Monolithic Domes in the Midwest

The Midwest has seen it's share of bad weather this last year, with several tornadoes ripping through communities destroying homes and buildings. It has been said that nothing can protect us from this type of severe weather. However, many construction experts argue that monolithic domes could be the answer.

Washington Roofing & Insulation
re-coated this Salt Dome in Iowa with the
Spray Polyurethane Foam roof system.

Monolithic domes are buildings that meet FEMA's standards for near-absolute protection from severe weather. Construction of monolithic domes is a very specialized arena consisting of steel reinforced concrete and closed-cell SPF Insulation.

Oklahoma, according to SprayFoam Insulation & Roofing magazine, has the most monolith domes than any other state, and a lot has to do with the fact that Oklahoma is known as "tornado alley." In fact, many school districts in the state are constructing monolithic domes to provide an emergency shelter for their students. Dome schools can also be found in Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Minnesota, Florida and Idaho, according to the article.

Source: SprayFoam Insulation & Roofing magazine
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How to Hire a Commercial Roofing Contractor

Replacing the roof on your building was approved in the budget and now it is time to start looking for a good roofing contractor. As you begin the steps it takes to qualify roofing professionals, take in mind some of the points listed below:

• Length of Time in Business. Companies who have been in business longer usually have broader experience than start-ups. 
• Insured, Licensed and Bonded. Proof of insurance and establishing that the contractor is licensed in your state is important. 
• Member of Organizations. Is the contractor affiliated or a member of any industry organizations? Many times these contractors are kept up-to-date on the latest roofing developments and industry news. 
• Experience, Knowledge and Trust. People don't hire companies . . . People hire people. Make sure you are comfortable with the roofing contractor and understand your options. 
• Application Expertise. Is the contractor accredited or certified in the roofing system of choice? Some systems required these certifications in order to be applied properly and last. 
• Referrals and Completed Projects. Good contractors will have people you can contact to gain more insight. Ask for completed projects, as well. This will give you an idea of what the contractor does. 
• Committed to Safety. Establish that the roofing contractor is taking all the required steps for safety. 
• Written Estimates. Estimates in writing will assure that you understand what is being proposed and both parties have appropriate expectations. It is mutually beneficial and keeps the guesswork out of the project.

Website: Washington Roofing & Insulation

The WALLTITE® Air Barrier

WALLTITE® is a premium spray-applied polyurethane foam insulating air barrier system manufactured by BASF. WALLTITE® is seamless and self-adhering, eliminating uncontrolled air leakage by providing monolithic coverage with superior insulation R/U-value.

The graphic below shows how the closed-cell, WALLTITE® Air Barrier is positioned to substantially reduce both air leakage and moisture permeance through the building envelope.

Source: BASF

WALLTITE® is approved by the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) and acts as an air barrier as part of the total building envelope. Washington Roofing and Insulation is a Q1 applicator with BASF and an ABAA accredited ABAA.

Source: www.spf.basf.com