NASA Glenn Research Center Roof Replacement

The View: NASA Glenn Research Center

Protecting a National Research Hub

Cleveland’s NASA Glenn Research Center is a massive campus, and its buildings are vital to programs that the administration puts in place. These buildings house testing laboratories and facilities that shape aerodynamic research and space exploration studies, providing key data for all sorts of development projects. To say that preserving the functionality of the research center is a top priority is an understatement. The roof helps to protect the highly sensitive equipment and personnel housed in the buildings against the elements in Cleveland. When several of the buildings required a complete tear-off and replacement of the roofing membrane, only one Cleveland commercial roofing contractor could deliver the precise, high-quality results demanded – Warren Roofing.®

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The Job:

Full Roof Tear-Off and Replacement

Warren Roofing® was called out to address some needs on two of the buildings. The first building, Building 64, houses giant turbines that are used for aerodynamic research. This massive structure was in need of a full tear-off and replacement of the existing roofing membrane. Building 5 needed much of the same, but instead of protecting turbines and research equipment, the repairs on Building 5 would be performed to protect an iconic spacecraft: the Mars Rover. This job wasn’t just about fixing a roof, it was about protecting America’s legacy of space exploration!

The Challenge:

Securing Building Accessibility

The biggest challenge with these immense buildings was the accessibility factor. Building 64 is positioned near high voltage obstructions and underground piping, so to gain access a large platform structure needed to be built. Some other areas required removal of debris via boom truck, a typical trash chute was out of the question. From the rooftop, it would be a “blind” process, relying on ingenuity to get the job done. There are also massive HVAC units all over the rooftops, so it’s not an easy surface to navigate. In addition, there was crumbling masonry walls on the rooftop that needed to be addressed before the membrane could be installed. For that, our friends at Cleveland Building Restoration would be called in to assist.

The Team

Commercial Roofing Crew

Building 64 Project Manager: Nate Arp
Foreman: Shawn Cotter
The Crew: 7 Warren Roofing® team members, plus crews from Cleveland Building Restoration, Precision Environmental Co., and Sunbelt Rentals
The Status: Work began in June 2019 and will continue through October 2019

Building 5 Project Manager: Nate Arp
Foreman: Chris Frank
The Crew: 9 Warren Roofing® Team members, and Sunbelt Rentals
The Status: Started in June 2019 and estimated to be wrapped up in November 2019

The Process:

Installing a Robust Commercial Roofing System

The project began with removing the old roofing membrane and performing necessary rooftop demolition. Given the single, obstructed access point to Building 64, a 50-foot scaffold tower was erected to facilitate crew and equipment movement. With limited visibility for the crane operator, signalers positioned above obstructions used walkie-talkies to guide the crane, ensuring a smooth demolition process. Following this, Cleveland Building Restoration addressed masonry decay along the parapet walls, providing a solid base for the new roofing system.

Warren Roofing® then installed a fleece-backed PVC membrane from Johns Manville, adhered to a 1/2-inch thick gypsum board (DEXcell®) for enhanced puncture resistance and wind uplift. A 3-1/2” layer of insulation added R-value to the roof. The membrane, coverboard, and insulation were secured with a two-part polyurethane adhesive, and seams were heat-welded for water resistance. The existing temporary membrane was left in place as a permanent vapor barrier to guard against moisture intrusion, completing a robust roofing system well-suited to Cleveland’s weather challenges.

The Results:

Ensuring Building Protection and Roof Longevity

The tops of both buildings are now restored and have pristine white roofs! This helps the buildings look brand new again, and that increases their visibility from the nearby freeway. Most importantly, when work is all wrapped up, the roof will stand protecting the valuable equipment housed within. No matter what conditions the Cleveland weather brings, be it scorching heat and humid sunny days or below-freezing arctic blasts in the winter, these rooftops are ready to withstand the seasons.

When your commercial rooftop needs to be repaired, contact the best commercial roofers in the Cleveland galaxy – Warren Roofing®.