Por Alberto Torres. 

Desde estrategias de negocio hasta innovación, estos fueron los favoritos de nuestros lectores. 

Cada mes en RoofersCoffeeShop®en español compartimos los artículos más leídos. Junio no fue la excepción con este artículo, “Un socio, tres pilares para el éxito,” donde APOC compartió los tres pilares que ellos ofrecen a contratistas para hacer crecer sus conocimientos y negocios. Estos programas educativos como: Contractor Pro Program, Los Programas de Garantia y Certified Applicator Program son herramientas que han ayudado a contratistas a elevar sus negocios. 

Otro tema que destacó durante junio fue Marketing. En un episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, Jason Jimenez de Gasper Roofing compartió sobre la importancia de entender el marketing como una herramienta clave para tener un negocio competitivo. En este episodio que fue grabado en el Business Building Workshop (BBW) de CertainTeed, Jason explico la importancia de seguir aprendiendo sobre marketing y crecimiento empresarial. Este contenido llamo la atención por ofrecer información relevante para profesionales que buscan mantenerse actualizados en una industria que continúa evolucionando. 

La capacitación también siguió ocupando un espacio importante entre nuestros artículos, Luis Ramos de MuleHide nos recordó en un episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, como la importancia de seguir aprendiendo y aprovechar los recursos de fabricantes como MuleHide ponen al alcance de los contratistas para fortalecer sus negocios. Junio también nos dejó espacio para conocer historias y tendencias de las líneas de colores de shingles que TAMKO ofrece, ya que esa innovación sigue vigente y está evolucionando día con día. 

Por último, Monica Vornbrock de The GLO Group y Lorna Rojas de Tremco, miembros de National Women in Roofing (NWIR), hablaron sobre lo que vivieron en Roofing Day en Whashington, D.C. recordando a los profesionales la importancia que tiene el hacer que se escuche su voz. Esta participación fortalece a toda la industria y ayuda a impulsar decisiones que benefician a contratistas, fabricantes y trabajadores.  

Agradecemos a todos nuestros lectores por seguir haciendo de RoofersCoffeeShop® En Espanol un espacio para aprender, compartir y mantenerse informados. Si aun no has leído alguno de estos artículos, te invitamos a descubrir porque fueron los favoritos del mes de junio. 

5. Roofing Day se trata de representar a la comunidad y a la industria

4. Innovación inspirada en la naturaleza: Una apuesta audaz en la estética del roofing

3. El verdadero valor de un representante del fabricante

2. Marketing y aprendizaje

1. Un socio, tres pilares para el éxito

By Mike Bader, Tremco.  

Learn about waterproofing and building plaza and amenity decks on existing structures.  

Summer is just around the corner and one of the best ways to enjoy it is outdoors. And for those who live in cities, finding green space can be a challenge. This limited access is why many people in high-rise cities are drawn to apartments with plaza decks that offer them an outdoor oasis in the form of lush patios, swimming pools and even dog parks.  

With such a high demand, these amenity decks are a great way to add value to your building. But adding these features isn't simple, especially if you’re adding one to a structure that was not initially constructed to bear the weight or moisture that comes with added greenery and water. In this article, we’ll dive into three key considerations related to building a rooftop deck that is waterproof and structurally sound.  

1 – Managing greenery 

Whether in the form of planters, flowers or trees, new greenery on a plaza deck will introduce a significant amount of water and weight to the structure. The building owner and members of the design/build team should consult with other trades prior to adding any new vegetation to mitigate potential damage. A waterproofing specialist, such as Tremco’s technicians, can review the existing structure for proper water drainage and recommend the addition of drains, application of a waterproofing membrane or any other necessary building changes. An engineer can then assess if the structure can hold the anticipated weight. 

2 – Adding a pool or hot tub 

Swimming pools and hot tubs on plaza decks pose added waterproofing hazards due to the constant presence of water and chlorine. Drains may become clogged with debris which can add to the potential of ponding water on the deck’s surface. Facility managers should routinely check for any cracking of the finish which may indicate a waterproofing or structural concern.

Generally speaking, sealants are typically installed with a concave design. However, on the perimeter surrounding a body of water, this shape can hold the water on the surface of the sealant. A high concentration of chlorine or other chemical can damage the sealant after prolonged exposure. At this location, sealants should instead be installed flush to minimize surface water. Sealants should be inspected annually, so if you notice damage or discolored sealant, a tear out and recaulk is recommended. 

3 – Designing a dog park 

Rooftop dog parks can include pathways, large fenced-in dog runs and dedicated relief areas. While seemingly harmless and lightweight, water is needed to clean the surfaces and dispose of waste. A waterproofing specialist can help determine the necessary slope of the deck to accommodate sprinklers and other drainage systems. They will look for improperly sealed penetrations, such as those for plumbing or electrical, which could cause leaks from the added water.

In addition, if grass or astroturf material is not properly secured to the substrate, moisture could become trapped beneath the surface. And since some waterproofing membranes break down when exposed to the chemical composition of animal waste, any extended exposure could compromise the system.  

Conclusion 

The addition of greenery, pools, hot tubs or dog parks to a plaza deck is not as simple as it might sound. It is critical that owners work with waterproofing specialists and engineers to determine any modifications needed for the proposed design. Always err on the side of caution, as bypassing this step can lead to costly water intrusion and structural issues. 

Original article and photo source: Tremco

By Emma Peterson. 

Why contractors are using the Dryvit Outsulation system for historic and heritage projects. 

Historic buildings are fundamental to preserving our cities’ culture and heritage. However, because of their age, they are often in need of renovations to make them structurally sound and safe for modern use. Historical remediation projects come with a variety of challenges, as the American Society of Civil Engineers points out, “Renovation and restoration present unique challenges over new construction projects, such as complying with preservation laws, managing hazardous materials, addressing potential rezoning concerns, as well as ensuring the availability of skilled workers.” 

But just because it’s a challenge doesn't mean it’s impossible, and Tremco CPG’s Dryvit brand has developed an exterior facade solution that makes it easier to tackle these restoration projects – the Outsulation® system.  

What is the Dryvit Outsulation system 

Dryvit Outsulation is a modern exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) that, as the name suggests, insulates a building from the outside. It features “continuous insulation (CI) adhered or attached to an approved substrate, a basecoat with reinforcing fiberglass mesh and an impact-resistant architectural finish.” Traditionally, the insulator used in the CI of a Dryvit Outsulation system is EPS foam, but GPS, XPS and Mineral Wool are also usable.  

Dryvit Outsulation provides maximum durability, sustainability and thermal performance for all types of climates and structures. It has been shown to lower energy costs, reduce exterior maintenance needs and keep building looking their best.   

Designing with the Dryvit Outsulation system for historic integrity 

For the restoration of aging structures, Dryvit Outsulation is an ideal system for maintaining historical integrity. This is because EIFS provide the perfect balance of design flexibility with contemporary performance. 

Versatility 

EIFS, like the Dryvit Outsulation system, are remarkably versatile when it comes to design. They can be custom shaped and finished to mimic a wide variety of materials, even the intricate details often found on 19th and 20th century buildings (like cornices, dentils and keystones). Additionally, you can choose from countless textures and colors for a Dryvit Outsulation façade, making it simple to refresh a fading coating to match the historical intent. 

Because the CI is used in the system is typically a lightweight EPS foam, they put far less weight strain on a historical structure than other options.  

Performance 

A common challenge for historic renovations is getting the structure up to modern building codes and standards. Dryvit Outsulation is great at bringing heritage buildings up to contemporary energy codes and performance expectations. The combination of CI and the air/water barrier that are installed as a part of the system reduces thermal bridging and air leakage. In fact, since 2013, many national code bodies have started requiring CI for new construction projects for its ability to increase buildings’ R-value.  

Affordability 

These days, every building project seems expensive, but historic work is especially costly since it often involves sourcing rare materials or locating specific skilled labor. By working with the Dryvit Outsulation system, you can save money on the exterior restoration without cutting any corners. Not only is the material itself more affordable than other options, using field-applied or prefabricated EIFS shortens timelines and minimizes labor costs.  

One contractor, Rob Little of Little Construction, shared the benefit of working with Dryvit on his company’s Boston Hill Center project, “You can design it anyway you want, any color you want, almost any texture you want...and get your CI requirements and durability.” 

Conclusion 

Overall, the Dryvit Outsulation system is a powerful tool to have when renovating historical or heritage structures. The CI and other components of the EIFS combine visual adaptability, high-performance and cost-effectiveness to create the perfect balance of “preserving the past and constructing for the future.” 

Learn more about preserving historical buildings with Dryvit Outsolution EIFS.

By Emma Peterson. 

How fan array retrofits support comfort, safety and HVAC system longevity. 

The quality of the air we breathe is vital to our health, comfort and overall quality of life. Frank Shadpour, the principal instructor for the HVAC Systems Design and Control Program at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, explains:  

For residential and commercial office buildings, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is primarily employed to ensure occupant comfort. However, in the case of a surgical suite in a hospital, the HVAC system's role is crucial in maintaining the optimal temperature, humidity, air pressure and air purity to ensure proper infection control measures required for safe patient surgeries. The more advanced the building, the more intricate the HVAC design and control systems. 

So, how do you make sure the HVAC in your building is keeping the interior environment healthy and safe? Proactive maintenance and care. This approach also has the added benefit of saving the building owner money in the long run. In fact, WTI PureAir, a subsidiary of Tremco Roofing, estimates that restoring and maintaining an HVAC system can lead to “as much as 70% cost avoidance compared to new equipment costs.” 

One of the most impactful forms of proactive maintenance for keeping HVAC systems healthy and building owner wallets happy are fan array retrofits. A fan array retrofit is a mechanical upgrade that transfers an existing HVAC system’s workload from one large fan to several smaller fans. This is beneficial for a variety of reasons:  

• Increased reliability: Because you have multiple fans instead of relying on just one, a fan array retrofit minimizes the risk of downtime. Tremco explains, “Even if a fan within the wall malfunctions, the remaining fans persist, preventing interruptions to essential HVAC functions.” 
• Simplified maintenance: After installing a fan array retrofit, maintenance will be easier and more cost effective, because technicians will be able to repair individual fans as needed without shutting down the whole system. This enables deferred maintenance scheduling and eliminates downtime and associated costs. 
• Versatile design: By moving away from the one large fan design, engineers can tailor HVAC fan configurations to each project's needs, allowing for optimization of space and performance.  
• Improved efficiency: With multiple fans, you can run them at different speeds based on demand. This leads to significant energy savings as it ensures conditioned air is reaching its destination efficiently. Further, this helps avoid “maximum-capacity operations that also accelerate mechanical wear.” 

Overall, when it comes to HVAC, operational reliability is key. Without proper HVAC systems, you run the risk of harming not only a building, but also the health of its occupants. That’s why retrofits like fan arrays are such important investments. 

Learn more about fan array retrofits and building HVAC systems that will perform for years to come.

By Emma Peterson. 

Industry experts break down what roof restorations are and why they are growing popular now. 

Roof restoration has grown to be the go-to alternative for traditional tear-offs and replacements. To help people learn more about what defines a restoration project and the key standards that guide a successful restoration project, the Roof Coating Manufactures Association (RCMA) recently sponsored a Coffee Conversation® on the topic. In the episode, Megan Ellsworth sat down with an expert panel that included Josh Poole from Tremco, Cody Wilson of Uni Roofing and James Santiago from Benchmark. 

Josh opened the conversation by defining what a roof restoration is, explaining, “I would define it as the process of extending the service life of an existing roof. And generally, that's going to feature a roof coating or some type of a liquid-applied roofing product.” As for why the fluid-applied restoration market has taken a while to grow in popularity, it all has to do with a misunderstanding of what coatings are. Cody explained:  

A lot of people used to think restoration meant temporary repair. And it really isn’t; we’re not just painting your roof and calling it a day. When a contractor restores a roof, there’s a lot of prep work that goes into it, from assessment of the existing structure to repairs that need to be done beforehand to make sure that this roof is tight and ready to go. 

James shared a bit more about what these preparation tasks might look like, saying, “The first step is always determining if a roof is a good candidate for restoration. Here, good contractors will do things like perform infrared scans determine the attachment of the existing system.” And, as the industry has finally begun to realize, when these proper preparation steps are taken, coatings can be a powerful option for aging roofs. As Josh added: 

Restoration has really established itself as a viable solution that truly performs for the customer or the end user at the end of the day. It can typically be done at a fraction of the cost of replacement, it minimizes disruption to the building beneath it, requires minimal contractor labor/equipment and has a number of sustainability benefits including reduction in landfill material and greenhouse gases. 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the episode to learn more about liquid-applied roof restoration and its benefits.  

By Emma Peterson. 

Tremco’s cold fluid‑applied solutions for new construction and restoration. 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards sat down with Jay Anderson, a business development specialist of fluid-applied roofing for Tremco, to talk about their newest product – the VULKEM® Roofing System. The goal of this release was to reach the construction market in a new way. Jay explained: 

Our applications for new construction were really focused on direct to concrete applications. And when we think about that particular market strategy, it's typically gone to hot rubberized asphalt roofing systems. And one of the challenges of those systems is the safety aspect of working with hot rubberized asphalt. So, what we did with VULKEM was create a cold fluid-applied product that fills that role performance-wise without the safety concerns. 

Within the VULKEM line there are four main product options – MCW, X4, AT and 4083. Jay shared a bit about each of these:  

1. VULKEM MCW – The MCW, or moisture cure waterproofing, product was developed from Tremco’s high-performance below-grade waterproofing products. Jay explained, “MCW is designed for direct to concrete and plywood decks. It is ideal for high build systems because it goes down at 120 wet mils in application with an additional coarse layer of protection on top of that. The result is 180 mils of product installed that is going to give you long-term performance.” 
2. VULKEM X4 – As for X4, this is the VULKEM line’s low-odor, reinforced membrane perfect for light-traffic applications (such as maintenance). In Jay’s words, VULKEM X4 is “a multi-component modified polyurethane methacrylate membrane that cures in as little as 45 minutes, no matter the temperature.” 
3. VULKEM AT – And while VULKEM was created with new construction in mind, they have not forgotten the role of fluid-applied roofing in the restoration market. In fact, that’s what VULKEM AT is designed for. Jay shared, “AT is a single-component urethane product designed for roofing and waterproofing restorations...It is a fully reinforced system and goes down in two coats over everything from a smooth BUR system, a granulated modified bitumen roof system and a single-ply system.”   
4. VULKEM 4083 – Last but not least is the VULKEM 4083, which is an elastomeric acrylic coating designed to protect existing metal roofing. Jay explained what this means, sharing, “It's not intended to be a waterproofing; it's really intended to be a protective coating. Think about these low-slope roofs that are beginning to rust, this is a great opportunity for VULKEM 4083 to come in and provide a protective coating that's going to help sustain that existing metal asset.” 

Overall, if you are looking for a high-performance fluid-applied restoration or new construction roofing system, the VULKEM line stands out. Jay explained, “VULKEM stands out because we developed it by taking what we’ve learned from the industry over the past several decades with our existing products to re-engineer our products into the more competitively priced VULKEM series.” 

Listen to the whole episode to learn more about Tremco’s new VULKEM line of products.

By Keely Warren, Tremco. 

Contractors complete a successful shopping centre reroof thanks to Tremco's roof diagnostics. 

A significant plant building situated on the roof of Centrale Shopping Centre in Croydon was leaking. The roof was covered in limestone chippings that made it near impossible to visually inspect and locate the source of the issue.  

Before any thorough investigation could be undertaken, scaffolding was erected, and tonnes of limestone chippings were removed by a scarifying machine, manually bagged and hoisted down. This allowed for roof diagnostics to be carried out.  Roof diagnostics entails initial core samples to evaluate, not only the build-up, but to establish moisture data benchmarks.  

Once complete, a thermal scanning camera can then pinpoint areas of moisture and its severity to give data-led insights of problematic areas. Resulting in an informed cost-effective solution to refurbishment. 

The diagnosis 

A comprehensive report and specification were produced by Tremco, which recommended an overlay of the existing 700m2 roof to restore its waterproofing, and to replace, like for like, 80m2 of roof that was badly affected by water ingress. Some of the chippings were heavily embedded within the existing waterproofing. 

It was decided to line the roof with TremPly to deliver a coat-able surface that was compliant to BROOF(t4) classification. StructureCare, an internal contracting arm of Tremco, installed the TremPly and coated the new surface with Tremco’s liquid applied roof solution; AlphaGuard PUMA. 

The solution 

AlphaGuard PUMA Liquid Applied Flat Roofing System is a fast-curing solution in both low and high temperatures, ideal for installs throughout all seasons, certified with BROOF(t4) classification, BBA certified and delivers a 25-year warranty.  

The facilities project manager on site shared some thoughts on the project:  

The roof diagnostics followed by a holistic report meant we could visually see the areas of moisture in the plant room’s roof. We knew the solution specified was therefore the most suitable and cost-effective to resolve the issue. This service will be utilised on other roofs of the shopping centre to ensure they still remain watertight and/or to identify issues... StructureCare delivered a high-quality install and will inevitably work with them again on future works. 

Overall, the project was completed within the desired time to minimise construction disruption to the shopping centre’s operations. And as the solution was specified and supplied by Tremco and delivered by StructureCare, it granted a complete single source approach to refurbishment. 

Download the full case study.

By Emma Peterson. 

Nudura ICFs are engineered and certified for structural integrity in the face of earthquakes.  

Across the world, seismic activity has been growing more threatening. In 2020 alone there were three major earthquakes across Croatia, Turkey and Greece that not only caused more than 1 billion Euros in damage but also put large numbers of human lives at risk. One of the most important things we can do in the face of this rising threat is to build stronger buildings that can endure Mother Nature’s worst.  

The first step to doing so? Making higher-performance products that can withstand high winds, flying debris, seismic waves and more. Products like Tremco Construction Products Group’s Nudura® Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). 

Nudura ICFs combine the strength of concrete with advanced engineering that not only provides increased energy efficiency but also safeguards lives during seismic events. In fact, Nudura ICFs meet and exceed a variety of building codes that cover earthquake resistance, such as the International Building Code (IBC), National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) and Eurocode 8.  

Further, Nudura has just been tested and certified to meet the ASTM E2126 standard. What is this standard? It is a dynamic seismic shear test that assesses the performance of framed wall assemblies in the face of in-plane seismic forces. The test of Nudura ICFs was conducted by the third-party Eucentre Foundation out of Pavia, Italy. Their findings indicated that:  

The Insulated Concrete Form walls performed equally compared to the conventional concrete walls in reducing lateral sway when faced with seismic shear loads. The findings also indicate that the success of concrete shear walls is less dictated on whether the walls use insulated concrete forming systems or traditional formwork, but rather dependent on steel reinforcement layout and type of concrete utilized. 

In addition to this, Nudura ICFs comply with Department of Defense (DoD) standards UFC 4-010-01 and UFC 4-023-03 and EN 1991-1-7 (Eurocode 1: Accidental Actions), which assess structures’ ability to endure and resist progressive collapse. 

Download Tremco’s Disaster Resilience Brochure to learn more about how Nudura stands up to earthquakes and more.

Por Jessica Bravo. 

Involucrándose, participando y alzando la voz marca la diferencia en la industria y más allá. 

En este episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, Jessica Bravo conversa con Monica Vornbrock de The GLO Group y Lorna Rojas de Tremco, ambas miembros activas de National Women in Roofing y su iniciativa Conexión Hispana, sobre su experiencia participando en Roofing Day en Washington, D.C. 

Cada año, National Roofing Contractors Association organiza Roofing Day con el objetivo de reunir a profesionales de la industria con miembros del Congreso para dialogar sobre los desafíos que enfrentan. Este año, los temas principales incluyen la escasez de mano de obra y la vivienda asequible. 

La conversación destaca la importancia de la representación, la comunidad y el impulso para que más profesionales hispanohablantes y mujeres participen activamente en la construcción del futuro de la industria del techado. 

Ambas dicen que participar en eventos como Roofing Day es clave para generar un impacto real en la industria. Como explica Lorna, “para que la industria avance, tiene que haber comunicación en ambas direcciones. Tenemos que participar, dar nuestra opinión y ser parte del proceso para que realmente nos puedan apoyar” y Monica agrega que “cuando te mantienes informada y participas, tu voz importa. Las organizaciones están escuchando pero tienes que presentarte y compartir lo que está afectando a tu mercado.” 

Durante el mes de marzo, como preparación para Roofing Day, escuchamos a nuestros Influencers En Español reflexionar sobre la importancia de este evento. Como explica Carlos Rodríguez, “Nuestra voz tiene un impacto que va mucho más allá de los techos que construimos o reparamos,” mientras que otros también destacan que “en donde no estamos, no somos vistos” y que “las voces siempre hacen falta,” reforzando la idea de que no podemos generar un cambio si no participamos ni usamos nuestra voz. 

Escucha este episodio para entender la importancia de presentarte, porque cada voz cuenta y ahora es el momento de alzarla.

By Emma Peterson. 

Two days of learning, networking and industry recognition. 

At the beginning of May, the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) brought building enclosures professionals from across the industry together for their annual conference. Held in Minneapolis, Minnesota this year, the conference featured a full schedule of networking opportunities and education sessions! 

Networking 

On the networking side of things, the conference featured an extensive expo floor with leading companies like Rainscreen Association in North America (RAiNA), Sika, Georgia-Pacific, DuPont Tedlar, VaproShield, Polyglass and SOPREMA in attendance.  

There were also notable events to attend, like the Board Meet & Greet, a keynote session from Brian Callaghan and Mary Kilnay and the much-anticipated ABAA awards ceremony!  

The award ceremony saw a variety of celebrations and recognitions, including the distribution of the Years of Service Award (which recognizes ABAA members who have completed 12 consecutive years of service as directors) to Peter Barrett, Andre Desjarlais, Brian Stroik and Craig Wetmore. Further, Matthew Giambrone was given the Leadership Award and Uri Portillo received the Staff Recognition Award.  

As for the Peter Spafford Award, it went to Spray Foam Technologies of Kentucky for getting the “minimum number of audits (10 per year for 2 years, totaling 20) with a minimum percentage (95%) of audits without any demerits.” And last but not least, the Air Barrier QAP Award was presented to 13 different organizations who each showcased exceptional air barrier installation.  

Education 

On the education side of the event, attendees were given the opportunity to accumulate one AIA continuing education credit per hour of conference education sessions attended! These education sessions were divided into two tracks to help professionals get the most out of their time at the conference. 

The first track focused on foundational education. For example, one such course was led by Robert Dazel from Tremco, “Building Enclosure Architectural Details - Conveying Construction Drawing Clarity.” This course walked through the anatomy of the building envelope and helped attendees understand how to design airtight, watertight and energy efficient buildings. 

As for the second track, featuring more intermediate and advanced presentations, attendees could participate in courses such as Donald B. Snell (Building Forensics Group)’s seminar. Titled “Catastrophic Failures and the Net Effect of Design and Construction Errors on Moisture Management,” this session explored how “seemingly minor design and construction flaws can compound into major building and HVAC system failures, often with costly consequences.” 

Didn’t get a chance to attend or want to refresh your memory of the show? ABAA has downloadable files sharing the highlights from each of the presentations!