Roofing Road Trips Podcast: Renee Ramey

 By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Hear about what’s trending in metal roofing, besides its popularity.

For the last 25 years, Renee Ramey has fulfilled various roles within the roofing industry, specifically in metal roofing.  With a background in marketing and management, Renee has worked with a coil coater, did marketing for a metal roofing manufacturer, ASC Profiles, and then worked for a smaller Pacific Northwest-based service center in the metal industry.  Now she is starting her fourth year as the Executive Director of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA).  Renee speaks with Heidi J. Ellsworth, RoofersCoffeeShop® partner about metal roofing and its future.

According to Renee, the Metal Roofing Alliance is a “...marketing and educational association, we’re nonprofit.  And we exist based off of membership dues from a variety of companies within the metal roofing industry who support our effort to go out and promote metal roofing to homeowners and to educate and provide resources and information to the homeowners so they, one, know about metal roofing, and two, are making some educated decisions with all the pertinent information.”  There are a lot of misconceptions about metal roofing, and dispelling the myths is one of the goals of the association while also educating and promoting the truth and benefits of metal roofing to homeowners.

The Metal Roofing Alliance consistently shares new content that is interesting and relevant for homeowners and contractors.  To do this, the association checks in with consumers directly and through surveys, and watches research studies that are completed to keep in touch with the market and let that drive the content they provide.  Renee gives an example, stating, “...if we’re hearing a lot of rumblings and/or we see through some surveys or research data that consumers believe metal roofing is too noisy...we will take that information or that feedback and develop content, informational-based, fact-based content to dispel the myth around metal being louder as a roofing material than other products.”

One of their most recent posts was about the top five home improvement trends for 2020.  The trends are: Show of Strength, Mix and Match, Save by Zero, Hi-Fi Contrast, and Sky’s the Limit.  In the podcast, Renee shares explanations of what these five trends are, as well as highlights the benefits, versatility, and practicality of metal roofing.   

There are many reasons to opt for a metal roof.  Not only is it recyclable at the end of its life, which can last 50 years, it also saves homeowners money by reducing their energy costs.  Metal has the capability of looking like tile, shake, and other roofing materials without the added weight, and there are endless possibilities in terms of color options.  And while metal is extremely durable against severe weather conditions, it also serves as a great platform for solar panels and skylights.

Demand for metal roofing is growing in the residential market.  “Metal roofing is the second largest market within the residential arena at this point behind asphalt,” Renee shares.  However, the demand for metal is “...outpacing supply when it comes to the installation side of the metal roofing.” With a lack of installers across the industry, homeowners are forced to wait long periods of time or they end up choosing a different material for their roof instead of metal.  

According to Renee, “There was a significant number of consumers who contacted the MRA who were very much interested in metal roofing, who ended up going [with] asphalt, not because they wanted to, but because they, one, couldn’t wait the length of time...or, two, there just wasn’t a qualified metal roofing installer in their area.”

Through the Metal Roofing Alliance’s educational and promotional efforts, more homeowners are realizing the benefits of metal roofing both aesthetically and practically.  While the labor shortage is affecting the entire roofing industry, it is evident there is plenty of work available installing metal roofs.

Listen to the podcast to hear more about the top trends of metal roofing in 2020 and about the future of metal roofing from Renee Ramey.  Check out the RoofersCoffeeShop® podcast page for even more.