Jumping into retrofitting

By Emma Peterson. 

Retrofit specialist Rodger Russ shares tips on getting started in the retrofitting business. 

In today’s world, retrofitting is trending in the low-slope roofing world, and for good reason. From offering a more economical option to the building owner to creating a safer workplace for the contractors and being a more sustainable reroofing solution, there are a wide variety of benefits to choosing to retrofit rather than install an entirely new system. To learn more about retrofitting and how contractors can get involved in this market sector, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted a MetalCast episode featuring Rodger Russ, a metal roofing and retrofit specialist and industry advocate for Tremco Roofing. 

The first and foremost thing to consider when getting involved in retrofitting is the design of the existing structure. Rodger explained, “There are a lot of things that have to be looked at before you even start a retrofit. So educating yourself from the design world of retrofitting is key.” There are many different opportunities to get this kind of education, such as classes at trade shows like the International Roofing Expo and METALCON.  

Not only will these classes help you get a better awareness of the mechanics of a retrofit, they can help you fully realize the tools and products at your disposal when tackling a retrofit. Rodger shared an example, saying, “A lot of people don't know what Roof Hugger is. It's a retrofit product that has been around for a long time and allows you to make existing structures stronger and better suited to retrofitting.”  

Once you’ve established that base of knowledge, Rodger recommended reaching out to manufacturers of retrofit systems. He explained, “Because it's also in their best interest to make sure that their systems are being installed properly and thus are code compliant, these companies, like Tremco, are ultimately going to be the ones that support and protect you as a contractor.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the episode to learn more about getting into the retrofitting business.