Data Center Solutions
GAF Commercial provides durable, sustainable, and operationally efficient roofing systems to help protect your data center.
Build critical structures with a trusted partner
Data is more than a commodity. It’s a commitment. A data center service interruption impacts more than one organization’s bottom line. It potentially affects businesses, homes, schools, hospitals, and more, throughout the region and even worldwide.
At GAF, our motto is “We protect what matters most.” We’re the largest roofing manufacturer in North America, with more than 135 years experience protecting homes, businesses, factories, warehouses — virtually every type of building imaginable including of course, data centers. So we know that a roofing system from GAF can help mitigate the risks around the most important data center performance metrics: outages & downtime and energy efficiency.
Learn more about design solutions for sustainable architecture
Explore sustainable solutionsGAF can help
Energy costs*
GAF can help support your operational sustainability goals with highly reflective and emissive membrane systems — such as white PVC or PVC KEE — that are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council for solar reflectance and thermal emittance. By absorbing less solar energy, a highly reflective roof can help lower the amount of energy needed to keep the building interior cool and potentially reduce cooling costs.*
Downtime and outages
GAF offers a wide variety of durable roofing solutions including hybrid PVC/TPO/Asphaltic roofing systems that offer structural redundancy as well as UV protection, and Very Severe Hail-rated PVC Fleece-Back roofing systems suited for hail-prone regions such as the mid- and south-west, where many data centers are located.
Sustainability documentation
GAF leads the roofing industry in product transparency documents including EPDs, HPDs, and Declare Labels. Product transparency helps us to understand our impact and provide our partners with the information they need to make more sustainable choices.
* Energy cost savings are not guaranteed and the amount of savings may vary based on climate zone, utility rates, radiative properties of roofing products, insulation levels, HVAC equipment efficiency, and other factors.
Sample solutions for data center challenges
| Anticipated Challenge | Fire Protection Class A Fire Rating |
Very Severe Hail FM 4470 - Very Severe Hail (Class 1-VSH) |
Severe Wind | Ultimate Durability |
| Recommended System |  EverGuard® PVC KEE 60mil Fleece-Back Membrane When tested in accordance with Class A E108, specific EverGuard® PVC roofing assemblies demonstrated the capability to extinguish even when the flame source remains applied to the assembly. |
 EverGuard Extreme® TPO 60 mil Adhered with GAF Quick Spray. |
 EverGuard® PVC 60 mil Adhered to eliminate exposed fasteners and evenly distribute wind pressure across the membrane. |
 EverGuard® PVC Fleece-Back 60 mil Adhered with GAF LRF Adhesive XF To eliminate exposed fasteners and evenly distribute wind pressure across the membrane. |
| System Layers | EnergyGuard™ NH HD Polyiso Cover Board
Formulated with TCPP-Free non-halogenated fire retardant. Mechanically attached with Drill-Tec fasteners and plates. |
EverGuard® TPO Quick Spray Adhesive | EnergyGuard™ NH HD Polyiso Cover Board
Formulated with TCPP-Free non-halogenated fire retardant. Mechanically attached with Drill-Tec fasteners and plates. |
Rubberoid HW Smooth Membrane
Formulated with a resilient polyester mat core to resist splits and tears. PVC over Asphalt offers multi-layer durability. |
| EnergyGuard™ NH Polyiso (x2)
Formulated with TCPP-Free non-halogenated fire retardant. |
DensDeck® StormX™ Prime Roof Board | DensDeck® Prime Gypsum Board
Offers rigidity and additional durability. Mechanically attached. |
||
| EnergyGuard™ Polyiso Insulation | EnergyGuard™ NH Polyiso (x2)
Formulated with TCPP-Free non-halogenated fire retardant. |
|||
| GAF SA Vapor Retarder XL | ||||
| Guarantee Term* | 25 year NDL | 25 year NDL Available puncture coverage:
|
25 year NDL Available puncture coverage:
|
25 year NDL |
* Systems must be installed by GAF GoldElite™ Commercial Contractors and GAF PlatinumElite™ Commercial Contractors in order to be eligible for GAF guarantees. Additional requirements apply. Refer to the applicable Application & Specification Manual, available at www.gaf.com, for current requirements. See specimen copies of Mission Critical Structure NDL Roof Guarantees, Diamond Pledge™ NDL Roof Guarantees, and System Pledge™ Roof Guarantees, available at www.gaf.com, for complete coverage and restrictions.
† Coverage of 100 mph or greater requires the use of an approved GAF Perimeter Edge Metal. Contact GAF for additional information and requirements. See specimen copies of Mission Critical Structure NDL Roof Guarantees, Diamond Pledge™ NDL Roof Guarantees and EverGuard® Diamond Pledge™ NDL Roof Guarantee Enhanced Wind Coverage available at www.gaf.com, for complete coverage and restrictions.
Additional requirements may apply. Contact GAF for more information. For complete coverage and restrictions, refer to the Mission Critical Structure NDL Roof Guarantee document.
Mission Critical Structure NDL Roof Guarantee
GAF's Mission Critical Structure NDL Roof Guarantee provides “Edge to Edge” protection for data centers, covering leaks from defects, wear, workmanship, and includes specific hail/puncture coverage. It features scheduled inspections and no dollar limit on covered repairs.
View sample document
Let’s get started
For personal attention to your next Data Center roofing project, talk to our dedicated GAF Commercial Data Center Specialist, Dinesh Sajnani. Contact Dinesh directly via email at dinesh.sajnani@gaf.com, phone (929) 798-9002.
Frequently asked questions
The first step in planning your data center roofing system involves contacting a specialist who can help you achieve your durability, budgetary, and sustainability goals, as well as address building owner priorities such as guarantee terms and ANSI/UL 790 Fire ratings, and environmental factors including wind and hail.* Get started by reaching out to GAF Commercial Data Center Specialist, Dinesh Sajnani via email at dinesh.sajnani@gaf.com, phone (929) 798-9002.
GAF offers a wide variety of durable roofing solutions including hybrid PVC/TPO/Asphaltic roofing systems that offer structural redundancy as well as UV protection, and Very Severe Hail-rated PVC Fleece-Back roofing systems suited for hail-prone regions such as the mid- and south-west, where many data centers are located.*
When choosing a roof for your data center, consider carefully what impact your choices might have on energy costs, downtime and outages, and sustainability reporting.
Data center infrastructure represents, on average, 54% of total power consumed by the centers. The vast majority of that power is dedicated to air conditioning, ventilation, and (sometimes) liquid cooling systems, that help maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, preventing equipment overheating. The building envelope can play a key role in helping contain these energy costs.** GAF can help support operational sustainability with highly reflective and emissive membrane systems — such as white PVC or PVC KEE — that are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council for solar reflectance and thermal emittance. By absorbing less solar energy, a highly reflective roof can help lower the amount of energy needed to keep the building interior cool and potentially reduce cooling costs.**
* GAF warranties and guarantees provide limited coverage against hail or punctures. GAF warranties and guarantees do not provide coverage for leaks or other damage caused by excessive wind speeds. Refer to applicable warranty or guarantee for complete coverage and restrictions.
** Energy cost savings are not guaranteed and the amount of savings may vary based on climate zone, utility rates, radiative properties of roofing products, insulation levels, HVAC equipment efficiency, and other factors.
Additional resources
Build Your Roof
Assemble your own virtual commercial roof, get relevant product documents, and connect with a regional design specialist.
Get started
Design Services
Our regional Design Services team can provide what you need and offer support to help move your project along.
Connect now
Certified contractors
A GAF Commercial Certification is a reliable indicator that a contractor has an excellent relationship with the manufacturer, and access to GAF-backed guarantees .
Find a GAF Commercial Certified Contractor