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Protect yourself from summer heat
Summer temperatures are quickly drifting north of what most of us consider comfortable working conditions. And while all of us would rather enjoy summer at the beach (or just in the air conditioning), it’s also the busiest season for construction. This means long days on the jobsite – and for roofing crews, little relief from the sun (or the pressure of tight project schedules). The Weather Channel is predicting much higher than average temperatures for the West Coast and above average temperatures for much of the South. Many areas will also deal with the added stress of high humidity. This combination can be a dangerous one for those of us working outside this summer. According to OSHA, 84 heat-related deaths were...
read moreStay on schedule with your next roofing project
Many things must fall into place for a construction project to finish on time, but as a roofing contractor you can do your part to keep the whole project on task for a timely completion. It can be a challenge to finish a roofing project on time, given unexpected weather conditions, product availability, and often demanding schedules from general contractors or business owners. To avoid potential problems with your next roofing projects, follow these top tips from our roofing professionals: Stay up to date with the weather forecast for the duration of the project. Following the weather forecast will allow you to plan a better schedule for the project and to avoid any delays that could potentially be costly. Plan to order and...
read moreKeep cool this summer with GenFlex’s TPO roofing system
It’s no secret that a building’s energy efficiency and performance are greatly affected by the materials that are used to construct the building. It’s also no secret that selecting the best roofing system for your building can have a significant impact on the building’s cooling costs. Reflective roofing materials protect a building from extreme heat in the summer and reduce surface temperature on the roof by as much as 30 percent, according to Facility Maintenance Decisions magazine. Studies have indicated that reflective surfaces will cool the building in the summer, decreasing the use of air conditioning and, in turn, decrease cooling costs. In fact, in certain geographic regions, the GenFlex TPO cool roof system...
read moreDid the outlook for construction in Q1 live up to expectations?
Industry experts were very optimistic coming in to 2015 based on strong commercial construction in 2014. But did the first quarter of the year hold true to predictions, or did the industry see an unexpected downturn of activity? Fortunately for much of the commercial construction industry, the quarter saw an upward tick. “When you compare and contrast where our economy stood prior to the 2008-2009 crisis, you realize how far we have come and how far we still need to go,” according to the magazine article 2015 Construction Outlook: An Economic Recovery Finds Its Footing. Moving into 2015 Building Design + Construction cited New York, Dallas, and Houston to the top three positions respectively for future commercial...
read moreProper training and education are essential to prevent roofing accidents
Currently, accidental falls are the leading cause of death and serious injury for roofing workers. Many accidents can be prevented with the use of proper safety measures and training. During a two-year period, California’s OSHA conducted investigations into 126 accidents from roofing operations and found that three out of every four accidents occurred at operations where there was a violation of state safety regulations. In an effort to increase safety on the job, OSHA is launching a safety awareness campaign specifically designed for roofers. Staying up to date on OSHA’s workplace safety regulations can help prevent both safety violations and injuries on the job. Learn more about OSHA’s general guidelines...
read moreGenFlex launches “GenFlex University” – Online, Interactive Roofing Education Tool
GenFlex launched of an exciting new resource: GenFlex University / an online education resource available through the GenFlex website. GenFlex University is offered free to roofing industry professionals – at GenFlex.com/university. New courses are available including EPDM Roofing Systems, Thermoplastic Roofing Systems, and Roofing Insulation and Cover Boards. Each interactive course features audio and text, graphics, animation and videos to help users work through hypothetical situations and answer questions about product options and recommended installation methods. As a dedicated partner to the roofing industry, GenFlex saw a need for an online educational resource, and delivered an interactive online...
read moreGenFlex hits it out of the park with Charlotte Knights’ baseball stadium
The 2014 season was an exciting one for the Charlotte Knights, the triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Along with the action on the diamond, it was the start of a new era for the franchise – the inaugural season in the team’s brand-new home, BB&T Ballpark. The $55 million, state-of-the-art stadium was a hit with fans, who came in record numbers to see the Knights face down International League opposition. The team led all of minor league baseball in attendance, drawing 687,715 attendees to its 71 games, including 31 sellouts.[1] The Ballpark also served as the neutral site host of the Triple-A National Championship Game, and gathered rave reviews from beyond the Knights’ fan base – Stadium Journey magazine...
read moreRoofing industry growth looks promising for 2015
As a whole, the commercial construction industry noticed an increase in new building activity throughout much of 2014, and positive momentum is expected to continue through 2015. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) predict a continued rebound for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries this year. This is particularly true in segments related to U.S. energy and industrial production, according to a recent NRCA feature (“ABC forecasts continued construction industry growth in 2015”). Specifically, ABC expects nonresidential construction spending to grow by approximately 7.5 percent in 2015, driven primarily by power, lodging, office space and manufacturing. “Contractors should continue to...
read moreSpring is just around the corner, roof inspections should be top of mind
The worst of winter appears to be behind us, and now is the time to start focusing on preventative roofing maintenance. Snow falls were extremely heavy in many parts of the country; with spring precipitation on the way, this is the time to address minor concerns before they become major problems. In general, it is recommended to perform at least two roof inspections a year. Your roof inspection should start with the basics, including clearing any debris off the roof that is left over from winter. In the case of TPO and other reflective membranes, this cleaning can be especially important in areas with hot, sunny summers. Clearing away dirt and discoloration maintains white roofs’ solar reflectance and energy efficiency; an...
read moreGenFlex launched new Self-Adhered TPO membrane at IRE
GenFlex used one of the largest roofing expos in the world, the 2015 International Roofing Expo (IRE) in New Orleans, to launch an industry-first adhesive technology. The GenFlex EZ TPO Peel & Stick™ membrane is the first ever self-adhered TPO system that can be installed in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This improved self-adhesive formula gives roofers a much wider installation window – for more productive, profitable crews. “The Peel & Stick membrane has been a great time-saver for contractors – no more hauling buckets of adhesive around the job site, mixing and waiting for flash off,” said Eric Ziemba, General Manager for GenFlex. “But what makes this a game...
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