Roofing

A roofer is a skilled tradesperson who installs a waterproof membrane on a building that has either a flat or sloped deck consisting of wood, steel or concrete. They may specialize in residential or industrial roofing. The most commonly used roofing product is a layer of asphalt paper embedded in hot asphalt up to four times over a layer or layers of rigid board insulation, which in turn is covered with a ballast called pea gravel that is also embedded in hot asphalt. It is also common to use a single-ply rubber membrane that is laid over rigid board insulation or to use rolls of modified bitumen paper applied by using a propane torch and melting the product over a flat surface.

Most crews in the Industrial Commercial and Institutional (ICI) roofing industry consist of five to eight workers, with a foreperson, two journeypersons and the rest of the crew consisting of material handlers and apprentices. Roofers use many types of roofing equipment to perform their work, including overhead hoists, bobcats, asphalt kettles and conveyor belts. Strength, agility and a willingness to work in extreme weather conditions are the characteristics of the average roofer. Knowledge of the various types of roofing systems is also essential to a successful career in roofing.

Our Careers

Take a look at some of the job areas SMART is proud to represent!

  • Architectural Sheet Metal
  • Bus Operators & Mechanics
  • CAD, Drafting & Detailing
  • Freight Rail
  • HVAC Installation
  • HVAC Shop/Fabrication
  • Lagging
  • Passenger Rail
  • Production / Manufacturing
  • Rail Mechanical
  • Residential HVAC
  • Service and Refrigeration
  • Roofing
  • Shipyard
  • Sign Fabrication & Installation
  • Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency (TAB)
  • Transit & Commuter Rail
  • Industrial and Shop Welding
  • Yardmaster

Become a SMART Member

Take the next step on your journey towards a rewarding career. Learn how you can become a SMART member.

Member Voices

Hear about the union directly from SMART members themselves.

Meet Carol Jones

Longtime Amtrak conductor Carol Jones — who is also a local chairperson with SMART-TD Local 1361 out of New Haven, Conn. — shares her story of coming up in the transportation industry and working as a pioneering woman in the passenger rail sector.

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