Roofing for heroes

The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, is a permanent tribute to the sacrifice, courage, commitment, integrity and patriotism of the U.S.’ most decorated service members in uniform. Designed to inspire and educate future generations, the museum carries deep national significance.

Funded by the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, construction of the museum began in March 2022. KPost Company, Dallas, was selected by the general contractor, Linbeck Group LLC, Austin, Texas, to install multiple roof systems while working with complex geometry, various elevations and hundreds of structural steel penetrations.

Three unique roofs

The 102,000-square-foot landmark building was designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, New York, N.Y., to symbolize the weight and responsibility carried by Medal of Honor recipients.

The museum’s centerpiece is a 200- by 200-foot “box” that appears to hover 40 feet above ground, representing the heavy burden carried in battle by medal recipients. The box is supported by five monumental mega-columns, each representing a traditional branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to symbolize collective strength and unity. To represent the U.S. Space Force, a central oculus pierces the box, allowing a dramatic source of natural light.

Before KPost Company began roofing operations in October 2023, the team installed safety guard rails around roof perimeters to protect workers from fall hazards. For work within 6 feet of the roof’s edge, workers were 100% tied-off.

Exhibit hall

On the 40,000-square-foot roof area on the box supported by concrete pillars, the team mechanically fastened Georgia-Pacific DensDeck® Roof Boards to the steel frame followed by Soprema Elastophene® SP 2.2. SBS polymer-modified bitumen membrane as a temporary roof and to dry in the building. Crew members then constructed a Celcore Roof Deck Insulating System that included cellular insulating concrete, SBS polymer-modified bitumen and expanded polystyrene insulation boards.

“The Celcore lightweight insulating concrete system provided a durable, high-performance thermal barrier and slope-to-drain solution while accommodating the structural and design requirements of the museum’s low-profile roofline,” says Andy Valdez, senior estimator for KPost Company.

Next, the team applied two layers of SOPREMA Sopralene® 180 Sanded 2.2 SBS polymer-modified bitumen membrane capped with Alsan® RS two-component PMMA liquid membrane around more than 450 structural steel penetrations.

“With numerous roof penetrations, complex roof geometry, strict wind-performance requirements and a fast-track schedule, this project pushed the limits of traditional roofing practices,” says Mark DeFreitas, vice president of national and strategic accounts at SOPREMA US, Wadsworth, Ohio. “KPost rose to the occasion, delivering a seamless installation.”

The project was highly technical, high profile and full of moving parts. Its bold architecture left no room for mistakes.

Flashings at curbs and walls and around more than 150 penetrations were accomplished by heat-welding Sopralene FLAM 180 SBS polymer-modified bitumen membrane and Sopralene 180 SP 3.0 SBS polymer-modified bitumen membrane and applying Alsan RS 230 Flash liquid resin.

“The team installed the roof with meticulous attention to detail around hundreds of steel penetrations,” says Billy Ward, superintendent for KPost Company. “These penetrations supported the structural framing of the metal panels, requiring custom detailing and flashing to maintain the water-proofing integrity of the system. Each penetration was integrated into the system to ensure long-term performance under high-demand conditions.”

During the final stages of this roof area’s installation, cold-formed metal framing was concurrently being installed by other trades workers 2 feet above the roof surface.

“This required tight coordination to protect finished roof areas and maintain the tight construction schedule,” Ward says.

Despite challenges, the KPost Company team remained on schedule and maintained 100% safety compliance with no lost time or injuries throughout the project.

Amphitheater roof

For the outdoor 2,160-square-foot amphitheater roof, the team installed an Overly Panel Systems Evolution® architectural metal panel roof system to complement the museum’s bold, modern aesthetic. This included two layers of Carlisle® Insulbase 2.2-inch-thick polyisocyanurate insulation, 3/4-inch-thick fire-retardant-treated plywood fastening substrate and self-adhering Carlisle WIP 300HT rubberized asphalt underlayment.

Pumphouse roof

For the 593-square-foot pump house roof, the team installed a Kingspan® KingRib® 3 insulated roof panel system over steel purlins. All flashings and trim were custom-fabricated from prefinished 26-gauge Galvalume® sheet by KPost Company craftsmen to match the panel finish.

Other sheet-metal work fabricated and installed by the crew included copings, coping cleats, other perimeter flashings and drip edges.

With multiple trades working overhead and around critical roof areas, coordination was key.

“Our team collaborated with the general contractor, architects and SOPREMA representatives to ensure every step of the roofing scope was completed with zero compromises to quality and safety—all while staying on schedule,” says Austin Anderson, director of project management for KPost Company.

“I had the opportunity to work closely with the KPost team from early design through the final inspection,” DeFreitas adds. “Their dedication to quality, safety and collaboration was evident at every step of this high-profile project.”

A proper salute

In March 2025, the KPost Company team completed work on the National Medal of Honor Museum. The project was highly technical, high profile and full of moving parts. Its bold architecture left no room for mistakes.

“This wasn’t just another roof,” says Steve Little, president of KPost Company. “Every trade on-site knew this building stood for something special, and the teams treated it with the respect it deserved. Workmanship was at the core of this project’s success. It pushed the team technically and logistically, and it reminded us why we take pride in this trade.

“Every bend, cleat and fastener placement mattered,” Little continues. “It had to look sharp, hold strong and shed water—all at the same time. That took skill, training and pride not just tools. From craftsmanship to coordination, this project reflects the best of what the men and women at KPost Company do.”

For its work on the National Medal of Honor Museum, KPost Company was selected as a 2026 NRCA Gold Circle Awards winner in the Outstanding Workmanship: Low-slope category.

“The National Medal of Honor of Museum exists to honor our country’s most courageous heroes and to pass on their values of service, sacrifice and integrity,” DeFreitas says. “Building a facility worthy of that mission demanded not just technical expertise but an extraordinary level of care, coordination and accountability. KPost Company met that challenge head on.”

Photos courtesy of KPost Company, Dallas.

---