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Discussion Forum

WSU Differences

wivell | Posted in General Discussion on February 1, 2005 06:41am

What are the major differences between some of the WSU products out there, such as Ice and Water Shield from Grace versus Weatherlock (Owens Corning or GAF, I forget)?

Why is the Grace product have a smooth rubber surface and the others a granular coating?  Who prefers which?

I was checking prices the other day and the Grace product is about $55 square, the other are $55 for 1 1/2 squares.  Is the Grace product superior?

 

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  1. wivell | Feb 01, 2005 06:49pm | #1

    Bump

  2. User avater
    CapnMac | Feb 01, 2005 08:10pm | #2

    I'm remembering that the rough surface iws is for a specific roofing application.  Can't remember what the application was, and googling is no present help.

    Grace's Basick has a rough surface, the other lines are smooth, per the website.

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
    1. wivell | Feb 01, 2005 09:45pm | #3

      Thanks CapnMac.

      I'm fixing up a 100 year old house.  The original slate mansard roof is shot.  Some clown coated the entire roof with multiple layers of aluminized roof paint.  There are  3 leaks that I know of, which means there's probably 3-4 times that many in reality.  This is a big roof - about 50 squares, not including the flat roof on top.  I done a few roofs but nothing this challenging and have decided to sub this out.

      I wanted to discuss materials with the contractor and I think I'm leaning towards the Ice and Water Shield underlayment from Grace for all eaves and valleys along with copper flashings and valleys.

      1. MJLonigro | Feb 01, 2005 09:57pm | #4

        I completed a school renovation about 6 months with multiple roof systems..the street elevations had a picthed roof (14/12) with slate on one side and fiberglass shingles on the back..behind that we had an EPDM roof...

        Under the shingles (both slate and fiberglass), the roofing contractor used the Grace Ice & Water Shield. He used it not only on the edges, eaves, and valleys, but in stead of the felt paper...Little more cost in material but worth it compared to the headaches of leaks...especially since there was no access to the attic, so any leaks would be catastrophic by the time they were visible...

        1. wivell | Feb 01, 2005 10:23pm | #6

          I've thought about doing the entire roof deck in Ice and Watershield.  This project is a resell and at 50 squares that might be a little pricey.

      2. User avater
        CapnMac | Feb 01, 2005 10:17pm | #5

        Don't forget the "parapet" joint between the flat and the mansard transition.  I've seen them where "everybody" knew the other side was the other guy's job.  That 2x spiked down as a railing base does not a great roof make.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

        1. wivell | Feb 01, 2005 10:25pm | #7

          The parapet is covered by some pretty fancy "cresting" made of some sort of metal.

          I'd prefer to leave it alone and somehow flash under it if possible.

          1. User avater
            CapnMac | Feb 01, 2005 11:50pm | #8

            some pretty fancy "cresting" made of some sort of metal

            Not that unusual.  Just don't be surprised if it has to come off to be properly flashed underneath.  And that, before the IWS . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

          2. wivell | Feb 02, 2005 03:33am | #11

            I'm sure you're right about the cresting CapnMac.  I just looked at that detail this evening and questioned the contractor on this.  He made a comment about lifting and sliding the shingles underneath - no doubt easier said than done.

            I think I'm going to have GAF Slatelines put on the roof.  Any comments on that shingle or GAF in general?

      3. Piffin | Feb 02, 2005 04:30am | #12

        I would use I&W under all the slate, if slate is indeed what you have. Not doubting you, but lots of folks use the term indiscriminately to mean anything that looks like it.from what I have used - the smooth is for underlay and valley liners while the granulated is heavier, has a reinfiorcing mesh, and is for stand alone roofing, such as a small low-slope prch roof where it is not sizeable enough for a higher quality roof. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. wivell | Feb 03, 2005 01:20am | #14

          Piffin,

          The existing roof is slate.  I'm going to reroof with a look-a-like such as GAF Slateline - I don't the $$ for real slate.  I'm looking at about $15 K for a tear off and reshingle and this house will be sold upon renovation completion (I Hope!!!!).

          Thanks for the reply.

    2. seeyou | Feb 02, 2005 02:43am | #10

      I'm remembering that the rough surface iws is for a specific roofing application.

      To the best of my knowledge, the rough surface is primarily for traction. Scissors cut paper. Rock breaks scissors. Paper wraps rock.

      1. Piffin | Feb 02, 2005 04:34am | #13

        We might be talking different products. The traction grip ones I see are just a web in the surface. The ones with actuall granuals have been like the shingle surfaces - to protect the tars from drying under the sun since the I&W is only rated for 30-90 days of exposure. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. seeyou | Feb 03, 2005 02:40am | #15

          Yeah, we don't have Grace products available here (except as special order). The certainteed product has aggregate on it, the owens corning does not. The o.c. is slick, the certainteed not.Scissors cut paper. Rock breaks scissors. Paper wraps rock.

          1. sarison | Feb 03, 2005 04:04am | #16

            Ihave applied many different brands and the only ones I consider remotely worth the money are the Grace for the valleys and troublesome areas and the Certainteed for all the rest.  Right now I am on a project using IKO Armourgard (they cant even spell it right, what does that tell you), the material is useless.  Fortunately it's all 12/12 and I insisted that the GC get me 4 sq. of Grace for detailing.

          2. Piffin | Feb 03, 2005 04:41am | #17

            So what's wrong with the whey they spell I K O? 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

  3. Isamemon | Feb 02, 2005 02:02am | #9

    shucks , I thought we were talking about WSU football

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