Your metal roofing products offer consumers eco-friendly properties
You may think that “green” building is just the latest trend and may soon fade, when the next new thing comes along. However, recent building news indicates sustainability is an idea with staying power. As professionals in the metal roofing industry, you are uniquely positioned to take advantage of this movement to grow your business.
Metal roofing’s eco-friendly properties and energy efficiency can help motivate your customers to choose your products over your competitors’ products, even if your estimate is higher. Homeowners make purchase decisions based on the overall value, not simply the price tag. Be sure to use the “green” trend to your advantage. The Metal Roofing Alliance is continuing its North American consumer awareness program, with a strong emphasis on the environmental benefits of metal roofing.
Still on the fence? Here’s some food for thought:
Green jobs study
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Jobs Study shows the economic impact from green building construction is significant and will continue to grow as the demand for green buildings rises. Green construction spending currently supports more than 2 million jobs and generates more than 100 billion dollars in gross domestic product and wages.
By the year 2013, this study estimates green buildings will support nearly 8 million jobs across occupations ranging from construction managers and carpenters to truck drivers and cost estimators. USGBC also supports job creation and economic activity.
LEED-related spending has already generated 15,000 jobs since 2000, and by 2013 this study forecasts that an additional 230,000 jobs will be created. For more, visit www.usgbc.org/
Green homes study
McGraw-Hill Constructions latest SmartMarket Report is titled New and Remodeled Green Homes: Transforming the Residential Market. It reveals the key practices and technologies taking over in the residential marketplace as a result of the shift toward green. A key survey finding confirms customers are strongly value-driven — approximately two-thirds of builders and remodeler respondents stated customers request green homes or remodeling projects in order to lower their energy use or save money, more than twice any other factor. In addition, the obstacle of higher first costs for building green are noted by a much lower percentage of builders than in the past.
More than 80 percent of those surveyed report energy efficiency is making today’s homes greener compared to two years ago. Use of energy-efficient features is pervasive in the market — the top practice by nearly all surveyed builders and remodelers, regardless of their level of green building activity.
Green construction code
The debut of the International Green Construction Code is being hailed as a historic green-building landmark. This new code provides a comprehensive set of requirements intended to reduce the negative impact of building on the natural environment. IgCC is now available as a resource for jurisdictions ready to adopt a usable and enforceable framework that links together issues of green design, building performance and building safety. What makes this so unique in the world of “green” building, is it intended to be administered by code officials and adopted by governmental units at any level as a tool to drive “green” building.
The IgCC was developed by the International Code Council, in association with cooperating sponsors ASTM International and the American Institute of Architects. Other organizations supporting this initiative include U.S. Green Building Council, producers of the LEED green building rating system and the Green Building Initiative producers of the Green Globes green building rating system.
The model code language becomes law when it is adopted by the appropriate state or local authority charged with governing construction. The adopting jurisdiction is charged with determining the final content of the code, and has the ability to calibrate the application on the code on a project-by-project basis. For more information on the IgCC code, visit www.iccsafe.org.
Join us
The members of the Metal Roofing Alliance are working hard to continue building market share for residential roofing contractors. If you’re not a member, please consider joining — our contractors say it’s the best investment they’ve made in their business. For more information, please contact our contractor liaison, Alli Parsons, at alli@metalroofing.com or by phone, 410-534-6900.
Bill Hippard is the executive director of the MRA and vice president of sales at Precoat Metals.
