When operating a high-traffic commercial property, the roof serves as the primary line of defense against the elements. A failing roof doesn’t just threaten the structural integrity of the building; it risks the guest experience and a property’s hard-earned brand reputation.
The Milan Hotel Group partnered with the commercial specialists at WNC Roofing to execute a comprehensive, multi-system roof replacement at the Courtyard Marriott Asheville, located at One Buckstone Place in Asheville, NC. This project serves as a textbook example of how a strategic, commercial-grade upgrade protects a massive hospitality asset for the long haul.
The Challenge: Advanced Wear and Widespread Depletion
Before a single new shingle could be laid, an initial on-site inspection revealed significant degradation across the hotel’s expansive roof layout. The primary shingle areas were exhibiting advanced surface wear alongside widespread granule depletion.
When architectural shingles lose their protective granule coating, the underlying asphalt becomes directly exposed to harsh UV rays and weather elements. This accelerates the breakdown of the system and significantly increases the risk of water intrusion. Recognizing the need to act proactively, the ownership group moved forward with a full-scale replacement.
The Solution: A Multi-System Commercial Approach
Commercial properties rarely feature just a single style of roof. The Courtyard Marriott Asheville features steep-slope shingle sections, architectural metal features, and flat, low-slope zones. To address every area with precision, a multi-phase scope of work was designed.
1. The Shingle Roof System
The failing materials were stripped away to build a fortified, weather-tight system from the deck up:
- Complete Tear-Off: Safely removed and disposed of all existing shingle debris.
- Advanced Underlayment: Installed an adhered, rubberized Ice & Water shield across the entire roof deck. This heavy-duty layer provides premium moisture protection by self-sealing tightly around every nail and screw driven into it.
- Premium Shingles: Installed CertainTeed Landmark Pro 50-Year Architectural Shingles. These shingles utilize a richer mixture of surface granules (known as Max Def colors) to offer dramatic depth, vibrant color, and enhanced dimensional beauty.
- System Component Upgrades: Reinforced the installation with CertainTeed High Performance starter shingles at the eaves, Shadow Hip & Ridge shingles, and brand-new CertainTeed ridge vents to optimize attic ventilation.
- Oversized Edge Protection: Installed professional-grade, oversized dark bronze aluminum drip edges along the eaves and rakes to shield the trim and fascia boards from moisture rot.
2. Architectural Standing Seam Metal
To preserve the property’s modern aesthetic and provide incredible durability, the metal roof sections were completely overhauled:
- High-Temp Underlayment: Stripped the old metal and laid down a specialized rubberized HT (High Temperature & High Tack) underlayment designed specifically to withstand the intense heat cycles common under metal systems.
- Snap-Lock Panels: Installed a new 26-gauge Standing Seam metal roof in Slate Grey. Utilizing an MRS Nailstrip 1″ concealed fastener system featuring 16″ wide panels with 1″ tall ribs, the panels snap securely together without exposed screws that could back out over time.
3. Flat and Low-Slope Roof Engineering
Flat roofing areas require impeccable water shedding to prevent dangerous ponding. Two critical flat zones were re-engineered:
- The Porte Cochere: Installed new tapered insulation to create a custom 1/8″ slope, built crickets between the drains to route water smoothly away, flashed the drains, and wrapped the area with perimeter blocking and metal coping.
- Rear TPO Roof: Completely removed the old membrane, laid down new 1.5″ insulation boards, installed a brand-new high-performance TPO membrane, and finished the section with new drainage scuppers and metal coping.
Project Specifications at a Glance
Project Parameter | Specification Details |
Property Location | Courtyard Marriott – Asheville, NC |
Client | Milan Hotel Group |
Contractor | WNC Roofing, LLC |
Primary Shingle | CertainTeed Landmark Pro 50-Year Architectural Shingles |
Metal Roof | 26-Gauge Standing Seam (Slate Grey) 1″ Snap Lock |
Low-Slope Roof | Tapered Insulation & TPO Membrane System |
Unrivaled Peace of Mind: The Warranties
A commercial asset requires a guarantee that protects its structural integrity long into the future. Because WNC Roofing holds elite credentials as a CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator, they delivered a comprehensive warranty package for this property:
CertainTeed SureStart PLUS 5-STAR Commercial Warranty: This industry-leading commercial warranty delivers a 25-Year Workmanship Warranty covering both labor and materials. Because it is non-prorated, it covers 100% of the material and labor costs if a defect arises. Furthermore, it features an NDL (No Dollar Limit) clause meaning the coverage is not capped by original material or construction labor limits; the roof will be fully repaired or replaced by the manufacturer if necessary.
Additionally, the shingle system carries a 50-year limited transferable warranty against manufacturing defects and a 30-year algae-resistance warranty. The new metal installation stands strong with a 40-year paint/finish warranty and a 2-year workmanship warranty.
The Value of Commercial Specialization
Managing a roof replacement on an active hotel requires a meticulous process to prevent disruptions. As a contractor focused exclusively on commercial and industrial roofing, WNC Roofing managed the project using a structured workflow. This included on-site preconstruction meetings to coordinate staging areas, setting appropriate work hours to respect hotel guests, executing full site cleanups at the end of each workday, and delivering transparent progress updates.
With proper licensing across both North and South Carolina, an excellent safety rating, and full ISN certification, the execution proved why specialized expertise is vital for large-scale hospitality properties.
