Roofing Innovation in Retail Spaces: Wayfair’s New Store Gets Carlisle’s Sure-Flex PVC Upgrade
Wayfair is stepping into the world of physical retail with a flagship location in Wilmette, Illinois—just outside Chicago. The 152,000-square-foot store, opening in Spring 2024, offers 19 departments with interactive shopping experiences, marking a major evolution for the e-commerce giant.
Before opening its doors, the aging building—originally built in the 1950s—needed a complete overhaul, including a full roof replacement. The old 82,000-square-foot ballasted EPDM roof was removed down to the concrete deck by Preservation Roofing Services of Romeoville, IL, a third-generation contractor with expertise in commercial systems.
The new system includes a white 80-mil Carlisle Sure-Flex. PVC membrane, fully adhered with CAV-GRIP, PVC Aerosol Contact Adhesive. Installation began after removing nearly 50 outdated roof drains and laying down a vapor barrier using Carlisle’s VapAir Seal 725TR, secured with Flexible FAST Adhesive.
Challenges on the project included coordinating with other contractors, working within an active construction site, and managing materials in phases. The roof is divided into three distinct sections, including one with a complex tapered insulation layout—featuring over 30 unique slopes and 20 crickets—to ensure efficient drainage around penetrations and mechanical curbs.
Multiple layers of insulation were installed: two layers of 2.6-inch polyiso and tapered polyiso, topped with 5/8" DensDeck Prime cover board. All components were adhered with Flexible FAST Adhesive, which provided ease of application and reliable performance on the concrete deck.
Concrete curbs from the original mechanical setup posed an additional challenge. To simplify detailing, crews installed new steel decking between the curbs and covered it with insulation and DensDeck before applying the PVC membrane, terminating with fasteners and plates.
Preservation Services’ attention to detail and Carlisle’s high-performance products helped bring this complex renovation together, supporting Wayfair’s vision of blending digital convenience with a rich in-store experience. This project underscores the adaptability of Carlisle’s Sure-Flex PVC system and the importance of expert roofing in modern retail environments.
