Stimson Marina

Marina Enjoys Smooth Sailing With New PVC (Vinyl) Roofing

ROOFING CHALLENGE: The nautical expression “to pass with flying colors” is derived from a time when ships would return from battle with their flags flying to indicate victory. On the Stimson Marina in Seattle, Washington, this phrase has another meaning. The green-and-white-striped roof on Seattle’s largest covered fresh water marina on Salmon Bay is not only the marina’s signature trademark, but is also a geographical reference point for pilots. When the 50-year-old metal roof needed replacement, a watertight solution that also preserved the same green and white stripes was imperative.

PVC (VINYL) SOLUTION

The first solution Salmon Bay Center facility manager Brent Howell thought of was a tear-off and replacement with another metal roof. But working over the 200 slips under five docks, plus a myriad of environmental concerns pertaining to the salmon-laden waters, made that option less attractive.

After considering alternatives presented by a building envelope consultant, and knowing that the green and white stripes could be replicated with thermoplastic membrane materials, the most economical choice was to install a 50-mil induction welded single-ply membrane over a high-density cover board as an overlay system. The solution selected was Seaman Corporation’s FiberTite RhinoBond vinyl roofing system.

To assure the proper visual effect, the project team worked diligently to align the green and white membrane stripes from building to building so that, even though the five docks are different sizes, the stripes appear continuous from one dock to the next. And not only does the 113,086 square feet of thermoplastic membrane weigh less, its hot-air welded seams also offer the critical watertight integrity any marine roof application requires.