GAF Materials Corporation

Last updated
GAF Materials Corporation
Company typeManufacturing company
IndustryRoofing
Founded1886  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Headquarters
United States  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Key people
John Altmeyer (CEO)
Products Asphalt shingles
TPO, ISO, PVC
Roofing accessories
Coatings
Number of employees
4,000+
Parent Standard Industries

GAF is an American manufacturing company based in Parsippany, New Jersey. [1] Operating as a subsidiary of Standard Industries, GAF is the leading roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America, with 30 locations across the U.S. GAF produces both commercial and residential roofing products, as well as pavement coatings. John Altmeyer is the company’s current CEO. [2] [3]

Contents

History

Residential Roofing Process Residential Roofing Process.jpg
Residential Roofing Process

Originally founded as the Standard Paint Company, GAF was established in 1886 in Bound Brook, New Jersey. [4] [5] The company introduced the first ready-to-lay asphalt roll roofing product, known as “Ruberoid,” in 1892. [5] [6] The Ruberoid product was further enhanced in 1898 when ceramic granules were added to Ruberoid rolls to increase durability and fire resistance. [5] The company subsequently changed its name to The Ruberoid Co. in 1921. [5] [6]

In 1967, the company merged with General Aniline & Film and launched Timberline, the first-ever laminated shingle to be released. [5] [6] [7] [8] The following year, the company rebranded to GAF. [8] [9]

A new board of directors was established in 1983, with Samuel J. Heyman stepping into the roles of Chairman and CEO. [10]

In 2007, GAF merged with Elk Corporation, a manufacturer of asphalt felts and coatings. [11] In 2011, GAF became the first roofing manufacturer to offer a Lifetime Limited Warranty on all laminated shingles. [5] [6]

GAF Energy, a sister company which offers affordable integrated rooftop solar options, was launched in 2019. [12] In 2020, the company released Timberline HDZ shingles with LayerLock Technology and began offering the GAF WindProven Limited Wind Warranty, the first wind warranty for roofing shingles with no maximum wind speed limitation on GAF shingles with LayerLock Technology when installed with the required combination of four GAF accessories. [13] That same year, GAF launched GAF Community Matters, a social impact initiative. [14]

Commercial Roofing Process Commercial Roofing Process.jpg
Commercial Roofing Process

In 2021, the company created the GAF RoofCycle Process, a patented recycling process that diverts post-consumer waste from landfills for reuse in the manufacture of new GAF shingles. [15]

Alongside fellow Standard Industries company GAF Energy, the companies launched Timberline Solar, the world’s first nailable solar shingle, in 2022. [16] GAF disclosed its 2030 Planet Goals that same year, which includes reduced carbon emissions, an 80% waste diversion rate across all manufacturing facilities, and establishing a circular economy into the roofing sector, including the introduction of the GAF RoofCycle process across North America. [17] In the summer of 2022, the company announced the expansion of its commercial manufacturing operations with two new locations in Peru, Illinois and Valdosta, Georgia. [18] [19]

In January 2023, GAF announced the reengineering and relaunch of Timberline Ultra High Definition (UHD) as Timberline UHDZ shingles; new features include LayerLock technology and StrikeZone nailing area, making these shingles easy and fast to install. [20]

Operations

Tampa Manufacturing Facility Tampa Manufacturing Facility.jpg
Tampa Manufacturing Facility

GAF products are manufactured at locations across the country which are distributed by national distributors and retailers, such as ABC Supply, The Home Depot, and Lowe’s, and are installed by independent roofing contractors. [21] [22] [23] GAF has manufacturing operations across the United States: [24] [25] [26]

Residential Roofing Plants

Commercial Roofing Plants

Coatings

Community Matters

The company launched GAF Community Matters, a social impact initiative, in 2020. [14] Since its launch, GAF Community Matters has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, Team Rubicon, and Good360, as well as other non-profit organizations. [3] [27] [28]

In 2022, Community Matters announced a partnership with Anthony Mackie to replace 500 roofs of families in need throughout the Gulf Region that were impacted by severe weather. [29] In July 2022, GAF launched the Cool Community Project, which works to mitigate urban heat island effects by painting hot city surfaces (i.e. pavement) with GAF’s solar-reflective StreetBond pavement coating. The Cool Community Project has partnered with Climate Resolve, as well as other nonprofit partners. [30] [31]

The Community Matters program also includes GAF Roofing Academy, which combines in-classroom and hands-on training to provide individuals with the necessary skills for an entry-level roofing position. [32] The GAF Roofing Academy offers commercial, residential, & solar training and works with contractors nationwide in order to provide trainees with job opportunities. The program has offered training to underrepresented groups, such as women, veterans, and prison inmates. [33] [34] [35] [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roof</span> Top covering of a building

A roof is the top covering of a building, including all materials and constructions necessary to support it on the walls of the building or on uprights, providing protection against rain, snow, sunlight, extremes of temperature, and wind. A roof is part of the building envelope.

Owens Corning is an American company that develops and produces insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites and related materials and products. It is the world's largest manufacturer of fiberglass composites. It was formed in 1935 as a partnership between two major American glassworks, Corning Glass Works and Owens-Illinois. The company employs approximately 19,000 people around the world. Owens Corning has been a Fortune 500 company every year since the list was created in 1955. The Pink Panther acts as the company's mascot and appears in most of their advertisements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radiant barrier</span>

A radiant barrier is a type of building material that reflects thermal radiation and reduces heat transfer. Because thermal energy is also transferred by conduction and convection, in addition to radiation, radiant barriers are often supplemented with thermal insulation that slows down heat transfer by conduction or convection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flat roof</span> Type of roof

A flat roof is a roof which is almost level in contrast to the many types of sloped roofs. The slope of a roof is properly known as its pitch and flat roofs have up to approximately 10°. Flat roofs are an ancient form mostly used in arid climates and allow the roof space to be used as a living space or a living roof. Flat roofs, or "low-slope" roofs, are also commonly found on commercial buildings throughout the world. The U.S.-based National Roofing Contractors Association defines a low-slope roof as having a slope of 3 in 12 (1:4) or less.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roof shingle</span> Overlapping plates for covering a roof

Roof shingles are a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements. These elements are typically flat, rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive course overlapping the joints below. Shingles are held by the roof rafters and are made of various materials such as wood, slate, flagstone, metal, plastic, and composite materials such as fibre cement and asphalt shingles. Ceramic roof tiles, which still dominate in Europe and some parts of Asia, are still usually called tiles. Roof shingles may deteriorate faster and need to repel more water than wall shingles. They are a very common roofing material in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wood shingle</span> Tapered pieces to cover building roofs and walls

Wood shingles are thin, tapered pieces of wood primarily used to cover roofs and walls of buildings to protect them from the weather. Historically shingles, also known as shakes, were split from straight grained, knot free bolts of wood. Today shingles are mostly made by being cut which distinguishes them from shakes, which are made by being split out of a bolt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reflective surfaces (climate engineering)</span>

Reflective surfaces, or ground-based albedo modification (GBAM), is a solar radiation management method of enhancing Earth's albedo. The IPCC described this method as "whitening roofs, changes in land use management, change of albedo at a larger scale ."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metal roof</span> Roofing system featuring metal pieces or tiles

A metal roof is a roofing system featuring metal pieces or tiles exhibiting corrosion resistance, impermeability to water, and long life. It is a component of the building envelope. The metal pieces may be a covering on a structural, non-waterproof roof, or they could be self-supporting sheets.

Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) was an American photovoltaics manufacturer of thin-film solar cells made of amorphous silicon used in flexible laminates and in building-integrated photovoltaics. The company was also a manufacturer of rechargeable batteries and other renewable energy related products. ECD was headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asphalt shingle</span> Type of shingle

An asphalt shingle is a type of wall or roof shingle that uses asphalt for waterproofing. It is one of the most widely used roofing covers in North America because it has a relatively inexpensive up-front cost and is fairly simple to install.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roofer</span> Profession specialising in building roof construction

A roofer, roof mechanic, or roofing contractor is a tradesperson who specializes in roof construction. Roofers replace, repair, and install the roofs of buildings, using a variety of materials, including shingles, bitumen, and metal. Roofing work includes the hoisting, storage, application, and removal of roofing materials and equipment, including related insulation, sheet metal, vapor barrier work, and green technologies rooftop jobs such as vegetative roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and photovoltaic products, such as solar shingles and solar tiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar shingle</span> Type of solar panel

Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are solar panels designed to look like and function as conventional roofing materials, such as asphalt shingle or slate, while also producing electricity. Solar shingles are a type of solar energy solution known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building-integrated photovoltaics</span> Photovoltaic materials used to replace conventional building materials

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are photovoltaic materials that are used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building envelope such as the roof, skylights, or façades. They are increasingly being incorporated into the construction of new buildings as a principal or ancillary source of electrical power, although existing buildings may be retrofitted with similar technology. The advantage of integrated photovoltaics over more common non-integrated systems is that the initial cost can be offset by reducing the amount spent on building materials and labor that would normally be used to construct the part of the building that the BIPV modules replace. In addition, BIPV allows for more widespread solar adoption when the building's aesthetics matter and traditional rack-mounted solar panels would disrupt the intended look of the building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bituminous waterproofing</span> Roll roofing and waterproofing material

Bituminous waterproofing systems are designed to protect residential and commercial buildings. Bitumen is a material made up of organic liquids that are highly sticky, viscous, and waterproof. Systems incorporating bituminous-based substrates are sometimes used to construct roofs, in the form of "roofing felt" or "roll roofing" products.

Asphalt roll roofing or membrane is a roofing material commonly used for buildings that feature a low sloped roof pitch in North America. The material is based on the same materials used in asphalt shingles; an organic felt or fiberglass mat, saturated with asphalt, and faced with granular stone aggregate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roof tiles</span> Tile designed to keep out rain

Roof tiles are overlapping tiles designed mainly to keep out rain or snow, and are traditionally made from locally available materials such as clay or slate. Later tiles have been made from materials such as concrete, and plastic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rooftop solar power</span> Type of photovoltaic system

A rooftop solar power system, or rooftop PV system, is a photovoltaic (PV) system that has its electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftop of a residential or commercial building or structure. The various components of such a system include photovoltaic modules, mounting systems, cables, solar inverters and other electrical accessories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesla Energy</span> American solar energy generation and battery energy storage company

Tesla Energy Operations, Inc. is the clean energy division of Tesla, Inc. that develops, manufactures, sells and installs photovoltaic solar energy generation systems, battery energy storage products and other related products and services to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Standard Industries is an American privately-held global industrial conglomerate headquartered in New York City. Standard is the parent company of a number of industrial manufacturers, roofing and solar companies, and related real estate and investment platforms. David Millstone and David Winter are co-CEOs of the company.

References

  1. "GAF | Contact GAF". GAF.com.
  2. "GAF Certified Roofing Contractor". RRS. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Shari Rudolph (September 15, 2021). "GAF and Good360 Partner to Strengthen Storm Response in the Southeast". Good 360.
  4. Sanitary and Heating Age. Sanitary and Heating Publishing. 1904. p. 69.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The History of GAF". National Roofing Museum.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "What Type Of Asphalt Shingle Is Best For Your Home Or Business?". Schick Roofing. March 25, 2021.
  7. "Two Chemical Company Boards Approve Merger". The Oregonian . Portland, Oregon. March 2, 1967. p. 31.
  8. 1 2 "GAF (General Aniline & Film) and Ruberoid". Brown Lawyers.
  9. Barton, Frank (May 12, 1968). "New Name Merry-Go-Round". The Sunday Oregonian . Section 1, p. 33. General Aniline & Film .... changed its name to GAF Corporation at the annual meeting in Portland on April 23.
  10. "Samuel J. Heyman '63 [1939—2009]". Harvard Law School. November 9, 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  11. "GAF and Elk Announce Details of Merger". Roofing Contractor. April 10, 2007.
  12. Andrew Dietderich (May 24, 2019). "Report: GAF Energy Has Installed 'Hundreds' of Solar Roofs". Roofing Contractor.
  13. "GAF Unveils Timberline HDZ Shingles and No-Limit Wind Warranty". Roofing Contractor. January 10, 2020.
  14. 1 2 "GAF Introduces Community Matters Social Impact Initiative". Roofing Contractor. January 23, 2020.
  15. Caroline Broderick (April 29, 2021). "GAF INTRODUCES THE FIRST RECYCLED SHINGLES CREATED FROM WASTE". Residential Products Online.
  16. "Timberline Solar by GAF Energy: A Solid Solar Roof Option". CNET. November 7, 2023.
  17. "GAF Commits to Reducing Environmental Impact with 2030 Planet Goals". Roofing Contractor. April 22, 2022.
  18. Olivia Doak (January 30, 2023). "GAF construction in Peru takes off, 50-70 workers on site daily". Shaw Local News.
  19. "Roofing company, GAF, opening factory in Valdosta, Georgia". Fox Business. September 7, 2022.
  20. "GAF Launches Timberline Ultra HDZ Line of Laminate Shingles". Roofing Contractor. February 28, 2023.
  21. "GAF Roof Shingles". Lowe's.
  22. "MyABCsupply and GAF QuickMeasure Come Together to Help Contractors Save Time and Money". ABC. June 8, 2021.
  23. "GAF Roof Shingles". Home Deport.
  24. "Roofing company, GAF, opening factory in Valdosta, Georgia". Fox Business. September 7, 2022.
  25. Olivia Doak (July 14, 2022). "Peru chosen by roofing manufacturer GAF as site for new plant, creating 70 jobs". Shaw Local News.
  26. "About Us". GAF.
  27. "GAF Participates in Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project". Retro Fit Magazine. October 16, 2023.
  28. Julie H. Case (January 17, 2022). "Roofs to Get Raised for Tornado Survivors in Historic Selma". Team Rubicon.
  29. "GAF and actor Anthony Mackie repair roofs of 500 homes devastated by natural disasters". LBM. September 22, 2023.
  30. Christian Yonkers. "GAF's First Urban Heat Project Produces Cool Results". Sustainable Brands.
  31. Laura Cowan (August 2, 2023). "GAF creates innovative cooling solutions for overheated cities". In Habitat.
  32. "GAF Partners with SoCal Contractors to Bring GAF Roofing Academy Training and Employment Opportunities to Local Communities". Roofing Magazine. October 17, 2023.
  33. Pavithra Mohan (March 5, 2020). "'Everybody needs a roof': How a new job academy plans to turn roofers into millionaires". Fast Company.
  34. Blake Stilwell (February 25, 2022). "How Veterans Can Get Started in Roofing Careers in Two Weeks – for Free". Military.com.
  35. Cathy Free (February 28, 2023). "People doubt her as a female roofer: 'We're proving them wrong every day'". Washington Post.
  36. "Chesterfield inmates learn roofing skills while in jail: 'They really just need an opportunity'". WTVR.