Building tomorrow with a little help from the past

BY JON GOLDSTEIN WITH FRANK ISTUETA

In modern times, our future-focused culture is always fixated on “The Next Big Thing.” What are the new features on the new Ford F150? How will 14 NFL playoff teams impact postseason play? Should I keep Hulu+ or get Disney+ for the kids? New is trendy. New is exciting. New is what grabs our attention. But is new always the right way to go? To discuss this, I sat down with Frank Istueta of Istueta Roofing, South Florida’s most trusted roofer since 1985. Cutting right to the chase, Frank shared with me his thoughts on what’s new, and why old-school products remain his go-to choice.

New doesn’t mean best

You have to be careful—not all new construction materials should be used, Frank explained. The latest products on the market might not live up to their claims. Frank cited waterproofing as an example and how new coating products are claiming 10, 20, 50-year warranties. Some of these products aren’t even able to hold up for 10 years, let alone 50! There are plenty of manufacturers out there that are making false claims, like how their white coating can be used on all types of surfaces. In reality, not all materials can be used on most surfaces. This is why you have to be selective with the ones you choose. For these reasons and more, it’s always important to see how new products perform for others, before purchasing them yourself. You don’t want to be the bad example that other companies learn from.

Nature gets final say

A big factor in product selection is your client’s home environment. This is especially true of Istueta’s clients, whose houses are located in the tropical climate of southern Florida. While a new synthetic underlayment might be a smart choice for some, Istueta Roofing knows that this material will perform poorly in the Florida climate. Ventilation can be a significant problem, leading to trapped moisture and attic temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.

Consistency is key

TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), a single-ply roofing membrane that covers the surface of the roof, came to market as a quality material with a cheaper price point than the competition. Over the years, TPO has changed up its formulation and offered additional products to improve the material’s results. This is a red flag. A trusted material should not have its manufacturer constantly updating how it is made. You want a product to provide the same quality, year after year.

Be brand loyal

If you have a company with materials that have never let you down, why try something new? For Frank Istueta, this company is Ludowici. Established in 1888, this Ohiobased company has proven itself time and time again. According to the company

site, “Ludowici clay tiles are the highest quality available, which is why they adorn thousands of historic and newly built structures around the world. Meticulously crafted in New Lexington, Ohio from locally sourced materials, our products are infinitely customizable and carry a 75-year warranty.” Designed to be high end with low water absorption, Ludowici tiles are perfect for Frank’s clients.

Innovation is on the way

As discussed, it’s important to not get overly excited about a new product or material until it has been time-tested and proven successful. That said, there are some exciting new products on the horizon that are worth keeping an eye on. They could very well change the way we build, repair and remodel homes. Aluminum foam — By injecting air into molten metal, this surprisingly strong, light weight material can provide quality cladding for your next project. What’s more, this material is 100% recyclable.

WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKS, DON’T FALL FOR THE ALLURE OF A NEW PRODUCT. WAIT UNTIL YOU KNOW THAT THE NEW PRODUCT YOU’RE INTERESTED IN IS AS PROVEN TO WORK AS THE ONE YOU’RE USING NOW.

Bamboo-reinforced concrete — Instead of using rebar to support concrete, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology has found a way to use a bamboo fiber and organic resin mixture. This mixture prevents the bamboo from rotting, while

keeping it strong. Using bamboo over steel presents a smart, eco-friendly option when it comes to choosing products for your next project. Pollution-absorbing bricks — Designed to work in concert with a building’s ventilation system, pollution-absorbing bricks cycle pollutants out of the air like a vacuum—this improves a building’s overall air quality and provides fresher air for its inhabitants. Self-healing concrete — Concrete has been a dependable material for ages. That is until it cracks. But now, there are concretes coming to market that use a mixed-in bacteria to help self-heal any damage by developing calcite to fill in the cracks. All that’s needed is the addition of a littler water to activate this process. When choosing materials for future jobs, keep in mind everything that Frank and I discussed. Choose quality over novelty. Time-tested over now available. Allow new products to prove themselves before taking a chance and putting your company’s reputation at risk. You’ll be glad you did. For more information, or help in choosing the best products, feel free to contact your friends at CCN.

About Istueta Roofing: A multi-generational family business, Istueta Roofing is the only roofing contractor in South Florida that specializes in both residential roofing and new construction roof installation for high-end and ocean front homes. Learn more about their business at istuetaroofing.com Sources: Blog.plangrid.com | Constructionnews.co.uk | Ludowici.com | Reganindustrial.com | Roofcalc.org