Shingle styles run the gamut from basic roof coverings to works of art. When it comes to convincing consumers to upgrade their purchase to a higher-end product, contractors employ techniques ranging from the simple act of informing customers that there are other options available to more involved commitments, such as creating a showroom to display the upper-end products.

The metal roofing industry continues its forward march. Recent articles in Roofing Contractor authored by the Metal Roofing Alliance (a not-for-profit coalition of metal roofing manufacturers, paint companies, coil coaters, associations and contractors formed to introduce homeowners to the many value benefits of metal roofing) note that over the past seven years, the residential metal roofing market has grown at double-digit rates, doubling the market share from 3 percent to 6 percent. The MRA also cites a report from the Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland research firm, which predicts that the residential and commercial metal roofing market will grow 25 percent in five years-from $2.4 billion in 2003 to $3 billion in 2008. In other words, the firm estimates that metal roofing will make up at least 8.4 percent of the overall roofing market by 2008.

Roofing Contractor recently did a survey to find out how "wired" our readers are. Do they have Internet access at home? How much do they use the Web for work? What types of work tasks are simplified by software programs?

At the end of the first quarter, we checked in with some of the leading distribution companies to get an understanding of how business is going from their perspective.

We spoke to several single-ply manufacturers to get their view of the current market, learn about new products for 2005, and discuss developing trends in the industry, most notably the growing emphasis on cool roofing and sustainable products.

The roofing industry can take pride in the fact that many manufacturers have supported Extreme Makeover and other shows that actually change the world for the better.

Gaco Western has a long history with the Palace of Fine Arts.

The general consensus seems to be that while business is improving, material shortages and prices increases-not to mention insurance woes-will keep roofing contractors on their toes in 2005.

You knew we'd say it, but it's still true: Roofing Contractor's Best of Success conference, held Nov. 8-9 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., lived up to its name.

While the B&O Railroad Co. may be history, today there is a B&O Railroad Museum located in Baltimore.