Florida Roofing Magazine - April 2016

Florida

April 2016

ROOFING A Publication of the FRSA – Florida’s Association of Roofing Professionals

Unlocking the Power of the Sun FRSA-Inspired Research: Fastener Corrosion and Sealed Attics Code Compliance Now Key to Skylight Selection and Installation Five Key Technologies for Roofing Contractors

S.T.A.R. Award Specialty Metal Roofing and Sheet Metal Project Winner, Imperial Roofing of Polk County Inc

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

April 2016

Florida

ROOFING Now Available Online at www.floridaroof.com/florida-roofing-magazine

FRSA-Florida Roofing Magazine Contacts:

14

COVER STORY: Cool Roofs 101

The roof stands on the front lines in the battle against the heat. A cool roof can keep building occupants more comfortable and save energy. The Cool Roof Rating Council provides design and installation information and helps make sense of ratings for all types of cool roofs.

9 | S.T.A.R Award Specialty Metal Roofing and Sheet Metal Project Winner (Cover Photo)

The 2015 S.T.A.R. Awards highlighted the premier roofing and sheet metal projects from throughout Florida. Here’s a look at the project that received the Specialty Metal Roofing and Sheet Metal Project category award.

For advertising inquiries, contact: Heidi Ellsworth at: heidi@floridaroof.com (800) 767-3772 ext. 127 All feedback including Letters to the Editor and reprint permission requests (please include your full name, city and state) contact: Lisa Pate, Editor, at: lisapate@floridaroof.com (800) 767-3772 ext. 157 Florida Roofing Magazine, PO Box 4850 Winter Park, FL 32793-4850 View media kit at: www.floridaroof.com/ florida-roofing-magazine

10 | Unlocking the Power of the Sun

2016 is a better year than ever for homeowners to take advantage of solar roof installations. In Florida, work remains on the legislative front to make the technology even more accessible.

On the iPad

12 | FRSA-Inspired Research: Fastener Corrosion and Sealed Attics

University of Florida research continues to gather objective data; in part thanks to a grant from the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation.

www.is.gd/iroofing

20 | Five Key Technologies for Roofing Contractors

Taking time to get a handle on these five straightforward technologies will help your business run with more efficiency and agility.

Any material submitted for publication in Florida Roofing becomes the property of the publication. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the author(s) alone and do not imply an opinion or endorsement on the part of the officers or the membership of FRSA. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission from the publisher.

Florida Roofing (VOL. 1, NO. 4), April 2016, (ISSN 0191-4618) is published monthly by FRSA, 7071 University Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32792. Periodicals Postage paid at Orlando, FL. POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections (form 3579) to Florida Roofing, PO Box 4850, Winter Park, FL 32793-4850.

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

3

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Donnie Harp

Convention and Expo Countdown Preparations have been finalized for FRSA’s 94th Annual Convention and the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Expo, taking place in Orlando, June 16-18. Convention brochures have been sent out to FRSA member companies detailing all the events.

The FRSA Educational and Research Foundation is offering 17 seminar courses, all approved with continuing education credits, for a total of 27 available credit hours.

Topics include the mandatory hours in addition to courses on customer service, preventative maintenance, OSHA recording keeping requirements and the use of drones in the roofing industry. A really good variety of seminars.

Members have started submitting their S.T.A.R. Awards projects through the website portal on the convention page, www.floridaroof.com/convention. The submission process is extremely easy this year. Once you’re logged on to the Convention page, click on the S.T.A.R. Awards button on the left bar, enter your information, upload your photos and click submit! The deadline for submitting 2015 projects is May 2.

There are three sports tournaments taking place on Thursday, June 16 – a golf tournament at ChampionsGate Golf Club, a fishing tournament at Sunrise Marina in Cape Canaveral and a clay shooting tournament at Tenoroc Shooting Range in Lakeland. All of the tournaments sold out

last year, so be sure to book early!

The host hotel is the Hyatt Regency Orlando and the room block is now open. You’ll need to go online to book your rooms.

The deadline for the room block is May 15.

The Affiliate Competition will take place on Friday afternoon on the expo floor. FRSA affiliates will compete in a NASCAR simulator race car for the FRSA President Donnie Harp right to be called the badImperial Roofing of Polk County, Winter Haven dest simulator driver in roofing! Rules for the competition will be finalized by the Affiliate Council this week.

We’ve also brought back the Welcome Reception, officially kicking off the Convention and Expo on Thursday evening!

The reception is open to all, and we hope you’ll stop by and meet the Association team. FRSA Executive Committee members and staff will be onsite to welcome you.

The Expo is almost sold out, with over 190 exhibiting companies taking 324 booths, many of them first time exhibitors. We’re very excited with the industry turnout, and hope contractors will make the time to visit the expo floor.

As I’ve mentioned before in my previous columns, being prepared for a disaster is essential and I encourage you to take the time to put a plan in place for your family, company and employees. Weather patterns this year have been unpredictable all across the country. Put a plan in place and don’t get caught unprepared. FRSA members can access generic plans on the member’s only section of the website, www.floridaroof.com, download them and tailor them to their own needs.

On April 23, 2016 “Team FRSA” will participate in the Great Strides walk for Cystic Fibrous Foundation, this years’ Charity of Choice. If you’d like to walk with us, contact Meghan Roth at 800-767-3772 ext. 123 or go online and support a team member. To donate to a team member, visit http://bit.ly/TeamFRSA, and click the “Donate to a Team Member” button.

God Bless!

Donnie Harp – FRSA President donnieharp@msn.com

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

5

FRSA LEGAL COUNSEL Trent Cotney, PA

OSHA Confined Space Standard for Construction, Part II This month’s article continues the discussion of OSHA’s new confined space standard. In order to better understand the new standard’s allocation of responsibility, it’s helpful to understand the definitions of the parties involved with the permit space. A competent person is one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. A controlling contractor is the employer that has overall responsibility for construction at the worksite. A host employer is the employer that owns or manages the property where the construction is taking place. The entry employer, which is a new term to the standard, refers to any employer who decides that an employee it directs will enter a permit space; in other words, this may be a roofing contractor, whether a contractor or subcontractor.

An attendant is an individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who assesses the status of authorized entrants and who must perform duties specified by section 29 CFR 1926.1209. An entry supervisor refers to the qualified person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as required.

Before beginning work on a worksite, a competent person must identify all confined spaces and permit spaces. If the worksite contains a permit space, the roofing contractor must inform exposed employees and the controlling contractor of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space. If employees will not be entering permit spaces, the roofing contractor must take measures to prevent those employees from entering. If employees will enter a permit space, the roofing contractor must have a written permit space program. The OSHA website provides an example program for reference.

Before operations begin, the host employer must coordinate with the controlling contractor and provide information about the location, hazards, and precautions taken with regard to the permit space. The controlling contractor must communicate that information to and coordinate with each entity which may enter the permit space or whose activities may result in a hazard in the permit space. The controlling contractor must ensure that multiple entry employers do not create hazards for each other. The entry employer must inform the controlling contractor of the permit space program that 6

FLORIDA ROOFING | April 2016

it will follow and the foreseeable hazards in each permit space.

As part of the permit space program, each entry employer must: ■■ Develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations; ■■ Provide and maintain equipment and ensure employees use equipment properly; ■■ Provide training to each employee whose work is regulated by the standard in a language the employee can understand and before the employee is assigned duties under the standard; ■■ Provide an attendant outside the permit space; ■■ Develop and implement rescue and emergency procedures; and ■■ Develop and implement a system for the issuance and cancellation of entry permits. See www.osha.gov.

The requirements of the program are explained in greater detail in section 29 CFR 1926.1204.

The entry employer must prepare an entry permit documenting the completion of the program requirements. The specific requirements of the entry permit are listed in section 29 CFR 1926.1206. The entry supervisor must sign the entry permit in order to authorize entry.

Once entry operations have begun, each entry employer must inform the controlling contractor of the permit program followed and any hazards confronted or created during entry operations. The controlling contractor must debrief each entity that entered a permit space regarding the permit program and hazards encountered or created during the entry. The controlling contractor must apprise the host employer of the information exchanged with the entry entities.

As entry operations proceed, the entry employer must continue to evaluate permit space conditions through testing and monitoring. A permit space may be reclassified as a non-permit space if a competent person determines that all of the conditions in 29 CFR 1926.1203(g) have been met. See www.osha.gov.

Although roofing contractors may be familiar with the general industry standard for confined spaces, there

are differences in the new construction-specific standard that should be reviewed. This article was prepared using the text of the standard which can be found at www.ecfr.gov and the useful summary pamphlet located at www.osha.gov/confinedspaces.

Author’s note: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal

advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Trent Cotney is Florida Bar Certified in Construction Law, General Counsel and a director of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), a director of the West Coast Roofing Contractors Association (WCRCA), and a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) and several other FRSA affiliates. For more information, contact the author at 813-579-3278 or visit www.trentcotney.com.

■■ Sadly, 8,000 people die each year - 22 people each day - because the organs they need are not donated in time.

■■ The average waiting time for a kidney from a deceased donor is 3 to 5 years. A kidney from a living donor offers patients an alternative to years of dialysis and time on the national transplant waiting list.

FRSA is a Florida Workplace Partner and we support Donate Life so that others may live. April is National Donate Life Month and what better time to become involved.

Below are some of the startling statistics for donations and transplants: ■■ It is estimated that nearly 30,000 patients began new lives in 2015 thanks to organ transplants (from 8,500 deceased and 6,000 living donors).

■■ 122,000 men, women and children await lifesaving organ transplants. More than 1,000 of them are 10 years old or younger.

■■ About 58% of patients awaiting lifesaving transplants are minorities.

■■ 13% of patients waiting are in need of a liver. Living donation of part of the liver is an option for these patients; the remaining portion will regenerate and regain full function. Partial lung, intestine and pancreas living donation are possible as well.

■■ More than 33% of all deceased donors are age 50 or older; more than 5% are age 65 or older.

■■ Each year, there are approximately 30,000 tissue donors and more than 1 million tissue transplants; the surgical need for donated tissue is steadily rising.

■■ A single tissue donor can help more than 50 people.

■■ 48,000 patients have their sight restored through corneal transplants each year.

■■ More than 121 million people, approximately 51% of the U.S. adult population, are registered organ, eye and tissue donors.

Help support this important campaign because all lives ■■ Another person is added to the nation’s organ transplant matter! To register your decision to save and heal lives, visit waiting list every 10 minutes. www.DonateLife.net.

What’s Wrong with this Picture?

Holes with 3/8-inch pipes

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

7

FRSA LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL Cam Fentriss

Balance is the Key As if all other problems in our great state have already been fixed, some of our politicians have decided to drum up a new “issue” to divert our attention from true difficulties that still need a lot of time and energy to find real solutions.

Somewhat suddenly, the leadership of the Florida House of Representatives seems to have declared all lobbyists evil.

Maybe true, maybe not, but this hard and fast conclusion is neither accurate nor fair.

So why would someone suddenly decide to label lobbyists evil? For one, lobbyists have institutional knowledge and memory that legislators (subject to term limits) do not, and that may be causing frustration for legislators who do not appreciate the experience and would prefer not to hear that failed history is about to repeat itself. Lobbyists may not be inclined to fully accept some “new” ideas for change because lobbyists are likely to remember the last time it was tried and did not work. An easy way to reject anyone who disagrees with your position is to simply declare the person evil. Also, with or without disagreement, a classic grab for power often includes characterizing someone as evil to boost your own standing and discredit and eliminate any challenge or opposition.

While you read this, you may not be so persuaded to side with icky lobbyists over elected officials, but let me make one giant crucial point that I think is easily overlooked (and probably overlooked by those politician’s eager to negatively label lobbyists). Lobbyists do not hang around Tallahassee for their own personal pleasure (evil or otherwise). Lobbyists are hired to advocate for the interests of people and organizations who are citizens, local businesses, residents, property owners, taxpayers, and VOTERS in the State of Florida.

We all know that power companies, big box stores, and others have lobbyists. But we need to remember that churches, schools, food banks, charities, and shelters have lobbyists too. Some of these legislators may believe that they do not need to hear from lobbyists because the legislators know enough to protect everyone’s interests. Isn’t that exactly the type of paternalism we did not like about Democrats who decided they could make all our decisions for us? I think it is. The only difference now is that Republicans want to do our thinking for us.

Am I advocating for voting out all Florida’s Republicans? Absolutely not because that would put us back to a place where Democratic leaders are calling lobbyists evil. Instead, I am advocating for moving Florida’s balance of Republicans and Democrats closer to fifty-fifty because that is the only time our elected officials really must listen to our concerns which typically just happen to be communicated to our legislators by lobbyists.

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FLORIDA ROOFING | April 2016

Anna Cam Fentriss is an attorney licensed in Florida since 1988 representing clients with legislative and state agency interests. Cam has represented FRSA since 1993, is an Honorary Member of FRSA, recipient of the FRSA President’s Award and the Campanella Award in 2010.

She is a member of the Florida Building Commission Special Occupancy Technical Advisory Committee, President of Building A Safer Florida Inc. and past Construction Coalition Chair (1995-1997).

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S.T.A.R. Award Specialty Metal Roofing and Sheet Metal Project Winner

Florida Roofing is continuing coverage of the winning projects from the 2015 S.T.A.R. Awards – the Spotlight Trophy for the Advancement of Roofing – which highlights industry projects throughout Florida.

FRSA members submitted their roofing projects completed during the previous year, along with an application detailing the project, and in-progress and completion photos for placement in one of six categories.

Project submission required a description including tear-off (if applicable), preparation, design work, installation, problem solving, and any other information that might be unique to the job, such as safety requirements or field fabrication.

Categories for submission included: Sustainable, Community Service, Steep Slope, Low Slope, Specialty Metal, and Unique.

Continued on page 11

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

9

Unlocking the Power of the Sun Tim Graboski, Owner, Tim Graboski Roofing

Florida’s roofing contractors are on the forefront of a new era. With today’s building technology the roof system is more than just weatherproofing, it provides us with a more intelligent way to live. In the sunshine state, the roof system can provide energy conservation as well as create electricity to power our homes. Whether retrofitting or during the installation of a new roof system, solar technologies should be considered for their many benefits and incentives. The 30 percent Federal Tax Incentive Credit and many local incentive programs provide opportunities to incorporate solar technologies with the roof.

In the year 2016, roofing contractors can offer a variety of cutting edge technologies with widespread applications that reduce home energy consumption, create electricity, heat water, improve existing equipment, and offer natural day lighting. The homeowner’s roof is the very heart of energy efficiency and distributed home energy production.

There are several solar options that are being installed by roofing contractors across the state today.

Tubular daylighting systems reduce daytime electricity needs and can be integrated in to the existing roof structure with minimal renovation. These new daylighting systems can be combined with LED lighting technology to provide a round-the-clock lighting solution. Solar thermal hot water systems, heating the home’s water and saving on energy intensive water-heating with electricity is a naturally effective solution for most Floridians and typically offers a quick return on investment. Solar photovoltaics (PV) provides electricity from the sun, and with a slightly longer payback than solar thermal, but is still a very effective means of reducing standard electricity consumption. The new Fire and Ice™ solar hot water system provides not only hot water, but also adds efficiency benefits to mechanical equipment such as air conditioners and heat pumps. By combining solar rooftop technologies with an efficient roof, a homeowner in Florida can achieve a safer more efficient home, perhaps even achieving ‘net zero’, where the home consumes less or equal to the amount of energy it produces onsite.

In order to install these solar technologies, Florida allows a few financing options, but needs access to more options in order to keep pace with the rest of the country. Of course a homeowner today can utilize standard financing such as a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), bank financing, or manufacturers credit, but there are more innovative financing options on the horizon.

A recent financing option was made possible by legislation passed in 2010. The legislation was sponsored by then majority leader Adam Hasner and offers an innovative, bonafide home improvement option called PACE 10

FLORIDA ROOFING | April 2016

(Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing. PACE allows homeowners to make certain improvements to their home and pay the cost of those improvements back over a period of time as an additional assessment on their normal property tax bill. This program will become more and more widely used as cities and counties awaken to this fantastic public/private partnership. Many PACE programs have built-in consumer protections, require no upfront capital outlay, and help homeowners choose the smartest, not just the cheapest, home improvement option. PACE financing in Florida qualifies for energy efficient roofing, solar, and fortification improvements.

Another option for installing rooftop solar is a mechanism called a third party power purchase agreement (PPA). This is by far the most common funding mechanism for photovoltaic (PV) solar in the United States, and it allows third party financiers to pay for the rooftop solar installation and the consumers to pay a fixed rate for only the electricity that the solar PV system produces.

Unfortunately, Florida is one of only 4 states to specifically ban this type of financing. The Floridians for Solar Choice ballot initiative has made attempts to overturn this outdated ban on third party financing, and in 2015 they launched a campaign that garnered the support of 70 organizations and collected more than 500,000 signatures to place this on the 2016 ballot. The amendment faced massive opposition from entrenched monopoly utilities though and ultimately fell short of their goal. All is not lost, however, as the coalition that was formed will continue to work to bring more choices for Florida’s solar customers in the near future. The imminent success of solar in the state is marked by the wide spectrum of supporters for Floridians for Solar Choice, which includes the standard bearers of environmental issues on the left, countless conservative voices on the right, and everyone in between.

Another financing option that is legal in Florida, but is currently taxed out of reasonable existence is a solar lease. A solar lease is similar to a third party PPA, but instead of paying for the electricity produced, the consumer pays a fixed lease rate for the solar PV system.

The current tax laws classify this transaction as subject to Tangible Personal Property (TPP) tax, which can vary from county to county. In Alachua County, for example, some current solar PV systems are taxed at the rate of $1 per watt, making the installation of new solar PV systems not economically feasible. Fortunately though, the solar industry in Florida was successful in passing two tax exemptions this legislative session which may alleviate this tax burden.

The two tax exemptions passed during the 2016 legislative session were the Tangible Personal Property

tax exemption and the Commercial Ad Valorem tax exemption. These exemptions were sponsored by Senator Jeff Brandes, Representative Ray Rodriguez, and Representative Lori Berman. The TPP exemption will alleviate the tax burden for leased rooftop systems, and the ad valorem tax exemption will prevent property tax increases on commercial solar systems. This type of exemption already exists for residential solar systems.

These two tax exemptions will be voted upon during the August primary ballot. Vote YES for Solar in August.

Unfortunately, a utility backed group called Consumers for Smart Solar (CSS) has also secured their place on the November ballot. This initiative is bad for rooftop solar and simply enshrines the status quo of monopoly utilities being the only ones allowed to sell electricity. This ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ ballot initiative also makes the false assertion that non-solar customers are subsidizing solar customers even though many studies have shown

the exact opposite, whereby solar customers are a net benefit to the grid. More solar on rooftops means less centralized generation, less peak generation, and much less transmission loss, which is a net savings to all ratepayers. Vote NO for Solar in November.

An easy way to remember how to vote if you support rooftop solar: Vote YES in August (consumer tax exemptions) and NO in November (only utility companies control).

So when you are on your next rooftop on a sunny Florida day, remember that roofing contractors can provide more than weather protection for our clients, we can assist them in making better choices for home efficiency and sustainable living. The roof is an excellent platform for harnessing the power of the sun.

Continued from page 9

A panel of three industry professionals was estab- custom drop outs and chains were used for gutter lished to review the submitted projects. Judging criteria drainage.

Congratulations to the team from Imperial Roofing included, but was not limited to: aesthetics, size, completion time, special circumstances, unique project of Polk County! design, complexity of project, workmanship, teamwork, testimonials, and creative problem solving. The judges selected three projects in each of the six categories to receive either first, second or third place S.T.A.R. Awards.

FRSA’s 94th Annual Convention and Imperial Roofing of Polk County, Winter Haven was the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Expo awarded first place in the Specialty Metal Roofing and Sheet Metal category for their Adams residence project.

The project team includes: ■■ Project Estimator: Donnie Harp ■■ Project Manager, Superintendent and Foreman: Kenny Harp ■■ Manufacturer: Millennium Metals ■■ Manufacturer’s Representatives: Becky Fitchett and Tonya Steele ■■ Supplier: ABC Supply Company ■■ Supplier’s Representative: Ernie Nichols ■■ General Contractor: Blackwell Construction ■■ The Project MVP: Kenny Harp This project required removal of an existing shingle roof and replacing it with a metal roof with many highly detailed and custom fabricated metal parts for an entire lakefront home. The metal roof also extended to a new addition and a free-standing outdoor BBQ on the back patio.

Working alongside Blackwell Construction, side wall, head wall, chimney, and vent details had to be modified to accommodate the new metal roof system. Some lap siding and soffit was also replaced. Crickets were installed above vents and the chimney, and a new custom gutter system was created. In lieu of down spouts,

June 16-18, 2016 Hyatt Regency Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center 800-767-3772 ext. 100 janette@floridaroof.com www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

11

FRSA-Inspired Research: Fastener Corrosion and Sealed Attics Mark Zehnal, CPRC, FRSA Director of Technical Services

On Wednesday March 2, 2016 at 1 pm, the Florida Building Commission (FBC) Roofing and Structural Technical Advisory Committees (TAC) met by teleconference for a scheduled presentation. TAC members and other interested parties listened to and watched PowerPoint presentations via web access of two interim research project reports funded by the FBC.

Fastener Corrosion

The first presentation, from Dr. Kurtis Gurley, Ph.D., of the University of Florida, Corrosion of Roofing Fastener Systems, included both the Structural and Roofing TAC. This project was originally promoted by the FRSA through the Roofing TAC and is in its third year. Five FRSA contractors bought a variety of typical roofing fasteners from roofing supply stores in Gainesville, Orlando, Sarasota, West Palm Beach, and Miami as shown in table on page 13 from the presentation.

Testing application standard (TAS) 114 Appendix E from the Florida Building Code Test Protocols for High Velocity Hurricane Zones was used, which specifies failure at greater than five percent surface area corrosion.

Out-of-the-box fasteners were tested side-by-side with fasteners installed through shingles and sheet metal.

The following is information from slide 27 (2015 – 2016 Work) from Dr. Gurley’s presentation.

Observations ■■ Miami-Dade approved EG fasteners: The results thus far have not revealed a single EG sample that passed the TAS 114E criterion of five-percent-or-less surface corrosion. Each of the 30 fastener samples tested had a score of at least 3 (partial light surface corrosion) on both the head and shaft; and, most samples displayed significant, heavy corrosion.

■■ Requiring Miami-Dade approval for all EG fasteners used in Florida is not a viable code modification.

Sealed Attics

The next report, Field Study and Analytical Assessment of Sealed Attics Conducted for the State of Florida, involved only the Roofing TAC. It was a joint presentation by Dr. David O. Prevatt, Ph.D., PE of the University of Florida and Dr. William Miller, Ph.D., of the Oak Ridge National Testing Laboratory. This project’s genesis was also influenced by FRSA through the Roofing TAC and is in its second year of funding by the FBC. FRSA members are aware that the goal for the 2014 Florida Energy Conservation Code is to increase energy efficiency for new construction and for certain improvements to existing buildings. Florida contractors have been working with energy codes for the last 37 years, since the 1979 Florida Energy Code went into effect.

However, the energy conservation movement has spawned new technologies that may negatively impact proven roofing methods that have been in place for generations. FRSA members have no desire to throw the baby out withh the bath water. Our principal interest is to gather data that will allow us to make objective decisions about the effects, if any, of new technologies on roofing assemblies; assemblies that have never been tested as part of a system that includes new technolgies such as sealed attics.

There were originally three phases to this project:

Phase 1 ■■ Conduct Survey of Florida Homes and Select Candidate Field Sites ■■ Select homes across the various climate zones in Florida

Phase 2 ■■ Setup Field Demonstrations and Collect Field Data ■■ Determine air exchange rate for home, duct and attic ■■ Commission data acquisition system per home

To date, among all 248 samples tested (88 in Phase Phase 3 2, 160 in Phase 3), only the hot dipped and mechanically ■■ Conduct Risk Analysis for Demonstration Homes galvanized specimens demonstrated no corrosion in any ■■ Complete Energy Plus and WUFI simulations of the samples (30 hot dipped, 20 mechanically galva■■ Conduct risk assessment and benchmark against field nized samples). data Both the Structural and Roofing TAC members voted to accept the report. An update on this study was feaThis project was the last project approved during the FBC meeting to review research projects and, due to tured in last month’s Florida Roofing Magazine.

12

FLORIDA ROOFING | April 2016

Table 1 – 16 Specimen Types Tested to Date (10 Samples of Each) Group Number

Product Type

Coating Type

Certification

Supplier Location

1

1-1/4 nail

EG

ASTM F1667

Orlando

2

1-1/4 nail

EG

Unknown

Orlando

3

1-1/4 coil nail

EG

Unknown

Orlando

4

1-1/4 coil nail

EG

ASTM F1667

Gainesville

5

1-1/4 coil nail

EG

ASTM A153 Class D

Orlando

6

#8 2-1/2 tile screw

MG

ASTM B695 Class 55 2006 IRC Compliant

Orlando

7

#8 2-1/2 tile screw

EP

Unknown

Bradenton

8

1-1/4 coil nail

EG

ASTM F1667

Bradenton

9

1-1/4 coil nail

HD

Unknown

Sarasota

10

1-1/2 screws

HD

No info

No info

11

10d 3-inch RS

SS

MDC Approved HVHZ

Miami

12

1-1/4 RS nail

HD

MDC Approved ASTM F1667 HVHZ

Miami

13

1-1/4 nail

EG

MDC Approved ASTM F1667 HVHZ

Miami

14

1-1/4 coil RS nail

EG

MDC Approved ASTM A641

Miami

15

1-1/4 coil RS nail

EG

Non HVHZ MDC Approved ASTM A641

West Palm

16

#8 2-1/2 tile screw

MG

ASTM B695 Class 55 2006 IRC Compliant

West Palm

Notes: ASTM F1667 → ASTM A641 Compliant ASTM A153 Class D thicker zinc coating than ASTM A641 ASTM B695 → mechanical galvanizing standard, Class 55 → 0.0022” zinc thickness HVHZ → Miami Dade County compliant EG → electrogalvinized, EP → electroplated, MG → mechanically galvanized, HD → hot dipped, SS → stainless steel funding limitations, the FBC was unable to fully fund all three phases. While it did fund the first two phases, the funding wouldn’t last through the final phase of the research. The final phase, however, is the most important because it would capture the thermal and hygrothermal performance data in the hot summer months (June, July and August) of 2016 and bring this phase of the research project to a successful conclusion. Through the guidance of Mike Silvers, CPRC, Chairman of the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation, the Foundation was able to donate $40,000 to the University of Florida earmarked for the Field Study and Analytical Assessment of Sealed Attics Conducted for the State of Florida. This action by the Foundation fully fund the project to its completion through the three phases.

After additional public comment and commentary by both Dr. Prevatt and Dr. Miller, the Roofing TAC moved to approve the interim report as submitted.

The effort to initiate and complete this research has been a long process. For FRSA, it began when Tim Graboski

introduced Dr. William Miller to the FRSA Codes and Regulatory Compliance Committee in September 2013.

During that meeting, Dr. Miller presented a comprehensive three-hour PowerPoint presentation that focused on his investigative research of sealed attics along with Dr. Sudhir Railkar of GAF. The information from that meeting helped provide a greater understanding of the differences between ventilated attics and sealed attics. Although much was learned during the presentation, many questions were still unanswered, which has turned out to be the motivation for FRSA members to continue the quest for research-based solutions to issues arising from sealed attics that directly impact the roofing industry.

www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

13

Cool Roofs 101

Jeff Steuben, Executive Director, and Carolyn Richter, Communications Manager, Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) When the weather gets hot outside, your building’s roof receives the brunt of the heat. Your roof’s ability to reflect and shed absorbed energy can have a large impact on the internal temperature of the building. Cool roofs are a simple and effective approach to lowering the cooling energy loads of buildings, increasing occupant comfort, and reducing the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.

This article provides an introduction to what makes a roof “cool”, the benefits of properly installed and maintained cool roofs, and building codes and voluntary programs that reference cool roofs.

What is a Cool Roof?

A cool roof is a roof that both strongly reflects sunlight and efficiently emits heat to its surroundings. The “coolness” of a roof is determined by two basic characteristics: solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Solar reflectance is the fraction of solar radiation reflected away from the roof, while thermal emittance is the efficiency with which the roof reradiates absorbed heat. The values of both properties range from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating “cooler” products.

In addition to these two metrics, the “coolness” of a roof may also be represented by its Solar Reflectance Index (SRI), a calculated property that combines solar reflectance and thermal emittance into one metric that measures a material’s ability to reject solar energy. SRI values are usually between 0 and 100, with particularly cool materials exceeding 100. Like solar reflectance and thermal emittance, a higher SRI value indicates a cooler roof.

Essentially, these radiative properties describe the roof’s ability to minimize the solar heat gain of a building by first reflecting incoming radiation and then re-emitting the heat absorbed by the roof, and preventing the energy from being

There are two main radiative properties that determine the “coolness” of a roof: solar reflectance and thermal emittance.

Image courtesy of the Cool Roof Rating Council (coolroofs.org).

transmitted into the building structure. As a result, the roof surface remains at a lower temperature than the surface of a traditional roof of similar construction.

The solar reflectances of some roofing materials, especially those light in color, tend to decrease as the roof ages due to soiling (deposition of particles such as soot and particulate matter) and weathering (exposure to the elements, including sunlight and temperature fluctuations), which affects performance over time. To account for this performance change, the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) Product Rating Program provides manufacturers with product ratings for measured solar reflectance and thermal emittance, as well as SRI, of each product both when new (‘initial’ properties), and again after long-term outdoor exposure (‘aged’ properties). To understand how the product is anticipated to perform over time

On a sunny summer afternoon, urban air can be 1-3°C (2-5°F) warmer than nearby rural air. Image courtesy of Heat Island Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

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in different climates, outdoor exposure is conducted for three years in each of three different climates: 1) Miami, Florida: hot and humid; 2) Phoenix, Arizona: hot and dry; and 3) Cleveland, Ohio: cold/temperate. Results from the three sites are averaged to provide a ‘U.S.’ value.

Building Owners and the Environment Keep Their Cool with Cool Roofs

When properly installed and maintained, cool roofs can provide a variety of benefits that contribute to the community’s health, the building occupants, and the owner’s wallet.

Building occupants can experience improved comfort as compared to a conventional dark roof, as the building’s interior is subject to less thermal flux and stays cooler during warm seasons. Reduced indoor temperatures lead to energy savings from reduced cooling energy loads.

Cool roofs are distinguished among energy conservation measures because of their ability to help mitigate the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon characterized by a measured increase in the ambient air temperature in cities over their surrounding rural areas. This effect is due to roofs and non-reflective surfaces that absorb and trap heat, gradually warming the ambient air temperature and causing cities to be up to 8°F warmer than their surrounding areas.

Cool roofs help improve urban conditions by contributing to cooler ambient temperatures by immediately reflecting solar radiation back into the atmosphere before it can degrade to heat, as well as reemitting a portion of infrared light.

Reduced air conditioning loads can also improve grid stability, increasing peak energy savings, reducing the risk of brown outs or black outs, and decreasing pollution production.

Lower ambient air temperatures also contribute to improved air quality by combating the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant which forms more readily in hot environments. This effect is magnified by the reduction of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from power plants by reducing electricity demands for air conditioning.

Product Types: Cool Roofs Need Not be White

Cool roofing products are available in a variety of colors and materials, including but not limited to: built-up roofing capsheets, foam roof systems, metal panels, field-applied coatings, tile, and single-ply membranes. While white roofs tend to offer the highest solar reflectances and thermal emittances, other colors and even patterns can perform as well as some white options.

Ultimately, roofing materials should be carefully selected based on the slope of the roof, energy savings goals, the project location and climate, local code requirement or green building credits, and aesthetic preferences. A useful resource to help locate cool roofs by product type is the CRRC Rated Products Directory.

Green Roofs

Green roofs, also known as vegetated roofs, use plants as roof covering and are distinct from cool roofs. While typically not highly reflective (a key feature of a “cool” roof), green roofs can stay cooler than a traditional non-cool roof through

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the International Green Construction Code (IgCC); ENERGY STAR®; LEED®; and Green GlobesTM. Several building codes, as well as voluntary green building programs, either require or allow you to achieve credits for including cool roofs in a project.

Most energy efficiency codes and programs that incorporate cool roofs require minimum values of initial or aged solar reflectance and thermal emittance, or initial or aged SRI. In California, for example, the Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings prescribes minimum values for three-year aged solar reflectance, thermal emittance, and SRI. At the international level, the globally-recognized LEED® green building certification program awards points for high-reflectance roof based on minimum initial and aged SRI values.

The CRRC maintains a list of cool roof rebates, codes, and voluntary programs at: www.coolroofs.org/resources/rebates-and-codes evaporation. Green roof installations can be combined with the use of reflective materials such as cool pavers for pathProduct Rating Resources ways and cool roofs on non-vegetated areas to maximize Roofing product databases list pertinent and easibenefits of sustainable roofing practices. ly comparable information that can assist in selecting an appropriate product. While existing rating systems are comCool Roof Codes and Programs plementary to one another, they do have slight differences in Increased recognition of the benefits of cool roofing has their requirements. led to the adoption of cool roof measures in energy codes and ENERGY STAR®, for example, aims to capture the most the inclusion of cool roofing as part of green building initia- efficient products and set minimum requirements for both tives across the globe, including American Society of Heating, initial and aged solar reflectance. In order for a product to Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) ener- be listed by ENERGY STAR, it must meet their minimum regy codes; the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), quirements (initial solar reflectance of 0.65 and three-year

TRENT COTNEY

B O A R D C E RT I F I E D B Y T H E F L O R I D A B A R I N C O N S T R U C T I O N L AW • National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) Gold Circle Award for Service to the Roofing Industry, 2014 • General Counsel, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee and Director of Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA); FRSA Education and Research Foundation Governor Endowment • West Coast Roofing Contractors Association (WCRCA) Byron Curry Award for Service to the Industry, 2009 • FRSA Earl Blank “Heart” Award for Service to the Roofing Industry, 2011 and FRSA President’s Award, 2008 CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION

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aged value of 0.50 for low-slope products and an initial reflectance of 0.25 and aged value of 0.15 for steep sloped products).

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), on the other hand, does not set minimum requirements, but does require that all testing be conducted by a CRRC-approved Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory. Additional CRRC requirements include: standardized and consistent test methods for initial and aged ratings, a strict chain of custody, and participation in random testing to verify product ratings.

Both rating systems include aged testing, where products are exposed to natural weather conditions for a three-year period of time. They use three specific locations representing three key climate zones (hot/dry, hot/humid, and cold/ temperate) to determine aged product performance. ENERGY STAR accepts products that have been rated by the CRRC so long as the ratings meet ENERGY STAR’s minimum requirements for both initial and aged reflectance values.

In addition to three-year weathering and aged rating, the CRRC also offers Rapid Ratings, an optional addition to its Product Rating Program that utilizes an accelerated weathering protocol to develop interim laboratory-aged values and accelerate understanding of product performance over time.

What’s Next in Cool Roofing

With roofing codes and standards implementing performance requirements, cool roofs are one of the most effective ways to obtain energy savings and environmental rewards through building envelope design and re-roofing projects.

Cool roofs can be the simplest design measure to implement,

in both new construction and existing buildings, without compromising project design or performance. The CRRC Rated Products Directory is available to promote informed and confident cool roof choices to meet specified requirements in codes and programs while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing roof.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Jeff Steuben is the Executive Director of the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC). He oversees the day-to-day operations of the CRRC Product Rating Program and works closely with the Board of Directors. Jeff previously served as the Technical Liaison for the CRRC and conducted analysis of CRRC research projects with the CRRC’s Technical Committee. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Humboldt State University in Environmental Science and a minor in Geographic Information Systems.

Carolyn Richter is the Communications Manager for the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC). She helps manage the Product Rating Program and Rapid Ratings Program in addition to the organization’s website, social media platforms, and industry publications. Carolyn received a dual degree in Conservation and Resource Studies and Professional Forestry from the University of California, Berkeley.

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Code Compliance Now Key to Skylight Selection and Installation Tom Gaudette, VELUX, Senior Sales Representative

The Florida Building Code (FBC) 2014 5th Edition took effect June 30, 2015 and is of critical importance to roofers, contractors, inspectors and other tradespeople because it affects every aspect of roofing and residential construction.

Due to limited space, we will focus primarily on the residential code as it relates to skylights. The latest code requirements are game changers, especially when it comes to energy efficiency requirements for skylights. Skylights are now required to have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of .30 or lower. Utilizing the more energy efficient skylights that meet this code requirement should result in savings on the homeowner’s utility bill.

Awareness and understanding of key components of the code are an absolute necessity for anyone choosing, specifying or installing skylights in Florida.

The Basics

components in Climate Zone 1, 2, and 3. However, guidelines regarding skylights are specifically addressed in the Exemption Notes below the Table. Exception Note B. “Skylights may be excluded from the glazed fenestration SHGC requirements in Climate Zone 1 through 3 where the SHGC for such skylight does not exceed .30.” In other words, all skylights must have a .30 SHGC or less.

Section R402.3.6 deals with replacement fenestration. It states that where some or all of the fenestration is replaced, it must meet the applicable requirements for SHGC and U-factor in Table R402.1.1 and therefore the exception for skylights noted in item “b” requiring skylights to have a SHGC or .30 or lower is applied.

The second consideration, which concerns product selection based on safety, is addressed in Chapter 3. Section R308.6.2 Permitted Materials states that the following types of glass skylights may be used: “Laminated glass with a minimum 0.015 inch polyvinyl butyl interlayer for glass panes 16 sq. ft. or less in area located such that the highest point of the glass is not more than 12 feet above a walking surface or other accessible area; for higher or larger sizes, the minimum interlayer thickness shall be 0.30 inch.” While other glass materials are acceptable, the stumbling block with these is the requirement of installing a safety screen if any portion of the skylight is greater than 12 feet from the floor, which the majority of out-of-reach skylight installations are. And the stumbling block with rigid plastics is the lack of achieving the .30 SHGC required in Chapter 4 of the Code.

We cannot overemphasize the necessity of reviewing the references to windborne debris areas in the state since that part of the code addresses whether or not skylights must be impact rated; requiring an interior glass thicker than .30 inch.

There are actually two types of code references of particular importance here – one dealing with skylight SHGC requirements for energy efficiency and another dealing with glazing requirements to meet safety and liability requirements.

These points are covered in different areas of the residential code but they are closely related and compliance with both, for the most part, can be achieved by using laminated or impact LoE3 glass with a .30 SHGC or lower.

The LoE technology enables glass to achieve the .30 SHGC required and the inside laminated glass pane meets a critical code specified for safety for any glass skylight where any portion of the skylight is 12 feet or higher in residences or the impact glass for windborne debris zones.

In addition to code, there are other key elements to consider when selecting skylights for your project. Later, we will offer information on skylight selection and installation methods that can add to your bottom line while saving your From Code to the Roof customers money, both short- and long-term. But first, code With a clearer understanding of what the code now compliance must-knows. requires of skylights, we’ll cover some of the types of skylights, flashing kits, and related products that make modern, The Fine Print ENERGY STAR®-qualified skylights beneficial to homeownIn Florida, two components of the code are particularly ers and profitable for roofers. relevant to this discussion.

The first consideration deals with the FBC 2014 5th Edition. Traditional Skylights This code relates directly to the energy efficiency ratings of Glass skylights are available as fixed units, as manual fresh skylights and states that Skylights that do not meet the strict air units (operated by control rods), as electric fresh air hardenergy efficiency guidelines, with a SHGC of .30 or lower, will wired units (operated by remote control) or as the latest no not meet the FBC 2014 5th Edition code. leak solar powered fresh air skylights (also operated by touchThere are many pertinent components to the FBC 2014 pad programmable remote control).

5th Edition that focus on key components of Chapter 4, ENERGY STAR-qualified skylights are available with varResidential Energy Efficiency, with the following excerpts and ious types of glazing choices incorporating argon gas-filled observations. double-pane construction for energy efficiency and sound Table R402.1.1 of FBC 2014 5th Edition residential reduction. Glazing and construction options are available for code states the Insulation and Fenestration requirements a variety of weather or geographic considerations including

by Component, .25 is the SHGC required for fenestration impact resistant models for high wind areas. Selection of an 18

FLORIDA ROOFING | April 2016

Energy Star-qualified product is an easy method to ensure you are meeting the .30 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient requirement.

As pointed out earlier, most building codes require laminated glass for out-of-reach applications. “Clean, Quiet & Safe” meets this requirement while also reducing outside noise by up to 50 percent when compared to a plastic skylight. The glass is also coated to keep the skylight cleaner longer – a benefit homeowners appreciate and are usually willing to pay for.

There are three types of traditional skylights, deck mount, curb mount and self-flashed.

Deck mount skylights are wood framed skylights that fasten directly to the roof deck and provide an airtight seal. Deck mount skylights utilize a peel and stick underlayment and an engineered flashing kit to integrate the skylight into the roof system. They have a low profile, making them ideal to better blend in with the roofline.

Curb mount skylights are installed on a site built curb that is anchored to the roof deck and truss. The curb can be flashed into the roof system with either an engineered flashing system provided by the manufacturer or a field fabricated flashing.

Pan flashed skylights, sometimes referred to as self-flashed skylights, utilize a large metal flange for flashing. While curb mount and deck mount skylights are designed to be installed with the more reliable dry method of mechanical flashing, the pan flashed skylight must be placed into a bed of sealant or mastic laid around the opening to ensure water tightness.

Flashing kits for shingles, tile and metal roofs are available from most skylight manufacturers. Engineered flashing systems are designed to integrate a skylight into the roof system eliminating the need to field fabricate flashings or mastics and sealants. Engineered flashing systems offer three layers of water protection and carry long-term installation and no leak warranties.

Tubular Skylights

Tubular skylights are very useful for bringing in natural light and can provide light 24/7 with optional light kits. These units are usually less expensive to add during a reroof than traditional skylights and can be installed within a matter of hours.

They can be used to light large spaces but many are used in smaller areas including hallways, closets, interior baths, and in laundry rooms. The units consist, basically, of a rooftop dome or low-profile flat glass, a highly reflective tube running from the roof to the ceiling of the area to be illuminated, and a ceiling diffuser. Different tube length runs are possible and, while rigid tubing is usually used, highly reflective flexible tubing is also available for easier installation around obstacles such as HVAC equipment in the attic.

For the Homeowner and Roofer

There are many options for homeowners to choose from when selecting skylights and skylight accessories. These options, especially solar powered blinds, offer convenience and value to the homeowner while providing upselling profit opportunities for contractors. Modern, ENERGY STAR-qualified

Flat Glass Sun Tunnel Skylight / Roof Cutaway – Sun Tunnel tubular skylights can be installed easily and quickly in a matter of two to three hours.

traditional skylights are available as fixed or venting units.

Venting, or fresh air skylights, are available as manual, electric or solar powered models and are one of the best ways to release stale hot air from the home, allowing the space to be filled by fresh air. People love daylight but they like to control it, especially if the skylight is in the TV room – just ask them! Manual and solar powered designer blinds in colors and patterns are also available that compliment décor and boost energy efficiency by as much as 45 percent while giving the homeowner complete control of the light entering a space.

Solar powered skylights and blinds are operated by programmable touchpad remote control and the cost of the products, along with installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit for the homeowner.

In closing, the key point to be emphasized is that skylights should be chosen based on meeting code and on admitting an abundance of natural light. Therefore, a skylight with a high visible light transmittance (VT) rating will typically be the best choice.

For more information for your customers and for your own use, www.whyskylights.com details selecting skylights on a room-by-room basis. Three informational videos for roofers are available at www.skylightoffers.com/reroofing.

If additional detail is needed on the Florida code, visit codes.iccsafe.org/Florida.html.

Tom Gaudette is a senior sales representative with VELUX covering the southern Florida market. He celebrates his 10-year anniversary with VELUX this year and has over 15 years of experience in the roofing and construction industries. He strives to provide solutions and timely customer service to his entire customer base. When he isn’t on rooftops providing daylighting solutions, he enjoys spending time with his three children, running, kayaking and other outdoor activities. Tom can be reached at 813-245-1621 or tom.gaudette@velux.com. www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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Five Key Technologies for Roofing Contractors Heidi Ellsworth, Ad Sales Rep, Florida Roofing Magazine and Owner of HJE Consulting Group In today’s world where efficiency and precision take precedence, technology is a key component when it comes to doing business within the contracting community. Technology comes in many shapes and sizes but leading contractors are realizing that if they are not progressive in their use of technology they are going to be left behind.

Reduce_Recycle_Reimagine_HP-FRSA.qxp 3/3/16 8:56 AM

Technology is not just software, it is using services and software that help increase productivity for the company and employees. Looking at several types of technology is important but whether you are a small or large roofing contractor, residential or commercial, it is essential to incorporate technology into your processes and culture. In fact, contractors are finding that they can get more done, faster by using Page 1 technology.

New technologies are introduced literally every day.

Understanding what is beneficial for your business and more importantly the best technology for the size of your business is critical. Here are five technologies that can make a difference in keeping your business profitable, agile and the right size.

Smart Devices

Reduce, Recycle, Reimagine.

Duro-Last® was founded on the idea of prefabrication, which greatly reduces scrap on the job site and makes roof installations much quicker. Later on, our founder, John R. Burt, created Oscoda Plastics® to make resilient flooring out of manufacturing scrap. Recycling is just as important to us today – last year alone, Duro-Last recycled 3.5 million pounds of PVC.

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Sustainability without compromise.

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It does not seem possible to survive in today’s world without a smart device and that is especially true when it comes to business. Smart phones allow contractors to be in touch immediately with their customers giving them the edge when it comes to customer service. The agility of utilizing smart phones makes sense for communication with your team and the overall benefit of informed customers.

It is important to use phones in a way that works with customers, so knowing their preferences concerning email, text, or phone is beneficial for creating enhanced communications. Part of utilizing technology is understanding how customers want to interact with the technology.

Smart phones and tablets can also make day-to-day business easier to do on the road, hopefully eliminating some of the late night work. Ask vendors about their technology offerings and find out which apps make working with them easier. To be able to order materials, reports

or services through the phone or tablet makes for efficiency and time savings.

In deciding which smart devices to use, take the time to coordinate your phone, tablet and computer system with cloud based software in a way that all devices can speak to each other creating an easy, efficient means of transferring data and documents while also documenting customer discussions.

Customer Relations Management

There are several CRM systems with many of them integrated with project management software. But first you may be asking, what is a CRM? It is a Customer Relationship Management System and it could be Microsoft Outlook, an Excel file or a higher level software such as Salesforce. In the roofing world, there are many contractor CRM software systems that help manage customers and often are connected to project management and/or accounting software.

Questions to ask when looking for a CRM system include how the program works for residential vs. commercial business or, ideally, will it handle both. There are companies that are very focused on residential projects and tracking canvassing and sales processes or overall leads. That is very important, but if you are looking for something that also tracks customer data along with project management, that may be a different system.

There are programs that offer customer portals where you can share data, photos, job progress, inspections and invoices with customers at their convenience. This type of CRM can be used for initial customer contact and sales with the scalability to store all of the customer’s projects as they grow with the company. This type of program is usually used more with commercial business. It is also a great tool to use if you are focused on HOA work.

Whichever CRM you use, the key is to maintain a strong, up-to-date customer database that becomes not only a historical view of our customers and projects but also a strong database for future sales and marketing.

By using a CRM software instead of Excel or a Rolodex, customer contact can be automated including notes, past correspondence, property data, material preferences and/or potential future projects.

aerial photos, drawings and measurements of almost any structure. Consumers see this as a differentiator.

When they can see their property and use the drawings and measurements for reference, it brings a whole new level of professionalism to the sales call.

Advancements in this technology are leading to even more solutions for contractors in ordering materials and production. In today’s climate of instant information, customers are looking for answers fast. The quicker you can deliver an estimate for a roof repair or replacement project, the more likely you are to win that job. Many companies have used the aerial roof measurement technology in their estimating programs. By utilizing the CAD files generated from the technology, it is easy for contractors to import the drawings and measurements; saving significant time and complications.

With technology companies working with manufacturers and distributors, contractors can also now utilize the measurements to bid jobs and order materials online. Sales people have moved to using tablets to share the information with customers quickly and efficiently which is important in this technology age.

Estimating Technologies

Advancements in estimating software and platforms as well as the introduction of web-based solutions have put this tool within reach of virtually any size roofing contractor. Not every solution will fit every business right out of the box so it’s important to understand your company’s needs, how the technology fits into your existing processes and what new efficiencies can be realized through the implementation of an estimating platform.

Some contractors are large enough to require robust, enterprise-level estimating programs that provide job management, estimating and customer relationship management solutions. While for the smaller to mid-sized contractor, an enterprise solution is probably overkill. Smaller operations may want to consider a simple, intuitive, web-based solution that delivers a professional estimate.

Whatever solution is chosen, it’s important for contractors to make sure that it integrates with the other technologies they are using. For example, if you are using aerial measurement technology, be sure that the measurements will flow into the program and populate Aerial Measurement Technology This technology has been in place since 2008 and it the correct fields. Manual entry of numbers can be time just keeps getting better. Gathering roof measurements consuming and lead to costly errors in the case of a typo. traditionally was a time-consuming process prone to mistakes such as mathematical errors or simple human Marketing Software The number one most important marketing technolerror, but has now become a quick, easy and reliable technology. Many contractors now rely on the service ogy is a website. It needs to provide enough information for accurate measurements, professional presentations about your company in such a way that potential customers will take action and request an estimate for their and efficient production planning.

Sales and marketing efforts have benefited greatly job. A customer wants to feel confident that you are exfrom aerial imagery and measurements. In fact, many perienced and that your team is professional. You need sales processes have changed substantially as contrac- to validate that you will support your work with service tors can now share with home and building owners afterward if needed, and that you are knowledgeable www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING

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about the latest products and technologies. This can all happen on your website and speak to the customers long before they pick up the phone.

Your website should be dynamic, meaning that the content is fresh and always up to date. Have a section on your site that provides short articles and information that your customers will find interesting. Post your press releases and other news regularly on your site. A good website will have a prominent button or link on every page that a visitor can click on to request an estimate. Ask them to complete a form that captures their contact information (name, address, phone and email) but also use the opportunity to gather some basic qualifying information.

Finding a good website developer can be challenging but it is amazing what is available today. Everything from do-it-yourself, to leasing a website to finding a good internet marketing agency. Before hiring a company to update or develop a website, take the time to look at other websites and see what you like. Often the name of the company that developed it is on the site.

Also, pull your information together ahead of time, it will save you time and money when you start working with the web development company. Lastly, look internally

first. It is amazing how many people know how to create websites and you may have someone already working for you that would love to work on a new website.

Take the Time

The most important part of incorporating any technology is to take your time and evaluate. Talk to other contractors through your associations or networks and see what has worked for them. Look at online reviews and see if you can have some trial time to play with and understand the technology. There is a large commitment in time whenever there is a change or adoption of new technology so be sure it is matches the goals of the company.

Also be aware that many types of software adoption will actually have a cultural effect on the company.

Processes will need to be updated, personnel trained and data uploaded. It is not easy to change software so create a relationship with the software provider upfront so there is a high degree of comfort and confidence when initiating the new technology and processes into your company.

Investing in Your Estimating Department Roland Miles, The Estimating Edge

A strong estimating department is at the core of most successful sub-contracting companies. Success or failure begins with the estimating process. Therefore, it is critical that you have a powerful estimating solution in place that enables high-quality talent to be highly accurate, productive and efficient.

For a successful estimating department, powerful computer software and hardware are becoming necessities, as opposed to luxuries. In an increasingly competitive market, contractors cannot afford the inevitable oversights and calculation errors that can result from a manual estimating process.

Many software solutions minimize, if not entirely eliminate, these errors. In addition, the industry is forcing the transition to digital takeoff. Most blueprints are now only available in digital formats. While they can certainly be printed out, printing costs can be prohibitive. In addition to digital blueprints, many of the other elements required to estimate a job (i.e. details, pricing information, codes, etc.) often have to be accessed online, so a reliable high-speed Internet connection is a must.

Your estimating department’s computer hardware is a key component of computer digital estimating. Fast, modern computers with plenty of memory will improve their user experience, resulting in better productivity. Multiple monitors, with large, high-resolution screens, will help the estimators view related documents that often need to be referenced at the same time.

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Collaboration within an estimating team, as well as others in your organization, is also important. For that reason, a modern, local area network is highly recommended. And, if you would like to take it one step further, consider providing Cloud access to your team for even greater collaboration opportunities.

While software solutions help to minimize errors, humans are still required to operate the software. The best estimators are typically very detailed, analytical, and organized. Because of these required skills, top tier estimators are few and far between and require generous compensation. Another key to success is providing estimators with a comfortable work area to maintain the high level of concentration needed to complete accurate bids. This includes giving them plenty of space, good lighting and a quiet office. While estimating very complex projects, disruptions or a lack of concentration can lead to costly mistakes.

A successful estimating department can be a big investment for sub-contractors. But, it is clear that this investment can have a huge return through reduced oversights and mistakes resulting in more accurate and competitive bids.

If you haven’t yet made the move to computer-based estimating, you have a lot of choices and can find one to suit your specific needs. The Internet has a number of resources that can help you narrow down the best solution for your needs.

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Residential PACE Comes to Florida: New Form of Financing to Drive Move to Efficient Roofing

By Mike Antheil, Renovate America’s Florida Director of Market Development and External Affairs

It seems like everyone is looking to increase energy efficiency these days. From the federal government down to homeowners who just want to lower utility bills, the focus is on using energy wisely and making smart investments that will pay big dividends in the long run.

Roofers know that a well-insulated, well-installed roof is an essential part of an efficient and comfortable home. Here in Florida, the state’s comprehensive plan includes goals to reduce our state’s overall demand for energy through both conservation and efficiency measures, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting renewable energy.

The good news for all of us is that more efficient homes go hand in hand with lower utility bills. And for Florida’s roofers, they also mean a steady trend toward investment in higher quality, more efficient roofs and roof-related products.

Five years ago, the State of Florida approved a program called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) – but it never really took off for our residential sector. It’s a form of financing designed to support this move toward energy efficiency and renewable energy. PACE provides financing for a wide range of energy-efficient products, including several applications specific to roofing in Florida, and has a proven track record of bringing financial benefits to contractors by increasing the demand for roofing work and other home-efficiency improvements. Understanding the PACE financing model and being able to make homeowners aware of it has proven to be a significant advantage for roofing contractors where the program has been active for some time.

PACE financing enables homeowners to make wind hardening, energy-efficiency and renewable-energy improvements to their home and pay for these improvements over time through an assessment on their property tax bill.

This program covers the entire cost of the project with no upfront cash outlay required. PACE providers partner with local governments but are privately-capitalized, so the program costs nothing to taxpayers. The PACE model has flourished in California over the past four years. Renovate America’s HERO Program, which has financed the majority of all residential PACE activity in the nation, has provided more than $1.3 billion in financing for more than 58,000 projects to date. In the process, the program has spurred the creation of 11,600 local construction-related jobs and counting. In solar alone, that’s 34,390 projects and $488 million.

Most homeowners replace or upgrade their roof only when their current roof leaks or suffers damage. At that point, they are faced with a decision, to go with a lower-cost repair or replacement, or invest in a higher-quality new roof that will pay dividends for decades. Roofs that are more expensive at the time of installation typically provide safer, more comfortable homes as well as lower utility bills. But many homeowners do not have money set aside to cover 24

FLORIDA ROOFING | April 2016

this contingency, and their first instinct is to move forward with the lowest-cost option.

These homeowners often believe that their only options are to take out a HELOC or to pay for their new roof with a credit card. But in areas where PACE financing is available, the very same homeowners are likely to be able to afford the best roof for their current situation, not just the lowest-cost option presented to them. By eliminating up-front costs and spreading payments out over up to 20 years, PACE brings energy-efficient roofing options within reach of most Florida homeowners. And unlike any other form of financing, any remaining balance on the assessment may be able to transfer to the new buyer when the house is sold, since the project is a fixed asset that stays with the house.

With these energy-efficient roofing options at their disposal, homeowners can also choose their construction project to include solar thermal (hot water) and solar PV (electricity). Solar and roofing projects work well together and can be an added benefit to the homeowner to be installed at the same time with integrated construction.

There have been some exciting recent advances in energy-efficient roofing technology. One new tile material is made of a geo-polymer bonded to foam, with a UV-resistant top layer. In addition to providing energy savings, these tiles eliminate moisture buildup, thus extending the life of the roof, and are designed to withstand wind speeds in excess of 250 mph. Another new tile system has solar cells embedded in the steel tiles, with a cool roof coating and ventilation.

Traditional tile and metal materials have been improved as well.

A cool roof has numerous advantages for homeowners.

By staying substantially cooler than a traditional, dark-hued shingle roof, a cool roof will keep the whole house cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning and in turn, saving money on energy bills. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center shows that a white tile or metal roof can reduce cooling demand by 20 percent. Other studies, conducted by the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition and Oak Ridge National Laboratories, showed energy cost savings of up to 40 percent for energy-efficient metal roofing (with Energy Star certified high reflectance paint systems) compared to standard asphalt shingle roofing.

Tile and metal roofs last at least two to three times as long as the less-expensive shingle roofs, especially in Florida’s climate. A cool roof of any material may also last longer by suffering less heat damage than a roof that heats up to 150 degrees or more. This kind of roofing also keeps homes cooler in spaces that don’t have AC, or that are temporarily without AC due to power outages. Following a hurricane event, many houses can be left without power for days at

savings that an efficient roof can achieve, marketing and branding support, and access to low-cost working capital to grow your business. Florida roofing companies would be well served to learn more about this innovative form of financing and how it can help their business and their customers take advantage of cutting-edge roofing technologies that save energy and lower utility bills.

Mike Antheil is Renovate America’s Florida Director of Market Development a time. Having a cool roof can make a big difference in the and External Affairs wake of a natural disaster.

As an added benefit, cool roofs can benefit the community and the environment, with the impact growing as more homes add them. A neighborhood with many cool roofs and ™ solar installations will have lower air temperatures by reducing the urban heat island effect. There will be lower electricity demand during peak hours means less costly energy. And of course, reducing electricity consumption has the larger-scale effect of improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by cutting demand for energy generation.

Yet another reason for homeowners to choose higher-efficiency tile or metal roofs over less expensive shingles is that properly-attached tile and metal roofs are also better suited for resisting hurricane damage. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development conducted numerous studies in the wakes of Hurricanes Andrew, Hugo and Iniki that bore out this finding. Weather hardening improvements that protect against wind and water damage are eligible for PACE financing, because they go hand-inhand with increased efficiency.

PACE financing is sure to be a significant boon to roofers and their customers as it takes hold in Florida.

As customers and contractors make the shift to longer-lasting, more efficient roofs, PACE financing will play Looking for a way to dominate the markets you serve? Construct gives a significant role in helping customers you fast, efficient online material ordering, 24 hours a day with your to secure the roof they want and that custom pricing. Did we mention this silver bullet is at NO COST to you? will serve them best, even if the initial To experience this explosive technology call outlay is higher than simply moving 866.447.3741 or visit www.eagleview.com/construct. forward with a like-for-like replacement when a roof fails. PACE programs like my company’s HERO program will offer training to contractors on how © Copyright 2016 EagleView Technologies, Inc. PACE works, how to demonstrate

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MEMBER PROFILE

Trent Cotney President, Trent Cotney, P.A. Construction Law Group Trent has been involved in the roofing industry for 15 years and with FRSA for 13 years. He is co-chair of the Public Relations and Marketing Committee, serves as a Director on the FRSA Board, volunteers as an instructor for the FRSA Educational Foundation, and is FRSA’s Legal Counsel.

How did you get started in the roofing industry?

My family owned a supply and lumber yard so I grew up around construction. Although I worked on a drywall and demo crew prior to law school, I wanted to learn more about roofing and joined the Tampa Bay affiliate of FRSA, the WCRCA in 2001, and the rest is history.

If you could spend time with three people (living or not), who would they be and why?

Jesus Christ, my best friend Peter Enriquez that died in a car crash, and my grandmother that died in 2009. I would ask for advice and guidance.

What do you personally find most rewarding about being involved with FRSA? FRSA is my second family – I really mean that.

What advice would you give someone interested in joining the roofing industry?

Listen. Listen to your peers and your elders. Learn from their mistakes. Be patient. Treat others as you wish to be What’s your favorite part of the job?

I love being able to advocate for the industry. I feel like treated. there are so many threats to roofers and that we do our What’s your favorite pastime activity? best to help where needed.

I have been known to watch a UFC or two – just check my What’s the most unusual roofing project that you’ve social media. been a part of?

About 15 years ago, I had a case involving a car that crashed What would be your ideal place to live and why? through a roof. The Plaintiff’s lawyer argued that had the Anywhere in Florida. I’ve lived in Tampa, Orlando, roof been built better, the car would not have caused as Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale. You can’t beat the much damage. Needless to say, we were able to convince weather. the lawyer otherwise.

What other activities and organizations are you What do you consider a waste of time? involved with?

Anything involving health insurance.

Roofing – NRCA, NWIR and several FRSA affiliates, HVAC – FRACCA and RACCA, Construction Partners of Tampa What’s your favorite vacation?

Anytime I get to spend with my family regardless of Bay and many more construction associations. I support the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and many veteran’s orlocation. ganizations including Black Dagger Military Hunt Club.

What is your dream job?

I am blessed in that this is my calling. I can’t see myself What would surprise others to learn about you?

I hate lawyers (Cam excluded). doing anything else.

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FLORIDA ROOFING | April 2016

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