Category: Department

If you’re still planning roofing material inventory by gut feel or last year’s spreadsheets, you’re likely already behind the curve.
Roofing material demand—especially for products like asphalt shingles, TPO membranes, ridge vents, and underlayment—is intensely seasonal and highly weather-dependent Spring and early summer often bring sharp demand spikes across regions like the Midwest, Northeast, and parts of Canada, while winter months slow procurement drastically.

In the fast-paced building materials distribution industry, efficiency in order fulfillment can make a significant difference in customer satisfaction and profitability Cross-docking—transferring materials directly from inbound shipments to outbound orders without long-term storage—is a strategy many distributors use to speed up deliveries and reduce inventory holding costs.

In building materials distribution, uptime isn’t just about trucks moving on schedule or inventory flowing through a warehouse It’s also about keeping the equipment that powers your operation—like forklifts, conveyors, panel saws, and batching mixers—in top condition.

Cross-docking is a critical strategy for building materials distributors looking to speed up fulfillment while minimizing inventory holding costs But if you’re not tracking the right metrics, it’s just controlled chaos.

Running a building materials distribution business with multiple brands under one roof isn’t just about choice—it’s about complexity You’re selling LP and Georgia-Pacific OSB, CertainTeed and Owens Corning insulation, Simpson and MiTek connectors.

In industries like logistics, distribution, and manufacturing, efficient dispatch management is crucial to ensuring that products are delivered on time and at the lowest possible cost Dispatching involves coordinating the movement of goods from warehouses or production facilities to customers, which often requires coordinating between multiple departments, tracking delivery statuses, managing routes, and optimizing vehicle and driver performance.
However, managing dispatch operations manually or with disconnected systems can result in inefficiencies, delayed deliveries, and increased costs.

Sales commissions play a pivotal role in motivating sales teams, driving performance, and aligning individual goals with company objectives However, calculating and managing commissions—especially in complex, multi-tiered commission structures—can be a challenging and time-consuming process.

In industries like manufacturing, construction, and distribution, raw material costs are a significant driver of overall production costs These materials—whether metals, plastics, chemicals, or aggregates—often experience price fluctuations due to market conditions, geopolitical factors, or supply chain disruptions.

When designing or constructing buildings in areas that experience extreme wind conditions, such as coastal regions or regions prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, one of the most critical components of the roofing system is the fasteners Roofing fasteners must be specifically selected to handle the intense wind loads that can damage or lift roofing materials during severe storms.

Uneven subfloors present significant challenges in tile installations, risking cracked tiles, grout failure, and uneven surfaces Properly selected tile underlayments compensate for subfloor irregularities, providing a stable, flat base that enhances tile longevity and appearance.
Procurement and installation teams must understand underlayment options that address uneven substrates effectively.
Challenges of Uneven Subfloors
Variations in height causing lippage.
Cracks or movement transmitting through tile.
Difficulty in achieving uniform grout lines.
Types of Tile Underlayments for Uneven Surfaces
Self-Leveling Underlayments
Cementitious compounds that flow to create flat surfaces.
Used to correct dips, slopes, and minor defects.
Uncoupling Membranes
Products like Schluter®-DITRA separate tile from substrate movement.
Help absorb minor irregularities and prevent crack transmission.
Plywood or Cement Board Overlays
Build up low spots with layers of underlayment panels.
Provide structural stability and flatness.
Foam or Rubber Underlayments
Compressible materials that absorb small variations.
Often combined with leveling compounds.
Selection Considerations
Subfloor material type and condition.
Severity and scale of unevenness.
Intended tile type and size.
Moisture and load requirements.
Installation Best Practices
Perform thorough substrate inspection and measurement.
Follow manufacturer instructions for mixing and application.
Allow adequate curing time for leveling compounds.
Use appropriate fastening for overlay panels.
Benefits
Prevent tile and grout failures.
Improve floor flatness and visual quality.
Reduce costly repairs and callbacks.
Conclusion
Selecting the right tile underlayment system for uneven subfloors is vital for durable, visually appealing tile installations.