🏗️ Mastering the Roof: A Guide to Product-Specific Submittals
In commercial roofing, the project's success is often decided long before the first roofer steps on the deck. The roofing submittal is the critical pre-construction process that ensures the materials specified by the architect are the same materials that arrive on-site.
A submittal package is a collection of documents, data, and samples a roofing contractor prepares and "submits" to the general contractor, architect, and engineer for approval. This process confirms compliance with the project specifications, verifies performance, and protects against costly errors.
However, not all submittals are created equal. The required documents for a simple TPO roof are vastly different from those for a complex standing-seam metal roof.
The Anatomy of a Roofing Submittal: Product-Specific Examples
The submittal package acts as the rulebook for the project. Here’s what’s typically required for common commercial roofing systems.
1. Single-Ply Membranes (TPO & EPDM)
For thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) roofing, the focus is on product data and certifications. The architect needs to verify the exact membrane and components being used.
Product Data Sheets (PDS): These are the non-negotiable core of the submittal. They must clearly state the:
Membrane Type: e.g., "60-mil Steel-Reinforced TPO" or "90-mil Non-Reinforced EPDM."
Manufacturer: GAF, Carlisle SynTec, Firestone, etc.
Color: e.g., "White," "Tan," or "Gray."
Installation Method: Fully Adhered, Mechanically Attached, or Ballasted.
Certifications:
ASTM Standards: For EPDM, the submittal must show compliance with ASTM D4637 (Standard Specification for EPDM Sheet).
UL & FM: Look for UL (Underwriters Laboratories) fire ratings and FM (Factory Mutual) Global wind uplift and hail ratings.
Warranty: A specimen of the manufacturer's warranty, such as a "20-Year NDL (No Dollar Limit) Total System Warranty."
Accessory Data: PDS for all other components, including insulation, cover boards, fasteners, adhesives, and pre-fabricated flashing.
2. Standing Seam Metal Roofing
Metal roof submittals are far more complex and visual, focusing heavily on custom fabrication and installation details.
Shop Drawings: This is the most critical component. Unlike a data sheet, these are custom-drawn by the contractor or manufacturer for the specific project. They must show:
Panel Layout: A plan of the roof showing the direction and layout of each panel.
Panel Profile: A cross-section of the panel itself (e.g., "1.5-inch Mechanical Lock").
Flashing Details: Custom drawings for all penetrations, curbs, ridges, eaves, and valleys, showing exactly how the metal will be folded and sealed.
Anchorage: Details on the clip type, fastener type, and spacing.
Product Data Sheets: Required for the base material, specifying:
Material: e.g., "24-Gauge Galvalume" or ".040 Aluminum."
Coating: The high-performance paint, such as "70% Kynar 500 / PVDF."
Physical Samples: The architect will want to see and feel the product.
Panel Sample: A 12- to 24-inch cut of the actual panel profile.
Color Chart: A physical "color chip" of the specified finish.
🤖 Streamlining the Chaos with Modern Tools
The traditional submittal process is notoriously slow, relying on binders, spreadsheets, and endless email chains. Tracking revisions, ensuring the correct data is in the right package, and managing approvals is a full-time job.
This is where digital tools like www.submittal.app are transforming the workflow. Instead of building packages manually, these platforms act as a central hub to automate and manage the entire process.
Here’s how a tool like Submittal.app addresses the key pain points:
AI-Powered Creation: It can use AI to read construction specifications and automatically generate a list of required submittals, saving hours of manual data entry.
Central Product Library: You can maintain a database of your most-used products. When you need to create a TPO submittal, you simply pull in the GAF 60-mil data sheet, warranty, and certifications from your library instead of searching for them every time.
Automated Tracking: The platform tracks the status of every submittal in real-time. You know instantly what has been sent, what's "in review" with the architect, and what has been "approved" or "rejected."
Branded Templates: You can create professional, branded submittal packages with your company logo, a cover page, and a table of contents, all compiled into a single, organized PDF.
By leveraging an AI-powered tool, roofing contractors can significantly reduce the time spent on paperwork, minimize the risk of human error, and provide a more professional and efficient experience for the entire project team.
