The Grand Floridian Resort Hotel - Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida


The Grand Floridian has a roof constructed with galvanized decking and phenolic foam. Over the phenolic foam a nailboard was incorporated and regular asphaltic shingles were applied. Due to the thermal movement of the insulation, the outside shingles had continued to stress and appeared to checkerboard. The checkerboarding of the shingles took on the telegraphic image of the 4' x 8' sheet nailboard.

An investigation to determine the cause of the checkerboarding revealed that the underlying phenolic insulation was thermally unstable.

Subsequent to the investigation, it was found that the phenolic board, when wet, produced a sulfonic acid which would rapidly deteriorate any form of metal decking. The Grand Floridian's roof became a pivotal case in Disney's attempt to recover damages from the general contractor.

ARMM was successful in assisting the ownership in recovering the extent of the damages caused by the phenolic material.