Adrian Robledo, Director of Sales, ICP Group
Tile roofs are a common sight throughout Florida and ensuring their ability to withstand the state’s weather conditions depends on sourcing the right securement and underlayment technologies.
Throughout the Florida housing market, concrete and clay tile roofs are a popular option for both their aesthetic benefits and their ability to withstand storms and severe weather more readily than many other types of roof coverings. For roofing professionals working in the state, it’s beneficial to be knowledgeable about tile roofs, including best practices for installation and maintenance.
To those ends, the choice of securement method can make an impact. While mechanical fastening has long been common in roof tile applications, polyurethane foam adhesives – which adhere tiles to the underlayment that is attached to the roof deck, without the need to penetrate it in most cases – have been shown to deliver even higher value. Indeed, roofs utilizing high-performance adhesives can achieve some of the highest possible wind uplift ratings, making them highly advantageous for extreme weather locales like Florida and other coastal and wind prone areas.
In this article, we’ll explore what you need to know about properly installing tile roofs with polyurethane foam adhesives, including the benefits of a high-performance underlayment, key differences between single-component and two-component roof tile adhesive options, the importance of proper training for applicators and more.
Before the roof tiles themselves can be adhered, it is important to select an underlayment system that meets the required design pressures and code approvals of the project location. These components are available in a wide variety of applications and options that provide essential protection for the building envelope
beneath the primary roof covering – roof tiles, in this case. Some characteristics to look for when selecting an underlayment technology include:
Compatibility properties. There are various applications for adhering underlayment to a roof deck. Contractors should ensure that the underlayment has been tested and approved for use with foam adhesive products. As direct-to-deck roof applications are growing in the southern part of Florida, it is also important to ensure that the underlayment meets the required design pressures for this application. Direct-to-deck applications have high performance values and can also help in reducing additional material and labor costs. The underlayment should address all essential areas of the roof and ensure quick, clean, and easy lapping of rolls as well as water tightness.
Physical and Performance Characteristics. When selecting an underlayment, various performance differences can aid in installation and underlayment life expectancy. Thickness, tear resistance, adhesion, water resistance, slip resistance, roll weight, temperature resistance, walkability and additional UV exposure all play a vital role in choosing the right underlayment for your project.
Advanced Technologies. As underlayment technologies evolve, staying on top of technology and offering advanced products is important. For example, some high-performance underlayment technologies available today are products made without excess filler, providing outstanding protection without extra weight, enabling workers to get the job done more easily. Another crucial technology is addressing all critical lap edges and joints for seamless and instant bonding.
Once you’ve selected your underlayment, it’s time to choose an effective adhesive. First, it’s important to understand the difference between single-component and two-component spray foam adhesive systems. In single-component adhesive products, all chemical and raw material components are combined and the adhesive moisture-cures when dispensed. Two-component adhesives’ adhesion chemistry and other materials are kept separate (A-side/B-side); the chemical reaction begins once the two components are mixed together in the application assembly nozzle. These components are fed through hoses and are combined at the point of application.
Both options will provide high levels of performance but there are some differences that may make one more suitable for a given application than the other. For example, two-component polyurethane adhesives have been shown to maintain the highest available levels of wind uplift performance. Depending on the paddy size, tile profile, paddy placement and gram weight, a properly installed (per manufacturers installation instructions) two-component adhesive systems have the ability to withstand a category 5 hurricane.
For these reasons, two-component adhesives have been widely used throughout Florida, where hurricane resistance is one of the top priorities for building and construction professionals. Two-component options can also deliver additional tile support, contributing to higher break strength and overall long-term durability.
Depending on the roof pitch, some two-component systems can also eliminate the need for having thousands of screws, nails or tie-wire penetrations on the roof deck which can create roof damage and leaks.
Single-component options serve their purposes as well. These options also maintain high levels of performance and are primarily advantageous in terms of ease of use. Applicators are able to move around the roof area easily since these come in handheld, user-friendly cylinders. Additionally, multiple applicators equipped with individual cylinders can help complete a job more quickly. Single-component systems’ portability also lends itself to easier application around hips, ridges, cut pieces and trim tiles. Single-component systems can also be applied to damp substrates, making it easier to perform work following rain or without waiting for morning dew to evaporate.
Whether you choose single- or two-component adhesive systems, it’s also increasingly important to check the sustainability profile of such products. Because spray foams require the use of a blowing agent, it’s worth checking to ensure that such agents in your selection have low global warming potential or HFO product offerings (environmentally friendly); your supplier should be able to advise.
Getting the most from roof tile adhesives doesn't just depend on the products themselves but on proper training and installation. Building officials, inspectors and municipalities often require roofing contractors to have been trained in proper product use by the manufacturer. Once again, this is particularly true in areas prone to extreme weather like Florida. Code officials will want to ensure that construction projects completed with adhesive products are being performed by professionals who’ve been properly trained. Contractors interested in using roof tile adhesives should seek out manufacturers that provide product-specific training and
certifications.
Overall, roof tile adhesives and underlayment systems offer a wide range of benefits for tile roof applications. Products that have been formulated for the highest levels of performance and ease of use can contribute to more reliable and more durable roofs – even in the most extreme weather environments – while enabling professionals to work more efficiently and boost their bottom line.
With over 20 years of roof tile and adhesive industry experience, Adrian Robledo is Director of Sales for ICP Group and oversees the brand’s APOC Polyset Steep Slope polyurethane roofing adhesives. He is dedicated to helping roofing professionals understand the value of proper training and tile installation methods for concrete and clay roof tiles. His passion, commitment, technical knowledge and service to his customers have helped him build a solid reputation as one of the industry leaders in the residential roofing market. To learn more about roofing tile adhesives, visit www.APOC.com. Adrian can be reached at arobledo@icpgroup.com.
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