By Emma Peterson. 

What to expect from this year’s international roofing expo.  

The International Roofing Expo (IRE) is the premier and largest expo dedicated to the roofing industry. Whether you’re a contractor or industry professional, IRE is the place to be! With countless education sessions, networking events and booths on the trade show floor, IRE offers unmatched opportunities.  

This year’s show begins on January 20, and we are already counting down the days! If you’re attending, make sure to stop by our booth to say hello to the Coffee Shops crew (booth can be found in the trade show lobby) as well as our industry friends, like Terial (booth #1665), A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply (booth #2131), Equipter (booth #4231), All Weather Insulated Panels (booth #1601) and Latinos En Roofing (booth #5461). For those still deciding whether or not to get a ticket, we sat down for an episode of Roofing Road Trips® with Brandi McElhaney, IRE show manager, and Rich Russo, IRE director, to learn why this year’s expo is a must-attend for any roofing professional!  

One of the biggest changes coming this year is the addition of a new exhibitor program! Brandi explained, “We’re very excited about our new program, IRE First Look. It's a specialized exhibitor participation program for those new to the market. So, it helps businesses new to the roofing sector, showcase their solutions through efficient, cost-effective exhibits that, while smaller than traditional booths, create a great way to get your foot in the door.” 

Additionally, this year’s show will feature an expansion of the exteriors offerings. Brandi shared, “We've doubled the size of our exteriors pavilion, which is dedicated to the exterior product categories and home improvement, windows, solar doors and siding. for 2026. We’re also partnering with SRS on a pro contractor pavilion education area that will showcase exterior products.” This dedication to building out the show’s exterior products sector comes as a response to past contractor feedback. Rick explained, “This is something that came out of one of our focus groups a couple of years ago when we asked the industry, ‘What are you looking for?’ We had some contractors come up to us and say, ‘Hey, we want to expand our roofing business, but we’re not sure how.’ So, we created the pro contractors pavilion as a space for those roofing contractors that want to expand their businesses to learn how to expand their businesses into new categories.” 

And last but not least, the IRE team has worked to make their offerings even more accessible with Spanish language support! Not only do they have their Spanish education track, but they have incorporated a tool that can translate non-Spanish offerings for Spanish-speaking professionals. Brandi explained, “We’re using Wordly. It’s a program that you basically just scan a QR code when you walk into the room and the program translates English to Spanish or vice versa. We want everyone to get the most out of the show, and this is part of making that possible.”  

Listen to the whole podcast to learn more about IRE 2026.

By Emma Peterson. 

Get ready for three days full of roofing education, networking and innovation. 

January 2026 might seem far away right now, but with the holiday season quickly approaching, it’ll be here before we know it! And with January comes the International Roofing Expo (IRE). This year’s IRE will be hosted from January 20–22, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada. 

If you’ve never been to IRE before, it is the place to be for roofing and exterior professionals! From an expansive trade show floor to countless education sessions, IRE will be full of learning, networking and fun! The Coffee Shops™ crew will be there hosting our LIVE soundstage sponsored by our friends at SRS Distribution in the lobby, so make sure to stop by, say hi and see what’s happening. 

Education en Español  

This year’s show features 45 different educational sessions! Be on the lookout for an article focused on these sessions as we get closer to IRE. For now, we wanted to highlight the Spanish offerings!  

This year, one of the nine different education tracks available at IRE is designed specifically for Spanish-speaking roofing professionals. The sessions available in this track will feature incredible speakers, like Yessie Gomez (SRS), Alan Diaz (Elevate), Amparo Sancen (Latinos en Roofing) and Moises Morales (Advosy Construction).  

The trade show floor 

Over in the expo hall, IRE will be hosting over 500 exhibitors! Again, The Coffee Shops will be in the lobby, but a lot of our partners, such as All Weather Insulated Panels (Booth 1601), A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply (Booth 2131), BITEC (Booth 2313), Equipter (Booth 4231), Service First Solutions (Booth 1855) and Van Mark Products (Booth 4744) will be on the show floor. Go and say hello to them as you explore the new products available and connect with other roofing professionals.  

In addition to the large number of exhibitor booths in the Expo Hall, there are also a variety of show-floor demonstrations and building clinics! These are a great way to sharpen your business and roofing skills as you explore.  

Check out the full list of exhibitors!

Networking events 

There are numerous networking events to attend, and we are especially excited about these:  

• Annual Community Service Day: Happening preshow on Monday, January 19, this is the 17th annual service project hosted in conjunction with IRE. At this event, you will get the chance to work side-by-side with your peers to repair and revitalize homes for low-income families in Las Vegas.  
• Welcome Party: Wrap up the first day of IRE 2026 at the beloved welcome party! This event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and is a great opportunity to network and have fun with industry professionals. 
• EmpowerAll Reception: This special National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) event, happening on Tuesday from 4-5 p.m., celebrates the unity in our roofing community. 
• The Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition: A highlight every year, this competition challenges students around the country to “demonstrate their roofing knowledge, master project planning and excel under pressure. By attending, you’re not only supporting students, you’re also investing in the next generation of roofing professionals.” 

The Coffee Shops are also proud to be sponsoring the annual IRE First Timer's event! This is the perfect opportunity for people new to the show to meet network in an informal setting. 

Register and reserve 

Planning to make the trip to Vegas for IRE 2025? Book your hotel and register now! The team at IRE has worked with onPeak to secure a discounted rate on hotel rooms for attendees of the show. These rates average 30% less than what you would find on other travel sites! 

As for your registration, there are a variety of options for show passes that you can choose from:  

• Expo Pass: Gives you show access for all three days, access to the show floor demos and access to general sessions.  
• Super Pass: Everything included in the Expo Pass plus access to all the conference sessions and a ticket to the welcome party!  
• Day Conference Pass: Everything in the Expo Pass with the addition of a single (1) day of conference sessions (Tuesday, Wednesday OR Thursday). If you choose Tuesday, it includes a welcome party ticket.  

Do note, NRCA members do get discounts on all pass types! 

Book your hotel and choose your pass today!

Largest metal deck distributor increases its network to 16 locations.

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, the nation’s largest metal deck distributor, announces the grand opening of its newest location in Memphis, Tennessee. This opening increases its network to 16 distribution centers to better serve the construction industry.

“This location will help us serve our customers in Western Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. When a contractor has a short lead time or must replace rusted deck they didn’t expect, they know they can count on our inventory and 55 years of expertise” said Carm Termini, marketing director of A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply. 

All 16 warehouses have a complete inventory of metal roof, form, and composite floor deck in stock. Locations include Albany, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Aurora, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; Fort Worth, Texas; Greensboro, North Carolina; Hagerstown, Maryland; Houston, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; Kansas City, Missouri; Knoxville, Tennessee; Memphis, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and St. Louis, Missouri.

About A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply is a full-service metal deck distributor with 16 locations in 11 states serving the U.S. and abroad. Metal roof deck, form deck and composite floor decks are available in all types, gauges and finishes for immediate use as well as any size order produced for any project requirements and schedule. They also provide specialty products including stainless steel, acoustic, cellular and deep decks. A.C.T. was a metal deck subcontractor for 37 years and now uses that expertise to provide project management services including construction drawings, takeoffs, cut lists and delivery anywhere in the country.

By Emma Peterson.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gather with like-minded professionals and learn and grow together.

The Carolinas Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Associations (CRSMCA) is hosting their annual expo and meeting at the end of June this year! From June 25-27, professionals from around the industry will come together at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes in South Carolina for three days of education, networking and exploration.

Day 1: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Start the show by gathering together and building long-term relationships while having fun! The day kicks off with CRSMCA’s golf tournament. This is a great way to enjoy Myrtle Beach’s Grande Dunes Resort Golf Club while meeting new people and making new opportunities with like-minded professionals. And if golf isn’t your thing, there’s also a welcome reception that night that is a great space to network and relax with your peers!

Day 2: Thursday, June 26, 2025

Day two is the perfect time to explore the show’s incredible trade show floor! With over 75 manufacturers, suppliers and distributors in attendance, this is your chance to see the newest innovations and insights in the industry. You will find leaders from all over the industry, like ABC Supply, MuleHide, A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, Johns Manville, H.B. Fuller, Rocket Equipment and Lifting Equipment Solutions.

Day 3: Friday, June 27, 2025

On the final day, CRSMCA is inviting attendees to engage in a variety of high-quality and education sessions. From a session hosted by International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) about industry advocacy to a presentation from The Coffee Shops™ own Heidi J. Ellsworth about Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), these sessions are must-attends for anyone looking for ways to boost their business.

If you haven’t already, register for the 2025 Carolinas Roofing Expo and Meeting!

Por Jessica Bravo. 

Tres puntos clave del video “Acabados” de A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply. 

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, el mayor distribuidor de decks metálicos en el país, ofrece una serie de videos informativos diseñados para ayudar a los profesionales del sector a comprender mejor sus productos. Uno de los videos de la serie, titulado “Acabados,” disponible en inglés y español, cubre aspectos esenciales de los acabados de decks metálicos, proporcionando información valiosa para aquellos que desean mejorar su conocimiento en este tema. 

Este video conciso e informativo se centra en tres aspectos principales de los acabados de los decks metálicos: 

1 – Capa base: La capa base se utiliza como un recubrimiento protector temporal para el deck de acero y no está diseñada para ser una solución de protección a largo plazo, especialmente en ambientes agresivos. Se recomienda que el deck sea pintado en el lugar si está expuesto a condiciones corrosivas o de alta humedad. 

2 – Acabado galvanizado: En entornos más corrosivos, se recomienda un acabado galvanizado. Específicamente, se prefieren recubrimientos de zinc como G60 o G90 para una mejor resistencia a la corrosión. 

3 – Acabados comunes para decks metálicos: 

• Pintado con capa base: La mayoría de los decks metálicos vienen con una capa base, generalmente en color gris o blanco, que ayuda a proteger el acero de manera temporal. 
• Galvanizado: El acero galvanizado, con o sin capa base aplicada en fábrica, proporciona una mayor resistencia a la corrosión. 
• Acero inoxidable: El acero inoxidable se utiliza en ambientes de grado alimenticio o en situaciones donde el deck está expuesto a sustancias altamente corrosivas. 

El punto principal es que el tipo de acabado que elija para su deck metálico está fuertemente influenciado por factores ambientales, como la exposición a la humedad, productos químicos corrosivos u otras condiciones extremas. 

Para más videos sobre opciones de decks metálicos, ¡visite el sitio web de A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply! Estos recursos, disponibles en inglés y español, son ideales para profundizar en el conocimiento sobre los decks metálicos y su aplicación en la construcción. 

Por Jessica Bravo. 

Tres puntos clave del video “Acabados” de A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply. 

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, el mayor distribuidor de decks metálicos en el país, ofrece una serie de videos informativos diseñados para ayudar a los profesionales del sector a comprender mejor sus productos. Uno de los videos de la serie, titulado “Acabados,” disponible en inglés y español, cubre aspectos esenciales de los acabados de decks metálicos, proporcionando información valiosa para aquellos que desean mejorar su conocimiento en este tema. 

Este video conciso e informativo se centra en tres aspectos principales de los acabados de los decks metálicos: 

1 – Capa base: La capa base se utiliza como un recubrimiento protector temporal para el deck de acero y no está diseñada para ser una solución de protección a largo plazo, especialmente en ambientes agresivos. Se recomienda que el deck sea pintado en el lugar si está expuesto a condiciones corrosivas o de alta humedad. 

2 – Acabado galvanizado: En entornos más corrosivos, se recomienda un acabado galvanizado. Específicamente, se prefieren recubrimientos de zinc como G60 o G90 para una mejor resistencia a la corrosión. 

3 – Acabados comunes para decks metálicos: 

• Pintado con capa base: La mayoría de los decks metálicos vienen con una capa base, generalmente en color gris o blanco, que ayuda a proteger el acero de manera temporal. 
• Galvanizado: El acero galvanizado, con o sin capa base aplicada en fábrica, proporciona una mayor resistencia a la corrosión. 
• Acero inoxidable: El acero inoxidable se utiliza en ambientes de grado alimenticio o en situaciones donde el deck está expuesto a sustancias altamente corrosivas. 

El punto principal es que el tipo de acabado que elija para su deck metálico está fuertemente influenciado por factores ambientales, como la exposición a la humedad, productos químicos corrosivos u otras condiciones extremas. 

Para más videos sobre opciones de decks metálicos, ¡visite el sitio web de A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply! Estos recursos, disponibles en inglés y español, son ideales para profundizar en el conocimiento sobre los decks metálicos y su aplicación en la construcción. 

By Jessica Bravo. 

Three takeaways from A.C.T Metal Deck Supply’s “Finishes” video.  

A.C.T Metal Deck Supply, the largest distributor of metal deck in the country, offers a series of informative videos designed to help professionals in the industry better understand their products. One video in the series, titled “Finishes,” which is available in English and Spanish, covers essential aspects of metal deck finishes, providing valuable insights for those looking to enhance their knowledge. 

This concise and informative video focuses on three main aspects of metal deck finishes: 

1 – Primer coat: The primer is used as a short-term protective coating for the steel deck and is not intended to be a long-lasting protective solution, especially in harsh environments. It is recommended that the deck be field painted if it's exposed to corrosive or high-moisture conditions. 

2 – Galvanized finish: In environments that are more corrosive, a galvanized finish is recommended. Specifically, zinc coatings such as G60 or G90 are desirable for better corrosion resistance.  

3 – Common metal deck finishes: 

• Prime painted: Most metal decks come with a primer, typically in gray or white, which helps protect the steel temporarily. 
• Galvanized: Galvanized steel, either with a factory-applied primer or without, provides additional corrosion resistance. 
• Stainless steel: Stainless steel is used in food-grade environments or in situations where the deck is exposed to highly corrosive substances. 

The main takeaway is that the type of finish you choose for your metal deck is heavily influenced by environmental factors, such as exposure to moisture, corrosive chemicals or other harsh conditions. 

For more videos about metal deck options, visit A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply’s website! These resources, offered in English and Spanish, are ideal for deepening knowledge about metal decks and their application in construction. 

By Jessica Bravo. 

A.C.T Metal Deck Supply lanza una seria de videos en Español.  

A.C.T Metal Deck Supply tiene una serie de videos informativos en español, diseñados para ayudar a los profesionales de la industria a comprender mejor sus productos. Estos videos cubren aspectos esenciales sobre cubiertas de metal, ofreciendo un recurso de información valioso para quienes buscan aumentar su conocimiento sobre cubiertas de metal.  

Destacando su experiencia de casi 50 años en la industria, A.C.T Metal Deck Supply se posiciona como un distribuidor de cubiertas de metal y accesorios, con un inventario completo disponible para satisfacer las necesidades de sus clientes en proyectos de cualquier tamaño. 

El video titulado "Cómo ordenar" de A.C.T Metal Deck Supply es una guía esencial para aquellos que buscan realizar un pedido de cubiertas de metal eficientemente. En este video, se desglosa el proceso de pedido, brindando a los clientes una comprensión clara de los pasos necesarios para adquirir los productos que necesitan. 

Se comienza explicando la importancia de tener a mano información sobre el proyecto, como las dimensiones y el tipo de cubierta de metal necesario. Esto no solo ayuda a agilizar el proceso, sino que también asegura que se seleccionen los materiales adecuados para cada aplicación. 

Durante el video, detallan las opciones disponibles en el inventario de A.C.T Metal Deck Supply’s, destacando la variedad de cubiertas de metal que se pueden solicitar. También enfatizan la facilidad de uso del sitio web de la empresa, donde los clientes pueden acceder sus pedidos de manera rápida y sencilla. Por último, se ofrecen consejos prácticos para garantizar que el proceso de compra sea lo más fluido posible.  

¡Para obtener más información sobre las opciones de cubiertas de metal visita su sitio web! Estos recursos son ideales para profundizar en el conocimiento sobre las cubiertas de metal y su aplicación en la construcción. 

By Jessica Bravo. 

Explore A.C.T Metal Deck Supply’s educational video series.  

A.C.T Metal Deck Supply has a series of informative videos designed to help professionals in the industry better understand their products. These videos cover essential aspects of metal deck materials and design, providing a valuable source of information for those looking to enhance their knowledge about metal decks. 

With nearly 50 years of experience in the industry, A.C.T Metal Deck Supply positions itself as a distributor of metal decks and accessories, with a comprehensive inventory available to meet the needs of its clients for projects of any size. 

The video titled "How to Order" from A.C.T Metal Deck Supply is an essential guide for those looking to order metal deck with efficiency. This video breaks down the ordering process, giving clients a clear understanding of the necessary steps to acquire the products they need. 

It begins by explaining the importance of having project information on hand, such as dimensions and the type of metal deck needed. This not only helps streamline the process but also ensures that the appropriate materials are selected for each application. 

During the video, they also detail the options available in A.C.T Metal Deck Supply’s inventory, showcasing the variety of metal decks that can be ordered. They also emphasize the user-friendliness of the company's website, where clients can quickly and easily place their orders. Finally, tips are offered to ensure that the purchasing process is as smooth as possible. 

For more information about metal deck options, visit their website! These resources are ideal for deepening knowledge about metal decks and their application in construction. 

Por Emma Peterson. 

Descubra cómo A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply está utilizando 50 años de experiencia para apoyar a los contratistas en la gestión de proyectos de decks de metal.  

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply es el mator distribuidor de decks de metal en los Estados Unidos y se enorgullece especialmente de su capacidad para servir a las necesidades de la comunidad de construcción. Desde la fabricación hasta la entrega, ya sea de stock de decks de metal o accesorios, ¡A.C.T. está aquí para ayudar! También saben que el deck de metal no es a menudo el enfoque principal de un contratista. Más bien, a menudo es una opción adicional que ofrecen debido a sus innumerables beneficios, que incluyen versatilidad, asequibilidad y eficiencia. 

Pero las demandas diarias de administrar un negocio a menudo significan que puede ser difícil administrar servicios que no son su enfoque principal. Es por eso que A.C.T. se ha asegurado de dedicar un episodio de su serie Metal Deck 101 a desticar cómo pueden ayudar a los contratistas a vender y gestionar proyectos de decks de metal. Este episodio presenta a Eric Abel, miembro del equipo de ventas de A.C.T., quien comparte: “Sabemos que es probable que el deck de metal no sea su negocio principal. Permítanos usar nuestros casi 50 años de experiencia para ayudarle a vender y completar más proyectos de decks de metal con confianza.” 

Estas décadas de experiencia significan que el equipo de A.C.T. conoce el proceso del deck de metal de principio a fin y su apoyo puede ser de gran ayuda para los contratistas. Eric compartió parte de lo que pueden hacer, diciendo: “Proporcionamos un servicio completo que incluye estimaciones originales, dibujos de instalación, submittals, listas de cortes, accesorios, programación de producción y entrega según su horario. Todo, excepto la instalación.” 

Para obtener más información sobre cómo utilizar los recursos de gestión de proyectos de decks de metal de A.C.T., consulte el video completo en YouTube. ¡También puede verlo en el sitio web de A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, tanto en inglés como en español!