Maximizing Your Roofing
Investment Brochure
Updated: 6/11
www.gaf.com
Four Steps to
Maximizing
Your Roofing
Investment
Step1
Understand
Step 4
Ma­intain
Step 2
Select
Step 3
Install
...And Eliminate Hassles!
A Bad Roofing Decision
Can Be
Costly...
Don’t Let It
Happen To You!
Today, even seemingly simple
choices can be complicated. So
when you’re faced with a decision
that requires a major expense or
even capital investment, how
can you be sure you have the
information you need to make
the right decision?
This is especially true with
roofing, because a bad decision
can result in:
- premature roof replacement
- unbudgeted repair expense
- aggravated or injured occupants
- and even lawsuits!
Not surprisingly, roofing
represents less than 4% of a
typical building’s cost, but
the majority of construction
litigation! With these kinds of
risks, making the right roofing
choices are critical. But how to
go about it?
GAF’s four-step process can
help you make the right decisions
about your roofing project, and can
dramatically increase the chances
of its long-term financial success.
“...roofing
represents
less than 4%
of a typical
building’s
cost, but the
majority of
construction
litigation!”
1Understand...
Investment Considerations: Do you plan on owning this
property for the long term—or will it be sold in the near future?
Step
Roofing system selection cannot be made
without a thorough understanding of the
property and its use. Key factors to consider
include:
• Investment Objectives…
- Expected length of property ownership
- Desired term of performance for the roof
- Availability and cost of capital
- Lifecycle cost considerations
• Property Use…
- Frequency and type of roof traffic
- Importance of roof aesthetics
- Type and quantity of rooftop equipment
- Facility use
• Property Location…
- Geographic location (e.g., coastal, inland, etc.)
- Climatic and environmental conditions
- Rooftop accessibility
- Local building codes and restrictions
• Building Construction…
- Overall construction (wood, masonry, etc.)
- Type of roof deck
- Condition of existing roofing system
(if re-roofing)
- Insulation needs
Property Use: Is the roof used as a terrace for entertaining
or only accessed twice a year for seasonal maintenance?
Property Location: Is your property located on the coast of
Florida where it’s subjected to hurricane force winds—or is it
in downtown Chicago where roof access may be limited?
Regrettably, too many roofing decisions are
made without a thorough understanding of
these and other relevant factors—or their
impact—resulting in sub-optimal performance
of the roofing system.
Remember, as you progress in your decision
process, consulting an architect or roof
consultant who is familiar with design will
help assure that key issues like local code
compliance are properly addressed.
Building Construction: What type of construction is your
building? What type of roof deck does it have? Does the roof
need to be insulated? Or is it an unheated warehouse?
2Select...
Step
Weath
Integrated Low-
“...our goal is
to help you
select the best
technology for
your specific
application.”
For those who are less familiar
with roofing system selection,
proprietary Roof Advisor™
Software can help identify the
best options for your project.
•
Unlike companies that have a vested
interest in a particular roofing
technology, our goal is to help
you select the best technology
for your specific application.
­
Regardless of the technology
chosen, today’s energy-conscious
environment demands that
Energy Star® qualification and
Cool Roof Rating Council
(CRRC) listing be considered in
roof selection—particularly in the
southern United States.
•
Every property is unique and
has its own set of roofing needs.
Customizing a roofing system that
best matches those needs is one of
the keys to a financially successful
roofing project.
EnergyGuard™
Insulation
Drill-Tec™
Fasteners
• Helps reduce heat
loss and saves
energy
• Provides clean,
even surface for
quality installation
• Drill-Tec™ (and other
GAF-approved
fastening systems)
are important for
wind resistance
and code approvals
• Choice of fastening
system will vary
based on deck
type and required
code approvals
her
S
topper
-S
R
S
­­­­
®
lope
oofing ystem™
“Integrated
components
for maximum
watertight
protection”
•
•
System Guarantees
Integrating
Components
Roofing
Membranes
The keys to the long-term
waterproof integrity of any
roof are the Integrating
Components used at flashings
and penetrations. They
provide critical protection
for these vulnerable areas:
• Wall Flashings
• Penetrations (roof vents,
drains, expansion joints,
skylights, etc.)
• Equipment (HVAC units,
TV antennae,
satellite dishes, etc.)
• Built-Up...
multiple, redundant layers of
asphaltic roofing ply felts
• Modified Bitumen...
one or more layers of
modified asphaltic roofing
membranes
• Single Ply...
single layer of thermoplastic
membrane
• Composite...
combination of BUR, modified
bitumen, and/or single ply
• Roof restoration...
liquid-applied roofing membrane for restoring existing
roofs or coating new roofs for
superior waterproofing
• Manufacturer’s guarantees are critical for
limiting your long-term roof repair expenses.
• Best protection includes coverage for both
material defects and workmanship errors.
• As a requirement of guarantee issuance,
GAF performs both a final and a 2-year
inspection to insure quality.
• GAF’s Diamond Pledge™ no-dollar-limit (NDL)
guarantee covers all parts of the Weather
Stopper® Integrated Low-Slope Roofing
System. It provides the most extensive
coverage in the industry, even including
some systems with coverage against blisters,
damage from ponding water, and
addendum coverage available for field
fabricated metal. (See guarantee for
complete coverage and restrictions.)
All components must be provided by GAF
to qualify for the guarantee.
3Install & Inspect...
Step
Roof system complexity has increased and new
roofing technologies have made proper installation
and inspection even more critical for reliable,
long-term performance. As a result, choosing
the right installer has become an even more
essential element of a successful project.
• Certified Installers: Only certified contractors
have access to the long-term guarantees offered
by manufacturers.
“Only ­the top
4%­of roofing
contractors
in the country
qualify for
­GAF’s
Certified
Contractor­­
Program”
GAF’s certified contractors have been selected
based on:
- their standing in their community
- their reputation for providing outstanding
roofing service
Only the top 4% of roofing contractors in the
country qualify for this status. Choosing a
certified contractor assures you that your roof
will be installed by a company that is most
familiar with GAF’s products and installation
methods—and is your best and safest choice.
• Qualified Field Services Representatives:
These inspectors can help prevent problems
before they happen. GAF’s NDL-guaranteed
roofs are inspected by a Field Services
Representative from the GAF Field Services
Team. These representatives are seasoned
technical professionals whose only function
is to inspect roofs and to provide technical
training and support to GAF’s certified
contractors.
Step
4Maintain...
The single best way to extend the life of your roof
is to perform regular inspections and maintenance.
Every reputable roofing manufacturer requires
regular inspection and maintenance to maintain
guarantee coverage. Regular inspections can also
prevent costly problems from causes that are not
covered by manufacturers’ guarantees, like damage
from vandalism, damage done by other contractors
on the roof, or structural deterioration.
The best one to maintain your roof is a
professional, certified roofing contractor, who
has the knowledge, experience, and training to
spot and correct potential problems before they
happen. Savvy property owners realize that a
comprehensive maintenance program will save
them many times over during the life of their
roofing system.
GAF is so committed to proper maintenance
that we’ll extend the length of your Diamond
Pledge™ guarantee by a full 25% for FREE if
you perform regular inspection and maintenance.
Ask your GAF Certified Contractor or GAF
Territory Manager for details.
Use these helpful tools
to make your next roofing
project a success!
Green Roof Central - Learn about the leading
energy-saving roofing options that can reduce your
operating expenses and extend roof life. Available free
at www.gaf.com.
Architectural Information Services -
Architects and specifiers (or property owners with
in-house design departments) can access an entire
team devoted to the specification process. Available
free by calling 1-800-522-9224.
Diamond Pledge™ Guarantee - The
industry’s premier roof guarantee with true
“edge-to-edge”coverage. Includes coverage for the
entire Weather Stopper® Integrated Low Slope
Roofing System™. And unlike conventional guarantees,
some systems are even covered for ponding water,
blistering, field-fabricated metal, and much more
(see guarantee for details).
Well Roof ™ Advantage - The single best way
to extend the life of your roof is to perform regular
inspection and maintenance. GAF believes so strongly
in this practice that it offers its unique Well Roof
Advantage program: a 25% extension of the length of
your Diamond Pledge™ Guarantee—FREE—when you
invest in a regular maintenance and inspection plan!*
All-American Pledge™ Guarantee -
Many commercial properties have both low-slope
and shingle roofs. The All-American Pledge is the
only no-dollar-limit guarantee that gives you coverage for both roofs—for single-source accountability.
Certified Contractors - GAF selects only
the top 4% of roofing contractors for membership
in its factory-certified contractor program. GAF’s
workmanship guarantees are available only through
this exclusive group.
Field Services - Some roofing manufacturers
allow their sales representatives to do the final
technical inspection of your finished roof system.
GAF, through our Field Services Team, uses only
experienced technical representatives for these
inspections—for your protection!
*25% extension applies to published specifications only
Mold, Energy, Impact, Wind, Fire, Traffic:
GAF Roofing Systems can solve your toughest roofing challenges!
Examples of GAF Roof Types
& System Specification(s)
SBS Modified
I-1-2-MGPFR
SBS Modified Composite
I-3-1-MGPFR
Special Featured
Component(s)
Resisting
•
•
•
•
•
EnergyGuard™ ISO,
Stratavent®Eliminator™ Base Sheet
EnergyGuard™Ultra ISO,
Stratavent®Eliminator™ Base Sheet
SBS Self-Adhered Composite EnergyGuard™ ISO,
I-0-2-SA/HGPFR
Liberty™ SA Base Sheet
APP Modified
EnergyGuard™ ISO,
Ruberoid® EnergyCap™
Torch Granule Plus FR
I-1-2-TGPFREC
BUR Gravel Surfaced
I-B-5-G/P6
EnergyGuard™Ultra ISO,
Stratavent®Eliminator™ Base Sheet
Topcoat® Restoration Systems Topcoat® Elastomeric Roofing
Membrane, Topcoat® MB Plus
TPO/PVC
T-FA-N-I-45FB
P-MA-N-I-60FB
TriPosite™XL
T-SA-N-I-45RS/HW
T-SA-N-I-60RS/HW
Saving
Mold ­­ ­Energy
•
•
EnergyGuard™Ultra ISO,
Fleece-backed TPO or PVC
EnergyGuard™Ultra ISO,
Freedom™ TPO
Resisting Resisting Resisting ­R
­ esisting
Impact† Wind
•*
•*
•*
•
•
•
•
•
•
•*
• •
• •
*With
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fire
­­ ­Traffic†
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TOPCOAT® MB Plus coating
With Dens-Deck® Roof Board or SecureRock® Roof Board
†
Quality You Can Trust. . . from
North America’s Largest Roofing Manufacturer
For complete, up-to-date specifications
and information, visit www.gaf.com
East Sales Office:
(856) 241-0241
Central Sales Office:
(630) 296-1980
©2011 GAF 6/11 #564 • 1361 Alps Road • Wayne, NJ 07470
Southeast Sales Office:
(813) 829-8880
COMGN215
Southwest Sales Office:
(972) 851-0500
West Sales Office:
(951) 360-4200