Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Building Type: Historic Mausoleum
Roof Area: ~10,000 sq. ft.
System: 80 mil Duro-Last® Fleece-Adhered Membrane
Project Overview
Technique Roofing was brought into this project through an existing relationship with a board member of Lakewood Cemetery, who had previously worked with us on a commercial roofing project for his HVAC company. The cemetery’s maintenance team had been attempting to patch and manage persistent ceiling leaks using asphalt—a temporary fix that was no longer sustainable. After our site assessment, we determined that a full roofing system replacement was the most appropriate long-term solution for this century-old mausoleum.
Scope of Work
- Roof Removal & Inspection The existing system consisted of an aged, aluminum-coated modified bitumen roof installed directly over concrete. We removed the old membrane and evaluated the roof substrate.
- Tapered Insulation System To address ponding concerns, we installed ¼” per foot tapered insulation, providing positive drainage and eliminating standing water.
- High-Density Coverboard A ½” high-density coverboard was installed to strengthen the substrate and provide a stable base for the adhered membrane.
- Premium Membrane Installation We adhered an 80 mil fleece-backed Duro-Last PVC membrane across the full roof surface. This premium system was selected for its durability, long-term warranty, and compatibility with historical structures.
- Edge & Drainage Details We installed new drip edge, a two-piece compression edge metal system, and upgraded the gutters and downspouts with matching color for visual continuity.
- Skylight Replacement Replaced aged skylights with new white acrylic dome skylights to improve natural lighting and energy efficiency inside the mausoleum.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge
- Ongoing funerals during construction
- Old stone wall surfaces not fit for membrane termination
- Deteriorated masonry joints
Technique Roofing’s Response
- Paused work ~60 minutes per service to respect families and preserve the cemetery’s solemn atmosphere
- Ground and smoothed stone surfaces to create proper membrane termination points
- Coordinated with a specialty masonry contractor to re-grout façade sections before edge metal installation, preserving integrity and preventing moisture intrusion
Why Technique Roofing Was the Right Fit
- Experience with historic structures We understand the unique sensitivities of working on buildings over 100 years old—and how to protect them without compromising their architectural integrity.
- Premium, long-life roofing solutions We selected the 80 mil fleece-adhered Duro-Last system with a long-term strategy in mind. With proper maintenance, this roof can last 30 years, after which a silicone coating could extend its lifespan an additional 15–20 years under warranty.
- Low disruption, high respect Our crew followed strict protocols to minimize disruption to cemetery operations, particularly during funeral services.
- Collaborative problem-solving We worked seamlessly with other contractors and building managers to address masonry repairs and structural prep prior to installation.