By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
FiberTite roofing is a single-ply commercial membrane made by Seaman Corporation of Wooster, Ohio, from a coating built on what its data sheets call DuPont Elvaloy KEE (ketone ethylene ester), laid over a heavy polyester fabric. It is sold only through Seaman-authorized applicators, carries FM and UL approvals, and is specified mostly for roofs that see grease, chemicals, foot traffic or hail. This review pulls every number from Seaman’s own data sheets, sample warranties and FM guide, then sets them beside PVC and TPO.
FiberTite key numbers at a glance
The figures below are the ones buyers and specifiers ask about first. Each comes from a Seaman Corporation document or the site’s own 2026 cost baseline, and each is a typical or published value rather than a guarantee for a specific roof. Confirm current values in the issued data sheet and warranty before you sign.
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Seaman Corporation, Wooster, Ohio (privately held, family-owned, coated fabrics since 1949) | seamancorp.com |
| First FiberTite membrane | 36 mil FiberTite, introduced 1979 | 36 mil FiberTite data sheet FTRDS01_04 |
| Product standard | ASTM D6754 (KEE-based sheet roofing; KEE must be at least 50% of the polymer by weight) | FiberTite data sheets; ASTM D6754 section 4.1 as quoted by Seaman |
| Thickness range | 36, 45, 50 and 60 mil | FiberTite document library, October 2026 |
| Sample warranty term | 20 years, with an option to extend up to 10 more years after inspection and fee | Seaman “20+ Extension” sample warranties |
| Wind and hail exclusion in sample templates | Winds above 60 mph; hail larger than 3/4 inch | Seaman sample watertight and system warranties (rev. 2-18-2022) |
| Site PVC installed baseline | $9 to $14 per sq ft (2026) | 2026 Roofing Cost Report |
Who makes FiberTite roofing?
Seaman Corporation makes FiberTite. Seaman describes itself as a privately held, multi-generational family-owned U.S. manufacturer of industrial coated fabrics since 1949, headquartered at 1000 Venture Boulevard in Wooster, Ohio, with a second office and plant at 225 N. Industrial Drive in Bristol, Tennessee. FiberTite is Seaman’s commercial roofing brand; its other lines include geomembranes and architectural and industrial fabrics.
The 36 mil FiberTite data sheet states the membrane was introduced in 1979. Seaman’s data sheets also describe the company as vertically integrated, meaning it selects the yarns, knits or weaves the base fabric and applies the coating in-house. Seaman manufactures FiberTite itself rather than sourcing it from another roofing maker.
What material is FiberTite?
FiberTite is a polyester fabric coated on both sides with a thermoplastic compound whose principal polymer is DuPont Elvaloy KEE, which Seaman’s data sheets call a “hybrid vinyl alloy coating.” KEE is a high-molecular-weight ethylene terpolymer that blends with PVC. FiberTite’s own membranes page describes a KEE roof membrane as “an advanced type of PVC roofing,” so it sits in the PVC family but is built to a different ASTM standard.
The standard is ASTM D6754, Standard Specification for Ketone Ethylene Ester Based Sheet Roofing, first published in 2002. In an article Seaman published through Roofers Coffee Shop, the company quotes section 4.1: “The KEE polymer shall be a minimum of 50% by weight of the polymer content of the sheet.” Because labs had no accurate way to check that ratio, Seaman funded research with the National Research Council Canada that became ASTM D8154-17, an NMR test method for KEE and PVC content in KEE-PVC roofing fabrics.
The name comes from the fabric. Seaman says “fiber” provides the strength and the yarns are packed in a “tite” pattern, and every data sheet lists the denier count of that base fabric. That fabric, not coating thickness alone, is where most of FiberTite’s published strength numbers come from.
Is FiberTite PVC or TPO?
FiberTite is not TPO. It is a KEE membrane, which FiberTite itself classes as a type of PVC roofing, made to ASTM D6754 rather than the PVC standard ASTM D4434 or the TPO standard ASTM D6878. The practical difference is in the polymer recipe: a D6754 sheet must carry at least 50% KEE in its polymer content, while standard PVC relies on plasticizers for flexibility.
| Attribute | FiberTite (KEE) | KEE-modified PVC | Standard PVC | TPO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM product standard | D6754 (KEE at least 50% of polymer by weight) | Often D4434 (GAF’s EverGuard installation manual lists D4434 for EverGuard PVC KEE) | D4434 | D6878 |
| Base polymer | Elvaloy KEE blended with PVC | PVC with a KEE resin modifier | PVC with plasticizer | Thermoplastic polyolefin |
| Typical reinforcement | Heavy polyester knit or woven fabric | Polyester scrim | Polyester scrim or fiberglass mat | Polyester scrim |
| Seams | Hot-air welded | Hot-air welded | Hot-air welded | Hot-air welded |
| Example products | FiberTite-SM, FiberTite-XT, FiberTite-XTreme | Carlisle Sure-Flex KEE HP, GAF EverGuard PVC KEE | Sika Sarnafil G410 and S327 | GAF EverGuard Extreme TPO |
| Source | FiberTite data sheets | Carlisle product page; GAF manual | Sika Sarnafil G410 page | ASTM D6878 title; GAF |
For a wider look at the PVC family, see our guide to PVC roofing membrane. Our repair guide explains how standard PVC roofs are repaired.
FiberTite membrane lineup and data sheet specs
FiberTite’s document library lists six base membranes in October 2026: 36 mil FiberTite, 45 and 60 mil FiberTite-SM, 50 and 60 mil FiberTite-XT, and 60 mil FiberTite-XTreme, with “FB” fleece-back versions of most. SM uses a “slightly modified” economy KEE compound on the back side; XT is coated face and back with Seaman’s original KEE compound and uses a heavier yarn; XTreme uses a tight woven fabric.
| Membrane | Weight (oz/sq yd) | Base fabric | Breaking strength (lbf) | Tear (lbf) | Coating over fiber (in) | Dynamic puncture (J) | Roll goods | Data sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 mil FiberTite | 30 | 18 x 19 knit, 840 x 1,000 denier | 350 | 100 | 0.009 | 20 | 74 in and 100 in x 120 ft | FTRDS01_04 |
| 45 mil FiberTite-SM | 40 | 18 x 19 knit, 840 x 1,000 denier | 350 | 100 | 0.0145 | 25 | 74 in and 100 in x 100 ft | FTRDS03_03 |
| 60 mil FiberTite-SM | 52 | 18 x 19 knit, 840 x 1,000 denier | 350 | 100 | 0.023 | more than 25 | 74 in x 80 ft | FTRDS07_03 |
| 50 mil FiberTite-XT | 42 | 18 x 18 knit, 1,100 x 1,300 denier | 400 | 125 | 0.015 | 30 | 74 in and 100 in x 100 ft | FTRDS05_03 |
| 60 mil FiberTite-XT (8155) | 55 | 18 x 18 knit, 1,100 x 1,300 denier | 400 | 125 | more than 0.015 | more than 30 | 74 in x 75 ft | FTRDS09_03 |
| 60 mil FiberTite-XTreme | 57 | 46 x 44 woven, 1,000 x 1,000 denier | 692 | 150 | 0.021 | more than 50 | 74 in x 100 ft | FTRDS11_06 |
| ASTM D6754-15 minimum | n/a | Fabric required | 338 | 76 | 0.007 | 10 | n/a | As printed on each data sheet |
Breaking strength is ASTM D751 strip method, tear is ASTM D751 tongue tear, and dynamic puncture is ASTM D5635, all as typical values Seaman reports. The 60 mil XT-FB adds a 4 oz per sq yd nonwoven polyester fleece with a 3-inch selvedge for welding, comes in 72 in x 75 ft rolls, and is made on request, per data sheet FTRDS10_03.
Standard colors are off-white, white, Thermal Tan, Slate Gray and CR Gray, per FiberTite’s membranes page. The 45 mil SM data sheet lists initial solar reflectance of 0.83 for off-white and 0.87 for white, dropping to 0.66 and 0.71 after three years of aging (ASTM C1549), with three-year aged SRI of 76 and 86.
Why a 36 or 45 mil FiberTite sheet competes with 60 mil sheets
FiberTite argues from fabric strength, not total thickness. Its data sheets claim the 45 mil SM matches or beats 60 mil competitive products and the 50 mil XT beats 90 mil competitive products; those are maker claims. The number to watch is coating over the fiber, the protective layer above the reinforcement that weathers away over time.
Roofing Brief arithmetic from the table: coating over fiber is about 25% of total thickness on 36 mil FiberTite (0.009 divided by 0.036), 32% on 45 mil SM, 30% on 50 mil XT, 38% on 60 mil SM and 35% on 60 mil XTreme. For comparison, Sika lists its Sarnafil G410-60 PVC sheet at 27 mil above scrim (ASTM D7635). A thinner layer over the fabric is not automatically a defect, but owners comparing bids should ask for this figure, because Seaman itself notes the thickness debate around KEE sheets “continues to this day.”
FM and UL approvals for FiberTite
FiberTite systems carry FM Approvals listings under FM 4470 for Class 1 roof covers and UL listings for external fire exposure, according to Seaman’s data sheets and FM guide. Seaman’s FM RoofNav reference guide (updated May 2021) lists FiberTite assemblies from FM 1-60 up to FM 1-990, plus Very Severe Hail approvals using FiberTite-XTreme FB.
- Highest uplift listed: FM 1-990 for FiberTite-FB adhered with FTR-CR20 adhesive to an uninsulated structural concrete deck (RoofNav 314982-0-0), per the May 2021 guide.
- What the numbers mean: Seaman’s FM overview explains that 1-90 began as a 110 mph design wind (30 psf velocity pressure, times 1.5 for low-slope turbulence, times a safety factor of 2). FM ratings describe tested assemblies, not a warranted wind speed.
- Hail: the guide lists Very Severe Hail approvals over steel deck, structural concrete and existing roofs, using FiberTite-XTreme FB in FTR-601 PG adhesive.
- Fire: data sheets reference UL directory categories 34KL, 48PO and 97P9 for external fire exposure.
- Other listings in the library: Cool Roof Rating Council, California Title 24, British Board of Agrement, BRANZ (New Zealand and Australia) and CE declarations of performance.
RoofNav changes as listings are added or withdrawn. Pull the current RoofNav assembly number for your deck and insulation rather than relying on the 2021 guide.
Chemical and grease resistance: what Seaman claims and what the warranty says
Seaman markets FiberTite for kitchens, food processing and other roofs exposed to oils and chemicals. Its data sheets report “no swelling, cracking or leaking” in the MIL-C-20696C oil and hydrocarbon resistance tests and pass results for flame resistance. These are maker-reported results, and the warranty still lists chemicals that can damage the membrane.
The Care and Maintenance Guidelines attached to Seaman’s sample warranties name chemicals that “can cause harm to the FiberTite roof membrane, especially if exposed for several months.” The list includes acetic acid, aromatic hydrocarbons, asphalt materials, benzene, Clorox, cooking oil above 140 degrees F, ethyl acetate, gasoline, MEK, nitric acid, paint thinners, phenol, 75% phosphoric acid, solvent degreasers, toluene and xylene. The sample terms also exclude damage from “chemical contaminants injurious to the Roofing System that have not been specifically approved by Seaman Corp.”
FiberTite’s warranty FAQ states its warranties contain “no exclusions for ponding water, chemical exposure, and higher wind thresholds.” Owners with a specific exhaust stream, such as a fryer hood or process vent, should name that chemical in writing before installation and ask Seaman to confirm coverage on the issued warranty.
FiberTite warranty terms, read from the sample documents
Seaman publishes ten sample warranties: a membrane-only warranty, Standard Watertight Limited and Unlimited, and Roof System Assembly Limited and Unlimited, each in a standard and a “20+ Extension” version. Terms on any real roof depend on membrane, assembly and project review, so treat the samples as a guide to structure, not a quote.
| Sample warranty | What it covers | Cost cap | Term in sample | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Building Membrane Warranty | Membrane defects; remedy is credit, repair or replacement of membrane at Seaman’s option | Material only | Blank in template; 20 years in extension version | Seaman sample PDF |
| Standard Watertight Limited | Leak repair for FiberTite membrane and accessories, including applicator workmanship | Lifetime obligation capped at owner’s original installed cost | Blank; 20 years in extension version | Seaman sample PDF |
| Standard Watertight Unlimited | Same scope as Limited | No original-cost cap in the text | Blank; 20 years in extension version | Seaman sample PDF |
| Roof System Assembly Limited | Adds thermal barrier, vapor or air barrier, insulation and coverboard supplied by Seaman | Capped at original installed cost | Blank; 20 years in extension version | Seaman sample PDF |
| Roof System Assembly Unlimited | Full Seaman-supplied assembly | No original-cost cap in the text | Blank; 20 years in extension version | Seaman sample PDF |
Clauses common to the watertight and system samples (revision 2-18-2022) include:
- An Authorized Applicator must install the roof, and Seaman must inspect and sign the warranty.
- Owners must give written notice within 30 days of discovering a leak.
- Exclusions include winds above 60 mph, hail larger than 3/4 inch, lightning, traffic, unapproved chemicals and structural movement.
- If Seaman finds a leak is outside coverage, the owner pays the inspection cost.
- Transfer requires Seaman’s written consent and a fee.
- Ohio law governs, with disputes heard in Wayne County, Ohio, or the Northern District of Ohio.
- Roofs used for personal, family or household purposes are not covered.
The extension versions run 20 years. In year 19 the owner may request up to 10 more years, subject to a Seaman inspection, compliance with the maintenance rules and the fees in effect at that time. The maintenance rules call for spring and fall inspections plus checks after major storms. Seaman’s library also includes a detail labeled “Standard Wind Warranty,” which suggests higher wind coverage may be available on some projects; ask for any wind speed above 60 mph to be written into the issued document.
FiberTite installers and how the applicator network works
FiberTite is sold through Seaman Corporation Authorized Applicators, roofing contractors approved and trained by Seaman. Per FiberTite’s warranty page, the applicator must register the warranty through Seaman’s applicator portal before material shipments are released, so a non-authorized contractor generally cannot obtain a warranted FiberTite system.
Seaman runs commercial roofing training and publishes installation guides, specifications and technical bulletins in its document library. One technical bulletin is titled “Required Use of SFS isoweld Tool for Warranty Compliance.” FiberTite supports adhered, ballasted, mechanically attached, induction welded and multi-ply systems; our comparison of membrane attachment methods explains the tradeoffs. To find an applicator, call Seaman at 800-927-8578 or use the contact form on fibertite.com.
Where FiberTite roofs are typically used
FiberTite’s site lists five target markets: airports, data centers, food processing, cold storage and commercial real estate (REIT). The common thread is a roof where a leak shuts down operations, or where grease, chemicals, foot traffic or hail are routine. Restaurant and food-plant roofs fit because of grease exposure; the site’s cost report notes PVC-family membranes are the usual pick for grease-laden roofs.
Seaman’s best-known case study is the University of Notre Dame, which Seaman says has more than 3 million sq ft of low-slope roofing, about 2 million sq ft of it FiberTite, under a roughly two-decade exclusive relationship. Seaman also publishes a vegetated roof line (FiberTite Green Low Profile and Tray systems) and simulated metal rib systems. Hospitals and other healthcare buildings are not among the five markets FiberTite names, though the “mission-critical” pitch overlaps. Our commercial flat roof overview covers how these building types choose a system.
How much does a FiberTite roof cost?
Seaman does not publish installed prices, and we found no dated, named survey of FiberTite installed cost per sq ft. The closest baseline is the site’s 2026 Roofing Cost Report: PVC at $9 to $14 per sq ft installed, TPO at $7 to $12 for 60 mil mechanically attached systems, and EPDM at $5 to $9 (45 mil ballasted). Expect a FiberTite bid to be judged against the PVC range.
| Price point | Figure | Arithmetic | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC installed | $9 to $14 per sq ft | n/a | 2026 Roofing Cost Report |
| TPO installed (60 mil, mechanically attached) | $7 to $12 per sq ft | n/a | 2026 Roofing Cost Report |
| FiberTite 60 mil KEE roll, 48 in x 24 ft (material only) | $658.80 per roll, about $6.86 per sq ft | $658.80 divided by 96 sq ft | SuperArbor listing, checked October 12, 2026 |
| Carlisle Sure-Flex KEE HP .060, 10 ft x 100 ft (material only) | $3,010 per roll, about $3.01 per sq ft | $3,010 divided by 1,000 sq ft | SuperArbor listing, checked October 12, 2026 |
The two retail listings are not a fair head-to-head: the FiberTite roll is a small 96 sq ft cut, and small rolls usually carry a higher per-foot price than full production rolls bought through a distributor. They show that FiberTite material is not priced as a commodity sheet. For full installed figures on the PVC family, see our PVC roof cost guide.
Lifecycle math: how long FiberTite must last to break even
Seaman’s Total Cost of Ownership calculator draws on a 2024 study by Mantis Innovation of 680 million sq ft of roofs on 33,000 buildings, which Seaman commissioned, and FiberTite claims up to 2x the service life of TPO, EPDM and PVC. Those are maker claims. A simpler check is cost per year of service.
Roofing Brief estimate: take the midpoint of the PVC range, $11.50 per sq ft, and assume a 20-year service life. That is $0.575 per sq ft per year. A FiberTite roof matches that cost per year when its installed price divided by $0.575 equals its service life in years. The table ignores maintenance, financing and inflation, which can move the answer either way.
| FiberTite installed price (per sq ft) | Years of service needed to match $11.50 PVC over 20 years | Arithmetic |
|---|---|---|
| $12 | About 21 years | $12 divided by $0.575 |
| $14 | About 24 years | $14 divided by $0.575 |
| $16 | About 28 years | $16 divided by $0.575 |
| $18 | About 31 years | $18 divided by $0.575 |
The installed prices in the first column are illustrations, not quotes. Plug in your real bid. If the roof would need to outlast its 20-year warranty to pay off, the 10-year extension option and its inspection terms become part of the math.
FiberTite vs Sika Sarnafil, Carlisle, GAF and Duro-Last
Most competing premium membranes are PVC, with a KEE-modified PVC option from Carlisle and GAF. FiberTite is the one built to the KEE standard ASTM D6754. The table summarizes facts each company publishes about its own products; it does not rank them.
| Brand and product | Membrane type | Published facts | Owner | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FiberTite (SM, XT, XTreme) | KEE, ASTM D6754 | 36 to 60 mil; polyester knit or woven fabric; 20-year sample warranties with 10-year extension option | Seaman Corporation (private) | fibertite.com data sheets and warranties |
| Sika Sarnafil G410 and S327 | PVC, ASTM D4434 | G410 has a fiberglass mat and top lacquer; G410-60 lists 27 mil above scrim; thickness guarantee for 48 to 96 mil sheets pays $0.05 per sq ft, up to $5,000, if a sheet measures under label | Sika | usa.sika.com |
| Carlisle Sure-Flex KEE HP | PVC with DuPont Elvaloy KEE resin modifier | Carlisle recommends it where the roof sees “harsh chemicals and conditions like acid rain, grease, air-conditioning coolants and intense sunlight” | Carlisle SynTec Systems | carlislesyntec.com |
| GAF EverGuard PVC KEE | PVC with KEE | GAF says guarantees run up to 30 years on qualified PVC KEE systems; GAF states its warranties and guarantees do not cover chemical exposure | GAF | gaf.com product pages and data sheet |
| GAF EverGuard Extreme TPO | TPO | 50 to 80 mil; GAF offers guarantees up to 35 years on qualified systems | GAF | gaf.com data sheet |
| Duro-Last | PVC, custom prefabricated | First roof installed 1978 in Saginaw, Michigan; Duro-Life 600 introduced with DuPont in 2022; more than 2 billion sq ft installed | Amrize Building Envelope (Amrize spun off from Holcim in 2025) | duro-last.com; Amrize newsroom |
If you are still choosing between membrane families, our TPO vs EPDM roofing comparison covers the two lower-cost options.
Is FiberTite better than TPO? Which one should you pick?
FiberTite is not better than TPO on every roof. Its published fabric strength and puncture numbers are well above the ASTM minimums, and its KEE chemistry targets grease and chemical exposure, but it costs more than commodity sheets and limits you to Seaman applicators. On a plain warehouse roof with no chemical load, a TPO or standard PVC system may deliver adequate service at a lower first cost.
| Your situation | Reasonable starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, food plant or grease exhaust on the roof | FiberTite or a KEE-modified PVC | Grease and oil exposure; get the specific chemical approved in writing |
| Heavy foot traffic, frequent rooftop equipment service | FiberTite-XT or XTreme, plus walkway pads | Higher published puncture and tear values |
| Hail-prone region needing FM Very Severe Hail | FiberTite-XTreme FB assembly or another FM VSH-listed system | Check RoofNav for a VSH listing that matches your deck |
| Large, low-risk warehouse on a tight budget | TPO or standard PVC | Lower first cost; site baseline TPO $7 to $12 per sq ft |
| Owner planning to hold the building 30+ years | Price FiberTite against PVC with the break-even table | Long hold periods favor longer service life if the price gap is modest |
| No Seaman Authorized Applicator nearby | Another manufacturer’s system | FiberTite warranties require an authorized applicator |
How to spec and buy a FiberTite roof
- Define exposures. List every chemical, grease source, traffic path and hail or wind requirement on the roof, and the deck type.
- Pick the membrane. Match SM, XT or XTreme (and fleece-back or not) to those exposures using Seaman’s data sheets.
- Find a listed assembly. Pull the current FM RoofNav number and UL listing for your deck, insulation and attachment method.
- Get bids from Authorized Applicators. Ask each for a line-item price, the coating-over-fiber figure and the exact warranty type (Limited or Unlimited, membrane or system assembly).
- Read the warranty draft. Confirm the term, wind speed, hail size, chemical approvals and transfer terms in writing before the contract.
- Confirm registration. The applicator must register the warranty with Seaman before material ships.
- Plan maintenance. Schedule spring and fall inspections and post-storm checks, and keep records; the warranty and any extension depend on them.
Frequently asked questions
What material is FiberTite?
FiberTite is a heavy polyester fabric coated with a thermoplastic compound whose main polymer is DuPont Elvaloy KEE (ketone ethylene ester), which Seaman calls a hybrid vinyl alloy. It is made to ASTM D6754, which requires KEE to make up at least 50% of the polymer by weight. FiberTite describes KEE membranes as an advanced type of PVC roofing.
Is FiberTite better than TPO?
It depends on the roof. FiberTite’s data sheets report breaking strength of 350 to 692 lbf and dynamic puncture of 20 to more than 50 joules, and Seaman markets it for grease and chemical exposure. TPO usually costs less, about $7 to $12 per sq ft installed per our 2026 cost report. On low-risk roofs, TPO may give adequate service for less money.
Who makes FiberTite roofing?
Seaman Corporation makes FiberTite. Seaman is a privately held, family-owned coated fabrics manufacturer founded in 1949 and based in Wooster, Ohio, with a second location in Bristol, Tennessee. Its data sheets say the first FiberTite membrane, a 36 mil sheet, was introduced in 1979. FiberTite is sold and installed through Seaman Authorized Applicators.
Is FiberTite PVC or TPO?
FiberTite is not TPO. It is a KEE membrane built to ASTM D6754, and FiberTite’s own site describes KEE as an advanced type of PVC roofing. Its coating blends KEE with PVC, so it welds and behaves like a PVC-family sheet, but its standard requires at least 50% KEE in the polymer, unlike standard PVC made to ASTM D4434.
Which PVC roofing membrane is the best?
No single PVC-family membrane is best for every roof. FiberTite (KEE), Sika Sarnafil, Carlisle Sure-Flex KEE HP, GAF EverGuard PVC KEE and Duro-Last differ in reinforcement, thickness over scrim, warranty terms and installer networks. Compare current data sheets, FM RoofNav listings and the issued warranty language for your specific roof and chemical exposures, then price two or three bids.
How long does a FiberTite roof last?
Seaman claims a service life of more than 40 years with regular inspection and maintenance, based on its installed history. That is a maker claim, not a warranty. Seaman’s sample warranties run 20 years, with an option in year 19 to extend up to 10 more years after a Seaman inspection and payment of fees in effect at that time.
How much does FiberTite roofing cost?
Seaman does not publish installed prices, and we found no named survey of FiberTite installed cost. The site’s 2026 baseline for PVC is $9 to $14 per sq ft installed. A retail listing checked October 12, 2026, priced a 96 sq ft FiberTite 60 mil roll at $658.80, about $6.86 per sq ft for material alone, before labor, insulation or accessories.