Compositions comprising highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials are provided. In some instances, the highly reflective materials are microcrystalline or amorphous carbonate materials, which may include calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. In some instances, the materials are CO.sub.2 sequestering materials. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., to increase the albedo of a surface, to mitigate urban heat island effects, etc.

It is disclosed an elastomeric latex comprising (a) a copolymer, the copolymer comprising a reaction product of reactants comprising: (i) a mono-ethylenically unsatured monomer having a glass transition temperature less than −20.deg. C.; (ii) a mono-ethylenically unsatured monomer having a glass transition temperature greater than 40.deg. C.; (iii) an N-methylol functional ethylenically unsatured monomer; and (iv) an adhesion promoter comprising an ethylenically unsaturated alkoxysilane monomer; and (b) an aqueous medium.

It is disclosed an elastomeric latex comprising (a) a copolymer, the copolymer comprising a reaction product of reactants comprising: (i) a mono-ethylenically unsatured monomer having a glass transition temperature less than −20.deg. C.; (ii) a mono-ethylenically unsatured monomer having a glass transition temperature greater than 40.deg. C.; (iii) an N-methylol functional ethylenically unsatured monomer; and (iv) an adhesion promoter comprising an ethylenically unsaturated alkoxysilane monomer; and (b) an aqueous medium.

The invention relates to a liquid applied roofing membrane which contains a textile with a compatibility coating covering essentially all of the fibers of the textile forming a coated textile, a first membrane, and a second membrane. The textile contains a plurality of yarns, the yarns comprising a plurality of fibers. The compatibility coating has a weight of between about 0.5 and 10% of the weight of the textile and contains a first chemistry. The first membrane contains a second chemistry and is located on the first side of the textile, forms the lower surface of the roofing membrane, and covers at least a majority of the second side of the textile. The second membrane contains a third chemistry and is located on the second side of the textile. The first, second, and third chemistries comprise the same class of polymeric material.

The invention relates to a liquid applied roofing membrane which contains a textile with a compatibility coating covering essentially all of the fibers of the textile forming a coated textile, a first membrane, and a second membrane. The textile contains a plurality of yarns, the yarns comprising a plurality of fibers. The compatibility coating has a weight of between about 0.5 and 10% of the weight of the textile and contains a first chemistry. The first membrane contains a second chemistry and is located on the first side of the textile, forms the lower surface of the roofing membrane, and covers at least a majority of the second side of the textile. The second membrane contains a third chemistry and is located on the second side of the textile. The first, second, and third chemistries comprise the same class of polymeric material.

Fastener systems for roofing systems are disclosed for fastening a fabric, mesh, or base sheet to a roof deck prior to application of a liquid applied roof coating. The fastening assemblies may be attached to an uncleaned or unprimed roof deck and a fabric is laid atop the fasteners. The fasteners secure the fabric using mechanical binding or chemical bonding without penetrating or dimpling the fabric.

A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

A method is provided for forming an adhered membrane roof system that meets Factory Mutual (FM) 4470/4474 standards for wind uplift. The method comprises applying a bond adhesive to a substrate on a roof to form an adhesive layer and applying a membrane directly to the adhesive layer. The bond adhesive includes a moisture-curable polymer.

Roofing substrates, including shingles, provide for protection of the structure it is covering as well as aesthetics. Shingles come in various types including asphalt, clay, and metal. The shingles may have a dry polymer modified cement mixture applied on top of current shingles or may be used to replace certain layers of, for example, asphalt shingles. The dry polymer modified cement may be applied before or after installation. The dry polymer modified cement may be colored to provide desired aesthetics and lower absorption of the sun's radiation (e.g., visible spectrum, infrared spectrum). The dry polymer modified cement may add minimum weight to the shingles while providing protection to the underlying substrate from environmental deterioration and weathering, thus increasing life of the shingle. The dry polymer modified cement mixture is prepared by mixing a dry polymer modified cement blend (ordinary Portland cement, aggregate and polymer powders) with water.

A gutter protection and ladder support and safety apparatus includes a mechanism structured and arranged to be releaseably positioned in a gutter to prevent damage thereto caused by a ladder. The apparatus includes a mechanism for locking the apparatus in place to prevent lateral tipping and slippage of a ladder, a ladder supporting member operatively connected to the locking mechanism, and an adjustable ladder securing apparatus connected to the ladder supporting member and configured to releaseably secure a ladder thereto.