Up to 25% of the United States experiences large hail episodes—and when they do, hail can cause severe damage to roofs and the HVAC equipment stored there. Hailstorms account for 70% of the average annual property losses from severe convective storms in the US. Building owners can protect their buildings and equipment by designing their buildings and roofs to withstand the damage caused by large hailstones. FM Global, an insurance company that specializes in loss prevention and testing, provides a standard for testing and approving assemblies that provide greater hail resistance. Building owne ..read more

Every roof is different, and that's especially true when comparing commercial vs residential roofing, also known as low-slope vs steep-slope roofing. Many roofing contractors start out installing residential roofs because they have a low cost of entry. The process requires minimal specialized equipment—most roofers are able to start out with a truck, a ladder, a nail gun, a compressor, and safety gear. You can earn a great living installing residential roofs. But as your business grows, you may consider installing larger commercial roofs that provide steady work over weeks or even months. Comm ..read more

Silicone roof coatings are known for their ability to provide excellent UV, water, and weathering resistance. This can make them a great choice for many low-slope roofs. Here's a look at the strengths of silicone roof coatings and the use cases they're best suited for. The Benefits of Silicone Roof Coatings Silicones are high-performing polymers that can be found in many consumer products, paints, and coatings. Silicone-based roof coatings are a popular choice for low-slope roofs because they: Are stable at a wide range of temperatures Help protect against leaks caused by ponding water Provide ..read more

Historically, commercial skylights have gotten a bad rap. "The old joke was: 'if it's not leaking now, it will be soon,'" says Brian Grohe, a 13-year vet of the skylight industry and a commercial sales manager at industry leader VELUX. Fortunately, technology has changed that old tune for the better, turning commercial skylights into a golden opportunity for roofing contractors.Thanks to revolutionized frame designs, glazing, and water management strategies, installing these rays of light in a roof provides added value to customers while increasing project revenue. Plus, it's now possible to s ..read more

Construction planning through to completion can be tricky to coordinate, especially within an urban area, which can present a range of complications. Building proximity, tall building heights, complex building structures, and densely populated areas are just a few challenges that can make it particularly difficult to consider traditionally heavy or large-sized materials when roofing or re-roofing a building. In addition to construction planning constraints, states such as California, New York, and others are adopting more stringent building codes to help alleviate the effect of urban heat isla ..read more

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 installation ..read more

When removing a roof, pros learn to expect the unexpected. In this video, GAF Senior Commercial Training Specialists Dave Scott and Wally Brown (Dave & Wally) and their crew discover how water infiltration has impacted fasteners, insulation, and even the underlying metal deck. Watch the tear off in Part 5 of the Roofing it Right miniseries on installing a commercial roof, from start to finish.Watch the full Roof Project from Start to Finish Miniseries ..read more

Whether you're an experienced commercial roofer, a steep-slope roofer thinking of adding low-slope services, or just like to learn from the best, you'll want to join GAF Senior Commercial Training Specialists Dave Scott and Wally Brown (Dave & Wally) for the "Project Kick-Off" segment of the Roofing it Right miniseries on installing a commercial roof, from start to finish ..read more

Working with the GAF Tapered Design Group, GAF Senior Commercial Training Specialists Dave Scott and Wally Brown (Dave & Wally) evaluate a plan for optimizing roof drainage using tapered ISO insulation. See how it all comes together in Part 4 of the Roofing it Right miniseries on installing a commercial roof, from start to finish.Watch the full Roof Project from Start to Finish miniseries ..read more

When a building owner asks you if they need a commercial roof repair or replacement, your assessment of the roof's condition hinges on a few key areas. Veteran commercial roofing experts Dave Scott and Wally Brown share their roof inspection expertise in GAF's Roofing It Right with Dave and Wally: Roof Project from Start to Finish video series to help you assess the condition of critical areas on the roof ..read more