based on demand and how quickly allocations are filled.

Visit nrca.net for more information.

Image edited by Chris Gray

Owens Corning has announced Evergreen Mist as its 2026 Shingle Color of the Year, a nature-inspired green tone designed to bring fresh sophistication to home exteriors while maintaining versatile appeal across architectural styles.

The new color, described as capturing "the quiet beauty of a mist-covered garden path," reflects growing consumer interest in green tones across home and lifestyle categories. According to Stephanie Ball, senior marketing manager at Owens Corning, Evergreen Mist pairs well with diverse home styles from low-country farmhouses to coastal cottages.

Alongside Evergreen Mist, Owens Corning is introducing two additional colors to its TruDefinition Duration Designer line:

• Gray Tweed — A dimensional gray blended with soft browns and black, replacing Storm Cloud in the main portfolio
• Mountain Pine — A nature-inspired blend of lush green with earthy brown and gray tones

All three colors will be available to order beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Image courtesy of NECC

The Roofing Alliance has partnered with Clemson University to launch the nation’s first Minor in Roofing — a groundbreaking academic program designed to elevate roofing education nationwide.

Funded and developed by the Roofing Alliance, the 12-credit-hour program encompasses specialized courses in roofing fundamentals, management, business leadership, and sustainable practices, marking a significant step forward in workforce development and professional training for the roofing sector.

“Our members recognized the need to integrate roofing education into construction management programs nationwide, and the Roofing Alliance took the lead to make it happen,” said Alison L. LaValley, CAE, executive director of the Roofing Alliance. “Through our collaboration with Clemson University, we created specialized courses that are already reshaping the educational landscape of our industry.”

Since the program’s inception, more than 250 undergraduate and graduate students have enrolled. The effort has also engaged more than 90 companies as guest lecturers, with over 50 donating roofing materials — further showcasing the industry’s investment in its future leaders.

To expand the program’s reach beyond Clemson, the Roofing Alliance also developed roofing-specific manuals aligned with these courses. The manuals are now available to all construction management programs accredited by the American Council for Construction Education, ensuring that the Roofing Alliance’s vision for roofing education can be implemented at universities nationwide.

Enroll in the classes via the Clemson website. 

Photo courtesy of Kirkin Exteriors/Facebook

Gulfeagle Supply announced the appointment of Brad Powers as chief revenue and operations officer, effective Oct. 6, 2025. Powers succeeds Kurt Schwahn, who is pursuing an executive role in another industry.

"Gulfeagle extends its gratitude to Schwahn for his years of leadership and service," the company said in a news release.

Powers joined Gulfeagle Supply in 2020 as district sales manager and most recently served as regional vice president for the Southeast. Over the past five years, he has overseen significant growth in sales and operations across a large footprint, demonstrating strong leadership and deep industry expertise.

With more than 27 years of experience in both manufacturing and distribution, Powers brings a well-rounded perspective to the roofing and building products industry. His career includes leadership roles at major manufacturers of commercial roofing and waterproofing systems as well as executive positions within distribution. Gulfeagle says throughout his career, he has consistently driven revenue growth, expanded market share, and built strong supplier and customer partnerships.

“Brad truly understands our people, our industry, and what it takes to deliver value to our customers and partners,” said Brad Resch, president of Gulfeagle Supply. “His proven track record and vision for growth make him the right leader to guide Gulfeagle’s continued success.”

Image courtesy of IKO

Homeowners are demanding more convenience, personalization and trust when hiring contractors, according to ServiceTitan’s new "2025 Consumer Trends in the Trades Report."

Developed with Synchrony and Visa, the study reveals shifting spending habits and demographic forces — such as the rise of younger, more diverse homeowners and women as key decision-makers — that are reshaping how trade businesses must engage, serve, and grow in a competitive market.

“Residential contractors are constantly looking for ways to differentiate themselves and drive growth in an extremely competitive market,” said Chris Petros, chief operating officer at ServiceTitan. “Homeowners today have high expectations for customer service, and expect options tailored to their preferences. Whether that’s communicating with a contractor over the phone or through text, paying with a credit card or from their phone, or getting real-time updates on the status of a job, they want flexibility and transparency.

“The businesses that lead with empathy, offer choices, and deliver consistently great experiences will earn the trust of consumers, along with their repeat business.”

Highlights of the report include:

• Women as key decision-makers. Women are the primary decision-makers in 65% of remodeling projects in the U.S. and they value trust, branding, and clear pricing options in choosing a contractor.
• Affluent opportunity. Households earning $100K-plus annually are more likely to invest in planned improvements, offering growth potential for contractors who position themselves effectively.
• Rising diversity. The next generation of homeowners is significantly more diverse. Among Gen Z customers, 48% identify as non-white. Communities of color are projected to drive all net new homeownership through 2040.
• Digital engagement. About 80% of homeowners begin their search online, yet many report dissatisfaction with the availability of trustworthy reviews, financing info, and digital checkout.

For more information and insights, visit roofingcontractor.com.

Credit: Image by Tim Urban from Pixabay