Summer 2019 News

Mule-Hide Products Co. has two new video training series.  The videos explain to viewers the steps for correctly installing EPDM and self-adhered modified bitumen roofing systems.   

Each series consists of 19 video segments. Both cover such topics as insulation attachment, seaming, and flashing techniques for a variety of scenarios. The EPDM series also examines the application of adhesives in fully-adhered systems. The self-adhered mod bit series also addresses the correct installation of base and cap sheets and reviews the components required for a system to qualify for various warranties. 

The video libraries can be accessed via YouTube or on www.mulehide.com.

Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., a manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing products, announced that their PolyBrite product line has earned International Building Code (IBC) compliance for roof protection systems.

Specifically, PolyBrite 70, PolyBrite 71-HS, PolyBrite 75, and PG 700 elastomeric roof coating systems meet code requirements according to an independent ICC Evaluation Service Report.  The certification is ESR-4038. 

PolyBrite and PG elastomeric coating systems offer ultraviolet energy resistance and fire protection through their proprietary formulations utilizing 100% acrylic resins. These coatings cure to form a seamless fluid-applied roof membrane to extend the useful life of the roof. Each system provides tensile strength and elongation, as well as resistance to fungus, algae, and dirt pickup. These systems can be used for new construction or reroofing.

Ariel Lender, Polyglass director of product management and technical services, says,  “The ICC-ES Evaluation Report, along with Energy Star and Cool Roof Rating Council credentials, confirms that these systems are a reliable option for roofers.”  

ABC Supply Co. Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the United States, has opened another location  in Massachusetts. ABC Supply is also a leading distributor of  siding and other interior and exterior building products.

 “By locating our newest branch in Mashpee, we will be able to better serve roofing contractors and other construction industry professionals on Cape Cod,” said Tom Kuchan, vice president of ABC Supply’s Northeast region. Charles Howard will manage the branch. Howard started his career at ABC Supply in 2012.

In March, Western Specialty Contractors acquired the assets of full-service, commercial roofing and sheet metal contractor Great Plains Roofing and Sheet Metal of Kansas City. The acquisition will expand Western’s existing roofing business in the Kansas City area and provide Western’s customers with a more comprehensive range of roofing, concrete, masonry and waterproofing services.  

“The acquisition of Great Plains expands our roofing services in Kansas City and broadens our customer base,” said Western Specialty Contractors COO Tom Brooks.  “Customers benefit from ‘one-stop-shopping’ for all their building envelope needs that the combined companies provide. Western and Great Plains both have long track records of success and share a passion for forming long-term partnerships with their customers—traits that are beneficial to everyone involved,” 

Between 60-70 skilled tradespeople and several office personnel at Great Plains Roofing will join Western with the acquisition. Great Plains owners Jay Harrington and Kevin Scanlon have agreed to stay on throughout the transition process to ensure a smooth and seamless transition with the operations of the company and their customer base. 

Established in 2004, Great Plains offers a number of roof systems to meet various requirements, including: mechanically fastened and adhered TPO roof systems; mechanically fastened, adhered and ballasted EPDM rubber roof systems; modified bitumen hot and cold applied roof systems; built-up asphalt surfaced and gravel surfaced roof systems; and standing seam metal roof systems. 

This spring, Innovative Chemical Products acquired three separate waterproofing companies in a period of a few weeks.  

On March 11, they announced the acquisition of Astec, maker of fluid-applied membrane systems for roofs, walls, tanks, piping, ductwork and other industrial surfaces. Astec has provided these systems since 1985. For ICP, the acquisition helps expand the products the company can offer to commercial building contractors and facility managers to solve their toughest challenges.

Doug Mattscheck, CEO of ICP Group says, “Astec offers high-quality products that have demonstrated proven performance for years, and we’re confident that our customers will see that value.”

Two days later, ICP Group announced the acquisition of Benefect, a supplier of bio-based disinfectants. Benefect produces disinfectants and cleaning supplies for the environmental remediation industry, and is the first government-registered hospital disinfectant using essential oils from plants.

Together with Fiberlock abatement and restoration solutions, the acquisition will allow ICP to offer a complete package of environmental solutions to its customers.

“The Benefect brand is well-aligned with our existing building envelope business unit and allows us to grow our portfolio of trusted solutions for our customers,” Mattscheck says. “We’re happy to add Benefect to the growing ICP family.”

With the acquisitions, ICP Group today becomes the 10th largest coatings company in the world.

In December, Masonry Cosmetics launched a new website aimed at homeowners seeking to change the color of their homes’ brick.

Don Foster, co-founder and VP of Masonry Cosmetics Inc., says, “The ever-growing trend that we see out there is homeowners wanting to change the color of their old or outdated looking brick.”

Now, brick matching experts have put together a website for changing the color of brick the right way and with the right product, applied in the right conditions.

The new website, www.colormybrick.com, offers before-and-after pictures of some of the home makeovers they have done over the last 20 years. 

The products used are not a paint or paint-like stain, but a penetrating translucent stain that bonds into and with the pore structure of the brick. Absorption is needed, so a simple water test is all that is required to see if your brick is a good candidate for this process.

Foster says, “We know the right way to do it. Our process allows the brick to breathe naturally like unstained brick and our process will never hurt or compromise the brick it is applied to.”

Masonry Cosmetics is a full service company but also offers a “Home Makeover Kit” for do-it-yourself users.