The Roofing Alliance, celebrating 25 years as the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), has opened the nomination period for its 2021-22 Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Gold Circle Awards.

The two programs spotlight and promote excellence in the industry with the MVP Awards Program recognizing workers committed to excellence on and off the roof and the Gold Circle Awards program recognizing Roofing Alliance and NRCA members for outstanding workmanship, innovation and safety in roofing.

MVP Awards

The Roofing Alliance’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards program recognizes workers who are outstanding employees contributing to their companies, co-workers and communities.

The award categories include:

• Outstanding On-the-Job Performance/Workmanship: Dedicated, reliable employees are vital to a company’s success and, among those employees, usually one stands out above all others. That’s the employee who 1) Has a strong work ethic, 2) Shows leadership, initiative and resourcefulness, 3) Has earned an outstanding safety record, 4) Shows support for his or her co-workers and 5) Goes above and beyond.

• Outstanding Performance/Other Noteworthy Contributions Outside the Workplace: Outstanding workers not only have a passion for the work they do and a sense of loyalty toward their employers, but they also show compassion for others outside the workplace. They volunteer their time with their communities, churches, families and friends. They are determined to overcome challenges and obstacles they may face personally or stand by others who need their support. They’re always willing to extend a helping hand. They display exemplary service, leadership, commitment and selfless devotion.

MVPs are role models who demonstrate work-related and personal goals to which others aspire. Roofing professionals are encouraged to nominate employees for an MVP award to recognize their outstanding contributions through on-the-job performance and workmanship and for their outstanding performance and other noteworthy contributions outside the workplace.

In addition, one MVP winner will be chosen to be Professional Roofing’s and OMG Roofing Products, Inc.’s Best of the Best. The person selected as the Best of the Best typically stands out in both categories.

Deadline for nominations is Nov. 19, 2021. Applications and additional information can be found at roofingalliance.net/programs/mvp/.

Gold Circle Awards

The Roofing Alliance’s prestigious Gold Circle Awards program recognizes Roofing Alliance and NRCA members for outstanding professionalism, innovation, safety and workmanship in roofing. Unique roofing-related jobs (commercial or residential), programs and services completed between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2021, are eligible. Roofing contractors are encouraged to submit their best work for a chance to earn this elite recognition. High-resolution photos of before, during and after are critical for a successful entry.

Roofing Alliance and NRCA members are nominated for contributions to the roofing industry in three categories:

• Outstanding Workmanship: Outstanding workmanship applies to steep-slope and low-slope projects that exceed standard roofing practices. Submitted projects must be unique, creative and useful.

• Innovative Solutions: A smart or unique solution to a problem; an environmentally friendly project; a unique software program/service specific to the roofing industry; or innovative equipment specifically designed for the roofing industry.

• Safety Preparedness and Performance: Safety is integral to a successful roofing project. Completed jobs that exemplified safety preparedness, execution and review are eligible for nomination.

All entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges within the roofing industry. The highest-ranking entries will determine the winner.

The deadline for Gold Circle Awards is Oct. 22, 2021. Applications and additional information can be found at roofingalliance.net/gold-circle-awards-program/.

CHICAGO — The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has released a new white paper, “Retrofitting Existing Roofing with Metal.” The document details the benefits of installing a new metal retrofit roof system over existing conventional roofs, with a focus on residential construction.

The MCA has also made available the first of several releases of industry-standard guide specifications. The first release consists of two specifications, based on criteria applicable to IMPs captured within the International Building Code (IBC). The specifications, prepared by the Insulated Metal Panel (IMP) Alliance of MCA, are intended to assist designers in construction of project specifications of the IBC 2018 version.

Retrofitting Existing Roofing with Metal

The versatility of retrofit metal roofing translates into many advantages, including cost-saving considerations like long service life, resilience, extended warranties and even energy savings. Along with these, metal retrofitting offers enhanced aesthetics, and avoiding the need to dispose of the existing roofing materials, an issue that annually contributes between nine and 10 million tons of waste to landfills.

The paper continues with details of retrofit installation methods, including direct-to-deck installation, where the metal panels are installed directly over the existing roofing materials, over-purlin installation, where horizontal wood or metal zee or hat-shaped purlins are installed directly over the existing roofing materials, and above-sheathing ventilation, a common energy-saving strategy used when installing metal retrofit systems.

“With more and more people recognizing the myriad of benefits that retrofitting their existing roof provides, this paper is an absolute must-read. Retrofitting allows you to potentially transform the façade of your structure, and gain so many environmental and economic benefits,” said James Bush, MCA executive committee chair.

The paper is available for download at metalconstruction.org/index.php/online-education/retrofitting-existing-roofing-with-metal.

Insulated Metal Panel IBC Specifications for Roofs and Walls

IMPs are lightweight composite exterior wall and roof panels with metal skins and an insulating foam core. These panels have superior insulating properties and their outstanding spanning capabilities and one-pass installation makes them quick to install, saving costs compared to other wall assemblies.

Like all building materials, IMPs must meet the provisions of the building code in effect for the project and site under consideration. However, certain basic parameters listed in this specification are generally required for use on most commercial buildings in the U.S. Going forward, they will be used as base documents for MCA’s educational efforts.

The package has two separate downloadable specifications, one for roofs and the other for walls. Each includes the design and performance requirements, as well as sections on approved manufacturers and the delivery, storage, and handling of the materials.

“Safety is always at the forefront in the metal construction industry,” said RC Antal, MCA’s IMP Alliance chair. “By arming designers with the specifications to meet the highest standards, they are empowered to create their best, most enduring constructions.”

To review the paper, visit IMP IBC Specifications.

ROSEMONT, Ill. — In July, more than 300 respondents in the U.S. and Canada shared their perspectives on the current state of the reroofing industry by completing the most recent Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing. The survey takes the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and serves as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions.

Survey participants included roofing contractors (67%) and roof consultants (33%). Most respondents indicated they provide low-slope and steep-slope roofing services (46%) or exclusively work on low-slope roof systems (42%). All regions of the U.S. and most Canadian provinces were represented.

The survey results indicate opportunities in the reroofing industry improved or held steady during the second quarter of 2021 when compared with the same quarter in 2020.

More than half (54%) of respondents indicated their customer inquiries increased. Twenty-nine percent of respondents reported no change in activity, and 17% indicated a decrease in customer inquiries. Project contracts increased for 54% of respondents, 28% of respondents indicated no change in activity and 17% reported a decrease in project contracts.

Data comparing business during the first and second quarters of 2021 revealed similar patterns:

• Customer inquiries increased for 53% of respondents, did not change for 31% of respondents and decreased for 16%.

• Project contracts increased for 53% of respondents, did not change for 33% of respondents and decreased for 15%.

As of July 2021, 16% of roofing contractors reported no project backlogs, 38% reported project backlogs of one to two months and 20% reported project backlogs of three to four months. Twenty-six percent of roofing contractors reported project backlogs of five months or more.

The survey is an industrywide effort spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

The complete results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are available to those who participate in the survey via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics. Any contractor or consultant who wants to participate in next quarter’s brief survey can sign up for a notification at bit.ly/37ank7D.

In accepting the WORLD Award from National Women in Roofing (NWiR) during NWiR Day, one might’ve thought Christine Mockenhaupt won the Super Bowl as she expressed her desire to go to Disney World.

“This is for my daughter — she’s going to be 16 this month, and yes, we are headed to Disney,” Mockenhaupt said.

During NWiR Day on Aug. 8, the organization named its second-ever WORLD (Woman of Outstanding Roofing Leadership and Distinction) Award winner. The award was created to honor a roofing professional based on their commitment to the industry, perseverance against the odds, identifying a new service or contribution to the industry, and making a difference in their roofing niche.

A total of 11 women were nominated for the 2021 award. This year’s winner is Mockenhaupt, regional ops controller – east division for SRS Distribution.

“I want to thank you all for your support, and I just want to continue to serve you and help you guys grow,” said Mockenhaupt.

Mockenhaupt began her roofing career in 2003 as a senior accountant for Allied Building Products, working her way up to manager of financial reporting in 2006 before becoming divisional controller – exterior products in 2013. She attended Montclair State University, earning an MBA in 2016.

In the Allied/Beacon merger, Mockenhaupt stayed on with the company, becoming the financial planning and analysis manager. In 2019, SRS Distribution recruited her as the manager of financial planning and analysis, and as of this year, promoted her to regional operational controller.

Aside from her career, Mockenhaupt gives back to the industry through NWiR, having been instrumental in the New Jersey chapter’s growth and serving as its chair from 2017 to 2020. She now serves as chair of the NWiR’s councils committee. She has also served as a volunteer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Mockenhaupt recalled first joining NWiR alongside her fellow nominees and heading to the International Roofing Expo with the goal of expanding upon NWiR. Addressing the room of women as well as those who couldn’t attend, she expressed her appreciation for how far NWiR has come, especially in the face of the pandemic.

“What we learned from COVID is it took away all the boundaries ... we make relationships across the country in this last year and a half, and now we get to see everybody in person today, it’s just so overwhelming,” she said.

She dedicated the award to her daughter, who Mockenhaupt said is still figuring out her career path, but she is encouraging her to consider the roofing industry.

The other finalists for this year’s WORLD Award included Jill Bloom, publisher of Roofing Contractor, and Michelle Boykin, COO of Rackley Roofing in Carthage, Tenn.