Elevate case study feature in National Association of Home Builders’ The New American Home® 2026

Elevate's products chosen for reliable performance in hot climates.

Contractor: Alpha Roofing & Sheet Metal

Project duration: October 2024 – February 2026

Region: Orlando, Florida

Interviewed: Josh Turley, Technical Manager at FG Building Products

Project overview

The New American Home® 2026 (TNAH), featured at the 2026 International Builders’ Show (IBS) near Orlando, Florida, is a 7,889-square-foot luxury residence designed to meet the energy and performance standards of a hot, humid climate. As the official show home of IBS 2026, the project serves as a benchmark for performance-driven residential construction. 

With sustained heat exposure and heavy rainfall common to the state, the showcase project required a low-slope roofing system designed to deliver reliable waterproofing, high solar reflectivity and drainage control.

Led by Alair Homes, the project was constructed with nearly $3 million in donated materials from National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) members, including from Elevate, which contributed a complete low-slope roofing system. Alpha Roofing & Sheet Metal, a licensed Elevate applicator, installed Elevate UltraPly™ TPO membrane, ISOGARD™ polyiso insulation, UltraPly™ Bonding Adhesive and all other necessary UltraPly TPO accessories. 

Specified for its reliable performance in hot, humid climates, the Elevate roofing system was well-suited to support the project’s energy efficiency goal of a -40 Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index.

The challenges

Designing a low-slope roof for the home presented unique environmental demands of Central Florida’s climate. Sustained UV exposure, heavy rainfall, and high humidity place continuous stress on roofing assemblies, requiring a reflective roofing system to help maintain consistent thermal performance under extreme conditions.

Effective drainage was also critical to overall system performance. Although the roof appears flat, it was engineered with a quarter-inch-per-foot slope using tapered insulation to direct water toward designated drainage points and prevent ponding.

These conditions required a roofing system capable of supporting both aggressive energy efficiency targets and long-term moisture management.

Roofing system solution

To reduce heat absorption and support energy performance, Elevate supplied a 60-mil white UltraPly™ TPO membrane that meets the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) requirements for solar reflectivity, helping improve cooling efficiency in high-UV environments. 

The roofing system includes ISOGARD™ polyiso insulation boards, ranging from 1 inch to 1.5 inches in thickness, contributing to the assembly’s overall thermal performance. UltraPly™ Bonding Adhesive and associated UltraPly TPO accessories were also incorporated to support system installation and detailing.

Alpha Roofing & Sheet Metal executed the installation, ensuring commercial-grade standards were maintained throughout.

“From start to finish, the installation process was seamless,” said Josh Turley, technical manager, FG Building Products. “The Elevate components worked together cohesively, making execution straightforward. The system delivered exceptional performance, and the Elevate team’s support ensured the project progressed smoothly.”

Performance highlights

The New American Home® 2026 exemplifies how commercial-grade low-slope roofing systems can be successfully applied to residential construction. Beyond its modern architecture and luxury features, the home’s roofing system contributed to achieving a HERS Index below the target level of -40. A negative HERS score indicates that the home consumes less energy than it produces. This level of low-energy performance enables the home to obtain leading green certifications, including Energy Star, National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Emerald, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home.