PVC: The Other White Sheet?
Thermoplastic roof membranes are the most common roof covering in the U.S.
Sponsored by GAF | Siplast | Presented by Elizabeth Grant and Michael Popeck
Webinar On-Demand
Thermoplastic roof membranes are the most common roof covering in the U.S. That category covers both PVC and TPO membranes. In this presentation, we will cover exactly what can be expected of PVC roof membranes and the differences among PVC, PVC-KEE and TPO. This will lead to an in-depth discussion of which projects benefit most from the unique properties of PVC and PVC-KEE membranes, including specific case studies. Finally, attendees will leave understanding what key properties should be put into a specification to ensure performance and how PVC can help support sustainability goals for a project.
Photo courtesy of GAF
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Elizabeth Grant is Building & Roofing Science Research Lead at GAF. In this role, she supports GAF’s efforts within the commercial roofing community through engagement with architects and specifiers, providing significant technical advice and guidance in their design and specification processes. Before joining GAF, she was an associate professor at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture + Design, publishing papers, conducting studies, and offering courses in architectural design, environmental design research, and environmental building systems. Her architectural experience includes designing healthcare, civic, and educational buildings, and her work focuses on the building enclosure and finding sustainable solutions to pressing architectural and environmental problems. |
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Michael Popeck is the Northeast Design Manager of Building & Roofing Science for GAF. Michael is a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) with over 20 years of experience specializing in low-slope roofing & general building enclosure consulting (roofing, walls, windows, doors, etc.) and will use this experience to interact with other design professionals (Architects, Engineers, Consultants, etc.) to help promote best roofing & design practices throughout the industry. Michael possesses a proficiency with forensic architecture, assessment, testing, and design remediation of existing structures in a wide variety of different sectors (K-12, Higher Education, State, Residential, Commercial). |
The Building and Roofing Science team offers regional expert building enclosure collaboration through design, specification, and educational support for customers of GAF and Siplast, both Standard Industries companies. GAF is North America’s largest roofing manufacturer with more homes and businesses in the U.S. protected by a GAF roof than any other product. Siplast, a leader in building enclosure systems, offers a portfolio of advanced, high-performance SBS-modified bitumen, PMMA liquid-applied, PVC KEE, lightweight insulating concrete, wall air & water barrier systems, and amenity/vegetated systems.
Originally published in Building Enclosure
Originally published in February 2024
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Describe the key physical properties and the different components of a single-ply membrane that are critical to PVC performance.
- Summarize the importance of plasticizers as it relates to the performance of PVC and PVC-KEE.
- Cover the types of projects that benefit from the characteristics of PVC over other types of roof membranes.
- Review the sustainability properties of PVC compared to other roof membranes.
