Here’s How Contractors Can Add Fluid-Applied Reinforced Roofing to Their Product Mix

Western Colloid provides the support contractors need to learn about the fluid-applied reinforced roofing and build their business.

Contractors interested in adding fluid-applied reinforced roofing to their product offerings can now do so with industry experts alongside them as they get started. Western Colloid has put a program in place to help contractors build up a successful business surrounding its fluid-applied systems.

Western Colloid General Manager Greg Hlavaty said they developed the support program because there is a growing interest in fluid-applied roofing systems but lack of education and training for contractors. “This system is foreign to a lot of contractors and we saw many trying to make a go of it by buying products and trying to figure it out on their own,” explained Hlavaty. “We have application experts with more than 25 years of experience who work with the contractors to teach best practices for optimal productivity.”

Western Colloid’s team of experts work with contractors to select and set up their equipment to ensure they have the right tools, including the best hoses and volume pumps for improved application performance. Hlavaty said that it’s not uncommon to spend a week with a contractor and at the end of that week, they have doubled their production capability. The company’s field support team accomplishes this by working with the contractor’s crew to teach them the best application methods and techniques to improve production time which leads to improved profits. They have even brought new contractors in to watch and observe seasoned installers at work.

In addition to the training and installation support, the company provides assistance with bidding. “Many contractors that are new to fluid-applied systems don’t always understand the labor involved in the installation. We are happy to provide examples and spreadsheets that will help them be more precise in their bidding and ultimately win more jobs because of it,” said Hlavaty.

The company also has invested in marketing materials and high-quality sample boards that it provides to contractors to help them in their sales efforts.

When asked why there is such a growing interest in fluid-applied system, Hlavaty said it’s a good fit with the growing politically and energy-conscious part of today’s industry. “More contractors want to get into this business because it is a more environmentally friendly solution for building owners,” he explained. “There are no tear offs, so old roofing material is being kept out of landfills and in addition these systems are cool roofs with ENERGY STAR™ ratings which helps reduce emissions related to heating and cooling a building.”

A fluid-applied system restores the roof back to a high-performing system and at the end of the 10- to 20-year life span, a new application can continue to extend it for years and years to come.

Learn more about becoming a Western Colloid applicator at www.westerncolloid.com.