U-Anchors are Everywhere, and for Good Reason!

By Emma Peterson. 

See how U-Anchors are used to secure rooftop equipment for these iconic buildings across North America. 

The U-Anchor product line from Anchor Products is an innovative and industry-leading solution for attachment systems. With simple installation methods, superior strength and a wide range of roofing material compatibilities, this non-penetrating securement method seamlessly integrates into existing systems. To this day, U-Anchors are still considered the best option for those looking to secure important equipment and other objects to roofs while maintaining the integrity of the building envelope. Keep reading to hear about some of the most notable projects that have featured the use of U-Anchors successfully! 

Golden 1 Center – California, U.S. 

The Golden 1 Center sits in the heart of California’s capital, Sacramento, and hosts a variety of sporting events, concerts and other entertainment options. It was designed and installed in 2016 with a Johns Manville PVC roof. Once the roof was in place, U-Anchors were installed to attach a solar racking/array to the center. 

Wittenburg Elementary School – North Carolina, U.S. 

While this school roof started as a basic repair and replacement for local contractor Affordable Roofing, it quickly turned it into an award-winning project (it was the 2021 Duro-Last specialty roofing project of the year). It won this accolade for many reasons, including the Affordable Roofing team’s high-quality work installing a custom PVC membrane and Anchor Products’ 2-Pipe Snow Fences. 

Caribbean VA Hospital – San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Back in 2015, the Caribbean VA hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico had a TPO roof installed. The installation team used U-Anchor U-2000 to attach solar racking, inverters and conduits to the roof. Then, in 2017, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria swept through the island consecutively. The 190 mph and 155 mph winds truly put the roof to the test, but the U-2000s held steadfast! 

Space Center – Texas, U.S. 

When NASA needed to attach HVAC, security, lightning protection and more to the roof of the Space Center in Houston, Texas, they turned to the U-2400 Anchor. This was a perfect product to work with the Versico TPO membrane already on the roof! 

Mandalay Bay Convention Center – Nevada, U.S. 

When the Mandalay Bay team wanted to install solar panels for their iconic convention center, they faced some unique challenges. For example, the desert winds in Las Vegas can lead to heavy gusts that test the strength of roof attachments. Eventually they chose to use U-2000 TPO U-Anchors, which have remained strong and stable since 2014! 

Super Target – Texas, U.S. 

Over in Denton, Texas, U-Anchors are being used to secure a solar system on the Sika EPDM roof of a Target department store. This location shows off the versatility and adaptability of U-Anchors as the Texas weather can put any roofing product through its paces. 

CenturyLink Field (now Lumen Field) - Washington, U.S. 

The home of the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners is no small space. The roof, which is a Johns Manville PVC, spans 14,000 squares and creates an iconic part of the Emerald City’s skyline. In 2020, U-Anchors were added to secure signage and lighting for the iconic stadium. 

iPark Hudson – New York, U.S. 

Back in 2012 U-Anchors were used to attach solar racking, inverters and conduits to the roof of this office park. When Superstorm Sandy blew in later that year, there was slight damage to some of the solar panels installed, but the roof avoided further damage as the U-Anchors did not falter in the face of hurricane-force winds. 

Jim Henson Studios – California, U.S. 

The historic Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood (which hosted Charlie Chaplin and the Red Skeleton prior to Henson taking over) were looking to upgrade their facilities with a solar array. When they went looking for a way to attach these arrays to the roof, they chose the revolutionary U-Anchor! 

Shedd Aquarium – Illinois, U.S. 

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Shedd Aquarium often faces extreme winds and temperatures. That’s why their team chose to use U-2800 Anchors for their rooftop solar securement system. These attachments have proven over the years that the winds and temperatures of the Windy City are no match for their strength and stability. 

CBS Studios – California, U.S. 

This iconic studio was looking to add a 575-kilowat solar system to their soundstage in Burbank, California as part of their commitment to sustainable and renewable energy. They chose to use U-Anchors for this securement job, which has kept the solar arrays secure ss they film everything from Gunsmoke to The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Seinfeld beneath it. 

Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa – Saint Maarten, Caribbean 

The U-Anchor 2000 was used to secure a 900kW solar project at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa in St. Maarten. Over the years it has sat on this sprawling center of hospitality; it has withstood a number of hurricanes (including Category 5 Hurricane Irma and Category 4 Hurricane Maria in 2017). Throughout every storm that the resort has faced over the years, the U-Anchors have remained strong.