Contractor Advantage May / June 2020 by Espress Labs Inc.

SIDE EFFECTS

Publications Mail Agreement #40006677

GARAGE DOORS WORTH A SECOND GLANCE

RAISING THE ROOF

May / June 2020

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Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. is a Canadian member-owned, Lumber, Building Materials and Hardware buying group representing over 300 member locations across Canada.

Contractor Advantage Magazine is the exclusive publication of Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. featuring quality Castle vendor brands available at Castle Building Centres locations. Visit castle.ca to find a Castle location in your area.

Editorial Director Castle Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. Jennifer Mercieca Publisher - Espress Labs Inc. Dan Alexander Managing Editor Teresa Christine Art Director AŃ&#x2014;cha Niazy Contributors Danila Di Croce Lawrence Cummer Teresa Christine

Advertising Inquiries Jennifer Mercieca Director of Communications Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 jmercieca@castle.ca Material Contact Maryam Bashir Marketing Coordinator Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 mbashir@castle.ca

MAY / JUNE 2020 Volume 25 Issue 3

Published and designed exclusively for Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. by Espress Labs Inc. On the cover: Kaycan

ABOUT CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE // MAY - JUNE 2020

CONTRIBUTORS

DANILA DI CROCE Danila Di Croce is a Toronto-based writer with over 10 years of experience in the fields of media and education, including a Masters in Media Production from Ryerson University. Throughout her experience, Danila has worked in the areas of public relations, marketing, radio and television broadcast, and has contributed to various national publications on a wide range of topics including entrepreneurship, building construction, workplace health and safety and hospitality.

LAWRENCE CUMMER Lawrence (“Law”) Cummer is a freelance writer and editor and has been a frequent contributor to Contractor Advantage, Ideas and Rough Construction for nearly a decade. Over his more than 20-year career, Law has written about contracting and construction, general business, information technology, health and safety, personal finance and almost every topic in between. He has a passion for storytelling and sharing how people can work better, easier — and “smarter” — from contractors to technologists to business executives.

TERESA CHRISTINE Teresa is an accomplished communicator, copywriter and awardwinning Editor with the publication and design team at Espress Labs Inc. For fifteen years, she is also known, recognized and respected for her brand direction and creative instincts and has advised clients in various industries including construction, building materials, consumer and lifestyle. Her ghostwriting is proudly displayed through published content and across various digital platforms and print forms across the country and beyond.

JEREMY ESKENAZI Jeremy Eskenazi is an internationally recognized speaker, author of RecruitConsult! Leadership, and founder of Riviera Advisors, a boutique Recruitment/Talent Acquisition Management and Optimization Consulting Firm. For more information on Jeremy Eskenazi, please visit: www.RivieraAdvisors.com.

RAMZI JREIDINI Ramzi Jreidini is the CEO of Handiss, the freelancing platform made solely for the architecture and engineering industry where clients connect with top experts. Ramzi was a civil engineer before starting Handiss and experienced first hand the difficulties faced when employing and being employed within this industry.

LETTING IN SPRING //

CONTENTS

TABLE OF OF TABLE

8 17 22 30 36

SIDE EFFECTS

From richer shades to faux wood finishes, siding choices are making a big impact for homeowners

BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

8 Ways to Secure Top Talent Without Offering More Salary

GARAGE DOORS WORTH A SECOND GLANCE

While garage door selections may have been an after-thought in the past, today’s options propel homeowners to think twice about the type of curb appeal they want to create for their home

WHAT’S TRENDING Canada’s Sustainable Construction Push : Creating a Rising Demand for Green Architects

RAISING THE ROOF Improvements in roofing shingles and the growing popularity of steel are raising roof performance and longevity

// MAY - JUNE 2020

// EDITOR’S NOTE

In this issue of Contractor Advantage, we’ve got you covered; from the garage door, to choices in siding, right to the top of the roof shingles you select. Whether you’re building a new home or updating an older one, there is no denying that modernizing the exterior of a house can positively impact how homeowners feel about their home while also increasing its curb appeal. With a walk down the aisles of your local Castle location, there are options for every exterior makeover. Whether the job calls for a top-to-bottom update or a small change, reviving the outside of your home can help welcome Springtime.

LETTING IN SPRING //

Photo courtesy of Gentek

ON TH E I N S I DE

One thing remains certain, that no matter what is happening in our lives, our communities, or our world at large, time will go on and the seasons will change. Spring, perhaps more than any other time of the year, brings with it a sense of renewal, rejuvenation and regrowth. A time to shed some of the longer darker days, and start building for brighter, better days ahead. For some homeowners, this means starting from the outside.

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SIDE EFFECTS

From richer shades to faux wood finishes, siding choices are making a big impact for homeowners Written by Teresa Christine

Photo courtesy of Gentek

LETTING IN SPRING //

Whether you’re building a new home or updating an older one, your choice of siding can make a major impact on a new home. Innovations in technology and evolution in design means those choices are changing from season to season. Here, industry experts share what’s popular, what’s new and how to choose when it comes to siding for residential properties. EMBRACE THE DARK SIDE When it comes to style, there’s a move toward deeper, more stately shades. “Dark Colours in vinyl siding, colours like Gentek’s Marine Dusk or Iron Ore, are hot right now,” says Christine van Egmond, marketing manager for Gentek Building Products. “Dark colours, in general, have been gaining in popularity, whatever type of cladding it is.” Lighter shades, she says, have been fading in popularity in recent years, although they’re still being used in smaller measure. “More often than not lighter colours are being used simply as accent colours,” says van Egmond. Bruce Filek, national sales director, Retail Division with Duschene et Fils Ltee, agrees. “Vinyl siding growth trend remains strong in darker colors.” He adds, “The biggest development for Duchesne acrylic siding this year is the overwhelming success of our new color introduction,” says Filek, including Abyss Blue and Carbon Grey, recent additions to the company’s Newport line.

// MAY - JUNE 2020

Photo courtesy of Duchesne

Photo courtesy of Kaycan

LETTING IN SPRING //

FEATURE STORY // SIDE EFFECTS

Photo courtesy of Mitten Building Products

“For 2020 Mitten has introduced two new rich, bold colours, Yukon Grey and Huron Blue, that really round out our industry leading colour palate,” says Chris Ladner, product manager, Vinyl & Allied Siding at Mitten Building Products, part of the Cornerstone Building Brands family. “While darker greys and blues continue to gain popularity, earth tones such as light browns and greys are prominent as well.” He adds that black, too, continues to be a popular colour in the market. “It is mostly seen in accent pieces and Mitten offers a black vinyl soffit option that really stands out on a home,” says Ladner.

“Keep an eye out for these emerging colours — they will be changing neighborhoods and adding flair,” says Sousa.

Looking ahead, Diana Sousa, marketing manager for Kaycan, notes, “For 2020, we are predicting strong colour choices to continue. Stormy grays and deeper blues are going to be the ‘it’ shades.” Like Filek, she anticipates homeowners will increasingly turn to lighter trim shades to enhance those darker hues and brighten the overall look.

Ladner points out that while homeowners are looking for low maintenance products for their exteriors. “Sanding, painting and sealing the outside of your home takes away from time people could be spending with their family or on other activities,” he says. “Mitten distributes Lux Architectural Panel as a great way to achieve

KEEPING IT REAL (LOOKING) Another popular choice right now is woodlook siding. “Gentek sells faux wood products in a variety of materials such as steel, our Distinction product; PVC, our ChamClad product; and aluminum, our Longboard product,” says van Egmond. “These products give you a very realistic look of wood without the upkeep of real wood.”

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FEATURE STORY // SIDE EFFECTS

the woodgrain look with little need for upkeep,” says Ladner. Mitten, he notes, offers a line of variegated vinyl siding in four rustic colours with a distinctive woodgrain appearance, with all the benefits of vinyl siding, plus instant curb appeal. Low-maintenance and good looks are an appealing combination. “Gentek sells a product called Everlast Advanced Composite siding that ’s really gaining in popularity in Canada,” say van Egmond. “It never requires caulking or painting. It ’s also highly water resistant and contains no organic material, so it can’ t swell, bow, rot, or be attacked by wood-boring

insects.” It also comes in a wide panel width — something van Egmond notes is in demand with a growing number of homeowners. TO BOLDLY GO The use of mixed materials on home exteriors is popular right now, says Ladner, with home often cladded in more than just one type of material. “In a lot of new home builds and renovations, we are seeing stone products installed on the bottom of an exterior wall, siding installed in the middle and shake in the gable areas,” says Ladner.

Photo courtesy of Gentek // MAY - JUNE 2020

FEATURE STORY // SIDE EFFECTS

Photo courtesy of Kaycan

“We are definitely seeing a strong trend with mixing a variety of materials on the exterior,” says Sousa. “This is a great way to stand out and get noticed,” She notes as well that homeowners are becoming bolder with their choices. “The colours and materials they’re choosing are influenced by the clean lines and dark colours of much contemporary design,” she says. “Contrasting materials, like aluminum in our Urbanix Collection, paired with vinyl siding creates a stunning visual and adds a sleek modern touch to any architectural style.” ENGAGED CONSUMERS When tackling projects like exterior siding, homeowners are taking an increasing interest in the choices available to them, and investing a

LETTING IN SPRING //

growing amount of time in becoming well informed. “Homeowners want their home to reflect who they are, so they are taking their time and researching colours, styles and materials long before they are ready to purchase,” says Sousa, who points out that this means suppliers are able to connect with customers in ways they never have before. “The interaction this creates on social media is something we haven’t seen before, and dare we say it’s one of our favorite things,” says Sousa. “Being able to guide them on their buying journey by answering their questions and giving them ideas, allows us to feel like we are part of their project.” —

Please fill-out a ballot in-store or pick up an online entry code to enter online at participating Castle Building Centres locations. No Purchase Necessary. Visit www.castle.ca for a list of participating Castle locations. Contest opens June 15th, 2020.

8 WAYS TO SECURE TOP TALENT WITHOUT OFFERING MORE SALARY

Written by Jeremy Eskenazi

LETTING IN SPRING //

// BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

Hiring in North America has not been this challenging in a very long time. The employment rate is at an all-time high, and top candidates have been able to negotiate great packages for themselves as some get multiple offers. As you start looking for the next superstar to further your company’s goals, deciding how hard you can compete for talent is important. While there are trends making candidate relationship-building easier--such as text communication to schedule interviews or being able to offer more flexibility to the work schedule for some roles—money is still a primary driver for candidates. An important lesson many learn is that salary has traditionally been king. And this king is powerful because it compounds year over year on your list of expenses. Not every company can spend more now, but every company wants to attract and retain the best talent for their team. This is where the candidate experience and your employer brand can be a strategic differentiator as you explore

your flexibility to spend money. If we go back to cash being king for a moment, it’s important to remember that people don’t come to work just for money. Everyone wants to feel valued and work on interesting things for a great brand. As you think about experience, there are a few ways to minimize the amount of extra cash you need to help candidates consider your company over others. Understanding one-time costs versus compounding costs is a good starting point. If you can give someone an upfront, one-time cash bonus, it will save your company money year-over-year compared to a larger starting salary. When you get into their second year of employment, having to raise salary by a percentage compounds the cost and can add much more to your operating costs than a onetime payment. Even hourly employees in lower earning roles that are in high demand can be swayed with small cash bonus up front to help you gain a competitive advantage.

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As you approach your budget and talent needs for the next few quarters, you may find you have less flexibility to offer bigger salaries to help you win the talent war. While everything has some cost, there are alternative areas you can invest in that cost much less and will not steadily rise like a salary does. Here are eight of them that might help you: 1. OFFERING FLEXIBILITY Whether it is the start and end time of the workday, a compressed work week, or the of fer to work from home at times, these are all coveted of ferings. If the job allows for flexibility, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth considering.

LETTING IN SPRING //

2. COVERING PERKS There are tons of creative offerings that matter to employees and are often available at a small cost. A few examples are: subsidies for public transit, extra uniforms included on the company, meal services at work or delivered to the household, a monthly budget to use ridesharing services instead of commuting, free or discounted laundry/dry cleaning, popular gym or lifestyle club memberships or discounts.

3. JOB SHARING OR PART TIME WORK Many people have their own reasons for wanting to work less than full time. Of fering part time or job-sharing options where two people

// BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

perform what was once a full-time job can give you more coverage in talent and attract some amazing candidates who wouldn’ t otherwise be interested. 4. HAVING GOOD MANAGERS A positive workplace culture is a competitive advantage. If you invest in managers who care about their teams and prioritize teaching and

coaching employees, you will be able to attract, develop—and importantly—retain your top talent. It’s been proven many times that people work for people, not companies, so make sure your managers are good listeners, care about their people and can show empathy. 5. OFFERING HIRING BONUS/SIGNING BONUS Because these are one-time costs, they don’ t

// MAY - JUNE 2020

compound like salary does. A bonus can help you counter another offer and be equally attractive up front as many bonuses can be paid within the first three months and can have a condition of repayment if the employee leaves before a set amount of time. For hourly workers, a few hundred dollars up front can make a big difference in whether they decide if they want to join your organization. 6. STARTING BENEFITS COVERAGE EARLIER The traditional model for health care benefits in Canada and the United States has been to delay offering benefits for 90 days to get through a probation period. If you can offer these from day 1, especially in the United States where

LETTING IN SPRING //

bridging health care costs can be very high, this is a great employee incentive. A company could also offer to reimburse existing health costs or pay for the previous employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefits until the transition occurs. 7. REIMBURSING EDUCATION COSTS Another great non-compounding benefit is education subsidies. Skills change quickly and the investment in learning benefits both the employee and the company in the long term. 8. HAVING MODERN WORK TOOLS This one may seem obvious as computers are a standard today, but in device bring-your-owndevice era, offering a broad range to choose

// BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS

from or solid reimbursement plans for employees to have the latest and greatest is a draw. Think about workstations, cool collaboration spaces, high-quality headsets, dual monitors, choice of office chairs and health snacks. These are all things that attract candidates looking to have a positive work experience. Remember, money does reign as king. If you offer 30% less salary than your competitor, even this list will not help you win the talent war.

However, if you offer 30% more salary, your balance sheet might start to look a little funny and it will be difficult to sustain making above-market salary offers for many roles. The market is competitive and being creative with the advantages you can afford will help show candidates you care about their experience and that you understand what matters to them from a total offering perspective. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

// MAY - JUNE 2020

GARAGE DOORS WORTH A SECOND GLANCE

Written by Danila Di Croce

While garage door selections may have been an after-thought in the past, today’s options propel homeowners to think twice about the type of curb appeal they want to create for their home. For starters, when considering the aesthetics of a garage door, consumers nowadays have an abundance of choice. “There are about 12 standard colours now, and 15 different designs,” explains Mark Rennison, sales manager-distribution of Stewart Overhead Door. “The garage door is becoming more of a showpiece.” This in part is due to architectural changes of homes. Daryl Laprade, director of sales and business development at Creative Door ServicesTM explains that, “in the past, garage doors were placed in the alley, but now they are a large percentage of the frontage of a home.” With so much emphasis being placed on the garage door, it’s no wonder that designs are being incorporated into the overall aesthetic of the home. “There is a growing trend for custom colour which we offer as well,” says Rennison, “so we of ten will match the garage door to the front door.” As such, garage doors are taking on aesthetic trends of ten found on the front door of a home. Laprade confirms this, as he states that “one of the most popular designs for residential garage doors is a steel door that looks like wood grain, similar to the wood grain design found on fibre-glass front doors.” Furthermore, homeowners are stepping it up a notch and selecting unique window design placement and materials for their doors. Laprade agrees, “windows are being placed vertically instead of at the top of the door.

LETTING IN SPRING //

Photo courtesy of Stewart Overhead Door

// MAY - JUNE 2020

Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd

Furthermore, we are often seeing different finishes on the glass such as that of a brushed look.” As for the materials used for the doors, Travis Reynolds, national marketing manager of SteelCraft Door Products Ltd., discusses a unique option on the rise: “one trend gaining in popularity is that of glass doors being used in a residential application.” While glass doors have traditionally been reserved for commercial applications such as car washes, homeowners are beginning to enjoy this trend with options such as smoked glass, as well as a mirrored look. With all of these aesthetic changes, one must consider the hardware changes required as well. As Reynolds explains, “a garage door is a big

LETTING IN SPRING //

footprint in your home, so there should be a lot of thought that goes into it. While aesthetics should of course be considered, it’s what’s inside that counts; in other words, one must consider all the moving parts of the door and ensure that they are made well. At Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. we believe that a garage door needs to be engineered all together, and that’s what we do we manufacture them all together, in house, with Canadian steel and Canadian products.” When considering the makeup of the door, it is important to look at the R-value which determines the insulation of the door. Doors with a higher R-value will offer more insulation, which is something that not only helps the wallet

FEATURE STORY // GARAGE DOORS WORTH A SECOND GLANCE

but also the environment. As Laprade explains, “homeowners nowadays are really focusing on energy consumption. The garage door is the largest moving appliance in one’s home. With a traditional opening of 16 feet wide, there is a lot of air moving in and out and it can be difficult to get that air recovery; hence why we try to match the insulation of the door to the environment of the home. For instance, if our clients tell us their garage is heated, then we want to keep as much of that heat in as possible and so we will recommend a higher R-value door.” While these aspects are important to homeowners, they are equally, if not more, important to business owners who need to be respectful of energy efficiency as required by code. Aside from the insulation of the door, commercial applications

often request high performance doors which move quickly, thus also reducing air recovery. Another aspect to consider when looking at energy efficiency is the electrical operator system used for a door. As Laprade explains, “today’s newer operators are using DC power instead of AC power. DC power now draws power immediately like AC, instead its a gradual build up. Basically, it’s a soft start and a soft finish, so it slowly builds up to open and slows downs when it closes, which equates to less wear and tear on the hardware. The next level of innovation will be direct drive operators that eliminate the need for springs thereby reducing the maintenance required for a door. This already exists in the commercial space and will soon be available in the residential market. According to Rennison, “one DC power

Photo courtesy of Creative Door // MAY - JUNE 2020

Photo courtesy of Creative Door

opener that’s on the rise is the jackshaft opener it runs quieter, uses less electricity and cleans up the look.” The “clean” look is due to the machine being mounted to either the left or right side of the garage door opener instead of the traditional overhead position with a track and rail system. Some other interesting trends regarding operators include the integration of digital innovations, “the next wave is all about connectivity,” Laprade says. With the rise of online shopping, companies must address issues such as theft and weather conditions. Therefore, brands such as LiftMaster’s

LETTING IN SPRING //

myQ and Aladdin Connect by Genie are offering software compatible for smart phones, that allow for consumers to control their garage door from the palm of their hand regardless of where they are. Depending upon the type of opener chosen, consumers can have access to options such as audio and video to see and hear what is going on in their garage, real-time alerts when their garage door is being opened or closed, and temporary access codes for friends, family or service workers. Similarly, Rennison explains another digital innovation that is specifically helping businesses

FEATURE STORY // GARAGE DOORS WORTH A SECOND GLANCE

with preventative maintenance of their doors: “the new openers are able to record how many cycles the door goes through, so how many times the door goes up and down. They then send reports to the overhead business or to the owner, so that they can track when its time to do maintenance. This is cost efficient, as you don’t have to wait until something goes wrong, which can often lead to larger maintenance costs.”

to consider is that sometimes paying a little more upfront can save in the long run. As Reynolds explains, “sometimes customers may save $50 out of the gate, only to come back five years later having to replace hardware or finding that the door is not insulating properly. It is important for customers to be mindful of the longevity of doors; a good door should last for 15-20 years.” —

When it comes to garage doors in 2020, there are many bells and whistles one can choose from. While cost differences definitely apply, one thing

Photo courtesy of Stewart Door // MAY - JUNE 2020

Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd

LETTING IN SPRING //

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CANADA’S SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION PUSH :

CREATING A RISING DEMAND FOR GREEN ARCHITECTS Written by Ramzi Jreidini

Greenhouse gases from human activities have ensured that 2019 ended with a decade of exceptional global rises in temperature, retreating ice, and record sea levels. With a myriad of industrial activities in the modern world, carbon dioxide levels have risen higher than at any point in the past 800,000 years. Canada is seeing its share of climate change too. According to the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)’s report, temperatures in Canada have increased at roughly double the global mean rate. The Canadian government

LETTING IN SPRING //

aims to be carbon neutral by 2025 by redesigning some of their cities, increasing reliance on clean energy sources, investing in greener buildings and communities, speeding up the electrification of transportation, and adopting nature-based climate solutions. This means Canadian construction is evolving to become greener. As a consequence, many of Canada’s construction projects are seeking architects specialized in a particular area -sustainable or green architects. So, what do these green architects do?

WHAT’S TRENDING

GREEN VS. REGULAR ARCHITECTS As opposed to regular architects, who design and plan the construction of a building, green or sustainable architects have a more specialized job description. They focus on the role a building structure will play in its environment.

materials that don’t need replacing often and also avoid the use of non-renewable resources. This means they choose solar energy for power, waterconserving bathrooms, and a climate control system that is energy-efficient. In addition, they focus on natural ventilation and natural light.

Green architects study the different kinds of materials used in construction, then make their selection based on the impact the material will have on the environment. For example, they only use materials that don’t contribute to landfills, ensuring all the building’s systems and equipment have high energy-efficiency ratings.

Green architects are essentially architects with traditional skills, but with a deeper understanding of how to integrate newer technology and regulations to create green buildings.

Plus, they prefer using locally-produced materials to lessen dependency on truck transportation, thereby avoiding pollution. They opt for durable

CANADA’S 2020 STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE GREEN CONSTRUCTION Canada has been increasing its involvement in green construction over the past few years. Some of the trends that the Canadian government are implementing include:

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// NET-ZERO ENERGY (NZE) HOUSING Net Zero buildings boast features like triple-pane windows, heavy insulation, and building materials with a high insulation-value. Taken together, these measures make it less energy-intensive to maintain a steady comfortable temperature. SOLAR ENERGY FOR HEATING Canada’s harsh winters have made furnaces and traditional baseboard heating popular. But today’s developers are working to find ways to cut down reliance on natural gas and electricity. One sustainable solution is using roof-mounted solar panels that absorb the sun’s rays and direct their energy into a gravel pit under the building, where it powers electric pumps for heating.

WHAT’S TRENDING

HVAC HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) has a great impact on how green buildings are graded by bodies like LEED® and Energy Star, something Canada has been interested in. Some examples of automated (IoT) HVAC systems include equipment that monitors humidity, ambient temperature, the number of people in a given room, and carbon monoxide levels. This is creating opportunities for green architects and technician jobs in HVAC. THE FUTURE IS IN GREEN JOBS Along with the trends above, a surge in demand for green materials is being projected. Significant shifts in the supply and demand of key materials

// MAY - JUNE 2020

will bring in changes for industry buyers, as well as the Canadian manufacturing industry, thus leading to high demands of green designers.

sector continues to promote the career options that energy efficiency can provide, as well as its role in the fight against climate change.

According to a report by the Vancouver Economic Commission, demand for fenestration products, insulation, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), HVAC equipment and more is expected to rise to over CAD $33B annually in Metro Vancouver alone between 2019 and 2032. This will generate a demand for more specialists with knowledge in energy efficiency.

FINDING THE RIGHT GREEN ARCHITECT FOR A PROJECT The last two years saw energy efficiency roles in Canada take up 20% of all construction jobs, with a marked spike in direct employment in the construction industry for energy efficiency roles. In fact, this sub-sector is witnessing a rise in job creation that is faster than the Canadian economy as a whole. Experts are predicting the creation of strong competition over the small talent pool that will be available.

However, with over 36,000 jobs created in energy efficiency in Canada between 2018-2019, the industry remains in a deficit of the workers it needs. While more and more green architects are entering the field, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital that the construction

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The significance of finding the right green architect for a project rises from the precision required in

// the recruitment process. Sustainable architects perform several specific tasks, and hence aren’t easily found in the job market. To find the right person for the job, a client should seek out professionals with sustainable design academic qualifications, such as the LEED® certification. Green architects often gain these qualifications in addition to their degree in order to be well informed about compliance and regulations. In addition, academic achievements should come hand-in-hand with relevant professional experience working on green projects. Clients should make sure to dive deep into the architect’s portfolio of completed and ongoing projects to find examples of successful similar work. In fact, many architectural

WHAT’S TRENDING

firms specialize in sustainable design, so by seeking out an architect from one of these firms, they have a higher chance of finding a professional that’s well-versed in green architecture. With the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2025, Canada is taking up green construction in a big way, and green architects will be a foundational part of this. But there are certain ways in which the construction industry should maximize the expertise of these individuals. By carefully matching each project to the right architect based on specific needs, and creating the space for more of these experts to enter the industry, Canada will be well on its way to achieving that 2025 goal. —

// MAY - JUNE 2020

RAISING THE ROOF

Improvements in roofing shingles and the growing popularity of steel are raising roof performance and longevity. Written by Lawrence Cummer

LETTING IN SPRING //

Photo courtesy of IKO

As homeowners across Canada weather various storms and changes in climate, is roof performance becoming more top of mind? The short answer is yes, according to manufacturers with their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the roofing industry. While the impact of climate change can be felt across the construction industry, it’s having a palpable ef fect in roofing where microburst storms, temperature and weather events impact

everything from installation to durability. Today’s windstorms, for example, can wreak havoc on a home, but especially roofs. As a result, homeowners, builders and contractors are seeking roofing products that stand up to the challenge. For their part, manufacturers have pivoted to meet them. “The industry is seeing more climate changerelated events such as microburst storms,” said Rob Davidson, vice-president of residential

// MAY - JUNE 2020

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What keeps you up at night? Is it the howling wind, or worry over what it might be doing to your reputation? Wake up to peace of mind with IKO’s Performance Shingles with ArmourZone™. You’ll sleep better knowing your roofing jobs are covered by a 210 km/h (130 mph) Limited Wind Warranty1. The ArmourZone is an oversized 1-1/4” wide nailing area reinforced by a tear-resistant, woven band inserted into and extending beyond the common bond. It makes nail placement easy and helps prevent pull through in high winds. So go ahead. Elevate your roof with IKO Nordic and Dynasty Shingles with ArmourZone. You’ll sleep easier, and your customers will too.

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See Limited Warranty for complete terms, conditions, restrictions, and application requirements.

FEATURE STORY // RAISING THE ROOF

sales, Canada, at IKO Industries. “And, you know, in our business the job is to keep shingles on the roof, so we’ve gone the route of of fering a per formance line of shingles with reinforced nailing zones to give contractors the confidence that the product will stay on [during such events].” IKO’s performance shingles fortified with the company’s ArmourZone nailing surface are designed to resist winds of up to 130 mph. Davidson adds that in addition to adding a reinforced (and wider) nailing zone, the company has added impact resistant shingles for regions that face a lot of hail. “We continue to evaluate ways to improve,” he adds. “What we want to make is the most userfriendly product, keeping contractors in mind… and has the strength to hold the product on the roof allowing it to properly seal.” Weather and temperature play, of course, another role in roofing installs, as the window in which roofing is conducted has evolved. “When

I started in this business 20 to 25 years ago, it used to be that winter was a dead season,” says Eric Belley, product manager for roofing at Building Products of Canada Corp. “Now, roofing is going on year-round.” That has caused companies like his to place an even higher focus on wind resistance, since heat-activated sealing strips are less ef fective in winter temperatures. This, he says, has challenged manufacturers like BP to rise to the challenge of making sealing strips that are much more versatile. SUSTAINABILITY Hand-in-glove with climate change is sustainability and homeowners are increasingly seeking eco-friendly, sustainable roofing products. This demand, along with longevity, has been one of the driving forces in residential adoption of steel roofing, says Geoff Bernstein, product manager at Vicwest Building Products. “Metal roofing in the rural market has been the gold standard for the last century, and only now are we seeing demand being generated in urban and suburban markets,” he says. “You’re seeing

Photos courtesy of Building Products of Canada // MAY - JUNE 2020

Photo courtesy of Westman Steel

Baby Boomers who are kind of caught asking ‘do we sell our home, or do we renovate?’ And so many are renovating, staying in their home longer, and they want to be able to have a lifetime solution for their home.” On the sustainability front, Bernstein notes that 70% of his company’s steel roofing product is post-consumer steel and is itself 100% recyclable. From an energy efficiency perspective, he says that paint coat systems have improved so much they can now be Energy Star compliant, reducing heat transfer and ultimately energy bills. It’s not just steel shingles where colour and solar-reflectivity — and their impact on energy efficiency — are showing value. For example, Davidson points to IKO’s Cambridge Cool Colors family of shingles that strike a delicate balance between some of the darker tones popular with homeowners and solar reflection to prevent heat absorption. “It took a lot of research, but we got it and we’re at the forefront of this,” Davidson says.

LETTING IN SPRING //

SOLID GROWTH IN STEEL ROOFS Greg Gardenits, director of sales and marketing for the Prairies at Westman Steel Industries says he’s seeing the market for steel roofing continues to grow. He looks to increased adoption in the U.S. as a leading indicator but is also seeing the trend coming to Canada, especially in new construction. “Of course, when the economy is good it’s easier to put that steel roof into the mortgage.” He attributes issues of longevity, energy efficiency and sustainability to the reason for this increase, but also building and fire codes due to recent fires in B.C. and Ontario. If one had to replace a roof clad with Westman Steel, he notes, the product is 100% recyclable. Because steel is a screw-down application, Gardenits suggests performance benefits to metal as well. He notes his company’s steel roofing is rated for 150 mph winds. Longevity is a key reason for steel’s popularity, according to Patric Saint-Denis, general sales manager at Ideal Roofing Company Ltd. Warranties

FEATURE STORY // RAISING THE ROOF

Photos courtesy of IDEAL Roofing

for metal roofs are very commonly twice that of those found for asphalt shingles, he points out. He says that longevity is of particular value to an aging population of homeowners, perhaps in their 50s and 60s, who don’t want to bother with another roofing project in their senior years. Long-term aesthetics is also playing a role, he suggests, adding that the company’s metal shingles don’t curl, crack, rot, break, chip, peel or streak under normal use. Advances in colour-matching allow homeowners to match the shingles directly with a home’s cladding, adding to their popularity, Saint-Denis notes. Of course, one of the challenges contractors face is helping homeowners to better understand the value around their roofing decisions. Saint-Denis suggests there are some very skilled roofers that need to better demonstrate their value and the benefits of a specific system to their customers.

The smart choice for smart homes

A COMPLETE SYSTEM Manufacturers all point to the importance of viewing the roof as a system. This represents an important role the contractor can play in helping the homeowner make informed decisions. “One important thing that contractors shouldn’ t overlook is the opportunity to educate homeowners about, not only the roof itself, but the benefits of installing a complete roofing system with qualifying accessories,” says Bobby Fischer, vice president of contractor programs at GAF. “Ensuring homeowners understand all of the components of a complete roofing system, as well as the available warranties that come with the system — both manufacturer and installer — can be very valuable to both the contractor and the homeowner.” Warranty is, of course, another area that contractors take the time to educate themselves and their customers, Belley says. Not all warranties are created equal and, of course, there are typically separate warranties for roofing systems and shingles, he notes. Whether the warranty is pro-rated and

// MAY - JUNE 2020

FEATURE STORY // RAISING THE ROOF

transferable are also important factors, Belley suggests, pointing to his company’s 20-year non-pro-rated warranties. While it might seem obvious, he adds, contractors should take the time to remind homeowners of the value of the actual paperwork, and to be cognizant about filing their warranty sheets. LABOUR CHALLENGES Of course, education and ease-of-use are important factors to consider as access to skilled labour continues to be a challenge. It’s one of the factors involved in, for example, IKO adding wider nailing zones to its performance shingles, or snappable hips and ridges, all to make the job easier and faster for contractors.

It’s an issue that seems top of mind across the industry. “Access to skilled labor is the top challenge limiting the growth of the roofing industry and its ability to address the increasing demand from home and property owners,” Fischer says. GAF recently launched the GAF Roofing Academy, providing tuition-free skills training and access to job placement for prospective roofers. Rising to the challenge of higher homeowner demands, meeting increased performance requirements and doing it fast may separate the wheat from the chaff in the year ahead. “The key to a contractor’s successful 2020,” Fischer adds, “Will be ensuring they have enough skilled labour to tackle any job fast and efficiently.” —

Photo courtesy of GAF

// MAY - JUNE 2020