Commercial Roofing Adhesives

Single-ply roofing adhesives can be used to attach the roofing membrane to the substrate, which is typically insulation or a coverboard. It can also be used to attach layers of insulation and coverboard to each other, as well as to attach fleece-backed single-ply membranes. As an alternative to using screws and plates to fasten the membrane, adhesives deliver a smooth, aesthetically pleasing roof, eliminate the need to drill into the substrate, and help eliminate thermal bridging caused by mechanical attachment.

GAF offers a wide variety of adhesives formulated to adhere thermoplastic single-ply (TPO, PVC, and PVC KEE) and asphaltic (primarily SBS) systems. These adhesives can be applied in a variety of ways including brushes, rollers, or sprayers. Low-VOC options and Low Rise Foams (LRF) are available, as well. GAF also offers a number of self-adhesive options for membranes and vapor retarders.

The key difference between water-based and solvent-based adhesives is the liquid carrier. Water-based adhesives are, as the name suggests, carried in water. Solvent-based adhesives utilize components such as acetone and toluene, which flash off faster than water, but usually produce an unpleasant odor.

Low-rise foam is a two-part polyurethane adhesive offered in canisters that don't require additional equipment to apply, as well as in bulk packaging (Bag-in-Box/Drums) for use in spray rigs on larger jobs. Two-part adhesive systems enable faster membrane installation than traditional bucket-and-roller methods when installing smooth single-ply membranes. It is designed for fleece-backed single-ply membrane installation due to their foam expansion properties, which fill voids in the fleece backing to ensure complete adhesion and a strong bond across the entire membrane surface.

GAF offers a large variety of low-VOC adhesive solutions, including:

• EverGuard^® TPO Low VOC Bonding Adhesive: A solvent-based contact adhesive formulated with < 250 g/L VOCs. It is designed for bonding smooth TPO membranes and flashings to various substrates and complies with stringent air-quality regulations.
• EverGuard^® TPO Quick Spray Adhesive - LV50: A low-VOC, solvent-based sprayable contact adhesive for bonding smooth TPO membranes, designed for faster application.
• EverGuard^® PVC Quick-Lay Adhesive: A low-VOC adhesive designed specifically for standard PVC membranes with little-to-no odor, allowing for up to 50% faster installation than traditional systems.
• EverGuard^® WB181 Bonding Adhesive: A water-based, virtually zero-odor adhesive, making it highly suitable for occupied buildings such as hospitals and schools.
• OlyBond500^® (Adhesive Fastener & SpotShot), GAF LRF Adhesive XF, GAF LRF Adhesive M & LRF Adhesive O (Membrane only): Two-part, VOC-free/low-rise polyurethane foam adhesives used to adhere board stocks to various roof substrates as well as fleece-backed single-ply membranes.
• GAF TPO LRF Adhesive M Low Temp: A VOC-free, two-component low-rise polyurethane foam adhesive specially formulated for lower temperature applications.

An adhered roof system uses adhesives to bond the multiple system layers (primarily the upper membrane) in lieu of mechanical fasteners that penetrate the layers. Adhered systems may help reduce thermal bridging, wind uplift, and aesthetics.

Depending on the type of adhesive selected, the temperature may be between 32°F (1.7°C) and 40°F (4.44°C) or, if using a QuickSpray canister solution, as low as 20°F (-6.67°C).

GAF adhesives are formulated and manufactured to be compatible with specific GAF roofing systems and guarantees. See individual data sheets for compatibility and installation details.