Raising the Roof at the Alerus Center with an Elevate Roofing System Designed for Extreme Conditions

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Herzog Roofing delivered a legacy project at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a total roof system replacement spanning nearly 300,000 square feet across 20 distinct roof areas. Herzog Roofing, an Elevate licensed applicator and Hall of Fame member, has served the Upper Midwest for over 60 years. The Alerus Center serves as the home to the University of North Dakota football and is one of the region’s premier entertainment venues, hosting a year-round slate of games, concerts and public events. As a major re-roofing effort at the second-largest stadium by capacity in the state, the project required the removal of approximately 3,000 squares of aging TPO and the installation of a premium Elevate EPDM system.

Designed for temperature resilience and insulation from North Dakota’s cold climate, the system included V-Force™ Vapor Barrier Membrane, dual layers of polyiso insulation, ISOGARD™ HD cover board, and a 90-mil pre-taped RubberGard™ Platinum EPDM membrane secured with factory-formed Elevate Edge Metal.

Throughout the two-year project, a dedicated crew of nearly 25 Herzog Roofing team members contended with high winds, extreme temperatures and a packed event schedule that included football games and concerts. Despite the challenging conditions, Herzog completed the job on time, within their project budget and without disrupting the venue’s operations. The project earned Herzog Roofing the Architectural Excellence Award at the 2025 Elevate Master Contractor award ceremony in Nassau, Bahamas.

PROJECT IMAGES

THE CHALLENGE

The Alerus Center posed a unique set of challenges due to its scale, complexity, and location. The stadium’s original roof had deteriorated, compromising both its performance and aesthetic appeal. Given the building’s high visibility from the interstate and its signature barrel roof design, the replacement roof system needed to deliver enhanced durability and a clean, modern look. Elevation changes of up to 100 feet across 20 roof areas, including 2,500 squares on steeply sloped barrel sections, added further complexity to material handling, access, and safety planning.

Adding to the technical demands was the need to coordinate around the facility’s busy event calendar. The Herzog Roofing crew had to sequence and pause work frequently to accommodate major events while ensuring the roof remained watertight at every stage.

ROOFING SYSTEM SOLUTION

To meet the Alerus Center’s performance requirements and visual standards, Herzog Roofing partnered with Elevate to install a premium adhered Platinum EPDM roofing system designed for longevity and resilience. The assembly began with V-Force™ Vapor Barrier Membrane, followed by two layers of 3-inch ISOGARD™ GL Insulation, which were mechanically attached. An ISOGARD™ HD cover board was then bonded using I.S.O. Stick™ Adhesive, adding thermal efficiency and impact resistance.

The 90-mil Platinum EPDM membrane for the project was a special order in 16’ x 100’ rolls with factory-applied tape for faster installation. For perimeter integrity and aesthetics, Herzog’s team custom-fabricated and pre-bent Elevate Edge Metal in their shop to match the complex curves of the roofline.

The Alerus Center roof is backed by a 30-year Elevate Red Shield™ Platinum Warranty and engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 90 mph.

Performance Highlights

Herzog Roofing’s installation at the Alerus Center represents not only technical precision but also a model of logistical execution and environmental responsibility. Despite working in extreme wind and heat, and with many variabilities and challenges, the crew completed nearly 300,000 square feet of roofing without a single safety incident and met the project’s timeline without delays.

Sustainability was also a standout achievement. Rather than sending removed insulation to landfill, Herzog partnered with a local company to repurpose the material as below-grade fill, eliminating disposal costs and supporting a circular economy. The project’s combination of durability, efficiency, and architectural enhancement earned Herzog Roofing the 2025 Elevate Architectural Excellence Award, a reflection of both the system’s long-term performance and the craftsmanship behind it.

“This was the biggest and most complex roof we’ve ever done, not just in size, but in scope,” said Josh Herzog, CEO of Herzog Roofing. “It was a legacy project for our team, and winning the Elevate Excellence Award made it all the more meaningful. We’re incredibly proud of the result and the partnership it took to get there.”