06-01-2009Chicago Cubs baseball fans are among the most loyal (and beleaguered) in the country. So loyal, in fact, that several condominiums near historic Wrigley Field feature rooftop bleachers where residents can sit and watch games. One condominium, 3639wrigleyrooftop.com, was recently renovated to add three floors and new stadium seats to give residents an enhanced view over the right field wall. Waterproofing such an application, with the installation of bleachers, presented an interesting challenge. The project’s schedule added to the difficulty. New concrete was poured in early May, and there were anxious residents looking forward to watching a Cubs game from the roof on May 29th.
The condominium owner, Hutter Architects, and Chicago Siplast Select Contractor Two J’s chose the liquid-applied Terapro Reinforced Colored Quartz System to meet their challenges. First, it was critical to recognize the demands the system would be subjected to from pedestrian traffic and choose an appropriate product. Second, the installation of bleachers on the roof created a crowded workspace that would have been extremely difficult to treat with traditional sheet materials. Using a liquid system made the installation much more efficient. Third, speed of application, made possible by the science of PMMA, was key. Finally, colored quartz offered both aesthetic and practical options. While the overall system is tan, the 5th and 6th floor stair risers were treated with white colored quartz so they would be more visible at night.
The Terapro System was completed on time, and the Cubs had one of their best seasons in decades – cheered on by the residents of 3639wrigleyrooftop.com.