Feature: 2026 International Roofing Expo spotlights segment changes and challenges … and opportunities for PSAs

Like much of the building and construction industry, the roofing segment is adapting to changes driven by technology and consumer demands. At the same time, it’s facing challenges such as an historic labor shortage.

These dynamics (and the lure of the tables and slots) weighed on the minds of many who came to Las Vegas for the 2026 edition of the International Roofing Expo (IRE), from January 20-22.

Our John Calhoon, business development manager, and Ricardo Soto, senior design and application manager, were among the more than 17,000 attendees. Avery Dennison did not have a booth at the Expo. So, John and Ricardo were free to walk the floor and sharpen their understanding of many opportunities for pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) in roofing.

The largest roofing event in North America

First held in 1955 (known then as the National Roofing Contractors Association convention), the IRE bills itself as “the largest roofing and exteriors event in North America …. the industry's annual hub for products, equipment, hands-on education and networking.”

The 2026 edition featured 700 exhibitors; numerous educational tracks about topics ranging from workplace safety to running a successful small business; awards; and special events that gave attendees a chance to network.

John’s five key takeaways (Segment trends are driving opportunities for PSA tapes)

John met with us after returning home from the Expo. “We were there for one day to walk the show,” he says. “But we could have easily filled up two. The exhibitors were happy to talk about PSAs. The hall was well laid out and not too hard to cover, even with its size.”

When asked for his key takeaways, John shared these.

1. “Finding good help” is a lingering concern for roofing contractors

According to one of the keynotes, 38% of contractors cite the skilled labor shortage as a critical concern. So it follows that there’s strong interest in new products that help contractors accomplish more with fewer resources. And many OEMs displayed products designed to do just that. This includes solutions with adhesives that can reduce installation steps, minimize re-work and waste, and eliminate cure time.

PSAs are in that mix of those solutions. “Peel-and-stick means they’re a lot easier and faster to use than traditional adhesive bonding methods or mechanical fasteners,” said John. “And they help enable greater consistency and finished quality compared to sealants or welded solutions.”

2. Sustainability has gone from nice-to-have … to niche … to necessity

Consumers and contractors alike no longer want to hunt for sustainable solutions in a sea of “traditional” products. They expect sustainability, by default, in the form of recyclability, reduced waste, solar performance, heat management and other functionality.

This is another opportunity for PSA technology. PSAs’ simplicity — no bulky tubes or canisters used in their manufacture or discarded on a jobsite, low VOC capabilities and compatibility with recycling systems are among just a few of the attributes that align with OEM sustainability commitments.

3. Self-adhering roofing accessories offer a growth opportunity

John noted strong interest in self-adhered accessories such as flashings or roof anchors that replace the need to weld to roofing membranes like TPO and PVC. And he observed leading OEMs such as GAF prominently featuring its line of primer-free flashing tapes for TPO in its booth.

“Self-adhering flanges, boots and penetrations are a natural opportunity for PSAs,” says John. “Replacing welds offers contractors a reduction in overall labor and the ability to do more with less skilled labor; plus have less complex, safer installation procedures.”

4. Segment consolidation underscores the value of strategic partnerships

John noted rapid consolidation across numerous roofing material manufacturers, including companies such as Amrize, Carlisle, Cornerstone, Kingspan and Beacon/QXO. Meanwhile, growing private equity involvement in the segment is providing larger companies with the capital needed to expand across product categories. Says John: “This can be an advantage for companies like Avery Dennison with the resources to foster relationships and provide cross-category adhesive expertise.”

Those advantages can roll through to Avery Dennison customers. As the segment evolves, roofing material manufacturers can count on Avery Dennison to have the agility needed to respond and provide solutions that contractors want and will purchase.

5. It’s still about the materials

Like many industries, building and construction is being transformed by automation and artificial intelligence. John noted an explosion of vendors at this year’s IRE offering applications designed to automate tasks such as estimating, scheduling and invoicing.

But for the roofing segment, install speed and reliability remain paramount. “It still comes down to the workers on site and the materials they’re using,” says John. “What they want are materials that are simple to use, and can help them get the job done faster, safer and with less waste.”

While we might not think of PSAs as “high tech,” it’s a technology that’s poised to help transform the way roofing is done.

Interested in evolving your products to respond to the marketplace? Let’s talk

Most of us probably know the old adage (or a form of it) that “challenge brings opportunity.” The building and construction industry has certainly seen its fair share of challenges in recent years. The 2026 IRE shows us the road to a “new normal” is full of opportunities for technologies that help roofing contractors succeed in a time of great change. PSAs are one such technology.

If you’re a roofing material manufacturer interested in exploring ways to evolve your products to respond to this opportunity, we’d like to talk. You can reach John Calhoon through LinkedIn, and learn more about our PSA-based solutions for the building and construction industry at tapes.averydennison.com/buildingandconstruction.