Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA)

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) is a trade association for North American manufacturers of asphalt roofing products and their raw material suppliers. Its members make most of the asphalt shingles and asphalt-based low-slope membranes sold in North America. ARMA began in 1915 in New York City as the Asphalt Roofing Industry Bureau and marked its centennial in 2015. Its offices later moved to Garland, Texas, and then to the Washington, D.C., area; its current address is in Forest Hill, Maryland.

Background

Asphalt roofing in North America dates to 1893, when roll roofing first appeared on the market. Early asphalt shingles used an organic felt mat, with granules of materials such as mica, dolomite or crushed oyster shell on the surface. Modern shingles mostly use a fibreglass mat. Asphalt shingles are now the most common roof covering on houses in the United States and Canada.

Activities

• Technical information. ARMA publishes technical bulletins, guides and white papers on installation, ventilation, wind and hail resistance, and maintenance of asphalt roof systems, for both steep-slope and low-slope work.
• Codes and standards. It works with building code bodies and standards organisations, and seeks to influence laws, codes and regulations that affect asphalt roofing.
• Market data. It issues a quarterly report on product shipments.
• Recycling. It hosts a forum on recycling asphalt shingles, for example into asphalt pavement.
• Awards. It runs the Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards for completed projects.

Context

ARMA's publications are widely cited by contractors and inspectors, but they reflect the view of the manufacturers. Installation must also follow the specific maker's instructions and local building code, which can differ by climate zone. For example, ice barrier underlayment at the eaves is required in cold regions under North American codes.