Empowering contractors and building a sustainable future one class at a time

By Jessica Bravo.  

Coatings are growing in popularity and Kool Seal University is helping educate contractors and develop their skills.  

In a recent episode of CoatingsCast™, Karen Edwards was joined by Jeff Hung, Marisol Masferrer and Patrick Noble from Kool Seal, a Sherwin-Williams' brand, to talk about the increasing number of contractors shifting from traditional roofing methods to coatings and how Kool Seal is supporting this transition through Kool Seal University. 

As fluid-applied roofing becomes one of the fastest-growing segments within Sherwin-Williams, Patrick explains how “[Kool Seal’s] different points of distribution really help with growing that market. And there are a lot of benefits — sustainability, cost savings, renewability — to using coatings versus traditional roofing systems.” 

The importance of education and skill development has never been more critical. Kool Seal University is setting a new standard in the roofing industry, cultivating trustworthy contractors equipped to serve building owners effectively. As part of its approval process for contractors wishing to offer Kool Seal's warranty systems, the university requires participants to complete a full-day session combining classroom learning with hands-on experience. Jeff Hung notes, "Contractors go through at least one session... We cover best practices, what our coatings and repairs can do, and follow up with hands-on experience. This way, they get comfortable with our expectations and products. Once they complete the class, we continue to network, provide service, and support them throughout the project, from quoting to final inspection." This training fosters a strong partnership between Kool Seal and its contractors, promoting effective communication and support. 

Coatings not only present a high-margin opportunity for contractors but also provide cost-effective solutions for building owners. Jeff explains, “On the building owner's side of it, they're seeing this as a viable option... to extend the life of the roof.” The advancements of the past decade have transformed how roofing systems are viewed, allowing contractors to extend a roof's lifespan. As Marisol stated, “Coatings are there to protect, to prolong and to provide a longer performance life to any type of existing roof.” This shift has fostered greater acceptance of fluid-applied roofing as a viable alternative in the industry. 

For building owners, the benefits of working with knowledgeable contractors about coatings are significant. As they learn more about fluid-applied roofing systems, they see these solutions as proactive maintenance strategies that enhance roof lifespan. Kool Seal instills confidence, backed by 158 years of industry expertise and a commitment to quality. Patrick Noble states, "When you're dealing with Kool Seal, you're typically working with an employee from Sherwin-Williams, focused on building customer relationships and loyalty. We ensure building owners feel comfortable that our Kool Seal systems are viable and supported by our warranty. With 158 years in business, we’re here for the long haul." Kool Seal’s reliable warranties assure building owners they are making a sound investment. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about Kool Seal’s collaboration and how it ensures that the industry is moving forward one educated contractor at a time.