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Baker Roofing Company

Asheville High School Presents a Beautiful Challenge

Aerial view of a high school with red and orange clay roof tile

This year we had the pleasure of completing one of the most beautiful and intricate projects in Baker Roofing Company’s history. In partnership with Vannoy Construction, we completed the Ludowici clay tile roof replacement of multiple buildings at Asheville High School in western North Carolina.

It was an incredible undertaking and required a collaborative effort between our operational teams in Asheville and Raleigh. The Asheville High School project required a reroof of 12 buildings with 15 different roof sections. Our team conducted a complete tear off of all 12 buildings with extra care taken as a few of the roofs contained asbestos.

The installation of new roofing for the school covered a wide array of system types consisting of TPO (low-slope and tapered insulation), as well as Ludowici roof tile.  The school, originally constructed in 1929, boasted unique and beautiful tile roofs that required replacement reflecting its original charm and design. That was achieved with the installation of the new Ludowici roofing tile system.  The existing Ludowici tile, copper trims, cornice, and gutters were removed from the main building, and any rotted wood was replaced. When the new tiles were installed, they were staggered 5/8 horizontally to give the appearance of the original tiles. The existing internal gutter drains were also removed, and new collector heads and downspouts were added externally for gutter drainage. Additional staging concerns were addressed during the installation of the Ludowici system to ensure tear-off, dry-in, and installation schedules were strictly followed to maintain the water-tightness of the building.

This was a large project that required the use of cranes, sky tracks, and a Bocker machine for loading materials. This project posed a few challenges due to the size of the project as well as the number of different trades needing to work around each other’s schedules. The scope of the project was incredible, but Baker Roofing Company was up to the task.  It was a great project that was very well planned by Vannoy Construction. While there were many components and stages of the project Baker Roofing Company is proud of, the beauty of the work can be most directly observed in the completed Ludowici roofs.
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Waterhead

A box-shaped component that connects scuppers to downspouts, helping control the flow of roof runoff and avoiding unsightly cascades. Waterheads are also called conductor heads or rainheads.

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Expansion Joints

Flexible joints built into a roof system that absorb movement from expansion and contraction. They prevent cracking and leaks at connections between different parts of your roof assembly.

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Drip Edge

An L-shaped piece of roof edge flashing that helps rainwater flow off the roof and away from the fascia boards. It prevents water from seeping under shingles or other roofing materials, protecting the roof deck from rot.

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Capillary Action

The process where water moves into tiny gaps or along narrow spaces, often against gravity, because of surface tension. In roofing, it can draw water into seams or cut edges, leading to hidden leaks and damage.

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Membrane

The waterproof layer in a roofing system that protects the building from water intrusion and reflects sunlight, lowering energy costs. It’s usually the top layer of the roofing system and can be made of materials like TPO, PVC, EPDM, or modified bitumen.

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Heat welded thermoplastic membrane

A type of white single-ply roofing membrane that’s sealed at the seams using hot air, creating a waterproof layer over the roof. It’s commonly used on flat or low-slope commercial buildings, since these roofs need to most protection from water infiltration.

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EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer)

A black, gray or white rubber roofing membrane known for its long lifespan. It’s commonly used on flat or low-slope buildings and is typically glued down, mechanically fastened or ballasted, not heat-welded.

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PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

A high-end type of heat-welded thermoplastic membrane that stands up well to oils and chemicals. It’s ideal for restaurants or industrial buildings for its extra resistance, though it usually costs more.

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TPO (thermoplastic olefin)

A durable type of heat-welded thermoplastic membrane that reflects sunlight and helps reduce cooling costs. It’s a cost-effective option for flat roofs but may not perform as well as PVC in harsh environments.

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End cap

A metal cap that seals the open end of gutters, flashings, or panels. End caps prevent water from spilling and protect roof edges from corrosion or leaks.
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Soldered joint

A watertight joint created by joining metal roofing or flashing components together. Soldered joints provide long-lasting, durable seals against water infiltration.

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Parapet wall

The short wall that extends above the roofline, often around the roof’s edge, to provide safety, block wind, and in some cases help manage water drainage. In roofing, parapet walls are usually capped with coping to keep water from seeping into the wall structure.

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Retro drain

A roof drain retrofit designed to fit inside existing piping without major demolition. Retro drains are cost-effective solutions for improving drainage on older roofs.  

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