Commercial Roofing Replacement and Restoration at an Active Research Campus

Location: West Virginia

Industry: Research & Laboratory

Service: Infrastructure & Utility Modernization

The Situation

A research / lab campus in Morgantown, West Virginia needed selective roofing replacement and restoration across three distinct roof areas totaling approximately 4,700 square feet. The campus operates around the clock. Roofing work had to be sequenced and executed without exposing occupied laboratory and administrative spaces below and without introducing odors or contaminants that could affect research activities or air quality in adjacent areas.

The Challenge

Material selection for roofing on an active research campus is not a standard specification exercise. Low-odor, non-disruptive application methods were required specifically because of the proximity to occupied laboratory spaces. Cold-process urethane adhesives were selected over hot-applied systems for that reason. The proximity of air intakes and helicopter flight paths over the campus added sequencing constraints: debris containment had to account for rooftop air intake locations, and all work areas had to be secured and made watertight at the end of each workday without exception.

The three roof areas required different approaches. Two areas needed full system replacement down to the structural deck. The third was a candidate for restoration rather than full replacement, requiring pressure washing, targeted insulation replacement, and a fluid-applied system over the existing modified bitumen membrane.

How We Worked

For the two full replacement areas, JBrennon completed tear-off and removal of existing assemblies, surface preparation, and installation of new tapered insulation systems designed to achieve R-30 thermal performance with positive drainage slope. A coverboard was installed over the insulation to meet local wind uplift standards. Bilaminate-reinforced SBS modified bitumen base and cap sheets were adhered using low-odor, 100% solids, cold-process urethane adhesives. Flashings at penetrations and perimeter transitions were completed using fluid-applied biobased urethane compounds. New metal copings and fascia components were installed per ANSI/SPRI ES-1 requirements. An existing exhaust fan on one of the replacement areas was removed and the deck was sealed and restored at that location.

For the restoration area, the existing modified bitumen membrane was pressure-washed at a minimum of 2,000 PSI and cleaned with a non-waxing detergent. Damaged or saturated insulation was removed and replaced as needed. A biobased, urethane-based fluid-applied system was installed with a reinforced base coat embedded with polyester fabric, followed by a high-solids top coat. All areas were secured and made watertight at the close of each workday throughout the project.

The Outcome

JBrennon delivered high-performance roofing systems across three areas of the research and laboratory campus: full replacements where conditions required it, fluid-applied restoration where the existing membrane could support it, all completed with material selections appropriate for an occupied research environment.

• Two full roof system replacements completed to R-30 thermal performance with positive drainage

• Low-odor, cold-process urethane adhesives used throughout in consideration of occupied laboratory proximity

• Third roof area restored using fluid-applied biobased urethane system over cleaned existing membrane

• All areas secured and watertight at end of each workday throughout construction

• Debris containment maintained relative to campus air intake locations and helicopter flight paths