Low-Slope Roofing 101
Starting From the Top
Sponsored by GAF | Siplast | By Michael Popeck and Kristin Westover
Webinar On-Demand
It’s just a roof—right? Roofing plays an extremely important role in protecting the building from the elements, but low-slope roofing typically doesn’t get as much attention during design as the other building components. With a wide variety of different roof system types and components used on different building classifications, low-slope roofing design can be especially confusing. Low-slope roof design includes decisions that incorporate building design parameters, roof system components, and attachment methods. This presentation will provide the knowledge required to formulate the best design for your next roofing project.
Photo courtesy of GAF
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Michael Popeck, RRC, 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). |
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Kristin M. Westover, P.E., LEED AP O+M, is a Technical Manager of Specialty Installations for low-slope commercial roofing systems at GAF. She specializes in cold storage roofing assemblies where she provides insight, education, and best practices as it relates to cold storage roofing. Kristin is part of the Building and Roofing Science Team where she works with designers on all types of low-slope roofing projects to review project design considerations so designers can make informed roof assembly decisions. |
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 November 2023
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Cover how design parameters, such as building and rooftop use, as well as climate and building location influence roof design decisions.
- Recognize the basic components of low-slope roofing including different insulations, coverboards, and membrane types.
- Differentiate between attachment methods of roofing systems including insulations and membrane attachment options.
- Discuss code requirements as they relate to the roof including IBC, IECC, and ASCE -7.
