In Pasadena, Kidspace Children's Museum is built around one idea: children learn best through joy. The nonprofit museum welcomes nearly 380,000 guests a year to a 3.5-acre outdoor campus with more than 40 hands-on exhibits, splashable water features and creative play spaces, along with free and discounted programs, field trips and resources for schools.
On a campus like this, the roof protects more than a building. It protects exhibits, programs and the experience of every family who walks through the gates. Kidspace's facilities manager, Shawn, needed a roofing partner who could look at the whole property, help the museum set priorities and deliver a lasting fix where it mattered most.
The relationship began when BYLTup's commercial outreach team connected with Shawn. From there, BYLTup worked with Kidspace through roof inspections and budgeting across the campus. The museum chose to start with the flat roof section over Building 3, the area causing the greatest problems today. The result is a Class A, 60-mil white IB Roof Systems PVC cool roof backed by an IB Roof Systems Limited Lifetime Material Warranty and a BYLTup 10-Year Labor Warranty.
Project Overview: Solving the Biggest Problem First
The Kidspace campus has three buildings. Building 3 has both a flat roof section and a sloped roof section, and the flat section was where the museum was feeling the most trouble. Rather than spread a limited budget thin across every roof at once, Kidspace and BYLTup focused this first phase on replacing only the flat section of Building 3 and doing it right.
BYLTup removed the existing coated single-ply roof and installed a complete new IB PVC system with new drains, edge metal and flashings, so the new membrane works as one warrantable system. For a nonprofit balancing facility needs against program priorities, it is a practical way to stop the most urgent problem now and plan the rest of the campus with clear numbers.
Key Project Highlights:
- Inspections and budgeting across the Kidspace campus to set roofing priorities
- Flat roof section over Building 3 replaced as phase one
- Tear-off of the existing coated single-ply roofing
- 1/4-inch primed DensDeck fire-resistant separation sheet, mechanically attached
- IB Roof Systems Class A 60-mil white PVC membrane, mechanically attached
- Reflective white membrane chosen for energy efficiency and cool roof performance
- IB preformed vent flashings and new preformed pipe jacks
- New IB-approved 2 1/2-inch clad metal drip edge
- Roof-to-wall and tucker flashings at wall transitions
- Four new 3-inch roof drains
- IB Roof Systems Limited Lifetime Material Warranty and BYLTup 10-Year Labor Warranty
Built Around an Active Campus
Kidspace is a place for families, so the project was scoped with the campus in mind. The contract called for a clean roof and a safe job site every work day from start to finish, with Cal/OSHA safety practices in place. The work stayed focused on the details that decide how long a flat roof lasts: drains, edges, wall transitions and penetrations.
Step-by-Step Roofing Transformation
1. Removing the Existing Coated Single-Ply Roof
The crew carefully removed the existing coated single-ply roofing and hauled it away, giving the new system a clean, sound base rather than layering over old problems.
2. Primed DensDeck Separation Sheet
A 1/4-inch primed DensDeck fire-resistant separation sheet was mechanically attached across the roof. It acts as a thermal barrier and gives the PVC membrane a smooth, consistent substrate.
3. IB Class A 60-Mil White PVC, Mechanically Attached
The centerpiece is the IB Roof Systems 60-mil white single-ply PVC membrane, mechanically attached with heat-welded seams. IB PVC is known for strong welded seams, UV resistance and long-term durability. Its reflective white surface helps reduce heat gain into the building below, which supports Kidspace's goal of a more energy-efficient roof.
4. Four New 3-Inch Roof Drains
Standing water is one of the main enemies of a flat roof. BYLTup replaced four 3-inch roof drains and tied each one into the new membrane to move water off the roof efficiently.
5. Edges, Walls and Penetrations
A new IB-approved 2 1/2-inch clad metal drip edge, roof-to-wall and tucker flashings, IB preformed vent flashings and new pipe jacks tied every edge, wall and penetration into the membrane. Protrusions were sealed with IB-approved sealant, and exposed metal was finished with white roof coating. These are the details that keep a commercial flat roof watertight for the long term.
Finished Roof: Energy Efficiency, a Strong Warranty and Less Maintenance
The project went smoothly from start to finish. Kidspace now has a bright white IB PVC cool roof over the flat section of Building 3, with clean detailing at every drain, edge and wall. The reflective membrane supports energy efficiency, the IB Roof Systems Limited Lifetime Material Warranty and BYLTup 10-Year Labor Warranty give the museum strong long-term protection, and the new system requires much less maintenance than the roof it replaced. That means fewer service calls and more of the museum's attention on children and families.
What's Next: Planning the Sloped Roofs With Kidspace
This first phase is only the beginning. The remaining sloped roofs on the campus, including the sloped section of Building 3 and the sloped roofs on the other buildings, are next. Over the next few months, BYLTup will work with Shawn and the Kidspace board of directors to budget for and reroof those sloped roofs as the museum secures grant funding. The inspections and budgeting already completed give Kidspace a clear plan for each phase.
Whether the project is a historic landmark like Kress Lofts, a large food production facility like King's Hawaiian, an elite training center like d'Arnaud Athletics or a children's museum in Pasadena, property owners and nonprofits need a roofing partner who understands what is happening under the roof. BYLTup brings that perspective to every IB Roof Systems installation. Our commercial roofing team, headquartered in Long Beach, CA, serves owners across Los Angeles County with PVC roof systems, from single-section replacements like this one to full commercial flat roof replacements.
At Kidspace Children's Museum, every day is built around joy and discovery. With a new IB PVC cool roof over Building 3 and a clear plan for the rest of the campus, the museum can stay focused on what it does best. We're excited to keep working with Kidspace on its future projects.
Planning a commercial flat roof replacement, a phased roofing plan or an IB Roof Systems installation in Pasadena or anywhere in Los Angeles County? Call BYLTup at (562) 414-4425 or visit www.byltup.com to schedule your commercial roof assessment.
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