Ahead of schedule and under budget are always good phrases to hear, especially at the airport, where it seems like flight service is less and less reliable these days. However, when it comes to the roof at the new terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Romulus, Mich., the job of completing the structure’s new roof is now almost finished, and the roofing phase looks to come in on or ahead of schedule sometime in November.

Reducing utility costs makes financial sense, preserves natural resources and helps the environment. But renewables and other green technologies have the added allure of allowing building owners to not only conserve energy but generate power as well.

Metal roofing may have a relatively small portion of the residential market, but growth has been solid in that niche, and manufacturers of metal roofing products expect to increase market share in the future. Part of their growth strategy involves giving homeowners options beyond standing seam roofs, including metal shingles designed to capture the look of cedar shakes, barrel tile and natural slate.

The makers of Instacoat are quick to point out that their water-based seamless waterproof membrane has some unique characteristics, and point to product testing and real-world applications as proof of a promising future.

The International Roofing Expo continues to solidify its reputation as the must-attend industry event, and this year’s show set records for the number of attendees and exhibits. The 2007 IRE, the third edition of the show since it has been owned and managed by Hanley Wood Exhibitions, was held March 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Tapered insulation can do more than eliminate ponding water and ensure proper drainage of low-slope roofs. With the correct design, tapered insulation can help protect roofing components, increase the value of a building and decrease its energy costs. In the words of Dale Redger, national manager of the Allied Tapered Design Center, “It is simple - a properly installed tapered system will provide a longer-lasting roofing system.

Air Vent Inc., a Dallas-based manufacturer of residential attic ventilation products, has been holding its Ask the Expert™ attic ventilation seminars for roofing professionals for nine years. According to Paul Scelsi, the seminar leader for Air Vent, the seminars take place across the country from January through March, and this year the seminar will be featured in the educational track at the International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas on March 8.

With most buildings there is always a tension between design considerations and cost concerns. In the case of the Victory Centre of Bartlett, Ill., which offers assisted living options for senior citizens, that balance was even more delicate. The state of Illinois was involved with the project, so costs had to be kept in check while making sure that the end result was a desirable place to live for area seniors. In the final analysis, it was the use of common materials such as brick, siding and a shingled roof that proved to be the key to giving the complex a familiar feel for its residents.

As the son of a roofer and the founder of two roofing companies, Ken Hendricks had always found dealing with roofing distributors frustrating. He couldn’t find one business that could meet all of his needs, and the level of service he and his father received was often poor. Seeing a chance to succeed in a highly fragmented industry, he decided to go into the distribution business himself. In 1982, he formed American Builders and Contractors Supply with the ultimate goal of creating a nationwide chain of one-stop shops for roofing professionals that would thrive by delivering the type of customer service he and his father never received.

The third annual Roofing Contractor Best of Success Conference was bigger and better than ever. Attendance figures for the event have risen every year, and at this year’s event more than 200 elite contractors joined manufacturer sponsors and industry executives for the two-day educational conference. The meeting room at Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix was filled to capacity as contractors eager to improve their business practices and bolster their bottom lines participated in educational seminars and panel discussions led by industry experts, including top-flight commercial and residential roofing contractors.