2023 Project of the Year

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America is a member-owned fraternal financial services organization, with over 700,000 members. Its name, inspired by pioneer woodmen who cleared forests to build communities, symbolizes the organization’s goal of clearing away financial burdens for families.

The organization needed new roofs on its multi-level headquarters along the Mississippi riverbank. The owners wanted a new, sustainable roof and waterproofing system that would provide a healthy and more efficient workspace while highlighting the beauty of the site and river.

Sterling Commercial Roofing, Inc., one of Illinois’ largest commercial roofing contractors, was awarded the 69,900 sq. ft. roof installation for the organization.

Sterling started by recovering the roof on the lowest section of the three-tiered roof. After prepping the old EPDM roof, and installing a leak detection system, the Sterling team loose laid an 80-mil Sarnafil® S 327 Feltback EnergySmart membrane in place. That was followed by Sika’s Drainage Panel Geonet B, a drainage composite designed to provide free flow of water in horizontal applications. They completed the recover by installing pavers turning the old unused roof area into a new plaza deck, complete with garden areas and a three-hole putting green.

On the upper two tiers of the roof, Sterling removed the old EPDM system, and adhered two inches of polyiso, as well as tapered insulation to the drains. Next, they installed a ½-inch coverboard using Sarnacol AD adhesive. An 80-mil Sarnafil® G 410 EnergySmart membrane was then fully adhered over the top.

Thanks to Sterling and Sika Roofing, Modern Woodmen of America now has a beautiful new roof and plaza deck overlooking the mighty Mississippi.

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