Snyder Celebrates Feat of Tech with Undulating Barrel Roof at PDX

Portland, Ore.’s new main terminal at Portland International Airport is complete

Snyder, a leading commercial roofing and waterproofing company in the Pacific Northwest, is celebrating the completion of the main terminal at Portland International Airport, or PDX, as part of an ambitious “PDX Next” redesign and expansion project.

Completion of the main terminal is one of Oregon’s largest public works projects since statehood, according to a September 5 news release by Snyder.

Snyder's team constructed each 12,000-square-foot roof section on the ground, where they were then transported nearly three-quarters of a mile, lifted 80 feet into the air and connected each section to make the completed roof structure. Photo: Business Wire

Snyder constructed the innovative roofing system central to the airport's transformative design in coordination with Hoffman Construction Company, Skanska USA, ZGF Architects and nearly 150 other local partners.

Snyder said a noteworthy aspect is that 100% of the wood used in the roof was sustainably sourced within a 300-mile radius in collaboration with local tribes, family-owned farms, and the Nature Conservancy.

“For me, this is the most satisfying project I’ve been a part of in more than 23 years at Snyder,” said foreman Victor Frias. “The logistics, communication, scheduling, prefabrication, and the ongoing collaboration with multiple contractors on such a complex design has been incredible.”

The roof comprises a Siplast Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene system with a vapor barrier, insulation, and cover board installed with a combination of hot asphalt and torch-applied membranes. Snyder said the undulating barrel design was chosen to withstand the Pacific Northwest's demanding weather and ensure long-term durability.

The roof installation covers more than eight acres and required 800,000 pounds of asphalt to complete.

The project presented unique logistical challenges, too, including working within an active airfield. Snyder's team constructed each 12,000-square-foot roof section on the ground, where it was then transported nearly three-quarters of a mile and lifted 80 feet into the air.

Each section was then connected to make the completed roof structure. Snyder reported that the roof’s design, with slopes ranging from 1/4:12 to 5:12 and thicknesses up to 26 inches (R-156), demanded expert precision and coordination.

“Every move was carefully choreographed and executed in the middle of the night,” Brad Harrison, senior manager of engineering and construction at Port of Portland, said. “Installing the roof in 18 sections, each weighing over 600,000 pounds and as large as a football field, was remarkable.”

With this phase complete, Snyder said it looks forward to full project completion in 2026.

For more information, visit snyder-builds.com.