By Jesse Sanchez. 

Building use, existing conditions and moisture assessments all play a role in selecting a low-slope roofing system. 

Choosing a low-slope roofing system requires more than matching products to climate. MuleHide emphasizes that a building’s purpose, operating conditions and existing roof assembly can all influence which system is best suited for long-term performance. Different buildings can have very different needs even when they share the same environment. An office building in a cooler climate, for example, may benefit from a black EPDM roof that absorbs more solar energy, while a hospital with significant internal heat loads may be better suited for a reflective white TPO roof. 

Manufacturing facilities also require attention to building movement because machinery can create vibration that affects the roof system. Restaurants and food processing facilities introduce another consideration: exposure to grease, oils and animal fats, which can damage some membranes over time. 

Existing roofs require additional investigation before contractors determine whether to recover, coat or replace them. A visual inspection can identify conditions such as open seams, ponding water, damaged membrane, deteriorated flashings and wet insulation or substrates. 

Moisture surveys provide a deeper look at roof conditions. Contractors can use core cuts to examine the roof assembly or nonintrusive technologies such as surface meters, infrared cameras, electronic leak detection and nuclear resonance imaging to identify potential moisture. When scans reveal wet areas, core samples can help confirm the findings and determine the extent of saturation. 

Coating projects also require an adhesion test to determine whether the coating is compatible with the substrate and whether underlying conditions could interfere with performance. 

Together, these assessments give contractors the information needed to match a system to the building’s location, purpose and existing conditions while identifying repairs or alterations needed before work begins. 

Learn more about selecting the right low-slope roofing system with MuleHide!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Careful roof evaluation, proper adhesive handling and contractor training are essential to successful fleece back recover projects. 

Fleece back membranes can streamline recover projects, but the existing roof must provide a sound foundation for the new system. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Karen Edwards spoke with MuleHide’s Tony Vieira about the conditions contractors should evaluate before recommending a fleece back recover. 

Moisture is one of the most important considerations. Wet or water-damaged insulation should be removed and replaced, and extensive damage may make a tear-off the more practical approach. Tony said moisture surveys can help identify affected sections without disturbing the roof. He explained, “Wet damaged or wet areas of insulation can be determined just by a moisture survey. It’s a non-invasive way to see if there’s wet areas in that roof that could potentially need to be removed and replaced.” 

The condition and attachment of the existing membrane also matters because the recover system depends on the roof below it. Loose membranes must be secured, and MuleHide requires an existing system to be fully adhered for a direct recover. Tony cautioned against installing directly over mechanically fastened, ballasted or gravel-surfaced built-up roof systems. Existing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes are also excluded from the direct-recover applications discussed in the episode. 

Contractors must also confirm how many roof systems are already in place. Tony explained, “Building code generally states that you can have two roof systems in place. You can’t put a third one on top.” This generally prevents a third system from being installed as a recover. 

Once a roof is approved, proper low-rise foam adhesive application becomes critical. The two-component adhesive must be stored at an appropriate temperature, mixed correctly and allowed to foam before the membrane is placed. Tony recommended checking the adhesive with a gloved hand for strings that resemble a “cheesy quesadilla,” indicating it is within the application window. 

Training helps contractors recognize those conditions and avoid adhesive that is still wet or has become too dry. Contractors seeking approval to install warranted MuleHide systems must coordinate with their local representative and complete certification training. 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about evaluating fleece back recover projects and accessing MuleHide’s training and technical resources!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Built-up roofing, modified bitumen, single-ply membranes and fluid-applied systems each offer distinct advantages for low-slope roofing projects. 

Understanding how each component works together is key to selecting the right low-slope roofing system. MuleHide compares the assembly to an open-faced sandwich, with the roof deck serving as the bread, insulation or cover board as the meat and the roof covering as the final layer. For that top layer, contractors and building owners can choose from four primary options: built-up roofing, modified bitumen, single-ply membranes and fluid-applied systems. 

Built-up roofing (BUR), the oldest option, uses alternating layers of hot asphalt and fiberglass reinforcing fabric. Its redundant construction creates a durable, low-maintenance surface, although newer systems have become more common because they are generally easier to install. 

Modified bitumen, often called mod bit, updates the BUR concept with polymer-modified asphalt sheets. Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) membranes remain flexible in cold conditions, making them suited to northern climates. Atactic polypropylene (APP) membranes offer greater resistance to heat, punctures and foot traffic, making them a stronger option for southern climates. Cap sheets may be self-adhering or torch-applied. 

Single-ply systems, including ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are the dominant low-slope choice today. These lightweight membranes can be mechanically attached, fully adhered or ballasted. EPDM is commonly black and uses taped seams, while TPO and PVC membranes are heat welded and typically white in color. White membranes can also reflect solar energy, helping lower rooftop and interior temperatures. 

Fluid-applied acrylic and silicone coatings can extend the service life of a sound existing roof while reducing landfill waste. Silicone performs better during occasional ponding water and humid conditions, while acrylic often costs less and cures faster in dry climates. Before coating, contractors must evaluate the roof and repair leaks, saturated insulation or other existing problems. 

Learn more about MuleHide’s low-slope roofing systems and how each option can address specific project conditions!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Understanding how roof decks, insulation, cover boards and roof coverings work together is essential to long-term roof performance. 

According to MuleHide, the performance of a low-slope roofing system depends on several layers working together to support the roof, control heat transfer and protect the building from weather and other damaging forces. These primary components include the roof deck, insulation or cover board and the roof covering. 

The roof deck is the structural foundation to which the roofing system is applied. It supports the system’s weight, rooftop equipment and expected foot traffic while providing a flat installation surface. Steel is the most-used roof deck material, followed by wood products such as plywood, planks and oriented strand board (OSB). Structural concrete, cementitious wood fiber, gypsum and lightweight insulating concrete are less common alternatives. 

Installed above the deck, insulation reduces heat transfer between the building’s interior and the surrounding environment. Polyisocyanurate, commonly called polyiso, provides the highest R-value and is the most widely used option. Expanded polystyrene (EPS), tapered insulation and flute filler also serve specific roofing applications, including improving drainage or creating a level surface over metal panels. 

Cover boards provide a durable substrate for attaching the roof covering. They may be required when a covering cannot be attached directly to the insulation, but they can also improve performance when used as an additional layer. Cover boards help limit fire spread, distribute wind forces and protect insulation from hail, foot traffic and compression. Common options include fiberboard, gypsum-fiber boards, glass-mat faced gypsum boards and high-density poly ISO cover boards. Each offers different combinations of strength, insulation value, moisture resistance and ease of handling. 

The roof covering completes the assembly by shielding the system from sun, rain, snow, hail, chemicals, equipment and extreme temperatures. Available systems include built-up roofing (BUR), modified bitumen, single-ply membranes and fluid-applied coatings. 

Learn more about MuleHide’s introduction to low-slope roofing systems and the role each component plays in roof performance!

By MuleHide. 

The differences between low-slope and steep-slope roofing run deeper than most realize.  

If you’ve spent your career walking steep roofs, stepping onto a low-slope system can feel like entering a whole new trade. The materials change. The methods shift. Even the vocabulary gets flipped. “Flat” doesn’t mean flat, waterproofing takes center stage and the line between commercial and residential gets blurry fast. In this first of a five-part series from MuleHide, we break down the fundamentals, because understanding what low-slope roofing really is and isn’t, is the first step to doing it right. 

What is low-slope roofing? 

So, what is a low-slope roof and how does it differ from a steep-slope roof? 

Low-slope, not no-slope 
A low-slope roof has a 2/12 pitch or less, meaning that, for every 12 inches of horizontal run, the roof rises 2 inches or less. 

Low-slope roofs are often called “flat roofs,” but no roof is truly flat. Water is one of the most destructive forces on Earth (it created the Grand Canyon, after all) and must be removed from a roof as quickly as possible. Every roof must, therefore, have slope to provide positive drainage. On a low-slope roof, it can come via the building’s structure, tapered insulation or a combination of the two.  

Waterproof vs. water-shedding 
Low-slope roofs are waterproof, though still intended to incorporate drainage, while steep-slope roofs typically shed water at a faster rate. In a low-slope roof, the roof covering, along with the sealants used for flashing and seaming, prevent water from entering the roofing system. Steep-slope roofs rely on the gravity provided by their greater pitch to quickly remove water from the roof’s surface. 

Not to be confused with “commercial roof” 

Many people use the terms “low-slope roof” and “commercial roof” interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. “Low-slope” refers to a roof’s pitch, while “commercial” describes the type of building the roof covers. Many commercial buildings – churches, hotels, schools, medical facilities, restaurants, retail establishments and more – have steep-slope roofs. And low-slope roofs can be found on many residential buildings, particularly in the arid Southwest where drainage is not as big a concern. 

Materials used 
Low-slope roofs typically feature a single-ply membrane, sheet or rolled goods or layers of asphalt. Steep-slope roofs are usually constructed with shingles, tiles or metal panels. 

A brief history of low-slope roofing 

Built-up roofing (BUR) systems are the oldest type of low-slope roof still used today. Early BUR systems were constructed by applying multiple layers of tar-soaked felt and adding a top layer of gravel mixed into hot tar. In the 1870s, asphalt replaced tar. 

Modified bitumen (mod bit) systems were introduced in the 1970s. Still asphalt-based, they introduced rubberized modifiers to the sheet goods, which increased their flexibility and provided an updated take on BUR systems that was faster and easier to install. 

Single-ply roofing systems began appearing in the United States in the 1960s. EPDM and PVC systems were first, their popularity fueled by the limited supply and increased cost of high-quality roofing asphalt. TPO arrived in the United States in the early 1990s and is now the dominant low-slope roofing material. 

Fluid-applied roofing systems – roof coatings – have been used to return aging roofs to near-new condition since the 1950s. Continuous improvements in performance and ease of application over the decades have helped them become the fastest-growing segment of the low-slope roofing industry today. 

We’ll dig into each of these roof covering types later in this series, discussing their composition and the characteristics that set them apart. But they are just the final component in a multi-part system.  

Next up, we’ll dissect a low-slope roofing system layer by layer and explain the vital role each plays in a roof’s performance. We’ll also take a deeper dive into the first two of those layers – the roof deck and insulation and cover boards. 

Original article and photo source: MuleHide

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Luis Ramos explains why manufacturer representatives are most effective when contractors use them as an extension of the team. 

On this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth spoke with Luis Ramos, territory manager for MuleHide in Southeast Florida, about the day-to-day value manufacturer representatives bring to contractors and distributors. Luis said the role is both technical and relationship-driven, especially in low-slope roofing, where job conditions and local requirements can vary widely.  

Q: What does a manufacturer’s representative actually do? 

Luis explained, “At its core, manufacturer reps are in sales technical positions. So, we are well trained in the systems that we offer in order to be able to assist our contractors and our ABC associates with these products and systems.”  

He added that this balance matters because contractors need more than product promotion. They need someone who understands the system, the jobsite and the questions that come up during all stages of a project. 

Q: Why is technical knowledge so important in that role? 

“When I meet with a contractor who is very heavily involved in the low-slope arena, those first three minutes will tell them a lot about my technical knowledge,” Luis shared. 

For experienced contractors, that first conversation can build credibility quickly. For contractors newer to low-slope work, Luis said reps need to “assume nothing” and adjust their approach to the contractor’s level of experience. 

Q: How can reps help contractors who feel pressure to know everything? 

Luis shared, “Well, we’re a free resource, for one thing. And the challenge that I think most contractors have is that they try to do it all, in a phrase. Nobody’s an expert in everything all the time.” 

That support can come through training, job meetings or simple conversations that help remove uncertainty. Luis said the key is communication and a willingness to ask questions before mistakes happen. 

A strong manufacturer rep relationship gives contractors another source of technical perspective when they need it most. Rather than treating reps only as product contacts, Luis encouraged contractors to see them as partners who can help shape the game plan. 

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how manufacturer reps support contractors! 

Dan has a deep commitment to service, reliability and results.

Low-slope roofing manufacturer MuleHide has hired Daniel Kline as territory manager for Alabama and Mississippi.

He is the company’s lead contact with customers in the territory. His responsibilities include helping ensure that projects are completed efficiently and according to specification, working with contractors and ABC Supply Co. Inc. branch teams to develop the best solutions to meet property owners’ roofing needs and providing ongoing product, technical and sales training for contractors and ABC Supply associates.

Kline had been an outside sales associate in ABC Supply’s Lakeland, Florida, branch since 2020. Prior to that, he honed his sales and management skills during a 21-year career in the auto dealership industry in Florida.

“Dan has a deep commitment to service, reliability and results,” said southeast regional director Matt Bost. “He knows how to deliver solutions for his customers. His 5-plus years with ABC Supply have also given him a strong foundation in the roofing industry. We’re excited to have him bring that background to MuleHide and our Alabama-Mississippi territory.”

About MuleHide

MuleHide offers premium-quality, high-performance roofing products and systems that meet the current and emerging needs of the design community, contractors and building owners with a strong focus on sustainable solutions. More information is available at mulehide.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

In her new role, Bader manages the company’s team of technical field representatives.

Low-slope roofing manufacturer MuleHide has promoted Alejandra (‘Ale”) Mahecha Bader to field technical manager. She had served as a technical field representative in Florida since joining MuleHide in 2024.

In her new role, Bader manages the company’s team of technical field representatives, leading and assisting them as they perform roof inspections, investigate warranty claims and present training programs for contractors, MuleHide distributors and MuleHide associates. She is also a technical resource for the company’s territory managers and regional directors.

Bader has 10 years of experience in the construction and roofing industries. Prior to joining MuleHide, she was a production manager for residential roofing contractors in California and Southeast Florida and service manager with Best Roofing Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“Ale’s passion for our industry is infectious,” said MuleHide managing director Dan Williams. “In her time with MuleHide, she has built strong relationships with our contractors and territory managers, bringing her technical expertise, hands-on approach and leadership skills to every project. We’re excited to have her bring that energy and track record of success to her new role.”

Born and raised in Colombia, Bader holds a master’s degree in management from Universidad de San Buenaventura in Cali, Colombia.

About MuleHide

MuleHide offers premium-quality, high-performance roofing products and systems that meet the current and emerging needs of the design community, contractors and building owners with a strong focus on sustainable solutions. More information is available at mulehide.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

In his new role, Bost heads the region encompassing Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and part of Georgia. 

Low-slope roofing manufacturer MuleHide has promoted Matt Bost to regional director - Southeast. He had served as the company’s territory manager for West Central and Southwest Florida since joining MuleHide in 2022.

In his new role, Bost heads the region encompassing Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and part of Georgia. He is responsible for achieving regional sales goals and leads the region’s team of territory managers, who are the company’s primary points of contact with contractors, property managers, specifiers and roofing materials distributors.

Bost has more than 15 years of experience in the roofing industry. He came to MuleHide from TRUFAST, where he was regional manager for Florida after serving as Southeast warehouse manager and district manager for the Carolina territory.

“Matt has been an exceptional partner to our customers and distributor partners in his territory and to his MuleHide colleagues throughout the region and beyond,” said MuleHide Managing Director Dan Williams. “They have all benefitted from his experience and deep knowledge of low-slope commercial roofing. We look forward to having him build on that success as regional director.”

About MuleHide

MuleHide offers premium-quality, high-performance roofing products and systems that meet the current and emerging needs of the design community, contractors and building owners with a strong focus on sustainable solutions. More information is available at mulehide.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

By Jesse Sanchez.  

How UV-driven chalking signals coating wear and informs proactive maintenance. 

Roof coatings rarely fail without warning. More often, they wear down gradually, offering visible cues that protection is thinning. For acrylic systems, one of the clearest signs is chalking. During this CoatingsTalk webinar, Cameron Webb of MuleHide identified chalking as a practical field indicator that contractors should not overlook. In his view, it is not simply a cosmetic issue. It’s evidence that ultraviolet exposure is breaking down the coating surface and reducing its long-term performance. 

“With acrylics, a lot of times what'll happen is you'll see some chalking in the coating and that can be an indication that it's had some UV degradation and we might want to look at cleaning that and doing a re-coat there,” Cameron said. Chalking typically appears as a powdery residue that transfers to the hand during inspection. While gradual surface breakdown is expected over time, it also signals material loss. As the film thickness decreases, so does the coating’s ability to shield the underlying roof system from UV degradation and weather exposure. 

For that reason, Cameron cautioned contractors to evaluate both visible condition and system age. “You want to look at the term of years, because acrylics are going to lose some millage each year,” he advised. That perspective shifts the conversation from reacting to leaks to managing performance. A roof nearing the end of its warranty may still be serviceable if maintained. Conversely, a younger system with significant chalking may require earlier attention. 

The solution, Cameron said, is structured maintenance. “A roof coating or a roof system is no different than a vehicle,” he said. “You want to have preventative maintenance.” He recommends two inspections per year to monitor drainage, foot traffic damage and surface changes. When chalking is tracked consistently, recoating becomes a planned maintenance decision rather than an emergency repair. 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about roof coating selection and maintenance best practices.