Headquartered in Fresno, CA, Barrier is a fourth-generation roofing contractor specializing in a wide range of reinforced and unreinforced liquid-applied roofing systems for commercial buildings. Barrier and Polyglass’ Business Development Manager, Brady Kolden, have built a solid business relationship, working on projects over the past 20-plus years across the lower 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, and even Taiwan.
Blair Cunnings, owner and president of Barrier, offered words of high praise for Kolden and Polyglass: “The professionalism Brady Kolden and Polyglass offered Barrier was second to none,” he shared. “Brady was a critical contributor to the success of the job, ensuring a close collaboration and team effort throughout the project. He was on point and addressed any concerns or project challenges in a timely manner.”
When contracted to install a new roof system for a 400,000 sq. foot warehouse in Puerto Rico, Barrier chose to use Polyglass’ PolyBrite® high solids silicone roof coatings, with impressive results.
Project Background and Challenges
The warehouse roof restoration project called for an engineering system that could be warranted for up to 20 years and installed by the available workforce in Puerto Rico. In addition, the team faced two significant challenges:
- The existing Tectum roof deck. The roof deck limited the team’s options as to what kind of coatings could be applied.
- Persistent atmospheric contaminants. Even after doing a hard clean of the surface at the beginning of the project, the overnight buildup of dirt each night forced the team to re-clean and dry the surface daily. They could only clean what they could coat each day.
The Barrier team’s solution to both challenges was to apply an elastomeric roof coating over the existing TPO roof from the PolyBrite “90 Series” high-solids, liquid-applied silicone products.
Both PolyBrite® 90.1 and PolyBrite® 90.2 l can be applied in one coat, curing to form a seamless waterproof membrane that resists ponding water on the surface. The coatings’ “cool roof” UV-resistant properties are particularly suited for the heat and humidity of Puerto Rico’s tropical climate.
The team was able to apply the coating without the need for additional primers. After reinforcing the seams and penetrations with fabric and silicone, they applied 2.5 gallons of high-solids silicone over the roof surface.
Hurricane Fiona No Match For Polyglass Silicone Roof Coatings
The results were remarkable. At the project’s start, the Barrier team counted more than 100 water leaks in the existing TPO roof. One month after project completion, Fiona, a category five hurricane, hit Puerto Rico. Although the island felt its worst flooding since Hurricane Maria in 2017, the new roof held superbly, with no reported leakage.
Polyglass Product Spotlight
Barrier utilized the following Polyglass products for its Puerto Rico warehouse roofing project:
- Polyglass PolyBrite 90.1: A premium grade high solids, moisture cure, liquid-applied silicone coating formulated for excellent weather resistance, including excessive UV exposure and extreme temperatures.
- Polyglass PolyBrite 90.2: A premium-grade, high-solids, liquid-applied silicone coating formulated to “cool roof” specifications to resist harmful UV rays and help lower energy bills.
PolyBrite 90.1 and 90.2 are designed to maintain waterproofing capabilities against ponding water and prolonged rain events. In addition, they are both algae- and fungal-resistant, even in high temperatures, helping to extend the roof’s useful life.
Polyglass has a superior range of modified bitumen roofing products for low-slope roof restorations. Contact us today to discuss your commercial or residential roofing needs.
