While building codes differ from municipality to municipality, many codes now mandate intake and exhaust ventilation for attics. It’s easy to see why. A properly ventilated attic can save on energy usage and rid the home of excess moisture, preventing mold and mildew.

Chip Macdonald is the owner of Best Safety LLC and Roofing Contractor’s safety columnist. I spoke with him recently about the prospects for the roofing industry in 2009 for our State of the Industry report, and he was quick to point to several signs of a tough road ahead, as well as some hopeful trends.

I recently spoke with Chip Macdonald, owner of Best Safety and Roofing Contractor’s safety columnist, about safety trends in a tighter economy.

METALCON International 2008 was held Oct. 1-3 at the Baltimore Convention Center, drawing nearly 7,000 high-level metal construction professionals from more than 50 different countries.The event is the only annual conference and exhibition that features the latest products, educational programs and demonstrations of field techniques for the use of metal in construction.

Sales the lifeblood of any business, and selling becomes even more important in a tough economy. I recently spoke with Rick Davis, the president of Building Leaders Inc., a Chicago-based sales training company, who shared with me some tips for selling in a down market.

A lot of the economic news isn’t great right now, but many experts assert that environmentally friendly products and systems are a potential growth area.

Cliff Chen of the Union of Concerned Scientists issued a statement this week lauding California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signing of an executive order to facilitate renewable energy project development in the state.

Imagine a science-driven, objective online database covering all aspects of high-performance roof systems that allows users to comment and conduct peer reviews with an interactive format like Wikipedia.

I recently spoke with Richard Alaniz, a senior partner with Alaniz & Schraeder, a Houston-based a labor and employment law firm. Alaniz will be conducting a seminar about recent changes in employment and labor laws at the 2009 International Roofing Expo (IRE).

When Curt and Suzie Boyd formed Academy Roofing Inc. in Aurora, Colo., their objectives were simple but ambitious. “We started our company in 1980 and our goal then was to build a reputation as an honest and reliable company with an emphasis on outstanding workmanship and complete customer satisfaction,” said Curt Boyd, president of Academy Roofing Inc. “Today that goal is as important as ever.”