Labor-saving products can make your company more efficient and help you complete roofing projects faster. Without impacting the quality of your projects, you can also reduce costs in the long term and take on more projects in a shorter amount of time.
By buying the right commercial roofing materials with labor savings in mind, you can take your company to the next level. Here are six labor-saving products that could help your roofing business.
1. Self-Adhered Vapor Barrier
How does a self-adhered vapor barrier work? A self-adhered vapor barrier can reduce the amount of moisture that gets through the roofing material. It's a product that any roofing company will need to consistently install for each job.
Setting a vapor barrier like the GAF SA Vapor Retarder XL is quick and easy since no primer is needed before installing it. It provides a slip-resistant surface so contractors can safely walk on it, and its high tensile strength provides more hardiness than other similar options.
The large six-square roll means you can use fewer rolls for the job and reduce the amount of time it takes to cover large surfaces.
2. PVC
What role does PVC play in roofing? PVC (polyvinyl chloride) helps reflect heat away from the roof and keeps the underlying structure cool.
PVC plays an important part in a roofing system, but not all material works with certain systems, nor are they always quick to install. Fortunately, PVC products like the EverGuard® PVC 60‑mil Membrane are suitable for all types of ply systems, whether it's fully adhered, induction welded, or mechanically attached.
Your company can save time with easy-to-install PVC products.
3. Quick Spray Adhesive
How long does spray adhesive take to dry? While it depends on the product and the surface you're applying it on, spray adhesive can take anywhere from one to 10 minutes to dry. This quick effectiveness means your contractors don't need to waste any precious time waiting around.
Using spray adhesive means you can put away the roller—and time-consuming methods of applying bonding adhesive. EverGuard® TPO Quick Spray Adhesive is a solvent-based adhesive that allows you to quickly bond TPO membrane to a variety of substrates.
In addition, when used properly, a Quick Spray canister can cover the installation of approximately 10 squares, compared to the approximately three squares of installation a bucket can cover. (As with all adhesives, the porosity of the substrate can impact coverage rates.)
Simply spray the adhesive uniformly onto the substrate and the back of the membrane. Then, apply pressure with a broom or weighted roller to ensure adhesion and heat weld the seams.
4. TPO Accessories
What is a TPO product? Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is a single-ply roofing solution that's popular in commercial roof systems and commonly used for flat roofs or those with a low pitch. With TPO products, you can get great performance for a reasonable cost.
TPO accessories can take a significant amount of time, experience, and know-how to properly measure, cut, and hand weld details. GAF has prefabricated TPO accessories available for most rooftops, offering a full line of vent and pipe boots, tube wraps, pourable sealer pockets, and universal corners that can be cut to accommodate either an inside or outside corner.
You can save time and ensure consistent quality in all the flashings by choosing these ready-to-use accessories. These labor-saving products can help contractors boost their productivity and save you money.
5. Self-Adhered TPO
What is a self-adhered roofing system? This roofing system is composed of self-adhering roofing sheets that easily bond to the roof substrate without requiring you to install extra adhesives.
You can eliminate the need to apply adhesive altogether when you choose a self-adhered roof. The GAF EverGuard® SA TPO Self‑Adhered Roof Membrane comes with the adhesive already applied on the back of the membrane.
Once positioned, the crew folds the membrane sheet back, removes the release liner to expose the factory-applied adhesive, and lays the membrane in place. The crew then brooms in the sheet, uses a weighted roller, and heat welds the seams.
6. Extra-Wide Roll Roofing
What is a rolled membrane roof? A rolled membrane roof is a roofing system where you use wide rolls for the roofing material as opposed to shingles. It's cheap and efficient, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious customers.
When self-adhered TPO isn't an option, you can make installation more efficient by using rolls of membrane that are wider than the standard 10 feet. GAF offers 12-foot-wide rolls of membrane that are ideal for jobs with large, open rooftop areas. Get more coverage in less time, and 20% wider rolls mean fewer seams to weld.
Learn from the Experts
GAF offers a robust video library featuring roofing veterans Dave Scott and Wally Brown. The Roofing it Right series features how-to videos, including a self-adhered membrane product overview. These informative and educational videos cover topics as diverse as roof inspections, core cuts, tear-offs, and installations.
If you're ready to start significantly reducing your projects' duration and improving your workers' overall efficiency, check out some of the best time-saving solutions from GAF. You can also reach out to your GAF Territory Manager for additional information or to discuss your specific project needs.
