Liquid-applied roofing systems are growing in popularity for roof restoration and protection as an alternative to roof tear-offs and replacement. As the specifier of a liquid-applied roofing system or a building owner looking to hire a coatings contractor, you want assurance that the system you've chosen will be installed correctly and continue to perform over time.
That's precisely what hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor guarantees. When you're seeking a seamless liquid-applied membrane system with long-term performance backed by a best-in-class commercial roof warranty, hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor is a strategic move toward both quality and peace of mind.
Revamped in 2024 as part of the GAF Commercial Certification Program refresh, the GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor level helps identify and elevate top-tier contractors in the field of roof coatings and liquid-applied roofing systems.
What Is the GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor Designation?
Because the installation of roof coatings requires experience, expertise, and a thorough analysis of the existing roof assembly, it can be challenging to confidently choose a contractor with the necessary level of expertise. GAF has made it easier for specifiers and building owners to identify and hire a roof coatings contractor through the GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor certification.
Tim Botkin, GAF Manager of National Accounts for Commercial Roofing Systems, emphasizes that building owners and specifiers can be assured that contractors have the requisite skills and experience by hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor.
As he explains, "It's important that our contractors understand not only the technique of how to put that roof on correctly but also how to prep the roof—90% of coatings work is prep and choosing the right system. That's what we teach our contractors to really understand. That's the importance of what GAF is doing with the GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractors—making sure they are the elite among contractors."
To qualify for the GAF CoatingsPro+™ designation, contractors must meet rigorous standards. In addition to fulfilling professional insurance requirements, employing dedicated and experienced roofing crews, and using the right equipment for the job, the following qualifications are vitally important:
- Project Volume: Contractors must demonstrate an extensive portfolio of successful roof coatings projects in diverse geographical areas.
- Product Familiarity: Contractors should have experience successfully installing a variety of GAF coatings, from acrylic and silicone to polyurethane, and they must know which coatings are appropriate for specific project conditions.
- Experience with Roof Assemblies: It's important for roof coating contractors to have extensive experience with a range of roof assemblies—from built-up roofing to modified bitumen and single-ply membranes—and a variety of substrates and attachment methods. This varied experience makes it possible to evaluate whether an existing roof would be a suitable candidate for a liquid-applied roofing membrane as well as perform the proper prep work before installation.
- Team Collaboration: Hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor is an assurance that the contractor has strong working relationships with GAF Territory Managers, Technical Sales Representatives, field inspectors, and materials suppliers. GAF, in turn, provides contractors with a deep bench of technical professionals who have the expertise to provide guidance, training, digital tools, and product-specific information.
- Familiarity with Project Conditions: When hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+ Contractor, you can be assured that they are familiar with the code requirements and climatic conditions of your particular project location.
Benefits for Building Owners and Specifiers
As a building owner, you want to have confidence that hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor will provide a quality installation that the manufacturer stands behind.
As a top-tier installer, a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor can offer one of the strongest commercial liquid-applied roofing warranties available. The Liquid Applied Diamond Pledge™ NDL Roof Guarantee, which has a no-dollar limit, covers both material failure and workmanship for up to 20 years, with no monetary cap on repair costs and no proration based on the age of the roof.
Specifiers of liquid-applied roofing systems can rest assured that by specifying a GAF roof coating with installation by a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor, they're ensuring not only a quality installation but also a thorough analysis and preparation of the existing roof assembly. Because detailed knowledge of a wide range of roofing systems is an essential part of a successful roof coating installation, a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor can advise the specifier and building owner based on the survey results of the existing roof and provide recommendations for roofing prep and coating selection.
What GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractors Have to Say
Contractors who are part of the GAF CoatingsPro+™ certification program take pride in their ability to provide customers with a quality installation backed by a high level of service and a strong warranty.
Jeff Starkweather, owner of Starkweather Roofing, has been a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor since the program began. Jeff states, "I partner with GAF because the products and service are great. It means a lot for me to be able to tell my customers I'm a top-certified contractor with the largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America."
Billy Landes of Riverland Roofing, another designated GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor, says: "The GAF CoatingsPro+™ program is a great way to set myself apart from my competition and let my customers know the kind of work they get when they hire my team for the job."
Tips for Hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor
When specifying a GAF roof coating, you can include the requirement for hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor in your Division 07 roofing specifications. As a building owner interested in hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor, you can find a list of qualified contractors on our commercial contractor locator here, or you can contact a GAF Technical Sales Representative for a recommendation in your area.
Just as you're looking for a seamless liquid-applied roofing membrane for your project, you can be confident that hiring a GAF CoatingsPro+™ Contractor will also ensure a seamless installation experience from start to finish.
