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Restoring a Living Landmark with Carlisle’s Sure-Flex PVC

The Chicago Botanic Garden has been a cultural and horticultural treasure for more than 50 years, offering 385 acres of stunning gardens and natural habitats across nine small islands in Glencoe, Illinois. Every year, more than one million visitors experience its beauty, educational programs, and conservation efforts. When two of the Garden’s most iconic buildings—the Visitor’s Center and the historic Regenstein Center—needed roof replacements, the challenge was clear: restore these living landmarks without disrupting the experience for guests or harming the surrounding environment. That responsibility fell to A-1 Roofing Company, a Centurion Authorized Applicator of Carlisle SynTec Systems. With decades of experience at the Garden, A-1 was trusted to execute a project that required precision, durability, and minimal disruption.

The Challenge

Both roofs had reached the end of their service lives and required full tear-offs of the existing coal tar pitch systems. Safety and logistics were critical concerns, as the Garden remained fully open during construction. Materials had to be delivered with care to avoid damaging trees, gardens, or walkways, while workers coordinated around visitor traffic and ongoing masonry repairs.

The Solution

A-1 selected Carlisle’s 80-mil Sure-Flex PVC membrane, a system known for its strength, flexibility, and long-term performance—qualities vital for complex roof designs and high-traffic maintenance areas. Key materials included:

• Sure-Flex PVC HydroBond Water-Based Adhesive for secure, efficient installation
• SecurShield HD Composite Polyiso insulation for thermal efficiency and durability
• Flexible FAST Adhesive for a resilient, environmentally responsible bond

At the Visitor’s Center, a steel deck required intricate tapered insulation layouts to improve drainage. A-1 fully adhered the 80-mil Sure-Flex PVC membrane, flashing all penetrations with precision and protecting the roof surface with Carlisle Crossgrip Walkway Pads.

At the Regenstein Center, where a structural concrete deck and low parapet walls complicated installation, Carlisle provided rapid material support—delivering custom insulation solutions that allowed the project to continue without delays.

The Results

Thanks to Carlisle’s Sure-Flex PVC system and the skill of A-1 Roofing, both landmark buildings now have durable, energy-efficient roofs that will serve the Garden for decades. Importantly, the projects were completed with minimal impact on daily operations, preserving the visitor experience and protecting one of the nation’s premier horticultural destinations.

“Carlisle was really great. They were able to flip 500 squares on a dime, getting me the composite board we needed for the job. They really came through for us when we needed them most.”
— David Rabin, Vice President, A-1 Roofing Company

The Chicago Botanic Garden remains a living landmark, supported by modern roofing innovation from Carlisle SynTec Systems.