There’s no Reason not to add Metal to Your Business

By Dani Sheehan.  

See how easy it is to access the training you need in metal roofing and why it’s trending in today’s market. 

One of the big initiatives with the inception of MetalCoffeeShop™ is to focus on training and education to ensure contractors can expand into metal equipped with the necessary tools to be successful. At the 2023 Florida Roofing Expo this July, Karen Edwards took to the CoffeeShop sound stage to dig a little deeper into the training opportunities that exist for metal. Joined by John Sheridan, MCS influencer and owner of Sheridan Metal Resources LLC, they dive into the MetalVue Program offerings and John’s passion for sharing training resources in the industry. 

John started training about 20 years ago but has been in the business for over 40 years. If you are looking at entering the metal market, he says one of the first and best things to do is find a manufacturer: “A lot of manufacturers have training programs that get you into the process.” Totally new to metal and don’t know where to start? The MetalVue program by Sherwin-Williams is another great asset and comprehensive program that covers every aspect of the metal roofing business. 

No matter what area you are interested in or where you might be struggling, MetalVue provides resources to help you succeed. There’s a sales branch to help generate leads, the Roofing Passport provided by EagleView to help you measure roofs and will provide a cut list, so you don’t have to measure by hand, and even a pricing program to help you close a bid. John then provides the resources and training necessary for a successful installation for “whatever particular system is hot in your area.”  

As much as John enjoys being hands-on and providing training to contractors, he recognizes that he can’t be everywhere. That’s why his team is currently working on a series of 101 training videos that will help build out a library on MetalCoffeeShop to help supplement everything that is already offered with the MetalVue program. 

Particularly in Florida, there is increasing interest in the metal roofing market, but there are several trends that will keep it growing. Aside from its longevity, there’s already a big push for metal roofing in green construction. Take it from John, “You don’t want to put solar on a shingle roof and then have to replace that roof in 15 years. You want to put solar on a metal roof that’s going to last 40 years...that’s where metal’s future lies.”