Weekly News Briefing – July 28, 2025
🏗️ SPRI Edge Standards: GT‑1 and ED‑1 Revisions Underway
SPRI has officially launched the revision process for its ED‑1 standard, which governs wind load design for roof edge systems such as copings and gutters on low-slope roofs¹. Meanwhile, the GT‑1 standard, applicable to external gutter systems and adopted by 37 states via the 2021 IBC, is reaffirmed and continues to guide wind-resistance testing protocols like G-1 and G-2 load cycles².
These updates are expected to enhance performance criteria around material thickness, thermal movement, corrosion resistance, and securement under wind uplift.
🌡️ Cool Roofing Gains Steam: Reflective Cap Sheets Leading the Way
A newly released Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association white paper highlights reflective cap sheets for Modified Bitumen (MB) and Built-Up Roofing (BUR) systems. These asphalt-based membranes now offer solar reflectance values of 0.65 to 0.85, and thermal emittance over 0.80³. As a result, cool roofing is increasingly viable even for multi-layer asphalt assemblies, traditionally seen as hot options.
🔍 Market Sentiment: Low-Slope Inquiries Hold Steady
According to the latest NRCA market index, low-slope roofing continues to see solid customer interest:
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Inquiries Index: 50.9 (just above neutral)
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Contracts Index: 44.6 (slightly pessimistic)⁴
About 35% of contractors reported increased materials use in Q1 2025 compared to the prior year, even as 28% saw no change and 36% noted declines⁴.
🧰 Pro Tips for Roofing Pros
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Review Edge Metal Specs: Monitor the ED‑1 recanvass for changes affecting thickness, fastening, and corrosion criteria.
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Upgrade Asphalt Cool Roofs: Consider high-reflectance BUR or MB systems where energy codes or climate warrant cool roof solutions.
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Track Market Signals: Ask suppliers for material shipment data and bid volume trends to anticipate shifts in contract activity.
📚 Learning Topic: In-Depth with ANSI/SPRI GT‑1 Testing for Gutters
Though often overlooked, gutters are integral to roof edge securement, and subject to wind uplift like coping systems. SPRI’s GT‑1 standard defines three test methods, G‑1, G‑2, and G‑3, evaluating a gutter system’s resistance to lateral wind loads, uplift, and vertical loading from ice or water².
Key considerations for contractors include:
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Installing gutters with tested components, brackets, fasteners, and hangers, per the manufacturer’s spacing and configuration.
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Ensuring gutters used in high-wind areas comply with GT‑1 design ratings, particularly for IBC jurisdiction projects.
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Using GT‑1 compliance as a competitive differentiator when specifying systems for storm-prone regions.
GT‑1-certified products like MTL Holdings’ XL Gutter offer up to 30-year, 160 mph wind warranties and reduced install time, making them attractive for both performance and efficiency³.
This briefing reflects information available as of July 28, 2025, 05:00 AM MST. Expect updates next week as SPRI advances more standard revisions and cool-roof strategies evolve.
Sources:
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SPRI press release: plans to revise ED‑1 standard (March 2025) (spri.org, asphaltroofing.org, nrca.net, spri.org, spri.org, roofingmagazine.com, essentialroofingsupply.com)
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SPRI announcement on reaffirmation of GT‑1 and testing protocols (February 2024 / reviewed July 2022) (spri.org)
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Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association white paper on cool roof options for MB and BUR systems (June 2025) (asphaltroofing.org)
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NRCA Q1 2025 market index survey data on low-slope inquiries and contracts (nrca.net)