By Emma Peterson.

Discover how Storm Breaker™ acrylic coatings help contractors improve energy efficiency, extend roof life and deliver reliable protection.

BITEC® might have gotten their start as a modified bitumen manufacturer, but they are far from a one-trick pony! They have a wide variety of other roofing systems that are powerful solutions for roof restoration and preservation. One example of BITEC®’s non-bitumen products is their Storm Breaker™ acrylic coatings!

These water-based acrylic coatings were engineered to offer “excellent reflectivity, ease of application and environmental benefits.” Here at the top four reasons contractors are choosing to install Storm Breaker™ on their acrylic projects!

1 – Energy efficiency

BITEC®’s team designed the Storm Breaker™ acrylic coatings with a bright white pigment that provides high reflectivity and energy efficiency. In fact, both the Contractor and Premium grade acrylics in the Storm Breaker™ line score a 105 on the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI).

What does that mean? The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) describes SRI as:

An indicator of the ability of a roof surface to return solar energy to the atmosphere. Roofing material surfaces with a higher SRI will be cooler than surfaces with a lower SRI under the same solar energy exposure, especially on a sunny day. Using materials with higher SRI values can enhance building occupant comfort and reduce air conditioning use.

For reference, most of the SRI scores that CRRC handles fall between 0 and 100, making a score of 105 very reflective and efficient.

2 – Versatility

In addition to formulating for efficiency, the Storm Breaker™ acrylic roof coatings are incredibly versatile. They are compatible with all of the following substrates:

• Metal
• Concrete
• TPO single ply membranes
• PVC single ply membranes
• EPDM single ply membranes
• Granule- and smooth-surface modified bitumen
• Asphalt built-up roofs (BUR)
• Acrylic coatings
• Silicone coatings
• Sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF)

3 – Long-lasting

Further, thanks to the seamless and flexible nature of BITEC®’s proprietary formulations, Storm Breaker™ acrylic roof coatings provide exceptional weatherability and long-term performance. These coatings’ have a lifelong durability and strength and BITEC® provides a wide variety of warranties for different installations, ranging from 10 years to 20 years!

4 – More than just coatings

BITEC® didn’t just design an acrylic coating product, they designed an acrylic roof system! Not only does BITEC® produce Storm Breaker™ acrylic roof coatings, they also produce an acrylic flashing compound.

This compound, which is white-pigmented, high solids and water-based, is designed “to bridge and seal roof penetrations where standard coatings are unable.” Like the acrylic coatings it is used in tandem with, the Storm Breaker™ acrylic flashing compound is suitable for use on a wide variety of substrates, provides incredible UV resistance and long-term protection.

Want to learn more about BITEC®’s Storm Breaker™ acrylic products? Read up on them here.

By Emma Peterson.

With strong adhesion, long-term flexibility and compatibility across a wide range of roofing substrates, SEBS coatings offer contractors an effective option for roof restoration and waterproofing projects.

Over the last 40 years, BITEC® has made it a priority to ensure they have a roofing solution for every situation, from their trademark modified bitumen to their acrylic coatings and beyond! Each system has its own strengths and weaknesses that must be taken into account when matching a system to a roofing project. Today, we wanted to take some time to dive into the pros and cons of one of their newer systems – SEBS.

SEBS, or Styrene Ethylbutylene Styrene, is a type of coating made from solvents. George Daisey described SEBS Coatings in an article for Western States Roofing Contractors Association as “solvent-based coatings that offer excellent water resistance and very low permeance... [these coatings can be] described as super-hydrophobic and will have a moderate service life versus silicone or acrylic roof coatings.”

BITEC®’s line of SEBS coatings includes three main products:

1. A thermally stable roof coating
2. A flashing compound for sealing penetrations
3. A translucent skylight waterproofing coating

These products can be used individually, but when put together as an entire system they provide great benefits such as:

1. High compatibility: BITEC®’s SEBS coating products provide excellent adhesion to a wide variety of substrates such as “metal, concrete, aged TPO and PVC single ply membranes, granule- or smooth-surface modified bitumen, asphalt built-up roofs (BUR) and sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF).”
2. Incredible flexibility: thanks to careful engineering, BITEC®’s SEBS system is highly resistant to cracking and peeling due to environmental elements such as UV exposure and weather fluctuations.
3. Adaptable installation: it is easy to work with BITEC’s SEBS system as the products can be applied by sprayer, brush or roller!

Overall, these benefits make SEBS coatings a great solution for tough restoration projects where long-lasting elasticity and flexibility are key.

Learn more about BITEC®’s SEBS system.

Por The Coffee Shops® 

Asegúrate de incluir estas sesiones y expositores en tu lista de prioridades para METALCON.  

Del 7 al 9 de octubre en Orlando, Florida, la industria se reunirá para tres días de educación, innovación y networking. Con más de 60 sesiones educativas y 250 expositores, es importante que los asistentes planifiquen su agenda con anticipación. Desde nuevos productos y servicios hasta soluciones innovadoras, no querrás perder la oportunidad de conversar con estos socios de The Coffee Shops®: Carlise Architechtural Metals, Central States Manufacturing, Malco, Roof Huger, Van Mark, ATAS International, Inc., Metal Construction Association (MCA), Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings y muchos más. Además, no olvides visitar el stand 408 para conocer al equipo de MetalCoffeeShop®.

Conferencia Magistral: Nada Puede Detenerte 

El exlanzador de las Grandes Ligas Jim Abbott compartirá su extraordinaria historia, desde Flint, Michigan, hasta lanzar un juego sin hit ni carrera en el Yankee Stadium. Nacido sin mano derecha, Jim encontró formas creativas de perseguir sus metas mientras aprendía la importancia de la responsabilidad y la confianza. Su inspiradora conferencia explora cómo la mentalidad adecuada puede transformar la adversidad en crecimiento personal, ayudando a los asistentes a reconocer sus propios desafíos como oportunidades para desarrollar resiliencia y adaptarse al cambio. 

¡Regístrate hoy!

Conferencia Magistral: Construyendo en la Incertidumbre: Perspectivas del Mercado para las Industrias de la Construcción y el Diseño 

¿Qué factores económicos influirán en la construcción y el diseño durante los próximos 12 meses? El execonomista en jefe del American Institute of Architects, Kermit Baker, analizará los indicadores que afectan la actividad de los proyectos, el crecimiento de los distintos sectores y las prioridades de los clientes. Los asistentes obtendrán una perspectiva basada en datos sobre las tendencias del mercado, las diferencias regionales y las oportunidades emergentes que les ayudarán a tomar decisiones informadas en un entorno de constante cambio. 

¡Regístrate hoy!

Perspectiva de la Industria: Actualizaciones de Códigos para la Construcción Metálica: Qué Cambió y Qué Significa 

Los cambios en los códigos pueden provocar retrasos en permisos, rediseños y problemas de cumplimiento cuando no se conocen o se interpretan incorrectamente. Los expertos Bill Beals, Paul Deffenbaugh y Bob Zabcik analizarán las actualizaciones recientes y futuras que afectan a la construcción metálica. La sesión abordará aspectos relacionados con el diseño, las especificaciones, la fabricación y la instalación, ayudando a los asistentes a comprender los requisitos actuales y prepararse para las tendencias que podrían influir en futuros proyectos. 

¡Regístrate hoy!

Perspectiva de la Industria: 2027, el Futuro de la Construcción Metálica 

Líderes de la industria examinarán las fuerzas económicas, regulatorias, de materiales y de obra que darán forma a la construcción metálica rumbo a 2027. Los panelistas Kermit Baker, Jeff Henry, Vincent Sagan y Benton Trotter conectarán la realidad actual del mercado con los desafíos y oportunidades que se avecinan. Los asistentes explorarán cómo las condiciones de suministro, la evolución de los códigos y las presiones en la construcción están influyendo en los costos, los métodos de entrega y las prácticas del sector. 

¡Regístrate hoy!

Las sesiones educativas son solo una parte de la experiencia. Los asistentes también podrán recorrer una enorme área de exhibición para establecer contactos, descubrir nuevas soluciones y aprender directamente de profesionales de toda la industria. Asegúrate de incluir el stand 408 de MetalCoffeeShop® en tu recorrido. 

Mientras visitas la expo, también encontrarás a varios socios de The Coffee Shops®, entre ellos Western States Metal Roofing, BITEC, Franklin International, Giddy Up, H.B. Fuller / GSSI, Latinos en Roofing, MARCO Industries, Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), McElroy Metal, MetalForming Inc., MFM Building Products, RoofScope y muchas otras empresas destacadas del sector.

No te pierdas el evento metalero del año. Regístrate para asistir a METALCON y utiliza el código 30MCS para obtener $30 de descuento en tu pase. 

By Emma Peterson.

The people-first approach that supports contractors and has built BITEC® a stellar legacy in the roofing industry.

Since 1986, BITEC® has provided top-of-the-line roofing products that support long-term roof performance. To learn about the people behind the products, BITEC®’s expert team, we spoke with Shane Millwood, their VP of sales and marketing.

Shane accredits a large amount of BITEC®’s longevity and success to their people. In his words, “Our team is key. We've built a culture focused around being active listeners in every conversation with our contractors. Because we don't want to just pitch products, we want to help and serve each contractor and partner we have.”

He gave an example of what this culture looks like in action:

Say a contractor reaches out and tells us that they need a coating, but they’re not sure what’s best. I am confident that our incredible team can walk in and help them figure out what system is going to be best for them right now, without even needing a catalog.

And, looking ahead, one of Shane’s priorities is to grow his team in order to provide this level of service to even more contractors. In his words, “My team is phenomenal, I've got a great bunch of guys and I really want to grow and expand it. At the moment, we cover middle America pretty well with some scattered folks in the South and the West.” He went on, “I want to expand upon that to make sure our contractor partners are getting the best support we can provide.”

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about how BITEC supports their contractors.

By The Coffee Shops®.

Make sure these sessions and exhibitors are on your METALCON short list.

METALCON is just around the corner happening October 7-9 in Orlando, Florida! With over 60 education sessions and 250 exhibitors, it’s important for attendees to plan their schedules carefully. From new products and services to innovative solutions, you won’t want to miss the chance to talk to these Coffee Shop partners: Carlise Architechtural Metals, Central States Manufacturing, Malco, Roof Huger, Van Mark, ATAS International, Inc., Metal Construction Association (MCA), Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings and more! Don’t forget to stop by booth 408 to meet the MetalCoffeeShop team!

Featuring an impressive lineup of industry experts and motivational speakers, the METALCON headline sessions just scratch the surface of the learning opportunities.

Keynote: nothing Can Stop You

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Abbott shares his remarkable journey from Flint, Michigan, to throwing a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium. Born without a right hand, Jim developed creative ways to pursue his goals while learning the importance of accountability and trust. His inspiring keynote explores how mindset can transform adversity into personal growth, helping attendees recognize their own challenges as opportunities to build resilience, adapt and celebrate the experiences that shape who they are.

Register today!

Keynote: Building Through Uncertainty: A Market Outlook for the Construction and Design Industries

What economic forces will shape construction and design during the next 12 months? Former American Institute of Architects Chief Economist Kermit Baker examines the indicators influencing project activity, sector growth and client priorities. Attendees will gain a data-driven view of shifting pipelines, regional market differences and emerging opportunities. The session provides a forward-looking framework to help industry professionals anticipate risks, align business planning with changing conditions and make informed decisions in an uncertain market.

Register today!

Industry Outlook: Metal Construction Code Updates: What’s Changed and What it Means

Code changes can lead to permit delays, redesigns and compliance gaps when they are missed or misunderstood. Industry experts Bill Beals, Paul Deffenbaugh and Bob Zabcik will break down significant recent and upcoming updates affecting metal construction. Covering design, specifications, fabrication and installation, the session will help attendees understand current compliance requirements, distinguish the roles of standards organizations and prepare for emerging trends that could influence future projects and business decisions.

Register today!

Industry Outlook: 2027 the Future of Metal Construction

Industry leaders examine the economic, regulatory, material and jobsite forces expected to shape metal construction through 2027. Panelists Kermit Baker, Jeff Henry, Vincent Sagan and Benton Trotter will connect current market realities with the challenges and opportunities ahead. Attendees will explore how supply conditions, evolving codes and construction pressures are influencing project costs, delivery methods and building practices, gaining practical insights for managing risk and positioning their businesses for the next 12 months.

Register today!

The formal sessions are just one way to learn. Attendees will also enjoy a massive exhibition hall where they can network and learn from each other. Make sure our MetalCoffeeShop booth 408 is on your list too!

While you’re in the hall, don’t miss our Coffee Shops partners including: Western States Metal Roofing, BITEC, Franklin International, Giddy Up, H.B. Fuller / GSSI, Latinos en Roofing, MARCO Industries, Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), McElroy Metal, MetalForming Inc., MFM Building Products, RoofScope and more!

Don’t miss the metal event of the year! Register for METALCON and use code 30MCS for $30 off passes!

By Emma Peterson. 

As TPO and PVC continue to gain market share across commercial roofing, BITEC® is expanding its offerings with Stronghold™ single-ply solutions designed for long-term protection. 

Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) are two common types of low-slope roofing systems. Both are single-ply, a name that refers to the single waterproof layer used in these systems. To learn more about TPO and PVC systems, we hosted Shane Millwood of BITEC® for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Prior to coming into his current work with BITEC®’s single-ply systems, Shane spent most of his career working with multi-ply products. He explained, “When I came into this roofing industry, I was multi-ply only, but I didn’t realize how much single-ply work there was...I heard some numbers at the end of last year saying that there's about 2 billion square feet of TPO done in a year and about 500 million square feet of PVC done.”  

And industry demand keeps growing for these systems. As Shane put it, “Single-ply roofing has become the primary roofing system for low-slope roofs.” It’s this growing demand that motivated the BITEC® team to develop their newest line of products – Stronghold™.  

Within this line, BITEC® has both TPO solutions and PVC products*. In our conversation with Shane, he dove into these two systems and when they shine as the best solution:  

• TPO: TPO tends to be the lowest-cost product to install as well as one of the easiest to install. In Shane’s words, “TPO is good for a lot of things, but tends to not handle foot traffic great. So, one scenario we see it used in is when you need to cover a large building, like a warehouse, and the primary need is weather resistance, not puncture.”  
• PVC: Alternatively, PVC roofs are a great option for areas that need the extra durability they can’t get from something like TPO. As Shane put it, “PVC is a more durable product to certain things like grease and foot traffic. So, we’ll see it get used on things like fast food restaurants and such.”  
  • Note: In this line, BITEC® also provides a Ketone Ethylene Ester (KEE) system, which is a blend of KEE and PVC. In Shane’s words, “KEE, which is also a PVC product, is like PVC on steroids. It's going to be very long lasting and great for the harshest rooftop conditions.” 

Overall, BITEC®’s Stronghold™ single plies are great examples of the high-performance single-ply systems that have been growing in popularity in today’s roofing market.  

Want to learn more about Stronghold™? Listen to the podcast, Watch the recording or visit BITEC®’s website!  

By Emma Peterson. 

How adding Storm Breaker™ coatings can help contractors open new revenue streams and extend customer relationships. 

To help contractors expand their portfolios, BITEC developed a roof coating line, Storm Breaker™. This line is perfect for both restoration and maintenance projects, having been proven to extend roof life and improve building energy efficiency. To learn more about how you can expand your offerings by incorporating Strom Breaker™ coatings into your business model, we hosted BITEC’s President, Joel Shealey, for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Why expand your market? 

Being able to offer both reroofing and restoration services is a powerful way to boost your business. Not only does having a wide portfolio of solutions prepare you to serve the needs of any client that you meet, it also can create opportunities to add value for existing customers. Joel gave an example, sharing, “If you add coating restoration to your reroofing systems, you can then go into your records and contact customers you put roofs on 10+ years ago to talk to them about extending the life of their building.” Overall, expanding your portfolio is a great way to build and maintain your relationship with past customers and set yourself up as their one-stop roofing shop.  

Finding the right products 

If you’re wanting to add coatings to your offerings, BITEC’s Storm Breaker™ line is a great place to start. Why? For one, it’s a complete line with everything from silicone and SEBS products to acrylics and urethanes. And not only are all of these product offerings as durable and high-quality as BITEC’s other industry-leading reroofing systems, they are also very energy efficient, which is huge as the building standards and codes continue to grow stricter about reflectivity and emissivity. Joel explained:  

Our coatings offer high reflectivity and low emissivity, which is great for a few reasons. One, it helps you meet regulations like Title 24 in California. Two, it makes your building more comfortable. We’ve coated some of our manufacturing plants and you can feel a temperature difference between the coated buildings and the non-coated. Three, if you go with a coating like our Storm Breaker SEBS, it’s incredibly low permeance, so you don't have to worry about any moisture infiltration or exfiltration. 

And the best part? When you use BITEC’s Storm Breaker™ line you’re getting more than just products – you’re getting support from a team of experts and leaders. Joel explained, “We take the time to make sure that they understand what they're getting into...We want to help them find the best system for their project, based on their client’s goals and needs, and then make sure they have both the products and the training they need to succeed.” 

Why does the BITEC team put all this effort into working with the contractors and connecting them with training? They know that their products rely on their contractors being confident and skilled to succeed in the long term. As Joel put it, “Contractors have a world of experience, but even the most experienced roofers need help sometimes, especially if they’re expanding into new markets. And that’s what our team is here to do – help. Because when there's a partnership between the contractor and the manufacturer, it creates an opportunity for both to win.” 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about expanding your portfolio with BITEC.  

By Emma Peterson. 

BITEC®’s Shane Millwood discusses the importance of helping contractors understand proper product selection and installation practices. 

With the advent of new, more powerful products like BITEC®’s Storm Breaker™ coating system, the coatings market has never been more popular among contractors and building owners . But with that popularity comes a growing need for proper installation and maintenance training. Connecting contractors to the education resources they need to succeed with coatings is something that the team at BITEC® is passionate about. To learn more about how they foster these connections, Shane Millwood, BITEC®’s VP of sales and marketing, stopped by The Coffee Shops™ for an interview.  

When roof restorations are done properly – the roof surface is cleaned, the right coating is chosen, installation follows manufacturer recommendations and it has ample time to set – they are a powerful tool for extending the life of a roof assembly. But when coatings are applied improperly, they are likely to fail prematurely and create more extensive (and expensive) issues. In our interview with Shane, he highlighted education as the factor that separates a proper and improper installation, sharing, “A true roof restoration involves more than just slapping a coating on it. There's a lot of steps to go through and I think one of the challenges we see today is a lack of education about these steps.” 

Where should contractors and installers be looking for this game-changing education? Start with trusted associations like the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and manufacturers like BITEC®. Shane shared a bit about how his team educates their contractors about best practices:  

Our team works hard on education. We work with our contractors to teach them about proper evaluation of the roof they are on... Further, we will never just blindly recommend our product for every roof. Instead, we bring an educational piece to our contractors. We might show them three options and explain the pros and cons of each, but that final decision is theirs. 

Why is this education aspect so important to the BITEC® team? Shane put it simply, “When the quality of restoration projects go down, it’s bad for everyone.” By helping foster education and awareness, BITEC® is not only protecting their market, they are building a better industry for everyone.  

By Emma Peterson. 

How factors like climate and durability needs determine the best roofing solution. 

These days, there are so many different roofing products available on the market that it can be hard to know which one to use for each project. To learn about how to make the best choice for your customer needs, Heidi J. Ellsworth brought Shane Millwood, VP of sales and marketing for BITEC, on for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

BITEC was originally founded by Bruce Shealy with a focus on modified bitumen roofing membranes, having expanded into full system manufacturer with a wide portfolio of mod bit, single ply, coating and repair products in recent years. In his role with the company, Shane has had the opportunity to work with a variety of the brand’s product offerings, gaining a wealth of knowledge about how to choose the right product for your project needs. He explained:  

We're a full systems manufacturer and we love partnering with contractors. A lot of our partners ask us what the difference is or why should we use PVC versus TPO. What we always tell them is that it’s a combo of performance needs and user preference. Each product has a different makeup that will impact how it holds up under certain conditions.  

Those conditions can be everything from the regional weather patterns to the classification of the building itself. By matching the system to both the performance needs and user preference, contractors can make an informed decision in choosing the best product for the job. Shane shared an example of this in action, explaining, “If you’ve got a building that has a billion dollars worth of gear inside of it, you’re going to want a system that’s multi-ply, so you have redundancy and better protection. But if you have a building that doesn't house as valuable or costly materials, it might be more cost-effective and efficient to choose a system with less redundancy.”  

Want to learn more about choosing the right product for your next project? Listen to the episode or Watch the recording!  

By Emma Peterson. 

BITEC® has grown alongside the mod bit market with a focus on product quality, reliability and contractor success. 

The story of BITEC® has been intertwined with the modified bitumen (mod bit) market since their founding back in 1986 by Bruce Shealey. Since then, they have continued to develop and grow their product line, serving the market as a reliable, trusted source for quality products. To learn about this development and the growth of the overall market, we invited Shane Millwood, BITEC®’s VP of sales and marketing, for a quick interview.  

Shane started by sharing what he knew about Bruce’s motivations to start a company based on producing mod bit:  

I was told that Bruce was really motivated to make the best roofing products he could. And when he looked at the market around him, he realized he could do that with mod bit...Our mod bit systems are on the next level of quality as each product that makes up our system is tested to be reliably high performing. 

It is this reliability that has kept contractors coming back to BITEC® over the last few decades. Shane explained, “Our systems perform fantastically. Our contractors are always talking about the efficiency they have with BITEC® because of our product consistency. For example, when you take a meter-wide roll, ours always roll out straight and don’t curl like some others on the market might.” 

As for that larger market, it has shifted in the 30-40 years since BITEC®’s founding. Shane recalled, “30 years ago, the modified bitumen roofing landscape looked completely different than it does today. In today’s roofing landscape, it’s a much smaller percentage than it used to be.” But just because the market space is smaller, doesn’t mean that mod bit isn’t an important roofing option. As Shane pointed out:  

There's still a huge opportunity for modifieds across the roofing industry. Here at BITEC®, we sell modifieds every single day. One thing that mod bits are popular for is the data centers because they offer multiple plies of waterproofing that protects the billions of dollars' worth of equipment in those buildings. 

And more plies of waterproofing are just the start of the benefits of BITEC®’s mod bit. Other benefits range from proven long-term performance to superior UV and weather resistance.  

Want to learn more about the advantages of BITEC®’s mod bit? Visit www.bitec.com/products/bur-modified-bitumen-roofing-systems.