Drumroll please, the ARMA awards are incoming!

By Emma Peterson. 

Submissions for the 2025 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards closed on Sunday, December 1, 2024, and now we just have to wait to hear the judges’ decisions!  

Every year, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) hosts their Excellences Awards Program to recognize professionals in the industry whose projects exemplify the impressive and innovative ways asphalt roofing can be applied to both steep- and low-slope roofing. This is a great opportunity for roofing contractors to showcase their best work, promote their businesses and demonstrate the depth of knowledge and talent in our industry. 

As we excitedly await the results for the 2025 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards, we thought it would be helpful to go over the different criterion the judges will be looking for in the submissions.  

1. Why asphalt: The judges will be looking to see what factors about the project made asphalt the best choice for the roofing. 
2. Project challenges: Any technical, operational or environmental challenges in the project will be taken into account. Specifically, judges will be keeping an eye out on how asphalt roofing was able to overcome said challenges to create a reliable, durable and strong roofing system.  
3. Distinction: Projects that stand out from the crowd will be rated more highly in this category. The judges want to see extraordinary craftsmanship, impressive innovation and anything that makes a project special.  
4. Beauty: Last but not least, judges will consider each project’s aesthetic appeal and technical complexity. 

The winners, as determined by the judges, will receive a variety of recognitions. For the medal winners (gold, silver and bronze) there will be a monetary prize (ranging from $500-$2,000), a feature in national roofing/building/construction publications, coverage in local media, social media promotion, recognition at the International Roofing Expo (IRE), an official ARMA certificate and a feature on the ARMA website for the winning project.  

In addition to the medal winners, the judges will also be choosing best-in-class winners. There are four different categories in this section: 

1. In the neighborhood: This highlights a project that balances aesthetics with affordability to elevate an average neighborhood home. 
2. Commercial/mixed use: This focuses on flat/low-slope roofing projects and the unique challenges that they present.  
3. Craftsmanship: ARMA believes that roofing is an art and wanted a designated space to showcase projects (both steep- and low-slope) that blend skill and artistry on another level. 
4. Technical difficulty: For this category, judges will be looking for projects that show how asphalt installers and contractors have overcome challenges, whether that be multiple penetrations on the roof, environmental factors or something else! 

Keep an eye out for the announcement of the winners on ARMA’s website! As we wait, you can also check out the gallery of past winners.