School Gymnasium Roof

rwolfe

Thanks for proving my point ed. Like shooting fish from a barrel.

In terms of my qualifications, I've been roofing since 1991 as I started my illustrious commercial roofing career as a laborer. Worked my way through the ranks and here I am. 17 years later.

The first roof I've ever stepped on was an ballasted EPDM roof system. Even then as a greenhorn, I knew that EPDM could not be a viable solution for a roof system. I would never recommend installing a EPDM on a roof that I was responsible for. There are too many systems that compare quite evenly with the pricing point but can be relied upon to perform for the majority of the warranty. Especially if proper preventative maintenance is performed.

Lastly, I do consider myself an expert in terms of commercial roofing systems and practices. I would enjoy any debate. Having said that, I do not consider myself the "resident" expert as there are guys who have roofing intelligence and have been here a lot longer than me. Would enjoy helping form a educated opinion about roofing issues wherever I can.

Thanks for your attention. Ed the roofer.

rwolfe

Does ed disagree with what I said in my earlier post.

Ed the Roofer

Welcome to the forum rwolfe.

Ed

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rwolfe

Thank you.

BornaRoofer

I completely disagree with rwolfe. I have been in the roofing industry for over 23 years (ouch) and I to started as a helper through journeyman/foreman. Then I worked for an engineering firm for 5 years as a consultant and now am a tech rep for a major manufacture who manufactures everthing commercial except coal tar.
I have put on epdm systems in the 80's with glued seams and 1x4 terminations that are still servicing the buildings just fine. (with maintinance of course)
With the introduction of tapes and peremiter strips epdm is 10 fold better than it was back then.
Ive said it many times before and im sure ill have to say it many times in the future that id put a properly installed epdm agianst any material out there barring coal tar. Its nothing now to get 20+ years out of a standard epdm and if 90 mil and a few other things are done 30+ is very probable.
White roofing is a joke in "most parts" of the country more like a fad in my opinion. It may reduce the heat island effect but thats about it.
And how are you so sure tpo is the next coming? Do you know when the last chemical changes were made to the sheets by the manufactures and how long those have been on roofs? I dont think you do. Im not saying tpo is bad just that anyone that says its the best is silly.
I mean come on rwolfe you obviosly dont even realize when your being ripped a new a hole much less what a good roof is.
So in case you were'nt sure I dont agree with you.

Grumpy

TPO is a fine roof as best I can tell. In a world of disposable roofs where mod bit is king and lasts only 10 years, TPO is an upgrade IMO. I've been doing mod bit longer than tpo but so far I am convinced tpo is better. By no means am I saying it's the best I'm told PVC is even better, but from my POV I prefer tpo hands down.


Don't get me wrong, I am not saying mod bit should last only 10 years. I am saying when the hacks I compoete against and repair their work a few years after they put it down, I have alot of experience replacing 10 year old roofs that were done as cheaply as possible.

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rwolfe

Who said TPO is the best. Not me. Your right though. With all of the formula changes in the TPO's who's to say if it will last. I'll tell you that i've installed plenty of GAF TPO as far back as 8 years and it is still beautiful. I've also installed a bunch of EPDM systems. This is the only system that i know of that cure's thinner than what it was when it was originally installed. Becomes thin and brittle. This isn't good, is it? UV tears that sheet up. I'll watch my mouth because you may live somewhere where the sun doesn't shine.
Maintenance and dilligence is the key to any roof system lasting for any length of time. I agree that PVC is much a better product than TPO. Especially considering the longevity of the original formulas and it's record against chemicals. By the way, 90 mil EPDM? Who said anything about 90 mils? Mil for mil, the puncture resistence and seam strength of a PVC (and TPO for that matter) blows EPDM out of the water. EPDM shouldn't even be in the same conversation when it comes to versatility and strength. There's a reason why EPDM doesn't get installed in Florida, being it rains here and all. People here enjoy it when the rain stays outside. In addition these sheets are reflective versus EPDM. One other thing Born. White roofing is not a fad. You may want to do some reading on the subject. You know, LEED, Energy Star, Cool Roof Counsil etc.. Read up on it. Solar's growing too.
Lastly, I'm not saying I'm the biggest fan of TPO's. I happen to prefer fibertite over any other single ply product manufactured today. But to sit here and listen to someone try to convince anyone else that EPDM is a viable product, well that is completely unacceptable. Oh yeah, one more thing, the EPDM button ballast system was a great idea. I really enjoy it when the base flashing pull so far off the wall that it forms a ramp from the roof deck to the top of the parapet. Great product.

r
I do agree that coal tar is very good. If you don't mind carcinogens. It's not the best though. Hot rubber is the best. Since we're getting all technical and all.

BornaRoofer

You know I typed a whole rant for you about how every point you make is retarded and tried to explain and teach you some things about roofing in the rest of the world besides your little easybake oven corner but then I realized you just wont understand.
If you can, take your own advice and read up on leeds,seam strengths, puncture resistance,reflectivity,emistivity and what roofing membrane sells more than all the rest put togeather.
Just because you can say all these big words it doesnt mean you understand them. Be sure you know what you talking about before you speak because you look silly to people who do.

OUTLAW

My hammers bigger than your hammer

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rwolfe

I'm trying to see your point of view, but I can't stick my head that far up my a%$.
- EPDM isn't even on the radar for most purchased roofing products. Asphalt systems are #1 and TPO is #2.
- I didn't mean to confuse you with those "long words". Who knew TPO and PVC would throw the roof consultant for a loop.
If you can, take your own advice and read up on leeds,seam strengths, puncture resistance,reflectivity,emistivity and what roofing membrane sells more than all the rest put togeather.
This is the last time i'll tell you roof consultant. Read. Eveything you wrote there is incorrect if your comparing EPDM against other roofing. Even the word leeds is incorrect. It's only "leed". You could have saved yourself 10 minutes looking for the "s" on the key board.
I joined this board with the hopes of being able to help people and also to have a resourse to pull information from. Having said that, clearly you don't fill any of those voids for me, he who appears to be confessing that the taped EPDM seam is stronger than the molecularly bonded Tpo seam. Right.

thanks for your invaluable input.

I'm not saying that EPDM doesn't have a place. Just not on a roof.