Unique Church Roof Project Receives 2019 Duro-Last® Specialty Membrane Award

Intricate hand-painted church ceiling now protected by Duro-Tuff membrane.

The gold dome and royal blue barreled roof of the St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church in Columbus, Ohio, has become a familiar feature of the local landscape. While admired on the exterior by many that pass along the busy thoroughfare, parishioners are especially proud of the intricately hand-painted ceiling within the sanctuary that the roof was designed to showcase and protect. Stained glass windows and detailed iconography adorn almost every inch of the interior structure, so when the previous spray foam roofing system began to show signs of failure, church leadership knew they had to act quickly to avoid irreparable damage.

Lee’s Roofing & Spouting, Inc., located in Bellefontaine, Ohio, inspected the facility and was ultimately awarded the project with a bid that included adhered Duro-Tuff® 50 mil membrane from Duro-Last® and EXCEPTIONAL® Metals drainage components.

“Church leaders had seen a sample of the blue Duro-Tuff membrane at an event they previously attended and knew that was what they wanted to go with before bidding even began,” explained Josh Wilcoxon, Operations and Project Manager for Lee’s Roofing. “That part of the project was easy. It was developing a plan of action and engineering a workable solution for the unique structure that was challenging.”

To start, Lee’s Roofing was tasked with removing the aged spray foam, which was adhered directly to the wood deck. To ensure that the project remained watertight and didn’t threaten any further damage to the interior artwork, the rooftop crew worked in sections to chisel away the materials before installing the new system.

“The most difficult aspect of the project for our crew was the barreled sections,” said Josh. “We had to be meticulous about how the materials were installed to make sure they laid flat and looked good, especially in the valleys where the barreled sections came together.”

Working from the edge of the roof up to the peak, Lee’s Roofing mechanically attached three layers of 1 ½-inch ISO insulation before adhering Duro-Tuff membrane. Care was taken with each layer to form the material to the radial surfaces and valleys, ensuring a smooth finish. Once completed, EXCEPTIONAL Metals fascia, gutters and downspouts were installed along the perimeter to provide an attractive termination and efficient water flow off of the structure.

“Not only was the protection of the interior sanctuary a major concern, we also had to be mindful of the fact that the church was operating as normal throughout the entire project,” said Josh. “Our crew took extra time each day to make sure any old materials cleared from the rooftop were immediately disposed of, new materials were staged out of the way, and walkways inside and outside of the facility remained clear and safe. Because of this, all of their activities and services were able to continue without any disruptions.”

With an average crew of eight, Lee’s Roofing completed the project in approximately two months. Church leaders and members have since reached out to the Lee’s Roofing team to share their excitement over the performance of the new roof, as well as its continued distinction in the community. And the 20-year NDL warranty provided at the completion of the project ensures that the iconic artwork within the sanctuary will remain protected for the next generation of worshipers.

Contractor: Lee's Roofing & Spouting, Inc.

Project: St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church

Location: Columbus, OH

Square Feet:  12,500

Products: Duro-Tuff® 50 mil membrane; EXCEPTIONAL® Metals fascia, downspout, gutter

Learn more about Duro-Last in their RCS Directory.