By The Coffee Shops®. 

Contractor-focused innovation drives product upgrades. 

The most effective jobsite innovations often come from contractors solving their own challenges. That origin story remains central to the Equipter 4000 as Equipter introduces updates to its 2026 model. In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Karen Edwards spoke with Equipter's Dave Beiler about how the company's flagship product has evolved since its beginnings in the roofing industry. 

According to Dave, the original concept emerged from real-world roofing operations. "There has to be a better way," he said, describing the thinking that led his father to develop the first Equipter while operating a roofing company. That contractor-first mindset continues to influence the Equipter's design today. 

Dave explained that the Equipter 4000 functions as a towable trailer that becomes a drivable piece of equipment on site. Its elevated debris container helps crews capture roofing tear-off material before it reaches lawns, landscaping and other vulnerable areas around a property. "We saw the benefits of the efficiency," Dave said. Just as important, homeowners immediately noticed the difference. "The debris isn't hitting the ground and falling on their flowers and shrubs." 

The company has spent more than two decades refining the product while maintaining the core purpose that made it successful. For 2026, one of the most notable updates is the addition of Honda's IGX engine technology. 

Dave said the new engine features an electronic choke and throttle system that simplifies operation and improves the user experience. Operators can more easily manage engine speed while benefiting from automatic choke functionality during startup. 

Innovation remains a central company value, he explained. "We continue to look to find reliable products and then also things that impact our customers and contractors day to day." That commitment to continuous improvement illustrates how contractor feedback and field experience continue to shape the next generation of equipment. 

As the 2026 model arrives, the evolution of the Equipter 4000 demonstrates how practical jobsite challenges can become long-term innovation opportunities. 

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about the 2026 Equipter 4000. 

By The Coffee Shops®. 

How the right metalworking tools can help contractors improve accuracy and productivity. 

For roofing and siding contractors, premade metal components do not always match the realities of the job site. During an episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Mark of Them Roof Boys explained how fabricating custom trims with Van Mark tools has helped his Ontario-based residential exterior business address unique project conditions while giving the crew more control over their work. 

Mark began roofing as a laborer and eventually recognized that the trade could become a lasting career. As his experience grew, so did his understanding of custom metalwork.  Older homes, and sometimes even newer ones, may have dimensions that make standard pieces difficult to use. With the ability to bend metal on- site, his team can create drip edges, wall flashings, chimney kits and transitional trims suited to each project. When it came to investing in his capabilities, Mark said there was no question about it. “If I was equipped to bend this metal myself, I would be quicker on these jobs, saving money, and just doing a better job overall,” he explained. 

His first brake was from Van Mark, and he continued using the company’s equipment as his business expanded. The cam system allows his team to move between different metal gauges without using tools to adjust the brake. He recommends that contractors begin by considering the types and gauges of metal they expect to bend, then choose a brake that supports both their current work and future direction. 

Additional equipment can be added as demand increases. Mark’s business incorporated a coil cradle to manage and feed metal into the brake, followed by a motorized slitter to further improve production. “You kind of grow your tool collection with the growth of your business,” he said. 

Custom fabrication also supports better water-management details and creates training opportunities. Mark teaches new crew members through demonstration and hands-on practice, beginning with basic bends before progressing to advanced trims. Successfully fabricating and installing a component gives workers confidence and a stronger sense of ownership. 

Listen to the full episode, or Watch the recording to learn more about how custom metal fabrication can support contractor productivity. 

By The Coffee Shops®. 

Authentic storytelling helps roofing companies showcase culture and connect with future employees. 

If culture helps attract talent, the next challenge is making that culture visible. 

During one episode of Roofing Road Trips, Kristin Case of Hi-Peak Staffing said roofing companies must actively communicate who they are and what employees can expect when joining their teams. Doing so not only strengthens recruiting efforts but also helps candidates envision themselves within the organization. “I always tell my clients, 'Don't keep your company culture a secret,'” she said.  

Kristin encourages companies to use their websites, social media channels, recruiting materials and interviews to highlight employee success stories, milestones and workplace experiences. Rather than simply stating values, organizations can demonstrate them through real examples. “Candidates want to picture themselves working there before they ever apply,” she continued. “So, the more authentic that you are, the more likely you are to attract the people that align with your company values.” 

Storytelling plays a central role in that process. Whether it is a promotion, a career journey or a successful project, authentic stories create a stronger connection than broad statements about culture.  

She shared a bit about her experience, saying, “People remember stories much more than they remember a mission statement.” She cited examples such as an employee progressing from laborer to superintendent, or sharing how a team solved complex challenges to achieve successful outcomes. These stories help candidates understand what growth and opportunity look like inside an organization. 

Kristin also emphasized the importance of demonstrating inclusivity and professional growth opportunities. Sharing employee experiences can help newcomers feel more confident about entering the roofing industry, particularly those who may not have previously considered it as a career path. 

As workforce expectations continue to evolve, roofing companies that openly share their culture, celebrate their people and tell authentic stories may be better positioned to attract the next generation of industry professionals. 

“Lead with positivity, lead with empathy, lead with an open mind,” Kristin advised. In a competitive hiring environment, culture is most powerful when people can see it in action. 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about showcasing company culture in roofing. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Contractors are increasingly using impact-resistant roofing systems to help homeowners manage rising storm damage costs and insurance challenges. 

In a recent Read Listen Watch® (RLW) webinar sponsored by TAMKO, the conversation focused on helping contractors navigate growing demand for resilient roofing systems in hail-prone regions. The discussion explored how contractors can better educate homeowners about long-term roofing performance, insurance trends and impact-resistant products designed to withstand severe weather. 

During the webinar, TAMKO® representatives Brian Dunn and Jon Abernathy* discussed the increasing frequency of hailstorms across the United States and the financial pressure homeowners are facing as deductibles and insurance premiums continue to rise. According to Jon, many homeowners in hail-prone regions are now paying significantly more out of pocket after repeated storm events. “We're starting to see that change, and the homeowners are actually becoming customers,” Jon said. “They're having to pay the bill now.” 

The conversation centered heavily on TAMKO’s new HailGuard™ shingle, which was released earlier this year. Brian explained that the product was developed in response to ongoing insurance market shifts and increasing storm severity. He noted that the product incorporates an upgraded fiberglass mat and proprietary coating designed to improve flexibility and impact resistance beyond traditional Class 4 testing standards.† 

Contractors are also being encouraged to shift conversations away from reactive storm restoration work and toward long-term roof system performance. Brian said contractors can help homeowners better understand the long-term financial implications of repeated roof replacements by discussing deductibles, premium increases and manufactured-backed limited system warranties during the sales process. ‡ 

Jon emphasized that contractors who educate homeowners on premium roofing systems and manufacturer warranties can create stronger differentiation in competitive markets. ‡ “I’m all about offering premium,” Jon said. “Premium sells to homeowners and at least offering them what's best for them and really educating them on what it means and what could happen if they don't.” 

The webinar also highlighted TAMKO’s ongoing contractor training initiatives, including in-person storm response events, virtual education programs and expanded warranty offerings tied to certified contractor programs. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about storm-resistant roofing systems and contractor education strategies. 

* The views and opinions expressed are based on the author’s long tenure and personal experiences as a roofing contractor prior to coming to TAMKO. As such, his views are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice regarding insurance, financing, legal matters, or business transactions. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals before making any decisions related to their business operations. 

†“Beyond Class 4” is a marketing term and does not refer to any official UL impact rating. HailGuard™ shingles are classified by UL for compliance with UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance. UL 2218 utilizes a dropped steel ball which may not correlate with real world rooftop experience with the impact of storm driven hail or other objects. Currently, UL testing does not include classifications higher than Class 4; however, TAMKO has successfully tested HailGuard™ shingles at impact energies exceeding UL 2218 Class 4. See TAMKO’s HailGuard™ Extended Limited System Warranty for complete terms and details. 

‡ TAMKO Professional Certified Contractors can offer certain Enhanced Limited System Warranties. See tamko.com/edge for details.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Renoworks’ visualization tools help homeowners preview exterior renovations while giving contractors a clearer, more efficient sales process. 

Homeowners increasingly expect to see how a renovation will look before committing to a major exterior project. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Karen Edwards spoke with Renoworks channel partner manager Jenni McMorran about how visualization technology can help contractors meet those expectations, improve customer conversations and support stronger sales outcomes. 

Explaining the technology, Jenni shared, “The visualization software allows you to see what the completed renovation will look like before you get started.” Renoworks allows contractors and homeowners to upload a photo of a property and preview roofing, siding, windows, paint colors and other exterior products from real-world manufacturers. Instead of relying on verbal descriptions or small physical samples, homeowners can see products applied directly to an image of their own home. 

Addressing a common obstacle during the sales process, Jenni emphasized, “The biggest challenge is uncertainty.” A roof is a major investment and one of the most difficult parts of a home for many property owners to imagine changing. When homeowners cannot clearly picture the finished project, that uncertainty can lead to hesitation, additional revisions and longer sales cycles. 

Renoworks’ Image Enhance feature uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the realism of visualizations by correcting lighting, adding natural shadows and enhancing texture and depth. Describing the impact of those improvements, Jenni explained, “The result looks far more like a real photo of a completed home.” This added realism helps close the gap between what a contractor describes and what a homeowner understands. 

Contractors can access their branded visualizer through an online link from a laptop, tablet or phone. They can use the tool during an in-home sales presentation, send homeowners a live link or provide a customized PDF showing the before image, finished design and selected products. 

The platform can also be customized to display only the manufacturers, product lines and colors a contractor offers. Its lead pod feature allows contractors to see which products and colors homeowners explored on their website before an appointment, giving the sales team useful insight before the conversation begins. 

By helping homeowners compare options and see a more realistic representation of the completed project, visualization technology can support clearer communication, greater confidence and a more efficient sales experience. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how visualization technology can strengthen homeowner conversations and help contractors move projects forward with confidence! 

By Emma Peterson. 

Effective snow management helps prevent property damage, improve safety and protect building occupants, making it a critical element of cold-climate roof design. 

When we think of managing weather in relation to a roof, often what comes to mind is rainfall or high winds. But another crucial element that must be considered in roof design is snow. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, we explore how to design roofs for snowfall with Brian cross and Dylan Quirk of Rocky Mountain Snow Guards. 

Brian, who manages sales and operations at Rocky Mountain Snow Guards, kicked off by highlighting the leading snow management roof product – snow retention. He explained how this works:  

There are a couple of different systems that fall under the snow retention category, but they’re all focused on putting friction on a roof. The main goal of it is to maintain and stabilize the snowpack on the roof so that it doesn't slide off and damage property or harm people underneath the eaves.  

There are two main types of snow retention – guards and fences/bars. Brian explained the difference, “Snow guards are going to be individual pieces that go on in a specific pattern that are going to maintain the snow. As for snow fences and snow bars, they're essentially barriers that'll go across the eave to hold the snowpack stable.” 

And even though they create that friction and stabilization in different ways, the key to success with both of these types of snow retention is proper design. As Dylan, who works on Rocky Mountain’s design and estimating team, described:  

When you’re working with snow retention, there are a lot of factors at play. Some of the major ones are going to be roofing material, roof pitch and geographical area (which helps us determine the snow loads). If you don’t account for all these different variables and just throw something up on the roof with no design, you can’t be sure that it will actually retain snow safely. 

The need for managing all these variables is why Rocky Mountain created a free, customized snow retention layout and design service to aid contractors installing these crucial systems. 

Learn more about snow retention and other services by Listening to the whole episode, Watching the recording or visiting www.rockymountainsnowguards.com.

Select partners deliver consistent results across projects.

STARC Systems, a leading manufacturer of reusable temporary wall systems, today announced the continued growth of its Select Partner network, with over 10 regional providers across the country choosing STARC as their default temporary containment system.

The growing network reflects broader momentum behind reusable temporary containment as contractors and facility owners look for faster, cleaner and more repeatable alternatives to traditional temporary drywall.

STARC Select Partners provide local and regional access to STARC temporary wall systems, along with the expertise and support to deploy them across a range of construction environments. Recent additions to the network include First Atlantic Restoration, Blayson Supply, LLC, California Containment & Walls, Southeast Containment Walls, Inside Out Architectural Solutions, Modern Containment Systems, Old Dominion Healthcare Services, Trident Walls, Darby Enterprise Global Solutions and Modular Wall Solutions.

"What's most exciting is seeing our partners move beyond choosing a temporary wall system project by project and instead standardizing around what they believe is the best solution in the market," said Eric Hattey, vice president, indirect sales at STARC Systems.

"For too long, temporary containment has been treated like a commodity where the lowest-cost option wins. Our Select Partners recognize that contractors and facility owners are looking for something different: a proven, best-in-class system they can trust, deploy consistently and stand behind from one project to the next. That's the standard we're building this network around."

Growing a Network Around a Better Standard

For decades, temporary drywall has remained the default approach to construction containment despite the labor, time and material waste required to build it, finish it, tear it down and dispose of it.

STARC reusable temporary wall systems are designed to change that equation. Rapid installation helps teams start projects faster, while durable, reusable panels can be redeployed across phases and projects. The systems contain dust and debris, reduce construction disruption and provide a clean, professional appearance in active and sensitive environments.

Each Select Partner brings its own market expertise, customer relationships and service capabilities while making STARC walls available to more projects and customers in its region. Collectively, the expanding network is helping reusable temporary containment move from an alternative considered project by project toward a solution that can be deployed repeatedly across jobsites.

The Select Partner network is part of STARC's broader effort to make reusable temporary containment easier to access throughout the United States. By expanding relationships with regional providers serving contractors and facility teams in their local markets, STARC is pairing local expertise and service with a consistent, proven temporary wall system.

STARC's product portfolio supports a range of commercial construction environments, including healthcare, airports, data centers, commercial facilities, hospitality and retail.

About STARC Systems

STARC Systems is a leading provider of reusable temporary wall systems designed to eliminate the disruption of renovation. Its modular systems improve safety, accelerate project timelines, reduce costs and deliver a better experience for occupants and project teams alike.

For more information, visit STARCsystems.com.

By Emma Peterson. 

How participating in associations like the Roofing Alliance gives professionals a chance to build a legacy. 

From providing broader industry advocacy on a national level to providing individual contractors with the resources they need to succeed, trade associations are invaluable resources. A prime example of one of these invaluable organizations is the Roofing Alliance. To learn more about what this foundation does for the industry, Trent Cotney, a partner and the construction team lead at Adams and Reese law firm, came by for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®.  

Trent is the perfect person to talk to about this, as he is both Roofing Alliance’s legal counsel and their parent association, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s general counsel. He opened by sharing some background on Roofing Alliance:  

The Roofing Alliance is NRCA's foundation, but operates as its own entity. It has existed for almost 30 years, and over the years, it has been instrumental in charitable efforts like providing free roofs and repairs to Ronald McDonald houses nationwide. They also work to support the roofing industry, specifically with education and research. 

Their educational support often comes in the form of scholarships and their research is usually focused on critical economic and technical challenges facing the roofing market. And they have made a huge impact in both areas, reporting that their “members have invested [and raised] over $16 million to fund transformative research, educational initiatives and scholarships, all dedicated to enhancing industry performance and long-term success.” 

At the end of the day, the work that the Roofing Alliance has done not only supports professionals in the industry today but also our future tradespeople. “The Alliances is so valuable. Not only is it a great opportunity to meet your peers in the industry, but it’s a great way to give back to the industry,” he shared. “Personal career and financial success are great, but when I think about when I'm dead and gone, I want to have left a positive mark on the world. I want to have done what I can to give back and to help. And groups like Roofing Alliance are the way I feel like I am doing that.” 

Listen to the whole podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about the Roofing Alliance and its invaluable work in the roofing industry. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Ingage and Renoworks are helping contractors deliver personalized, interactive presentations that move homeowners from imagining a project to making decisions. 

Home improvement sales presentations have evolved from printed flip books and static brochures into interactive experiences tailored to each homeowner. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Alan Davis, product manager at Ingage, about how the company’s integration with Renoworks helps contractors simplify sales workflows and create more personalized presentations. 

Ingage allows sales representatives to build narratives around their companies, services and product recommendations. Renoworks adds visualizations that show roofing, siding, gutters, windows and other exterior products on a homeowner’s property. “When a homeowner sees their house with their options, they stop imagining and they start deciding,” Alan said. 

The integration brings those visualizations into the contractor’s Ingage presentation, creating a seamless path from initial research to the sales consultation. A homeowner can explore design options before an appointment, while the contractor can use that activity to better understand the homeowner’s interests and prepare a relevant presentation. 

That preparation can also support virtual appointments. Contractors can gather property images, create design concepts and assemble information about products, pricing or financing before speaking with the homeowner. Alan explained, “I can give you a document. I can give you a presentation. I can give you something that's like a proposal of what we think would be appropriate.” Instead of beginning with broad questions, the representative can begin the conversation with a potential answer tailored to the homeowner’s property. 

The technology is also designed to reduce what Alan called “application fatigue.” Rather than asking representatives to move repeatedly between customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, visualization software, documentation tools and other systems, Ingage serves as a central place for presenting information. 

For contractors, the goal is not simply learning another software platform. Alan said training can instead focus on workflows, sales methods and customer conversations, with the technology supporting each step. 

By combining a contractor’s story with personalized images, the integration can turn a traditional sales meeting into a collaborative design consultation that builds trust and strengthens the homeowner experience.  

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how personalized visualization can transform the home improvement sales experience! 

By The Coffee Shops®. 

Brava’s Pro Portal keeps projects moving efficiently from lead generation to homeowner proposals.  

As homeowners increasingly make decisions based on response time, speed matters more than ever for contractors. It can be overwhelming to try to keep up with new leads while also managing active jobsites. In one episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth sat down with Josh Nimmo of Brava Roof Tile to explore how the Brava Pro Portal supports contractors and distributors throughout the sales process and how professionals are using it in the field. 

One of the clearest advantages is lead management. As a manufacturer, Brava is an unconventional source of lead generation in the form of homeowner inquiries, which are then passed along to contractors. According to Josh, the portal adds visibility to that process and gives Brava a better understanding of what happens after a lead is shared. “We used to email and send, but then there's kind of this black hole, right?” Josh said. “Well, now there's actual activity to track. I know if somebody clicked read, did the next step and started the quote.” 

That visibility also helps strengthen partnerships. Rather than waiting for updates through calls and emails, activity can be monitored in real time, allowing Brava to recognize engaged contractors and better support their efforts. 

The portal's functionality extends beyond manufacturer-generated leads. Contractors can enter the workflow at different stages depending on the information they already have. Josh explained that users can begin with a lead, jump directly to quoting or import roof reports and measurements. 

The technology behind the portal plays a significant role in making that process faster. The platform integrates measurement data, pricing information and product selections into a guided workflow designed to reduce manual entry. Josh described the experience as a “TurboTax-like system” that can manage the complicated details of a roof quote behind the curtain and produce a simple, easy to understand result.  

He added that flexibility is a key priority. Whether users prefer manual measurements, imported reports or API-driven workflows, the system is designed to accommodate different approaches while keeping projects organized and moving forward. 

Designed for contractors looking to simplify their sales process, the Brava Pro Portal offers an all-in-one platform to help get correct information quickly.  

Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about roofing sales workflows and project management.