Texas award-winning National Guard Armory

Texas award winning National Guard Armory

Severe hail, ultraviolet rays, and the hot southwest sun were the primary concerns when Dallas, Texas Architectural firm Dickson Wells set out to design the roof system for their award-winning Wylie, Texas National Guard Armory.

The executive Director, Texas National Guard Armory Board, Col. William Beaty recommended that Bill Dickson, AIA, contact Armko Industries Inc., a Roof System Specialist firm, to discuss using the Hyload 150E coal tar elastomeric roof system on the low slope portion of the Armory, which he had used on several Armory reroof projects in the past.

Thermoplastics - A Natural for the National Guard Armory:

According to Col. Beaty, "When I arrived at the Armory Board, the primary concern we had was leaking roofs. In the past eight years, since we have used the Hyload 150E Roof System, we have reduced our maintenance costs to almost zero and feel we have a twenty-five year roof system. In looking at the long term cost per square foot (what we call life cycle costing), I feel the State of Texas has found a system that not only lasts; but will require less maintenance money than the other systems we've tried and found necessary to replace before the end of their expected life cycle. With the abuse a roof in the South gets from the sun and extreme weather cycles, this roof system has proved its merit. I have researched various roofing systems and know that different demands are put on a roofing system just by the building's geographic location in the United States. I feel that in the southern states, a building owner/manager would be well served by specifying the Hyload Roof System. So, it was a natural to recommend this system to Dickson Wells Architects who would be designing the new Wylie Armory."

Benefits of CTEM

Laborers install the roll of H150E in steep asphalt being careful to overlap the underlayment ply at the 3-inch lap.

Rodney Ruebsahm, President of Armko Industries based in Dallas, offered the following with regard to the Hyload 150E Roof System. "Armko Industries, Inc. certainly recommends a broad range of materials and systems. Coal tar elastomeric membrane has been one of the most successful systems and specifications we recommend. The projects number in excess of 2,000 where the most appropriate solution for our customer was a coal tar elastomeric membrane system. Of the hundreds of thousands of square feet installed, it retains its reputation as one of the most durable, cost effective, reliable roof systems. We are confident in its performance, and the long problem free service life expected of it. One of the impressive aspects of the Hyload 150E System is that it is a synergy between four types of technology: the multiple layer concept from the BUR world, the elastomeric qualities of the single ply world, the time proven benefits of the coal tar pitch world plus the benefits from the advanced technologies of the Elvaloy® KEE world."

Bill Orman, President and Owner of Sta-Dri, said, "We have completed several large projects using the Hyload 150E roof system and found the application methods and equipment very similar to a built-up roof, however, the Hyload system is more durable. In addition, the building owner is getting a coal-tar pitch type roof without having to use coal-tar pitch kettles."

Coal tar elastomers let you install entire roof without gravel until the membrane and flashing are applied.

The Hyload 150E membrane is a calendered sheet approximately 60 mils thick and is normally recommended with one or two underlayment plies of Type IV felt set in steep asphalt. The 150E 3ft by 50ft roll is then laid in steep asphalt assuring adhesion and squeeze out. The membrane is then normally flood coated with steep asphalt (coal tar pitch can also be used), then graveled.

If environmental concerns or sensitivity prevent the emission of hot asphalt fumes during the roofing application, Hyload has a CTEM that can be applied as a cold process or fully self-adhered system. In both cases, the field and flashing seams are hot air welded.

Mike Barton, a registered roof consultant, and a member of the Roof Consultant Institute, had this to say regarding the 150E coal-tar elastomeric membrane. "In the south, the number one cause of roof failure in my opinion, barring improper application, would be embrittlement of the roof membrane due to ultraviolet degradation.

Regionally speaking, our roofs in the south seem to perform well when initially installed. Then as the roofs start to age, problems begin to develop: i.e., flash off, photo oxidizing, plasticizer migration, etc.

The roof membrane appears to experience difficulty in coping with building movement, foot traffic, hail events, and thermal shock." Barton goes on to say, "In my opinion, the most note worthy performance characteristic of the CTEM membrane is the exceptionally low permeability factor which does not allow the multi-ply underlayment to become embrittled and gas off."