Session Spotlight: Roofing

The differences in available roof materials, insulation and installation took center stage at the SPECS session, “Under Roof: Advanced Roofing Design, Practices and Management A to Z.”

The speakers, Richard Justinn and Thomas J Taylor, from GAF Materials, also discussed roofing trends and strategies for selecting the right manufacturer and contractor.

In choosing a manufacturer, the speakers said the considerations should include:

• Track record: How long has the company been in business?
• Financial strength: What is the company’s annual sales and debt situation?
• Rank: Where does it rank among the competition?
• Is the company recognized as an industry leader and innovator?
• Does the company have a dedicated national accounts team?

The requirements for selecting a contractor should include:

• Minimum five years in business;
• Properly licensed, and appropriate workman’s compensation and liability insurance;
• Bonding capability;
• Good credit rating;
• Current with primary distributor;
• No significant undisclosed workmanship judgments against firm;
• Maintain an eight or better inspection rating to keep status benefits; and
• Foreman must pass installation exam.

TPO: There is little doubt as to where the industry is headed, with the speakers showing a chart that detailed the steady growth of TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) systems, which are single-ply roofing membranes, during the past 14 years. The ascent of TPO roofs, which are now the most popular commercial roofing choice, has come largely at the expense of asphalt roofing.

Meanwhile, the use of PVC and EPDM membranes has remained fairly static over the same period. The speakers concluded the session with three key takeaways:

• TPO has evolved: The leading sheets are getting better.
• TPO standards are improving: TPO has the strongest ASTM single-ply spec.
• Not all sheets are the same.