commercial roofing
Roofing Manufacturers
The manufacturer's spec sits beside the roof plan on the first day of a job. It tells the superintendent how the membrane is attached, how seams are made, and how a flashing has to be terminated. In Federal Way, WA, where wet weather stretches from October into spring, following that spec closely matters, because a detail made in poor conditions is the one that leaks first.
Which manufacturers make single-ply systems?
Carlisle SynTec, Versico, Holcim Elevate, and Johns Manville make membrane systems for low-slope roofs. Sika Sarnafil and Duro-Last are known for PVC. Each publishes details for seams, flashings, and attachment that a crew follows as written. Differences show up in how seams are joined, how fasteners and plates are spaced, and how a membrane is turned up a wall.
Who makes layered and liquid-applied systems?
Soprema makes modified bitumen and liquid-applied products, and GAF makes commercial membrane and insulation systems. Layered systems rely on heat or adhesive at the laps, so crews check temperature, surface moisture, and lap overlap before sealing. A crew leader reviews those checks at the start of each shift, and the results go into the day's log. Liquid-applied flashing resins are handled the same way, with surface prep and cure time checked before the next layer.
How does a spec become a finished roof?
A preconstruction walk compares the existing deck with the spec: substrate board, insulation thickness, attachment pattern, and edge details. The 2021 International Building Code, as Washington amended it, applies, and the commercial energy code governs insulation values on a replacement. The spec, the code, and the deck are reconciled before the first panel is ordered.
What records follow the install?
A closeout walk with the owner's superintendent, photographs of each tie-in, and a record of the products and fasteners used. Repairs later in the roof's life use the same record to match materials. We install, repair, and maintain these system types, and the same record tells the next crew what is on the roof.
Commercial Roofing Questions
Does the manufacturer matter for repairs?
Compatibility matters. A repair patch needs a material that bonds to the existing membrane, so we identify the system with a sample and the roof record before choosing a patch.
Can I mix products from different makers?
Often not for membranes and adhesives. Accessories such as insulation and edge metal can be matched by performance, but the membrane and its flashing materials are kept together when the spec calls for it.
How do I know what is on my roof?
A core cut and a seam sample usually identify it. Records, tags on penetrations, and past invoices help. When none exist, we document what we find and add it to the roof file.
What changes if a warranty applies?
The spec becomes binding. Installation, inspection, and repair follow the warranty's terms, and the paperwork is assembled as the work proceeds so nothing is missing at closeout.
Send the roof plan and any product records
Share the roof plan, past invoices, and warranty papers if you have them. We will walk the sequence, staging, and tie-ins with your superintendent before a number goes on paper.
