The design and performance of asphalt shingles are better than ever. Modern shingles are more durable, last longer, and look better than they did even just a few years ago. Technological advances enhance shingles in new and important ways, such as reflecting solar radiation to keep structures cooler, and impeding algae growth in rainy environments.
U.S. manufacturers are leading the way in performance and aesthetic advances. Because of these enhanced characteristics, American-made asphalt shingles are specified for use around the globe. “Over the past decade, we’ve seen exports of American-made shingles increase dramatically,” stated Maureen Russell, CEO of R.M. Waite Company, LLC, a California-based exporter of building products.
International demand has led to construction projects using U.S. asphalt shingles in some very exotic places. One example: a government construction project at the southern tip of India, completed by Skybond Roofing International, based in Kerala State, India.
The stunning project is the new Ponmudi Amenity Center. Ponmudi is a tourist destination known for its natural beauty, luscious hiking trails, and stunning vistas. The Amenity Center was commissioned by the local State of Kerala government as a welcoming point for both domestic and international visitors.
The design of the Amenity Center includes two restaurants, a conference hall, a mini auditorium, a currency-exchange counter, and even yoga and Ayurveda natural-medicine centers. The main entrance extends to the lake for tourist access to boats and houseboats. The roof protecting this immense structure measures 6,500 square feet.
Located an at elevation of 3,600 feet above sea level, the Amenity Center experiences severe winds on par with those found in the western United States. Precipitation in tropical Kerala State is extreme, exceeding 120 inches per year on average. These environmental conditions dictated roof protection capable of withstanding severe weather. To stand up to these brutal winds, Skybond recommended heavy-duty Premier shingles in Pewter Gray from PABCO Roofing Products.
Selecting the Right Roof System
Skybond Roofing International has imported building products including asphalt shingles through R.M. Waite for more than 25 years. “The quality of the shingles we are able to import from R.M. Waite are essential to installing roofs that look great and have the durability to handle the extreme tropical weather of India,” said Arif KV, Director, Skybond Roofing International. “Based on the performance of PABCO Roofing shingles we’ve experienced in the monsoon-ravaged areas we service, there’s no doubt these shingles will hold up in environments throughout the world, including the U.S.”
High-humidity environments such as those found in southeast Asia require extra installation procedures, including the meticulous placement of underlayment. To help roofs shed water effectively, Skybond Roofing International installs a felt underlayment over the decking, laying one roll-width at a time from left to right, followed by the roof shingles, then another roll width of underlayment with proper overlap. This process is repeated multiple times until the roof is completely covered. Skybond also secures each shingle with five to six nails instead of the standard four for added protection.
Like many roofing contractors in the U.S., Skybond recognizes the versatility of asphalt shingles. This has led to some stunning uses of the product, like the Amenity Center. “The creative designs of PABCO shingles allows us to create show-stopper roofs that beautifully accent the stunning terrain of Kerala, India,” said Najeeb KV of Skybond.
The Premier line is the most popular line of architectural laminated shingles made by PABCO Roofing Products. This high-value shingle is manufactured to meet UL790 Class A Fire Resistance standards and comes in ten attractive color options. PABCO Premier shingles from PABCO Roofing Products are ideal for roofs throughout the western United States and include a limited lifetime warranty for the original homeowner and a 30-year fully transferrable warranty for subsequent homeowners.
For structures located in wet climates like those of Ponmudi, PABCO Roofing Products manufactures shingles with the Algae Defender option, which prevents development of unsightly black streaks caused by algae. With an industry-leading limited lifetime warranty, Algae Defender technology uses a precise, even distribution of copper granules on each shingle, which can also mitigate moss and lichen growth.
“We have been exporting PABCO Roofing shingles for decades and the beauty and durability of the products are second to none,” said Russell. “The reputation for the quality of U.S. made shingles is international, driving demand and resulting in some incredibly beautiful applications of shingle products.”
From groundbreaking to finish, construction of the Amenity Center was a 10-year project. Skybond began the roofing component of the project in January of 2013 and completed it in December 2021. The eye-catching roof by Skybond was the crowning step in the project, demonstrating that superior-quality asphalt shingles from the U.S. like those from PABCO Roofing Products are in high demand in the United States and around the world.
TEAM
Roofing Contractor: Skybond Roofing International, Kerala, India
MATERIALS
Architectural Shingles: Premier shingles in Pewter Gray, PABCO Roofing Products, pabcoroofing.com
Be the first to comment on "High-Quality, U.S.-Made Architectural Shingles Top Amenity Center in India"