Construction contractors in Northern Ohio build in very demanding environments. The area has one of North America’s most active freeze/thaw cycles, as well as annual rainfall that is well above the U.S. average. The constant soaking, freezing, thawing and drying is a veritable test chamber for building materials. This environment is especially tough on window and roof sealants, which have to maintain their properties through the unrelenting swings in temperature and moisture.

That’s why Barbera Home Improvement, a 60-employee contractor based near Cleveland, is constantly on the lookout for better products to use on their jobsites. “We’ve tried every sealant,” said John Barbera, president. “We’ve settled on Novaflex.”

Novaflex® Metal Roof Sealant is formulated for easy application, especially in cold weather. “When flashing, you need to be able to finger trowel, and you can with Novaflex,” said Barbera. “It sticks even when it’s damp outside, and it’s easy to clean.”

Novaflex extrudes in temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 120˚F, becoming tack-free in 10 minutes and completely cured in up to two days. Its service temperature is -40˚F to +400˚F. The key to Novaflex’s performance characteristics is its exclusive silicone oxime formulation, which gives the sealant enhanced weather and UV resistance. The silicone oxime chemistry also improves long-term flexibility and adhesion. “We’ve been using Novaflex for two years now, and those first applications look as good today as the day we did them,” said Barbera.

Novaflex is designed for sealing and bonding around wood, masonry, steel, aluminum, PVC, roof tile and Kynar® coated metals. Contractors have used it successfully on flashing, trim, metal siding, metal roof, downspouts and gutters. “Novaflex is better on metal-to-metal and metal-to-masonry than any other sealant we’ve tried,” said Lee Franciscus, a roofing contractor who also operates in Northern Ohio.

 The sealant is VOC compliant (meets CARB and OTC Regulations) and meets or exceeds ASTM C-920-00, TT-S-001543A and TT-S-230C. For more information, visit the company's website, www.novagard.com.