Blog
A Marine and a Roofer – Called to Service
“It doesn’t matter what I’ve done – I’ve always tried to be a professional.” For Paul Swingle, a roofing consultant and former Marine based out of Georgia, integrity and discipline to do the best job in the most effective way possible, has always driven him to work creatively to deliver on a mission. After living his dream of playing college football and winning a National Championship in Mount Union, Ohio, Paul decided there was more in store for his future, so he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2001. After 10 years with the Marines, Paul decided it was time to take what he had learned and loved in the Marines and transition to civilian life, “I loved deploying. I loved training. I believed in our mission. And I wanted to...
read moreOctober is Energy Action Month
In 2011 and each year thereafter, the former President of the United States proclaimed October to be National Energy Action Month. This designation was created to encourage energy-saving actions and to reduce national energy consumption. The presidential proclamations called upon citizens of the United States to recognize October as Energy Action Month by “working together to achieve greater energy security, a more robust economy, and a healthier environment for our children.” These are goals we think everyone can agree with. GenFlex’s Commitment Every year, commercial buildings represent nearly one-fifth of all U.S. energy consumption, according to the Department of Energy. Roofing is a critical component to any building,...
read moreNational Fire Prevention Month 2017
Few issues in construction are more important than protecting the project—and the people involved in it—from fire damage and injury. Fire officials and construction experts, along with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), designate the month of October every year to boost public education efforts, including those targeting the construction industry. According to an NFPA report, Fires in Structures under Construction, there were 3,750 fires in structures under construction from 2010-2014. Approximately 2,500 of those fires were under major renovations, and 2,130 were in sites being demolished. These fires resulted in 9 deaths, 132 civilian injuries, and $310 million in direct property damage. Additionally, the US...
read moreHow to Properly Choose a Commercial Roofing Contractor
When searching for a roofing contractor, most people start searching the internet to review all of the local listings. But it’s important to ask other building owners or facility managers for their recommendations as well. GenFlex offers a Find-An-Expert tool on our website, where you can locate GenFlex-authorized contractors in your area, as well as authorized sales representatives that can help point you in the right direction. Fine-Tuning the Search List The following are some basic tips to finding commercial roofing contractors. Look for a range of photographs on the company’s website illustrating project details and established history, similar to a project portfolio. Look for videos that detail their projects and...
read moreConstruction Needs After Hurricane Harvey
Harvey reached landfall Friday, August 25 as a Category 4 hurricane, causing record levels of destruction, tragedy and economic loss in southeastern Texas. By the time it decreased to a tropical depression, the Beaumont and Port Arthur regions had received approximately 30”of rainfall. As of August 31, the damage was ongoing. According to NBC News, at least 29 people had died, and more than 32,000 Texans were in shelters. Thousands of people were still missing, and almost 210,000 people had applied for federal assistance. Southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana are expected to be submerged under several feet of water for a protracted amount of time. Economists consulted by NBC News estimated losses between $48 billion to...
read moreWomen’s Equality Day
Since August is a month that, among other things, honors women with National Women’s Equality Day, GenFlex would like to applaud women who have chosen a career in construction and roofing. Saying that women have come a long way in the construction industry is the absolute truth. Annie McEvoy writes in her article, The history of women in the construction industry, and how far they have come, “One of the first documented women in construction was in the late 1800s. Emily Roebling stepped in as the ‘first woman field engineer’ and saw out the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge but only because her husband had become ill. The Brooklyn Bridge opened on May 24, 1883, and Emily was the first to cross it. Louise Blanchard...
read moreFirst Half of 2017 and a Look Forward
As we head into the second half of 2017, let’s review how the year has stacked up so far. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction spending for the first four months of the year was $359.5 billion, 5.8 percent above the $339.7 billion for the same period in 2016. If we just look at April’s monthly construction spending, it indicates a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.21 trillion. If that number holds true, 2017 will experience a 4.8 percent increase over 2016. It looks like we can be in the range of about 5-6 percent growth in total construction spending. Let’s drill down further into the bureau’s April Value of Construction Put in Place Survey (VIP) results. Private construction spending compared to...
read moreBenefits of a Heat-Welded System
As we all know, “heat-welded roofs” refer to the seams of a roofing membrane that have been fused together with the application of heat. Single-ply thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membranes, including GenFlex’s TPO, are typically used. GenFlex EZ TPO and EZ TPO Peel & Stick™ HW are heat-welded roofing membranes made of high‑quality thermoplastic polyolefin. They are excellent choices regardless of configuration, usage, slope, height location or wind exposure. Installation Benefits When comparing heat-welded seams with glued or taped seams, the seam strength is 3–4 times more durable and requires 40–50% less seaming time, reducing labor costs and ultimately making the installation less expensive. Welding can be done...
read moreA Brief History of TPO
Beginning in the 1960s, prior to the introduction of Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) in the US market, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) was the single-ply thermoplastic roofing system that was mainly used. PVC was known for its versatility since it could be molded to fit varying roof structures and could withstand chemical, light and temperature corrosion. However, PVC includes plasticizer additives to give it more flexibility, so after years of use, the plasticizers would break down, wash away and add chemicals to the soil. It also encourages mold growth and is affected by the weather over time, leading to roof shrinkage and cracking. These shortcomings lead to manufacturers conducting research in an effort to find a resilient solution that...
read moreContinuing Education Resources
For many of us, school or college days are just fond memories of the past. However, that doesn’t mean we can stop learning. As a commercial roofing business owner or someone working in the industry, the importance of continuing education in our changing industry should be recognized. While it is easy to become set in one’s ways, especially if you have been successful in the past, the industry is growing and changing and becoming more technology driven than ever before. You have to stay relevant and up-to-date on new products, trends, environmental issues, new methods to reach new and current customers, more efficient installation techniques, and new codes and regulations, to name a few. And, continuing education can include some...
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