Roofing Industry Experts Share Insights on Trending Technology

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

In a live episode of Coffee Conversations, we got to hear the inside scoop from roofing contractors about technology they think is hot right now. 

On a recent episode of Coffee Conversations, live from the International Roofing Expo (IRE), the Coffee Shops’ Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with roofing industry experts to discuss trends they are currently seeing with technology. She speaks with Kristina Hill, owner of HomeShield Roofing and Exteriors, Wendy Marvin, CEO of Matrix Roofing & Home Solutions, Steve Little, president of KPost Roofing & Waterproofing and Lee Lipniskis, CEO of Levello Construction. 

The four of them discuss their experiences at IRE, with the general sentiment being that this year’s expo was busier than previous years. One sector of this industry that they all agree is growing is technology. 

Lee said that as an owner operator of a construction company, she has to take on a lot of work on her own, so technology is an incredibly helpful tool. “Technology is huge,” she said. “I'm really focused on what kind of technology can I bring into my business to make me as efficient as possible to keep my profits growing and growing.” 

Kristina agreed with Lee and added to her point that AI is a kind of technology she sees as being useful to her roofing company. “I went by a booth and you can fly a drone and it will help you use AI to spot damage on there. So if it's too steep or too high, you don't have to get on the roof, you can use AI technology to really do the work for you,” she said. 

Steve and Wendy discuss their involvement with Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of thought leaders in the roofing industry who aim to help roofing companies embrace helpful technology. The group mainly works to find the best roofing technology for contractors and helps them learn how to use it to their advantage. 

“RT3 is really working hard on trying to put together some questions to ask what stage you are at your company and how to understand what API is versus EPS or ESP,” Wendy said. “There's so much here but so much to be excited for. We are a growing, changing, amazing industry and we have such a bright future.” 

Steve added to her point by highlighting the work RT3 is doing with AI companies. “We're doing AI drone technology with assessments,” he said. “There are companies that are actually here, who sell you the drone, sell you the technology, it downloads into your software, it produces a report for you for not just the commercial side but also the residential side.” 

Watch the entire episode of Coffee Conversations to learn more about roofing industry trends. 

Learn more about IRE in their directory or visit www.theroofingexpo.com.