Spotlight on Latest Synthetic Underlayment News

Extreme performance, “cool” colors and contractor resources, Owens Corning sets the standard for synthetic underlayments and shingles at International Roofing Expo.

Owens Corning’s in-booth experiences at the 2021 IRE show will highlight support for the recently-adopted standard for synthetic underlayments; shingle innovations that stand up to extreme weather conditions; the latest news on shingle color; and technologies to efficiently support roofing contractors’ businesses.

Supporting a new standard for synthetic underlayments 

Late last year, ASTM D8257 was approved for the sole purpose of determining the suitability of synthetic underlayment products for use as steep-slope roofing underlayments. Owens Corning has already started the process of proposing that ASTM D8257 be incorporated into the 2024 ICodes and the 2023 Florida Building Code. This new standard includes many tests and a level of performance that applies specifically to this category of products - much more so than the older felt standards.

Earlier this year, Owens Corning developed a new look for its ProArmor synthetic underlayment. All Owens Corning underlayments are an important part of The Total Protection Roofing System® - a system approach that provides complete protection for a home in three critical aspects - SEAL. DEFEND. BREATHE. ™ The end result is a high-performance roofing system that is more than the sum of its parts.

Performance in the extreme

Incidents of extreme weather across the United States demonstrate the wind, rain, and temperatures that threaten residential roofs. For wind-resistance performance, Owens Corning is showing how Oakridge® and Duration® Series Shingles outperform where it matters most – in the nailing zone. Equipped with a double-layer nail zone, Oakridge® shingles deliver up to 2 times better nail pull-through resistance, up to 7 times better nail blow-through resistance, and up to 1.5 times better delamination resistance versus the top competitors.* Hands-on experiences in the booth will allow visitors to put Owens Corning shingles’ wind resistance to the test.

Taking performance to an even higher level, Duration® Series shingles feature a triple layer of reinforcement in the nailing zone that delivers up to 2.5 times better nail pull-through resistance, up to 9 times better nail blow-through resistance, and up to 2 times better delamination resistance versus the top competitors.* Nine out of 10 contractors agree that shingles are more securely fastened when nailed through a common bond in the nailing zone.

Standard on all Duration® Series shingles is the patented SureNail® Technology, featuring a wide, highly visible engineered fabric strip in the nailing area for a consistent, quality installation and outstanding gripping power. Nine out of 10 contractors agree that SureNail® technology gives the most visible nailing line.

Among the offerings to defend homes against stormy weather, TruDefinition® Duration FLEX® shingles are made with a proprietary blend of SBS polymer modified asphalt to deliver a rubberizing effect and offer the highest impact rating: UL 2218 Class 4. Duration FLEX® shingles feature outstanding flexibility and enhanced durability and toughness, even under intense storm conditions. Like other Duration Series shingles, Duration FLEX® shingles have a limited lifetime warranty and a limited lifetime 130-MPH wind resistance limited warranty.

Color and comfort combine

As temperatures increase, the Owens Corning® Duration® COOL Plus Collection can help keep roofs cooler for a more comfortable home. Available in an array of colors, every shingle in the COOL Roof Collection features a precise mix of solar-reflecting granules to help comply with the Solar Reflective Index (SRI) requirements of California’s Title 24 Part 6. The 2021 Owens Corning Shingle Color of the Year, Aged Copper, will be on display in the IRE virtual booth, along with design boards. As part of the TruDefinition® Duration® Designer Colors Collection shingle line, the shade evokes a sense of calm and serenity and a respite uniquely found in nature.

Contractor Resources

Learning on Demand: Owens Corning University (OCU) recently introduced an E-Learning Hub providing easy access to industry-leading information, online training, and education covering every aspect of a contractor’s business. The hub houses curated resources such as on-demand webinars, installation videos, and training materials, making it easy for contractors and distributors to navigate topics, filter by a category, and efficiently access resources on demand. The E-Learning Hub is just the latest resource added to a comprehensive suite of digital, on-demand learning tools.

Technology toolkit: A surge in residential remodeling and construction is making efficiency even more essential for contractors’ businesses. The newly launched Owens Corning ProSellTM 2.0 app contains new enhancements to simplify and synchronize the roofing sales process, from pitching through payment. ProSell 2.0 app allows contractors to customize pre-loaded packages with specific components such as underlayment, hip and ridge shingles, etc. The app includes preloaded product collateral and even generates proposals and agreements. An intuitive interface and pre-defined templates make ProSell easy to use from day one. Easy-to-build pricing guide capabilities and support for remote selling and remote payments are also included.

The Build Your Roof™ online tool engages, educates and empowers homeowners to understand how each layer and component of the Total Protection Roofing System® supports performance. The widget explains how the roofing system seal, defend, and breathe functions work together to create a waterproof barrier, defend against nature’s elements, and help airflow through the attic to manage temperature and moisture.

About Owens Corning 

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) develops, manufactures and markets insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites. Global in scope and human in scale, the company’s market-leading businesses use their deep expertise in materials, manufacturing, and building science to develop products and systems that save energy and improve comfort in commercial and residential buildings. Through its glass reinforcements business, the company makes thousands of products lighter, stronger and more durable. Ultimately, Owens Corning's people and products make the world a better place. Based in Toledo, Ohio, Owens Corning posted 2017 sales of $6.4 billion and employs 19,000 people in 37 countries. It has been a Fortune 500® company for 64 consecutive years. For more information, please visit www.owenscorning.com.