Our new  
Polyiso plant  
is shipping now
©2024 GAF • COMGNAD008-0624
Great news for GAF Midwest 
customers! We’re now shipping 
EnergyGuard™ Polyiso insulation 
from our newest plant in Peru, 
Illinois, expanding availability and 
service to our valued customers in 
the region.
gaf.com/commercial
TECHNICAL & RESEARCH
Continued from page 26
being studied outside the WJE laboratory in Northbrook, 
Illinois.  Half of these test frames will be exposed to natural 
weather patterns for 3 weeks, and the other half for 6 weeks. 
Researchers will be recording environmental data including 
rainfall, temperature, and wind.
The effects on structural performance are being evaluated 
using standardized test protocols established by the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and ASTM. 
Weekly fastener withdrawal tests are being performed on 
exposed materials, and concentrated static load tests will 
be conducted following the exposure periods. These tests 
will help measure the ability of sheathing materials to hold 
fasteners and resist loads—two critical factors in the long-term 
performance of any roofing system.
The goal of the study is to provide contractors, specifiers, and 
manufacturers with a better understanding of how exposure 
during construction affects sheathing performance—and 
whether there are meaningful differences between OSB 
and plywood. As WJE draws on its experience in forensic 
engineering, materials science, and construction technology, 
this research is expected to offer clear insights with real-world 
implications for product selection and installation practices.
MRCA members and attendees are encouraged to attend 
the presentation at the annual conference to hear the full 
findings, explore the data, and ask questions directly to the 
research team. With the increasing focus on resilience and 
performance in commercial roofing, this study could have 
lasting influence on how we protect the structural integrity 
of our buildings from the ground up—even before the roof is 
ever installed.

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