The project began earlier this year in Oshkosh, Wis., where the modular units were constructed. Quality Roofing, a commercial roofer based in Marshfield and Menomonie, Wis., was chosen to install the roofing systems on each unit before the buildings were transported to Alaska.

Once the nine modules arrived in Dutch Harbor and were placed together on-site, the Quality Roofing team traveled to Alaska to complete the final phase of the project.

Led by Project Manager Armando Ponce, the crew consisted of Gregg Knapp, Andrew Stachowicz, Kyle Schultz, Kole Johnson, Travis Tomczik, and Michael Wagner. They completed the roof tie-ins between the individual modular units, filled and weatherproofed the gaps created when the buildings were joined together, and installed roofing membrane across the connections to create one complete, weather-ready roofing system.

“This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime project for our team,” said Ponce. “We started by roofing these individual buildings in Wisconsin, knowing they would eventually be transported all the way to Alaska. Being able to travel to Dutch Harbor, see everything come together and complete the final roofing work was an incredible experience for our crew.”

The project presented several challenges beyond those encountered on a typical commercial roofing job. Because the finished building is located in Alaska and exposed to demanding weather conditions, the roofing system needed to meet specific performance requirements.

Quality Roofing installed a Johns Manville roofing system designed to carry a 120 mph wind speed warranty and a one-inch hail rating. The system also had to accommodate the unusual construction process, including transportation of the individual modular units after the initial roofing work was completed.

Completing the project required coordination among Quality Roofing, the general contractor, modular builders and other trades working on the facility.

Modular construction has become another area where Quality Roofing has been able to apply its commercial roofing experience. The company previously completed roofing work on a modular project for Aspirus in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. That experience helped lead to the opportunity to participate in the Dutch Harbor project.

For Quality Roofing, the completed Alaska project demonstrates how the skills of a Wisconsin-based roofing team can reach far beyond the communities it typically serves.

“Projects like this challenge our team to adapt and solve problems that you don't encounter on an everyday roofing project,” Ponce said. “Our crew did an outstanding job both in Wisconsin and Alaska, and we're proud to have been part of a project that will ultimately serve the Dutch Harbor community.”

With the final tie-in work now complete, the Quality Roofing crew has returned to Wisconsin, bringing an unusual Wisconsin-to-Alaska roofing project to a successful close.