MRCA Technical & Roofing Research
The MRCA Technical & Research Committee brings together roofing contractors and industry advisors to investigate technical issues, evaluate roofing systems and provide practical technical resources for roofing professionals.
Through industry research, technical guidance and collaboration with organizations including the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), MRCA works to protect contractor interests and help members better understand the performance and viability of roofing systems.
Technical Advice for MRCA Members
MRCA members have access to complimentary technical advice for roofing-related questions and concerns. Members can contact MRCA at info@mrca.org .
Not an MRCA Member?
Join MRCA to gain access to technical support, member-only roofing research and additional resources designed for roofing contractors and industry professionals.
Join MRCAMRCA Roofing Research
Explore technical research conducted and supported by MRCA to better understand roofing-system performance and issues affecting roofing contractors.
2023 Hail Impact Testing Project with WJE
MRCA partnered with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) on a hail impact testing research project examining roofing-system performance. A public summary of the research findings is available, while additional presentation materials are available to MRCA members.
2019 Low-Rise Foam Research Project with WJE
MRCA partnered with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) on research involving low-rise foam adhesive and roofing-system performance. A public summary provides an overview of the findings, while the complete research report is available as an exclusive MRCA member resource.
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Mark Langer viewing an MRCA research study at the WJE laboratory. |
Adhered insulation specimen used in roofing research. |
What Is Roof Wind Designer?
Roof Wind Designer is an online tool that helps users determine roof-system design wind loads for many commonly encountered building types subject to building code compliance.
Design wind loads are derived using the American Society of Civil Engineers Standard ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. This standard serves as a technical basis for wind-load determination in the International Building Code and NFPA 5000: Building Construction and Safety Code.
Roof Wind Designer allows users to choose between the 2005 and 2010 editions of ASCE 7. It uses Method 1, Simplified Method, for the 2005 edition and the Envelope Procedure, Part 2: Low-rise Buildings (Simplified), of Chapter 30 for the 2010 edition.
For additional information about the differences between the two ASCE 7 editions, review the Roof Wind Designer ASCE 7 explanation .
Roof Wind Designer also determines minimum recommended roof-system design wind-resistance loads while taking into consideration a safety factor based on ASTM D6630, Standard Guide for Low Slope Insulated Roof Membrane Assembly Performance. These loads can help users select appropriate wind-resistance classified roof systems and edge-metal flashing systems.
Roof Wind Designer was developed and is maintained by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), with support from the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) and the North/East Roofing Contractors Association (NERCA). The application is currently available at no cost.
