The vapor barrier designed for Florida’s storms

By Dani Sheehan. 

BlockShield® SA Plus delivered watertight security, storm performance and fast installation on a complex hospital reroof. 

A local hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida needed to have the roof replaced on its science technology building, and the project team faced a tough set of requirements. The building housed sensitive lab equipment, Florida’s rainy season was just beginning and the work required a full tear-off down to the structural concrete deck. Working with John Hunt from Smith Seckman Reid (SSR) and Sutter Roofing for the installation, Rob DeHaan of DH2 Building Associates helped the team evaluate options to successfully complete the job.  

Choosing the right protection 

One of the challenges throughout the project was keeping everything dry. As Rob explained, “One thing that we talk about a lot, especially consultants who are designing a job in Florida, is moisture. There's moisture in the air no matter what time of year. But buildings have a lot of moisture that builds up inside too.” They needed to ensure the building stayed dry throughout installation but also had a guarantee of keeping moisture out once the new roof was installed. 

Rob and the team chose BlockShield® SA Plus from VaproShield®, a non-asphaltic, self-adhered air and vapor barrier designed to deliver both short-term weather protection and long-term durability. Several factors made BlockShield the right choice for the job: 

• Watertight security: With daily Florida storms and a full tear-off exposing the deck, BlockShield’s non-permeable protection kept sensitive lab equipment safe during construction and will continue to protect the building for years. 
• Storm performance: Applied directly to the concrete deck with no use of primer, BlockShield achieved uplift values more than triple the project requirement. “We wanted a base layer that would stay in place even if the finished roof blew off during a hurricane,” Rob explained. 
• Ease of application: With no primer required, Sutter Roofing could roll BlockShield directly onto the prepared deck, saving time and labor on the job. 

The completed system 

Once the BlockShield layer was in place over the existing concrete deck, the completed system included: 

• Fully adhered ISO with low-rise foam 
• USG Securock® cover board, fully adhered 
• 80-mil IB Roof sheet, fully adhered with solvent adhesives 

What contractors should know 

BlockShield is a practical solution for contractors who want speed, safety and reliability on any job. Key benefits include: 

• Primer-free installation: Peel, roll and go – saving labor and materials 
• All-season flexibility: Installs below freezing and withstands 180 days of exposure 
• Storm-ready durability: Proven high-pressure wind uplift performance 
• Worker-friendly application: Lighter rolls, no VOCs, no Red List chemicals 

“This has been a great project from start to finish,” Rob shared. “BlockShield is there to keep anything from penetrating the building and it’s also there as a safety valve for if anything does happen.” 

Learn more about VaproShield’s BlockShield SA Plus or find your local rep today to see how breathable membrane systems can improve your next project.