A high-performance solution for a high-profile roof

By Emma Peterson. 

GacoFlex delivered durability, savings and ease of installation for this challenging project. 

Just a few blocks from downtown Rochester, Minnesota sits the Zumbro Lutheran Church. With its unique steeple and central location, this place of worship is a well-known part of the Rochester skyline. But that iconic roofline was in danger a bit ago when the roof started showing its age.  

The challenge of the project 

Repairing the roof brought up a few unique challenges for Merit Contracting, who the church hired for the project. These included:  

• Access: The roof is at a harsh angle that makes it difficult to safely get on and work on it. 
• Maintenance: The church needed a roof they could trust without having to think too much about it, as low maintenance was a priority. 
• Weather: Being located in Minnesota means that whatever roof they installed needed to be able to withstand both harsh winters with lots of snow and hot summers.  
• Visibility: As mentioned earlier, the church’s roof is very visible, even when on foot from the ground. So, it was a high priority to not only find a high-performance solution, but one that looked aesthetically appealing from all angles as well. 

A strong solution 

Luckily, the Merit Contracting team is a Gaco Licensed Applicator and knew to reach out to their local Gaco Area Manager for help! That manager was able to help them find the ideal solution for the project – a GacoFlex S4200 Silicone Coating System. There’s a few reason for this choice: 

• Ease of installation: GacoFlex is easy to install. All it took was a good roof cleaning (using a pressure washer and GacoWash) and Merit Contracting was able to put the silicone coating down without even needing a primer* thanks to the high-adhesion nature of the coating. 
• Financial savings: Not only did the speed and ease of installation help save the church money, but they also saved money by avoiding tearing off the old system. Merit Contracting was able to install the GacoFlex silicone roof system over the existing membrane and insulation, which avoided added removal and landfill costs.  
• Long-lifespan: And best of all, the church won’t have to think about their roof for a long while! The GacoFlex silicone roof system came with a 20-year warranty, which was a key factor due to the access challenges of the roof. 

Learn more about the project!

*In this case, S42 eliminated the need for primer, as it does on most substrates. Always perform an adhesion test to ensure compatibility.