The Role of Cover Boards in Commercial Roofing

Cover boards have the unique ability to enhance the overall performance of commercial roof systems. As a higher compressive strength substrate beneath the single-ply membrane, cover boards enhance wind uplift, hail, foot traffic, and even puncture resistance. By enhancing the overall roof system performance, often longer duration warranties and/or higher peak gust wind speeds may be available.

Many cover board options exist, including; High-Density Polyiso, Gypsum, OSB, and Recycled. Each option provides a host of performance benefits to the roof system. Composite options also exist in which the base insulation is manufactured directly to the cover board above, providing a dual-purpose solution in a single product.

Cover board selection considerations:

• Fastening requirements – many products offer reduced fastening schedules
• Moisture resistance – options range in their ability to perform in the presence of moisture
• Handling and cutting – product weight and ease of cutting
• Insulating value – some options provide insulating value, adding additional R-value to the roof system

Reference Carlisle SynTec’s Cover Board Quick Reference Guide for more information.