The Pros and Cons of Single-Ply Roofing Adhesives

With the growing popularity and versatility of PVC roofing systems, GAF has responded by building a team of PVC experts to aid architects, specifiers, and the design community in project success. These highly trained and experienced professionals offer 1:1 support to help answer customers' questions and unique needs when working with PVC on roofing projects, and are here to help you!PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a single-ply thermoplastic roofing membrane. The material's characteristics help it thrive in particularly challenging applications. In fact, PVC roofing systems have a proven track record in the US, first introduced in the 1970s after making their debut in Germany a decade earlier.Here's a look at the benefits of PVC roofing systems as well as the guidance and support offered by the PVC experts at GAF.PVC Roofing Advantages and ApplicationsWhile several materials are available for use in roofing systems, PVC has been identified as a particularly long-lasting option. Accordingly, it's steadily grown in popularity nationwide.David Allor, senior area PVC specialist, joined the GAF team in 2022 as a PVC expert. His role was created specifically to support roof designers. Allor has an extensive background in the commercial roofing industry and extensive knowledge about PVC as a high-performance roofing solution."The industry refers to it as a very spec-driven product, and I believe what they're speaking to is a specifier's preference to work with a product that's been well established in the market and field tested," Allor shares. "It has the ability to provide protection against chemical exposure* and stand up well to challenging environments."While PVC may be a spec-driven product, it's also application-driven. Allor explains that PVC roofs may help provide protection for restaurants, food manufacturers, and packaging plants—any facility using animal fats where oils may be exhausted.* He also says that even if the building itself isn't exhausting gases, grease, or chemicals, it's important to consider the buildings and structures that surround it, as their exteriors may be subjected to exhaust that could degrade roofing systems.*Supporting the Design CommunityAs North America's largest roofing materials manufacturer, GAF has equipped teams with the resources and specialists needed to supply customers with more than just products. In recent years, the company built a solid team of PVC specialists that cover the entire US. These specialists assist customers with PVC specifications, roof system designs, and whatever else designers need to ensure successful project outcomes.Whether your project or design firm is based in the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, or West Coast, a PVC specialist is positioned to help. Allor explains the team of GAF PVC specialists is active in the organizations specifiers belong to, including the American Institute of Architects, the Construction Specifications Institute, and the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants.Allor describes the team's role as supporting the customer and connecting them to other GAF project support teams that can help. For instance, he said he called on a leading architectural design firm in the Boston area—and two months later, someone reached out for assistance with a specific project needing a tight turnaround."Literally within 12 hours of them reaching out to us, we replied and committed to three pertinent deliverables, those being a Tapered ISO Design Package, an Assembly Letter confirming all FM Requirements, and last but not least, a conference call the next day with the Building and Roofing Science team to go over three critical transitional details." Allor says.Committing to Successful Project OutcomesThe PVC specialists at GAF are focused on one goal: helping architects, specifiers, and the roofing design community achieve successful project outcomes through a high-performing PVC roofing system. With professionals like Allor providing insight and guidance, you can rest assured your PVC project will be in good hands.Ready to get started on your next PVC roofing project? Explore the different PVC roofing solutions available, and visit this page to find your local PVC roofing specialist who is ready to assist you.*GAF warranties and guarantees do not provide coverage against exposure to chemicals, grease, oils, animal fats or exhaust. Refer to gaf.com for more information on warranty and guarantee coverage and restrictions.

With the labor pool stretched thin, finding time-saving products is high on many contractors' to-do lists. Saving time doesn't mean jeopardizing quality as manufacturers continually work to deliver solutions that help increase efficiency while still delivering a first-class installation.To help contractors save time while still producing high-quality work, GAF offers several products that can help a commercial roofing business do more in less time.1. How Long Does Spray Adhesive Take to Dry?EverGuard® TPO Quick Spray Adhesive has a flash time of five minutes or less and can be applied 50% faster than traditional bucket and roller adhesive. When used properly, a single canister can cover the installation of approximately 10 squares, compared to the approximately three squares of installation a bucket can cover. (As with all adhesives, the substrate's porosity can impact coverage rates.)Because it's a solvent-based adhesive, it's sprayable, allowing installers to quickly bond thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane to a variety of approved substrates. Simply spray it uniformly onto the substrate and the back of the membrane. Then, apply pressure with a broom or weighted roller to ensure adhesion and heat-weld the seams.2. How Do TPO Accessories Save Time?It can take a significant amount of time, experience, and know-how to properly measure, cut, and hand-weld details. GAF TPO accessories are available for most details of a rooftop, offering a full line of vent and pipe boots, tube wraps, pourable sealer pockets, and universal corners that can be cut to accommodate either an inside or outside corner.When the accessory is ready to install with no field fabrication, you'll find that installers not only save time but also achieve consistent quality in all the flashings while boosting their productivity.3. How Does Fabricated Edge Metal Save Time?Fabricating edge metal in the field requires time and experience, not to mention the additional equipment needed to form the metal. GAF Perimeter Edge Metal saves hours of time in the field, and the coping, drip edges, fascia, and accessories are easy to install with features like prepunched holes to ensure the secure termination of the membrane.Because all GAF edge metal is tested and compliant with the ANSI/SPRI ES-1, FM, Miami Dade, and Florida Building Code for IBC, you can have confidence in knowing that the most critical point on the roof—the perimeter—has the highest protection.4. What Is a Self-Adhered Roofing System?A self-adhered roofing system is up to 60% faster to install than a roof that is traditionally adhered. Self-adhered TPO eliminates the need to apply adhesive altogether. EverGuard® SA TPO Self-Adhered Roof Membrane comes with the adhesive already applied on the back of the membrane. Once positioned, the crew just folds the membrane sheet back, removes the release liner to expose the factory-applied adhesive, lays the membrane in place, and brooms in the sheet. The crew then uses a weighted roller and heat-welds the seams.You not only save time during the installation, but you also save time cleaning up the jobsite as there are no buckets, rollers, or containers to dispose of.5. How Does a Self-Adhered Vapor Barrier Work?GAF SA Vapor Retarder XL relies on an advanced, high-tack butyl rubber adhesive and is self-sealing, resulting in three times the peel strength of modified bitumen self-adhered vapor barriers.It also saves time right off the bat by eliminating the need for primer prior to installation. The large, six-square rolls reduce the number of rolls needed per job, resulting in fewer seams. Its extreme durability allows it to be left exposed to the elements for up to six months when properly installed, plus it provides a slip-resistant walking surface for added safety.6. Can Using PVC Save Time?Time studies have proven that EverGuard® PVC can be installed up to 50% faster than traditional adhered systems when using EverGuard® PVC Quick-Lay Adhesive. PVC is extremely versatile when it comes to installation methods as it can be adhered, mechanically attached, or induction welded. Available accessories and adhesives also speed up the installation.7. How Can Wider Membrane Rolls Save Time?When self-adhered TPO isn't an option, roofers can make their installation time more efficient by using rolls of membrane that are wider than the standard 10 feet, known as extra-wide roll roofing. GAF offers 12-foot-wide rolls of membrane that are ideal for jobs with large, open rooftop areas. As well as providing more coverage in less time, these 20%-wider rolls mean fewer seams to weld.Learn from the Highly Trained Professionals at GAFGAF offers a robust video library featuring roofing veterans Dave Scott and Wally Brown. Their Roofing It Right series features how-to videos, including a self-adhered membrane product overview. These videos cover topics as diverse as roof inspections, core cuts, tear-offs, and installations.The GAF Commercial team offers step-by-step support with highly trained, regionally based professionals who can understand your unique challenges in tapered design, product installation, energy efficiency, sustainability, and more. Find your local team and save time.

As a contractor, you're constantly on the lookout for ways to get the job done quickly while continuing to provide a high level of quality to customers. Carefully selecting the materials you use can help—and with new roofing technologies being developed every day, you have a lot of options.Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) single-ply membranes are a cost-effective solution for commercial roofs. And when you add a fleece backing, the resulting fleece-back TPO adds even more durability, protection, and strength to the system. The material can be used for both reroofing projects and new installations.The Benefits of Fleece-Back TPO MembranesHere are a few reasons TPO with a fleece backing might be the perfect solution for your next roofing job:1. Performance and DurabilityFleece-back TPO, like GAF Everguard® TPO Fleece-Back Membrane, provides excellent performance and durability. It's available in a variety of new thicknesses that make it easier than ever to find one that's suitable for your project. For instance, the GAF EverGuard® TPO Fleece‑Back 100, 115, and 135 Membranes offer good impact resistance, as some systems are approved under Factory Mutual (FM) 4470 - Very Severe Hail (Class 1 - VSH).* These membranes are especially suitable for high-traffic roofs, because they provide added protection during regular maintenance of HVAC systems, for example.2. Ease of InstallationInstalling fleece-back TPO membranes can be done easily and efficiently, saving roofers time and labor. They can be mechanically attached for fast installation, or combined with adhesives like the GAF LRF Adhesive XF to reduce overall thermal bridging and add wind resistance capabilities.Commercial building owners and property managers that want jobs finished as quickly as possible will find mechanically attached fleece-back TPO membranes to be an excellent option. Watch the following video to see how they're installed:Because of their versatility, fleece-back TPO membranes are also a popular choice for reroofing projects if your customer isn't looking to completely remove an existing roof:3. UV Ray Protection and Energy SavingsFleece-back TPO membranes come in white and light colors, and they're designed to be ultraviolet (UV) resistant and reflect the sun's rays. By reflecting the sun rays away from the roof, white or light fleeceback TPO membranes can help lower the temperature of the roof and increase the roof's longevity.4. Excellent Warranty or Guarantee CoverageThe robust build of fleece-back TPO membranes means manufacturers can often offer good warranty or guarantee coverage. Depending on the thickness of the membrane and the method of attachment, you could be covered from 20 to 25—or even up to 30—years. This reflects confidence in the quality of the material and provides peace of mind for property owners and managers.Other Considerations for Fleece-Back TPO RoofingWhile fleece-back TPO membrane is typically more expensive than other commercial roofing solutions like smooth TPO, the installed cost may be comparable depending on the installation method used: you can estimate the cost of the EverGuard® Fleece-Back TPO needed for your project using the TPO Material Calculator on the GAF EverGuard® TPO Fleece‑Back Membrane product page. As an added benefit, GAF EverGuard® TPO membranes are made in the U.S.A. with domestic and imported materials.The speedy installation possible with these membranes is convenient for customers and contractors alike, and the durability provides long-term performance. Plus, the fleece-back TPO works well in all areas—even those with harsh weather—so it's not limited to specific locations.If this TPO sounds like the perfect material for your next project, visit the GAF EverGuard® TPO Fleece‑Back product page to learn more.*See FM Global Data Sheet 1-34 for more information. Visit RoofNav.com for approved assemblies.