Iowa State University’s Scheman Center is constantly in use, making any roofing problem or project a challenge. Built in the late 60s, the center is made up of several meeting rooms, an auditorium, an art gallery and an atrium/reception area. The original coal-tar pitch roof prematurely failed. It was hastily replaced using copper cap metal, chunks of which had a tendency to blow off when it was windy – not the best scenario for innocent passers-by.

Requiring constant repairs, this roof was replaced about 17 years ago with mechanically fastened thermoplastic hypalon. By the fall of 2000, there were active leaks and a lot of fasteners had pulled loose or were in the process of doing so. On windy days, you could actually see the roof flutter.