Briefings

Manufacturer news

Owens Corning^® announces Shingle Color of the Year

Esslinger

Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio, has announced Aged Copper, a shingle color from the company’s TruDefinition^® Duration^® Designer Colors collection, is its 2021 Shingle Color of the Year. Owens Corning’s Shingle Color of the Year is an annual roofing color initiative intended to highlight the roof as a design element that can express a homeowner’s style and contribute to a home’s curb appeal.

Inspired by nature, Aged Copper blends granules infused with orange, sage and brown hues to achieve a warm, welcoming effect. The resulting shingle color is said to coordinate with a variety of exterior colors and surfaces, including brick, stone and natural wood.

Aged Copper is Owens Corning’s fifth Shingle Color of the Year, following Pacific Wave in 2020, Black Sable in 2019, Sand Dune in 2018 and Sedona Canyon in 2017. Aged Copper now is available throughout the U.S.

In addition, Owens Corning has announced Chad Esslinger, a Chicago-based designer and owner of Chad Esslinger Design, is serving as consultant for Owens Corning’s “Ask Chad” question and answer online resource. Esslinger provides answers to homeowners’ FAQ about roof color and exterior home design at owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/tools/chad-esslinger-designer.

Firestone Building Products plant celebrates anniversary

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Nashville, Tenn., has announced its manufacturing plant in Prescott, Ark., recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The plant manufactures roof membranes, flashing and seam tape and is the largest employer in Nevada County with 654 employees.

Originally constructed by Robbin’s Floor Products in 1964, the Prescott plant was purchased by Firestone Industrial Products in 1970 to manufacture automotive radiators and train brake hoses. In 1983, the plant was converted to manufacture RubberGard EPDM roofing materials for Firestone Building Products. During its history, the plant has received numerous awards for safety performance. The Firestone Building Products team is an active part of the Prescott community and supports FoodShare Arkansas, a regional food bank, and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops, among other community programs.

“The Prescott Firestone Building Products plant has been a fixture in the southwest Arkansas community since its establishment,” says Kevin Ward, manager of the Prescott plant. “We are proud of our dedicated team that works hard every day to provide quality products for our customers.”

Former president of Petersen Aluminum passes away

Paleczny

John P. Paleczny, former president of Petersen Aluminum Corp., Elk Grove Village, Ill., passed away Oct. 18. He was 72.

After graduating from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., Paleczny served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Paleczny’s passion was his work at Petersen Aluminum. Starting in 1970 as a warehouse worker, he worked hard to become president of the company before retiring in early 2019. Among his business accomplishments, Paleczny received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Metal Service Center Institute, the organization’s highest honor.

Paleczny was preceded in death by his father, John; mother, Catherine; and sisters, Judy and Kathleen. He is survived by his wife, Marlane; son, Roy; sisters, Patricia Czarkowski and Sandy Seay; brother, Michael; and many nieces and nephews.

Donations in Paleczny’s name can be made to the University of Chicago Medicine at University of Chicago Gift Administration and Business Data, John Paleczny Memorial, 5235 S. Harper Court, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60615 or giving.uchicago.edu/john-paleczny, or Mercy Home for Boys & Girls at 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607 or mercyhome.org.

Contractor news

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing recognized for charitable acts

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, Irvine, Calif., has received two OneOC 2020 Community Cup Charity Challenge awards for charitable giving to local nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. OneOC’s Community Cup Charity Challenge is a community service competition that directs much-needed resources to Orange County nonprofit organizations. During OneOC’s second annual Community Cup Charity Challenge, participants were encouraged to “think outside of the box” to support their community during the pandemic.

Thirty-seven teams from 30 companies in Orange County each partnered with a charity on a project. A panel of judges decided the winners based on overall community impact, monetary and in-kind donations, volunteer hours, social media promotions and more. Five winning teams were each awarded $1,000 to gift to their charity partners.

Two teams from Antis Roofing & Waterproofing competed, and each team received an award. One team won Best Overall Impact Project for supporting California Love Drop, which provides meals, beverages, treats and supplies to health care workers and first responders. The other team won Best Hands-On Project for supporting Second Harvest Food Bank, which feeds local residents in need and engages the community in the fight against hunger.

“We’ve provided the essential service of keeping families safe and dry for more than 30 years, and this year our purpose was clear in that our role must expand to support essential workers who are keeping us safe during these unprecedented times,” says Charles Antis, founder and CEO of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing. “We’re grateful to OneOC for the recognition of our charitable work, and the entire Antis Roofing & Waterproofing team feels energized to continue our giving journey as it’s clear there is much more to be done and we are up for the challenge!”

Venture Construction Group of Florida receives awards

Venture Construction Group of Florida, Boca Raton, has received three PRISM Awards in safety, craftsmanship and commercial construction from the Gold Coast Builders Association. The annual awards are presented to builders, developers, architects, planners, interior designers and other building industry professionals who have demonstrated excellence throughout south Florida.

Winners were honored at the Gold Coast Builders Association’s PRISM award ceremony Aug. 27 at Cucina Cabana in North Palm Beach, Fla. Venture Construction Group of Florida earned a gold award in the Craftsmanship—Commercial Exterior category for its work at Nautilus Cove Condominiums in Panama City Beach, Fla.; a silver award in the Craftsmanship—Commercial Exterior category for its work at Circle Bay Yacht Club and Condominiums in Stuart, Fla.; and a silver Safety Team of the Year award for the company’s best practices, accreditations, protocols and education in safety.

“We are so honored to win the PRISM awards!” says Stephen Shanton, president and CEO of Venture Construction Group of Florida. “As a construction company based in Florida, we help many commercial and residential property owners with roofing, restoration and storm damage repairs. We’re committed to ongoing education, certifications and accreditations in the industry to continue to provide expertise and unparalleled craftsmanship throughout all facets of every project.”

Other news

Roofing Alliance grants program funding

The Roofing Alliance has announced it approved funding for Clemson, S.C.-based Clemson University’s phase two initiative to develop additional classes for a formal Roofing Certificate program. In the second year of development, Clemson University’s Construction Science & Management department program continues to develop valuable resources for the roofing industry.

The second round of funding will be used to develop two new online roofing courses and convert the first course into an online format. The deliverable will be a formal Roofing Certificate program to attract potential roofing professionals by educating interested university students about the roofing industry and providing a continuing education opportunity to retain corporate-level industry professionals.

The Roofing Certificate program will consist of three courses, with three credits for each course. The first course, developed and implemented in phase one of the study and offered in spring 2020, was an introductory course specific to the roofing industry.

The Roofing Certificate initiative is led by Dhaval Gajjar, Ph.D., a professor in Clemson University’s Construction Science & Management department, who is passionate about developing curriculum to help students gain knowledge about roofing.

“Along with developing the online certificate program, the study also proposes an analysis on various economic factors, such as salary, benefits and career advancement within the roofing industry,” Gajjar says. “This is due to the important contributing factors that influence the career choice of younger generations. These are the factors the industry needs to better understand if it wishes to attract and maintain a talented workforce.”

Longtime friend of NRCA passes away

Tobiasson

Wayne Tobiasson, building science researcher and adviser to NRCA, passed away Aug. 14. He was 81.

Tobiasson received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, and a master’s degree in engineering from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. He worked at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory for 39 years and was named Engineer of the Year in 1992 for his work with national snow load research and standards design. After retiring in 1997, Tobiasson continued to consult regarding specialty topics and provide national contributions.

Tobiasson received the Roofing Alliance’s William C. Cullen Fellowship Award in 1998 for research regarding venting steep-slope, compact roof systems. His extensive research at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory and guidance he personally provided to NRCA serve as technical basis for NRCA’s positions regarding ice damming and attic ventilation for steep-slope roof assemblies and vapor retarder usage in low-slope roof assemblies. Tobiasson also was a frequent contributor to NRCA’s technical conferences and symposia and Professional Roofing.

In addition, Tobiasson was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers; past chairman of the ASCE Task Committee on Snow and Rain Loads; past president of the Eastern Snow Conference; chairman of the Federal Roofing Committee in 1996; honorary member of the Roof Consultants Institute Inc. (now IIBEC); and a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of New Hampshire.

Tobiasson is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and three daughters and their families: Wendy Tobiasson (Raoul Wertz, Brennan, Niles); Becky Tobiasson (Steven Dexter, Heather, Zachary); and Kirstin Tobiasson (David Swayze).

Donations in Tobiasson’s name can be made to Maine Island Trails at mita.org/donate or your favorite charity.

SPFA postpones Sprayfoam Show to 2022

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance has postponed its annual Sprayfoam Show because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for February 2021, the event now will be held Feb. 28-March 3, 2022, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.

The Sprayfoam Show is the largest annual convention and trade show in the U.S. dedicated to spray polyurethane foam and brings together industry participants for educational sessions, an exhibits hall and more.

“The Sprayfoam Show is the largest event of its kind in the U.S., and the industry’s contractors, manufacturers and stakeholders look forward to attending each year,” says Bryan Heldreth, president of SPFA. “Unfortunately, with so much uncertainty still surrounding COVID-19, we felt it was best to prioritize the health of our members and industry colleagues and postpone an event of this size until 2022.”

SPFA will provide hotel and registration information in 2021, and event speakers, sessions and a full agenda will be provided closer to the event. Additional information is available at sprayfoam.org.

The industry online

Boral Roofing LLC has launched a new Virtual Design Center. Users can access boralroof.com to explore a showroom of Boral Roofing’s suite of roofing solutions, including clay, concrete, steel and composite options. The design center’s features include roofing product walls, product installation videos, brochures, blogs, company news and Boral Roofing’s custom Design-A-Blend app.

Up the ladder

ABC Supply Co. Inc. has named Marc Kramer director of corporate development.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association has named Aaron R. Phillips vice president of technical services.

OMG^® Roofing Products has named Adam Cincotta vice president of the adhesives and solar business unit.

NRCA new members

A-Line Contractors LLC, Denver
AA Brite 24/7, Tucson, Ariz.
Advanced Building Consultants, Alachua, Fla.
All Well Roofing, Memphis, Tenn.
AMBL Studios, Athens, Ala.
AnswerForce, Portland, Ore.
Armor Shield Companies Inc., Oakville, Conn.
Armored Exteriors, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.
Armstrong & Aceves Co. Inc., Norco, Calif.
Blue Sky Roofing & Contractors, El Paso, Texas
Building Envelope Consulting LLC, Leesburg, Va.
Contractor Training Center, Richmond, Va.
Crandall Roofing Inc., Santa Rosa, Calif.
Elite Roofing and Consulting, Midlothian, Texas
Empire 1 Home Improvements Inc., Wilmington, Mass.
Exclusive Metal Inc., Riverside, Calif.
Fanning Howey, Crown Point, Ind.
Focus Structural Engineering, Huntington, N.Y.
Guardian Construction Group Inc., Norman, Okla.
HighSpans Engineering Inc., Fort Myers, Fla.
LIQUE Design Studio, San Antonio
Makita USA, La Mirada, Calif.
Market Hardware Inc., Bethesda, Md.
MRV Group, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
New Castle Installs LLC, Meridian, Idaho
Newco, Loves Park, Ill.
Orleans Sheet Metal Works & Roofing, New Orleans
Placer Roofing, Orangevale, Calif.
REC, Corpus Christi, Texas
Renowned Building Solutions, McHenry, Ill.
Rhino Roofing LLC, Las Vegas
Roofing Repair Solutions, Tulsa, Okla.
Rooftop Contractors LLC, Annapolis, Md.
Roseville Roofing, Granite Bay, Calif.
Single Ply Roofing Experts, Lake Forest, Calif.
Southern Services LLC, Fort Worth, Texas
Statewide Roofing Inc., Davie, Fla.
The Grace Family Roofing Co., Glen Rock, Pa.
Top Roofco, Centennial, Colo.
Tribeca Roofing LLC, Altamonte Springs, Fla.
TruShield Roofing and Restoration, Charlotte, N.C.
Unique Quality Construction, Indianapolis
Xavier’s Roofing LLC, Bossier City, La.