Metal roofing continues to claim a larger part of the market and with that growth, there is a demand for more qualified installers. METALCON is offering the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience, observing and installing metal roofing on the trade show floor.

METALCON will be at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Oct. 30-Nov. 1. METALCON is the largest international event in the metal construction and design industry and is the only tradeshow and conference devoted to the application of metal in the building envelope.

For those interested in learning how to install various types of metal roofing, METALCON will offer a variety of opportunities. New to the tradeshow in 2024 is the Metal Construction Association’s Metal Mastery area.

“Metal’s growing popularity and market share requires that contractors and installers understand the nuances and proper techniques for forming panels and installing metal roofing systems,” says Judy Geller, Vice President, METALCON. “Understanding such factors leads to improved contractor efficiency and heightened building owner satisfaction.”

In this series of clinics, presenters from the Metal Construction Association (MCA) and Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) will discuss industry best practices for the installation of metal shingles, standing seam roofing panels, retrofit systems and demonstrate proper techniques for onsite roll forming and machine maintenance.

“MCA is getting more and more inquiries about metal roofing,” says Jeff Henry, MCA Executive Director and coordinator of the Metal Mastery area. “Contractors have shown great interest in learning more about the proper installation techniques for metal roofing systems. METALCON provides an excellent opportunity en masse.”

The MRA cites data from two independent research sources, FMI and Freedonia, showing the share for residential metal roofing in the United States continues to grow. The newest market data indicates that metal is now capturing roughly 18 percent of the residential roofing market. Statistics show “the re-roofing market is strong for metal roofing, which may also be due to the increasing frequency of weather-related disasters which is growing demand for more resilient, longer-lasting building materials.”

Renee Ramey, MRA executive director, says, “It makes sense that homeowners who have lived through devastating climate disasters and have experienced costly repairs or the need to re-roof completely, would choose stronger, longer lasting and more durable materials designed to better withstand severe weather extremes. We are seeing this proven out in various market research studies covering the U.S. and Canada.”

Returning to the trade show floor is the popular METALCON Training Zone, where John Sheridan of Sheridan Metal Resources will head up demonstrations and education using a variety of mock-ups and materials including painted steel, aluminum, zinc and copper. Sheridan’s training will focus on proper detailing and tool usage.

“We’re excited about conducting the METALCON Training Zone again,” Sheridan says. “We have help from Drexel Metals, Diamond Steel and Malco Tools. Our European presence will be with Roofinox stainless steel products from Austria, Mazzonetto aluminum products from Italy and VM Building Solutions from Belgium. Our hands-on training sessions will be in English and Spanish.”

Adjacent to the Training Zone is more metal training and certification offered by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).

“NRCA PROCertification is the roofing industry’s official badge of excellence for roof system installers,” says Jared Ribble, NRCA Vice President, Certification. “With NRCA PROCertification, the standard for roof system installation has been set, proving certified installers have the skills and extensive experience required to deliver quality installations. PROCertification is designed to recognize and verify the expertise of experienced roofers, thereby promoting professionalism and ensuring high-quality workmanship across the industry.

“The certification not only benefits individual roofers by enhancing their credibility and career prospects, but also serves as a mark of quality assurance for contractors and clients. Employees can confidently hire certified roofers, knowing they meet the industry’s highest standards, which helps in reducing the risk of installation errors and potential liabilities. NRCA PROCertification aims to foster a more skilled, reliable and safety-conscious roofing workforce, which in turn contributes to the overall advancement and reputation of the roofing industry.”

This demand will certainly increase the opportunities for those capable of installing metal roofing. Visiting the Metal Mastery area at METALCON is a great place to be introduced to or brush up on installation techniques. Learn more at https://metalcon.com/mastery.