Product donation and on-site training provided students with technical education and industry experience.

In recognition of National Skilled Trades Day on May 6, Westlake Royal Building Products™ (“Westlake Royal”), a Westlake company (NYSE: WLK), supported a hands-on workforce development initiative at Huntley High School, outside of Chicago, providing students with real-world construction experience through the build of an outdoor classroom.

“With demand for skilled labor continuing to grow across the building and construction industry, it’s more important than ever to give students real, hands-on exposure to the trades,” said Steve Booz, vice president of marketing, Westlake Royal Building Products. “We’re proud to support the next generation by not only providing materials for this important classroom build, but by having our team on-site to share their expertise and help bring that learning to life.”

On Friday, May 8, the project, led by trades program instructor James Allen, brought together 23 students to construct a dedicated outdoor learning space on a donated 40-by-40-foot concrete slab. The classroom will serve as a long-term resource for future student-led construction projects, including potential partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

As part of its commitment to supporting skilled trades education and strengthening the future workforce, Westlake Royal donated a range of building materials for the project, including Unified Steel™ Stone Coated Roofing, Celect® Cellular Composite Siding, Versetta Stone® and Grove Collection™ trim.

In addition to product donations, Westlake Royal coordinated hands-on installation training sessions with its roofing, siding and stone technical teams, offering students the opportunity to gain practical experience across multiple product categories.

“This project represents years of growth for our program and a vision we’ve had from the start — to create a dedicated space for hands-on learning,” said James Allen, trades program instructor at Huntley High School. “What began as a pipe dream has become a true collaboration with industry partners like Westlake Royal Building Products. Our students are building something that will serve future classes while gaining skills they’ll carry into careers, college and beyond.”

For highlights from the project build, follow Westlake Royal Building Products on social media. To learn more, visit www.westlakeroyalbuildingproducts.com.

For more information, visit Westlake Royal Roofing Components.

About Westlake Royal Building Products

Westlake Royal Building Products USA Inc., a Westlake company (NYSE:WLK), is a leader throughout North America in the innovation, design and production of a broad and diverse range of exterior and interior building products, including Siding and Accessories, Trim and Mouldings, Roofing, Stone, Windows and Outdoor Living. Westlake Royal Building Products manufactures high quality, low maintenance products to meet the specifications and needs of building professionals, homeowners, architects, engineers and distributors, while providing stunning curb appeal with an unmatched array of colors, styles and accessories.

By Emma Peterson. 

You can turn material and product orders into custom tees, high-visibility shirts, hoodies and more for your crew. 

QXO is helping gear up your crew with this promotion! Between May 4, 2026, and July 2, 2026, you can earn gear with every U.S. purchase of CertainTeed, GAF, IKO Industries, Owens Corning, TRI-BUILT, VELUX and Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions products shipped and invoiced during the promotional period. How does it work?  

1. Register to start: Make sure you are registered for this promotion! Registration is available on the QXO website: www.go.qxo.com/swag2026 
2. Buy more, earn more: Buy your products from the sponsoring brands (listed above and start earning!  
3. Redeem at the end: At the end of the promotion, QXO will send out instructions on how to redeem your prizes! You will be asked to upload your logo in order to make your custom gear. Your information is secure and will never be shared. 

There are four tiers of prizes in this promotion based on how much you spend. For those that spend $20,000, you can get up to $400 in gear. For $30,000 the prize is $600 and for $40,000 it’s $800. The highest tier is $1,000 of gear, which requires qualifying product purchases of $50,000 or more. 

Reward your team for getting it done with custom tees, high-vis shirts, hoodies and more swag with QXO’s Gear Up Your Crew promotion.

By Emma Peterson. 

14 months after devastating fires swept through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas, communities are building back with stronger, more fire-resilient materials. 

Recently, Karen Edwards sat down with Tim Brown of Westlake Royal Building Products and Josh Smith of J.N. Davis Roofing for a Roofing Road Trips® conversation all about the rebuilding efforts in response to the 2025 Southern California wildfires.  

Back in January 2025, Josh was in the impacted area the day after the fire, trying to find ways to help. He explained, “I went up there to go check on some customers that we had done roofs for just a couple of weeks prior. We couldn't get a hold of them, so me and my mom ended up hopping in the truck and just going up and checking on everyone.” Tim was also on the ground shortly after the fires. He shared a bit of what he saw, saying, “I was...I was completely shocked at the level of devastation that took place. The city of Altadena was gone, all the businesses to all the residences. I've been doing this a long time and been around a lot of Southern California wildfires and never seen anything like this.”  

Now, about 14 months later, both Josh and Tim are still heavily involved in the area, specifically trying to help the affected communities rebuild stronger. And a key part of rebuilding stronger is creating more fire-resistant structures – which metal roofing plays a huge part in. Tim explained, “Metal has gained a reputation of being the most fire resilient product on the market today, and it’s really incredible seeing how many people in these communities are researching and requesting metal.” 

Josh can attest to this demand for the fire-resistant metal firsthand, “We’ve been working to educate people on their options, cause a lot of them will ask for standing seam, see the price tag and hesitate because it’s a lot for a look they don’t love. And I’m like, ‘Okay, but that’s not your only option.’” The other option that Josh has been showing to a lot of his customers? Westlake’s Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing.  

Tim shared a bit about this product:  

I always say Unified Steel is the best kept secret of roofing. And I say that because this type of roofing emulates clay tile, emulates capri tile, wood shake, etc. A lot of people hesitate to get metal roofs because they don’t want their home to look commercial or look like a barn. But what they don’t realize is that they can get the benefits of metal and the look of a traditional premium roof with Unified Steel.  

With this perfect combination of high-performance, especially in the face of disasters like fires, as well as stunning aesthetics, it’s no wonder that Josh and his team have been installing a lot of Unified Steel as they help rebuild in the aftermath of the 2025 Southern California fires. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about Unified Steel roofing and the role it is playing in rebuilding stronger communities. 

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Multiple structures in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee have synthetic roofing.

Back in 2013 Michael Smelcer, principal at SRA Architects, Inc. indicated a preference for DaVinci Single-Width Slate when drawing up plans for the 232,000-square-foot Le Conte Events Center in Pigeon Forge. Now, more than a decade later, he’s designing more exhibit space and a new main entrance to the complex that will add 58,000-square-feet of space.

“We’ll again use DaVinci Roofscapes overhead,” says Michael. “The LeConte Center’s roof still looks good, and it’s functioning well. We keep returning to the DaVinci product for our projects because it’s a durable product.”

DaVinci Single-Width Slate roofing tiles are constructed of a composite material made of pure virgin resins, UV and thermal stabilizers as well as a highly-specialized fire retardant. The result is a premium roofing tile that resists fading, rotting, cracking and pests. Lightweight yet durable, DaVinci tiles are Class 4 impact rated and can resist hail, severe weather and winds up to 180 mph.

Firewise construction

For another recent project, there’s an additional reason Michael relied on DaVinci roofing — its remarkable fire resistancy.

When designing the new Pigeon Forge Fire Station 1, a goal was to promote the construction of fire-wise structures. The Firewise USA® program, led by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), offers a structured approach for communities to enhance their wildfire resilience.

“We specified native stone on the exterior which is fire resistant,” says Michael. “Then for the roof we knew the DaVinci tiles are Class A rated, which is a plus. They also look great and provide a long lifespan on the roof. Those are all good reasons why we’ve included them on the fire station, and the upcoming police station and City Hall for Pigeon Forge.”

Fire-resistant roofing

According to Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Joshua Carr, Fire Station 1 was designed with fire safety in mind. The 30,000-square-foot facility includes a multi-story training tower, sleeping quarters and hot, warm and cold isolation zones for cancer prevention.

“The City of Pigeon Forge is proud to be a fire-adaptive community and is committed to maintaining its status as a certified Firewise community,” says Joshua. “The station was designed to promote the construction of fire-wise structures. After extensive research, it was decided that DaVinci composite roofing products would play a key role in that mission.”

The DaVinci Single-Width Slate tiles chosen for the roof were installed by Pinpoint Roofing in a Slate Gray color. “The fire resistance and impact ratings are a huge selling point for our customers looking at DaVinci roofs,” says Derek Davenport, commercial director with Pinpoint Roofing LLC in Pigeon Forge.

He went on, “I feel these qualities have helped us transform true slate or shake enthusiasts into believers in the synthetic lines.”

Pride in appearance

While durability is a key asset for the DaVinci roofing tiles, aesthetics come in a close second with many people. “We’re very pleased with the appearance of the roof on the fire station,” says Joshua. “It’s going to look great when the police station is finished nearby with the same roof.”

Derek also shared some closing thoughts: “At Pinpoint Roofing we pride ourselves in our ability to transform what could be another everyday roof into something people want to showcase. We do not take shortcuts. We do whatever is necessary for a fantastic final result. I drive by this fire station on a daily basis and I get a sense of pride every single time I see it. It’s such a work of art and it feels great knowing we were able to be part of its creation.”

From May 1 to July 15, 2026, the Tapco® Elite Roofing Awards 2026 competition will be open for submissions online. 

On May 1st Tapco® Roofing Products will launch its Second Annual Tapco® Elite Roofing Awards Program. Roofing contractors in the United Kingdom are invited to submit their past projects using TapcoSlate® and DaVinci Select Shake products into the contest.

From May 1 to July 15, 2026, the Tapco® Elite Roofing Awards 2026 competition will be open for submissions online at https://www.tapcoroofingproducts.com/tapco-elite-roofing-awards-entry-form/. Both re-roofing and new construction projects completed within the last six years may be submitted for consideration. There is no fee to enter.

“During our inaugural year in 2025 we identified four extraordinary roofing projects featuring superior craftsmanship,” says Michael Winter, general manager with Tapco® Roofing Products. “We’re seeking additional projects for this year’s competition that meet these high standards.

“Once we locate the winning projects, we’ll have professional photography taken of them to spotlight on our website and in our marketing efforts, and to share with the winners.”

In addition to the publicity and recognition, contest winners will receive £1000 credit on a future Tapco® roofing purchase, the ability to promote their winning project as a Tapco® Masterpiece Project, publicity on RoofersCoffeeShopUK and the creation of a dedicated project profile on the Tapco website. Winners will also receive a luncheon in their honor at their Tapco distributor location.

“We want to recognize the superior craftsmanship of those roofing contractors using our Tapco and DaVinci products to achieve outstanding roofing results and kerb appeal,” says Winter. “Whether it’s a conservatory, a hotel, a home project or any other beautiful use of our products that truly stands out, we want roofing contractors to be recognised for their efforts in the Second Annual Tapco Elite Roofing Awards Program!”

Winners in the 2025 inaugural Tapco Elite Roofing Awards Program include:

• Dean Potts Roofing Ltd. out of Upper Collwall, Malvern, for the restoration of the roof on the Malvern Hills Hotel & Restaurants using TapcoSlate® in Pewter Grey.
• H. I. Building Contractors, out of Horsham, West Sussex, for installation of a TapcoSlate® roof in Pewter Grey on a new build project in Coxwold.
• RF Roofing Ltd., out of Coldstream, Berwickshire, for installation of TapcoSlate® tiles in Charcoal Black alongside solar panels on a roof in Lanark in 2024.
• Visions of Oxford Ltd., Oxford, Oxfordshire, for a multi-year project involving a three-stage replacement/new build project transforming and expanding a small, older home into a spacious, larger house using TapcoSlate® tiles in Pewter Grey.

With its authentically shaped textured surfaces and riven edges moulded in each piece, TapcoSlate replicates real slate pieces. However, this durable product will not crack, break or delaminate like real slate. The lightweight, easy-to-install product provides a refined appearance with reduced jobsite waste, resulting in lower installation costs.

For those property owners seeking a real cedar shake look on their homes without the maintenance hassles, DaVinci Select Shake is the answer. Made of virgin resins, UV and thermal stabilisers along with a highly specialised fire retardant, these composite shakes have a BROOF(t4) Fire rating. The quality design provides an authentic appearance while the exceptional pieces stand up to Mother Nature in all types of weather. Plus, these man-made cedar tiles are backed by a 40-year warranty.

For more information and details on these products and the Second Annual Elite Roofing Awards Program in 2026, go to https://www.tapcoroofingproducts.com/tapco-elite-roofing-awards-entry-form/ or call 01482 880478.

By Emma Peterson. 

Westlake’s portfolio is full of high-performance solutions for every project. 

While at the 2026 International Builders’ Show, The Coffee Shops™ team interviewed a variety of our customers and industry friends from SRS Distribution’s expo floor garage! One such interview was with Mitch Heitsch, who is a regional sales manager with Westlake Royal Roofing Products. Mitch was at the show highlighting the variety of products and solutions Westlake has to offer for all contractors, no matter what part of the building they work on, where they are in the country, what performance/aesthetics requirements they need to meet and more.  

He opened the conversation by explaining how Westlake’s portfolio encompasses a variety of markets, sharing, “Our overall brand is called Westlake Royal Building Products because we have so many different solutions... There’s roofing, which is my division, then there’s tools (Tapco), and on top of that we have stone for outdoor living (such as El Dorado and Cultured Stone) and siding/trim solutions.”  

And within each of these brands, Westlake has developed sub-brands and systems that meet the needs of contractors in the field. Unified Steel, Westlake’s stone-coated metal roofing brand, is a prime example of this. Mitch explained:  

Our products check most of the boxes when it comes to both performance and aesthetics. Take Unified Steel, for example. It has all the ratings Floridians could need when it comes to hurricanes and wind uplifts, while also having the very severe hail (VSH) and snow load ratings needed in the Midwest and the fire ratings needed out West. And from an aesthetics standpoint, we not only have a variety of colors for every need, but also five unique profiles that fit any architectural style out there. 

At the end of the day, if you need a product related to building a home, Westlake’s portfolio is likely to have a high-performance solution perfect for the job. 

Learn more about Westlake’s portfolio by watching the whole interview.

By Emma Peterson. 

Ronn Levine’s article dives into the challenges and opportunities in the roofing industry presented by labor, economic and technology trends. 

Recently, award-winning writer and editor Ronn Levine wrote an article for LBM Journal diving into the roles technology, relationships and training play in the roofing industry. The article provides great insight into how roofing professionals can find success in a challenging economic and labor market.  

Throughout the article, Ronn spoke to industry experts, such as Jack Gottesman (marketing and brand director at IKO), Sarah Lograsso (director of marketing and product management for Westlake Royal Building Products), Brian Cross (operations manager of Rocky Mountain Snow Guards),  David Ellis (VP for residential marketing at GAF) and The Coffee Shops™ President Heidi J. Ellsworth!  

In their conversation, Ronn and Heidi dove into the challenges and growth that Heidi has seen through the lens of RoofersCoffeeShop®, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary next year!  

First she highlighted the labor shortages, which has been a persistent issue over the years, explaining, “Contractors and associations are working very strongly on workforce development, getting back into the high schools, the vocational schools, and thinking, ‘How do we get more skilled labor?’”  

From there, the conversation shifted to the economic outlook for roofing. One thing Heidi specifically mentioned was the semi-recent advancement of private equity firms, sharing, “The mergers of many companies into regional and national players, along with the influx of private equity funds, has changed the competitive marketplace.”  

Interested in the rest of Ronn and Heidi’s conversation, as well as the experts he interviewed? Read the whole article on LBM Journal’s website!

Westlake Royal Building Products^™ has launched FYRATEK™, a fire- and ember-resistant roofing underlayment to its Westlake Royal™ Roofing Components offering, designed for concrete and clay tile roofing systems in wildfire-prone regions.

Westlake Royal Building Products^™ (Westlake Royal), a Westlake company (NYSE: WLK), has introduced FYRATEK™ to its Westlake Royal™ Roofing Components product line. A fire- and ember‐resistant roof underlayment, FYRATEK is designed for use with concrete and clay tile roofing systems in high wildfire‐designated regions. 

FYRATEK features a non‐combustible aluminum surface engineered to reflect heat and help prevent burning embers from igniting the wood roof deck and building structure. It is Class A fire-rated when used with tile roof coverings and is listed for use in California’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) regions.

“Most tile roof systems carry a Class A fire rating, but FYRATEK provides an additional layer of wildfire defense, enhancing fire and ember resistance at the deck level where it matters most,” said Eric Miller, vice president of sales for Westlake Royal Building Products’ stone and roofing brands. “As the frequency and severity of wildfires continue to grow, FYRATEK may bring added peace of mind for homeowners in at-risk areas.”

Along with its fire-resistance benefits, FYRATEK lays flat, grips the deck and has a grid-patterned scrim for enhanced foot traction. It’s designed to withstand the rigors of tile roof installation, and its cool blue surface is designed to help reduce sun glare for installers. 

FYRATEK is available in 54” x 100’ rolls and carries a 30-year limited warranty for long-term durability. 

For more information, visit Westlake Royal Roofing Components.

About Westlake Royal Building Products

Westlake Royal Building Products USA Inc., a Westlake company (NYSE:WLK), is a leader throughout North America in the innovation, design and production of a broad and diverse range of exterior and interior building products, including siding and accessories, trim and mouldings, roofing, stone, windows and outdoor living. Westlake Royal Building Products manufactures high quality, low maintenance products to meet the specifications and needs of building professionals, homeowners, architects, engineers and distributors, while providing stunning curb appeal with an unmatched array of colors, styles and accessories.

By Robin Anderson, technical and strategy development manager, Westlake Royal Building Products.

Small steps can lead to big savings, and cool roof colors and a cool roof system do just that.

Roofing systems already play a critical role in protecting the home, but what if they can do even more to bolster resilience and save homeowners money? Specifying cool roof materials and methods can provide added durability while helping to keep homes cooler and lowering energy costs.

Here’s what contractors should know.

What are cool roof colors?

Cool roof color tiles utilize specialized pigments that help reflect the sun’s solar energy, varying significantly based on the roofing material and manufacturer. These cool colors are often listed with the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), an independent organization that lists products that have been rigorously tested for their solar reflectance and thermal emittance.

Cool roof colors provide effective temperature regulation, keeping the building cooler even in the hottest weather and helping lower energy bills by easing reliance on air conditioning systems.

More broadly, cool roof colors help reduce CO² and other emissions associated with fossil fuel-generated electricity, which can contribute to a greener environment.

Along with direct savings, the lower surface temperature of a cool roof color can help maintain the quality of the roof and extend its service life, minimizing the need for frequent repairs or replacements. To the left, is an example of a cool roof color. This is Stirling in the Pacific Tile profile, one of four cool roof colors available from Unified Steel.

What is a cool roof system?

Available in combination with cool roof colors or any color, the Westlake Royal cool roof system pairs Unified Steel, Newpoint Concrete and US Tile roofing with components and procedures that provide superior insulation, ventilation and longevity. This helps keep the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. To the right is one of many cool roof colors available for Newpoint Concrete Roof Tile. In particualr, shown here is the Barcelona profile in Buckskin.

The makeup of a cool roof system varies slightly based on roofing material.

As hot air rises by natural convection, a cool roof system allows the warm air to rise and exit through the ridge vent, drawing outside ambient air across the roof deck. This continuous airflow creates a cooler attic and living space in the home. The animation to the right shows this process.

Testing by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) revealed that the Elevated Batten System on a dark roof is just as important as reflective roofs in achieving energy efficiency. ORNL’s 12-month study on the effects of infrared-reflective (IRR) pigments vs. metal roofs installed with an airspace showed above-sheathing ventilation can reduce heat flow into a building by nearly 30% (the Cool Roof Technical Bulletin with a complete report is available for download).

Energy efficiency made easy

Small steps can lead to big savings, and cool roof colors and a cool roof system do just that. By focusing on durability, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, homeowners and building professionals can achieve long-term value and optimal performance.

To learn more about cool roof options, visit Westlake Royal’s cool roof page.

By Emma Peterson. 

How contractors can use technology to deliver better roofs in a more efficient manner.  

While at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)’s 2026 International Builders’ Show (IBS), we had the opportunity to film a live Coffee Conversations® thanks to our sponsors, SRS Distribution! The episode featured an expert panel of industry leaders, including Eric Fortenberry of JobTread Software, Mitch Heitsch of Westlake Royal Building Products and Chris DePatria of HOVER. One of the main discussion points of the conversation was the trends that this panel is seeing across the industry this year and how contractors should adjust future operations accordingly.  

Mitch opened the conversation by sharing what product trends he’s seen, sharing, “From the product standpoint, we're seeing a heavy push to more resilient products. This is partially from an aesthetic perspective, but mainly about performance. A lot of this is because insurance is driving a lot of conversations, but homeowners are also wanting to upgrade their homes with the next best thing.”  

And this push for better performance extends beyond the manufacturing space. Clients and competitive markets are putting more pressure on contractors to perform at a high level of efficiency. Eric explained, “Contractors are realizing that they need to implement systems and technology to be able to keep up with everything that's going on in the industry. Because it’s the contractors who can create the most streamlined, efficient processes that are able to deliver the service homeowners want and run business that succeed even in tough markets.”  

So, what can contractors do to improve the performance of both the roofs they install and the operations of their business? Integrate technology. Chris shared some examples of what this type of integration might look like:  

In terms of internal operations, programs like what we have at HOVER take what used to be a 30+ minute process of measuring a roof and turn it into a two-minute program. And as for delivering performance to clients, visualizers have become key in helping homeowners understand how materials will actually look and act on their homes...In fact 74% of homeowners want to see a visualization before they purchase or make a commitment.  

Overall, these are just two examples of the countless technological solutions that are on the market helping contractors take performance to the next level. Mitch summed up the conversation neatly, adding, “Contractors need to not be afraid to adapt and to change with what the market is demanding. There's a lot of people that get scared about that, they don’t want to change products or processes, but these types of changes are needed to bring you to where you need to go.” 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about the trends shaping the industry.