EcoWise Achieves "Rising Star" Status

March 2010

EcoWise Inc. received the “Rising Star Award” from Classic Products.  Classic, an Ohio-based manufacturer of high-end aluminum and steel roofing, awarded this distinction to EcoWise for its sales success this past year.

Ann Marzano, President of EcoWise, said, “We believe metal roofing is the best choice for today’s homeowners who are looking for longevity, energy efficiency, and beauty.  And we believe that Classic Products offers some of the highest quality metal shingles and shakes, backed by lifetime warranties, in the industry."

EcoWise's Merrill Tapped for Green Standards Committee

August 2009

In June 2009, ASTM International (formerly known as The American Society for Testing Materials) invited EcoWise Inc. Engineer/Project Manager Dan Merrill to join their committee on sustainable (green) building materials.  Dan is now a member of Committee E60.01 Sustainable “Buildings and Construction.”  He has a vote in new testing standards for building materials.  Dan will also have the opportunity to initiate standards for newly-developed building materials.

EcoWise Inc. Now on Angie's List

June 2009

EcoWise Inc. announces that it has achieved a listing on Angie's List, a consumer driven review service.  Businesses do not pay to be listed.  They are rated on the List only when a member submits a report.

More than 750,000 consumers use Angie’s List to find high quality contractors, service providers and doctors.  Visit www.angieslist.com.

Reflective Roofing Can Come in Colors

May 2009

EcoWise Inc. reports that the reflective roofing materials recently called for by US Energy Secretary Steven Chu are already a reality – and they don’t have to be white! Metal roofing has been keeping homes naturally cooler by reflecting radiant heat and keeping it outside the home for many years.

EcoWise Inc. is a preferred Illinois dealer of Classic Products. According to Classic president Todd Miller, “We revolutionized the residential roofing industry several years ago when we began manufacturing metal roofing products which incorporate reflective pigments into their durable finishes. We call it our Hi-R Heat Barrier Coating.” These reflective pigments allow metal roofs, even in dark colors, to meet the Energy Star requirement for roofs that keep buildings naturally cooler and reduce air conditioning demand.

Metal roofs that meet the Energy Star requirement for reflectivity are currently eligible for the federal energy efficiency tax credit. Based upon the size of the home, this tax credit will hit its maximum allowable amount of $1500 for most homes and is available to homeowners who have these products installed in 2009 and 2010.

By choosing a roofing product that reflects radiant heat, homeowners can keep their attics significantly cooler in summer months and reduce their air conditioning demand. Utility companies like this because it reduces the peak load which their equipment must be sized to accommodate. While many people wonder if reflective roofing is a detriment during winter months, if a home is vented according to national building codes, the attic will be kept cool in the winter and efficiency then is achieved through insulation on top of the building’s ceilings.

Individuals with interest in how to achieve increased energy efficiency for their home through reflective roofing can visit EcoWise Inc.’s website at www.chicagometalroofing.com.            

EcoWise Inc. Principals Achieve Certified Green Builder Status

January 2009

Ann Marzano and Dan Merrill of EcoWise Inc., a Wayne, Illinois, company specializing in metal and synthetic roofing, have attained the Certified Green Builder (CGB) designation, after successfully completing the curriculum of the Green Builder College.  Sponsored by Green Building Media,   Green Builder College is the first national educational program to offer certification and training to professionals in the housing sector.

To help answer the question, “What is green building?” the course addresses the fundamentals of energy efficiency, building durability, indoor air quality, resource efficiency, and water efficiency.  The goal is provide professionals with the tools and resources to integrate the various components of the home in a sustainable and energy-efficient manner.

“Green building is the foundation of our company,” states Marzano, President of EcoWise Inc.  “We recognize that there are many aspects to making a home environmentally-friendly.  The roof is one of the most significant parts of the home. We help people save money and increase their home’s value by designing and installing the greenest, most beautiful roofs available.”

EcoWise Inc. Launches New Metal Roofing Website for Chicago Area

Classic Products (http://www.classicmetalroofing.com), a leading manufacturer of metal roofing systems, has teamed with EcoWise (http://www.chicagometalroofing.com) to develop a new website that helps position this Independent Dealer for growth and service in the Chicago area.

The easy-to-use website accommodates EcoWise’s need for a web presence that is tasteful, simple, effective and most importantly…of great value to home owners who are considering making a informed investment in their property with a smart roofing choice.

“We’re pleased to be able to help EcoWise promote their fine company. With integrity, excellent service and a great product, they have a lot to offer homeowners in the Chicago area…" stated Todd Richards, Vice President of Marketing for Classic Products.

Home owners and organizations interested in learning more about EcoWise, their services, and Classic Metal Roofing Systems can call 630.497.9503, or visit the company website at www.chicagometalroofing.com.

Ann Marzano and Dan Merrill of EcoWise Inc. Earn Certified Graduate Remodelor™ Designation

March 2008

Ann Marzano and Dan Merrill, of EcoWise Inc. in Wayne, Illinois, have earned the designation of Certified Graduate Remodelor™  (CGR) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelors™ Council.  They are two of only 2000 professional Remodelers nationwide who have attained or are in the process of earning the CGR certification.

CGR recognizes those Remodelers who demonstrate exceptional business integrity, technical competence, and a solid track record of customer satisfaction.  To earn the CGR designation, a remodeler must complete a series of industry-specific education courses, provide letters of recommendation, proof of licensing and insurance, and adhere to a strict Code of Ethics.  CGR stands for professionalism, experience, and a commitment to quality.

EcoWise Roofing Company Shows Respect for Environment

Publication Northwest Herald
Date May 23, 2006
Section(s) News

WAYNE - A couple of years ago, Wayne resident Ann Marzano found herself in a predicament most homeowners encounter at least once in a lifetime: She needed a new roof.

Her large home, situated within a quiet neighborhood off Dunham Road, had been blanketed with a cedar shake roof when it was built. Less than 20 years later, she said, she experienced various problems, from leaks to insects.

A widow with a teenage son, Marzano began to research the subject and obtained estimates from various roofing companies.

"We have a covenant in our neighborhood which stated that you could not have an asphalt roof," Marzano said. "Most of the homes have cedar shakes and shingles."

Dissatisfied with the high costs, high maintenance and low durability of wood, Marzano began investigating alternatives, finally learning about something called engineered slate.

"Engineered slate looks just like slate," she said, "but it is made of composite materials that are completely recyclable and Earth-friendly, need no maintenance and have a 50-year warranty."

Opting to go that route after receiving approval from her neighborhood's architectural committee, Marzano found herself facing a new predicament - finding someone able to install the roof using these newer materials.
" I could not find someone in the area who was skilled in using these new materials," she said, noting that one roofer agreed to do the project, but later took off with a large deposit.

Finally with the assistance of a friend who happened to be a retired engineer, Marzano decided to create a new company that does exactly what she wanted and needed - design and install roofscapes using environmentally friendly materials. Her business, EcoWise Inc., officially was formed about a year ago.

"The focus of the company is to help homeowners increase the value of their homes in an affordable and environmentally responsible manner," said Dan Merrill, Marzano's partner and project manager.

"We use recycled materials as much as possible and recycle the old materials [that are taken off the existing roof] whenever it makes sense to do so."

Recycling old roofing materials, such as cedar shakes, is important to them, said Marzano, who said she always has cared about recycling products at home.

"For example, with the cedar, we will grind the old shingles up and use the resulting mulch as landscaping materials for the homeowner or give it to the county to use on its trails," she said.

Learning everything they can about the roofing business, Marzano and Merrill now offer a variety of custom-designed roofscapes to satisfy the needs of all kinds of customers - and their respective architectural restrictions.

EcoWise Inc. offers synthetic slate, cedar and clay tiles in many shapes, colors and textures. These synthetics are a composite blend of fibers, rubbers and plastics, with polymer binders, Marzano said. "We also offer many types and styles of metal roofing which mimic slate, cedar, tile and more classic standing rib patterns, and we know exactly how to treat and install these products so that they turn out as beautiful as they should," Marzano said.

Because these products are light in weight, no additional support is required for installation, Marzano said. They also can result in lower homeowners' insurance rates, since they are fire-resistant, impervious to insects and carry 50-year transferable warranties.

As a former editor and stay-at-home mom for several years, Marzano said she is thrilled with her new lifestyle and business.

"No, I never saw myself starting a roofing company," she said. "But no one else out here is doing what I'm doing. Plus, with today's trend toward being environmentally friendly and using ecologically-friendly products everywhere else, we felt this was an opportunity that we couldn't pass up."

By DAWN LASSITER
editorial@kcchronicle.com

Read more …