What is your favorite flat roofing system? and why?
What is your favorite flat roofing system?
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JWilliams
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I've had the exact same problem and they do have distrobution in my area. I contacted them first since I have heard such good things about them, but never got a response so went to Genflex who then ceased PVC when firestone bought them, so now onto Versico. for the record I haven't done any PVC yet but I see that as the natural progression from TPO once we can get more practice and increase our production, we're too slow.
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116 Posts
Assuming the deck is rated appropriately, the best roofing system on earth is a 5-ply ballasted coal tar pitch roof. A close second would be a base + 4-ply type VI BUR w/ ballast. The problem is since the 80's when modifieds started hitting the market and the progression into single ply, there are very few 'old school' roofers that have the ability to install these systems. The BUR system takes more equipment, space, time, and causes much more distruption to the tenant, but worth it if conditions allow.
We have used primarily modified bitumens and TPO the past few years. The majority of TPO we have installed is Versico. My problems are they are very susceptible to hail impact (job security?). We also do a ton of metal roof restorations, and I too am looking for the perfect system.
We have used primarily modified bitumens and TPO the past few years. The majority of TPO we have installed is Versico. My problems are they are very susceptible to hail impact (job security?). We also do a ton of metal roof restorations, and I too am looking for the perfect system.
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2 Posts
My favorite flat rooting system is single ply roofs with PVC.
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752 Posts
What brands do you install in Florida and for how many years so far?
I would suspect FiberTite in your area.
Ed
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21 Posts
I think there is only one thing in which we like our roof and that is no leakage and strong roof that protect us from strong weather and hot sunshine and these season did not do any thing of your roof.
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32 Posts
Altough I agree with most of you, I still like torch down single ply. Incase you didn't know this, many of the companies that Ed has a preference to have been involved in MANY class action suits due to material failure. What do these companies do? They file chapter 11 and continue with a new name and a new "formula". I am currently bidding a Trocal roof that has failed at all the flashing details, (I'm adding pics.). When I attempted to help the owner with warranty issues I was told, "wait in line".
I have been doing torch for 20 years and have never had a material failure. A few install issues, but not material. YES, PVC and TPO are wonderfull to work with. But when you are running 35 guys with welders, who has time to, "pick" all their seams. With torch I can simply do my final walk visually and pick up install issues.
So call me old school, but after millions of dollars of torch decks with little or no problems for 20 years, I'll dance with who brought me here.
I have been doing torch for 20 years and have never had a material failure. A few install issues, but not material. YES, PVC and TPO are wonderfull to work with. But when you are running 35 guys with welders, who has time to, "pick" all their seams. With torch I can simply do my final walk visually and pick up install issues.
So call me old school, but after millions of dollars of torch decks with little or no problems for 20 years, I'll dance with who brought me here.
Attachments
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32 Posts
12 years
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2 Posts
My personal choice is PVC.
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58 Posts
I've done a lot of modified, standing seam and exposed fastened metal, some elastomeric coating (some with a guy named Aaron?) and one house with TPO. I hate the coating, junk is how I feel about. Freaking mess. I know of too many leaks for it to be a functional system (fortunately not on any I had anything to do with yet. Aaron's work really stinks.) Torch I dislike. Mess on the shoes and the fear of fire is ever present. TPO all the way! I'm sold and have complete faith in the product. The only good thing about having so many houses here with the coating on them is I know TPO will be on them shortly.
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58 Posts
That's a improper use of unreinforced flashing, a roofer failure by the look of it. I hope my pipes don't do that. It looks like a simple repair none the less.
TPO is not as time tested as PVC membrane though. I know of a lot of PVC roofs holding well after twenty and even thirthy year service. EPDM Rubber roofs the same, although the laps and flashings will in many cases need to be redone with EPDM. With the taped seams now I think they will have less of a maintenence issue.
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32 Posts
Thanks for the imput joe. But those are pics of the manufacture designed and fabricated flashing kits. You know the kind, mostly commercial roofs, you send them a set of prints and they send out your roof. You weld it together and BAM!, you got a new roof. Until BOOM! it starts to leak! And then noone wants to take responsibility.:blink:
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32 Posts
Yes, I could tell by the big, "Tro-Cal" stamp on the material.
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58 Posts
Still, IMO if it's just a few curbs (or other small details) it only needs a repair that may take only a few hours. If it was the field then it needs a whole new roof. If you can sell it by all mean sell it. I see one ply modified as a down grade from PVC/TPO. Two ply might be in the ball park.
Best Roof for Flat ....
All things being equal I would have to say a three ply hot type IV glass (JM is best choice) with modified cap (torch on Derbigum) .... or mop-on Tamko SBS and then flood coat and gravel .....
But the real question is what is the best roof for the particular job ..... Most residential homes are well served by TPO - EPDM or Modifieds .... Once again, depends on the particular job ..... each has pluses and minuses .... but with respect to the TPO the jury is still out on that membrane .... see below from the MRCA dated 2/10/10..... Not good for TPO ......
February 10, 2010
T&R Committee Advisory on TPO
Information is being circulated in the industry indicating that high solar loading and elevated temperature lead to the premature exhaustion of anti aging components such as anti oxidants, UV absorbers and heat and light stabilizing compounds within TPO. This could lead to the breakdown of the sheet in affected areas.
This also might explain some reported problem applications with localized deterioration of membrane. One manufacture has recently changed formulation to account for this problem; another advises their product not be "subjected" to high thermal or solar loading; while others remain silent. Southern states appear to have this problematic local condition due to the heat load these roofs experience.
The committee believes that enough information has surfaced concerning TPO accelerated weathering due to solar or thermal loading to advise members to:
Review roof plans for situations where sun light is reflected back on membrane; such as areas below metal and glass or highly reflective curtain walls, or high profile reflective wall flashings.
Look for heat emitting equipment or heat exhausting vents or dark emissive materials laid on the roof that can elevate the temperature of the covered sheet; as well as areas under or over elevated temperature operations.
If situations exist that may commonly elevate temperatures over 160 degrees or increase solar loads beyond "normal" incoming solar load, question the manufacturer as to the suitability of their product for the situation; consider changing the product to a material that will clearly withstand the loading; consider changes in design to forestall the loading.
If you have existing TPO roofing subjected to these situations you may well want to inspect the applications for incipient, developing or obvious local problems. The manufacturer can then be approached for direction in addressing or rectifying any deficiency.
Please inform the committee of any problem found as well as any reaction from the manufacturer involved.
T&R Committee
All things being equal I would have to say a three ply hot type IV glass (JM is best choice) with modified cap (torch on Derbigum) .... or mop-on Tamko SBS and then flood coat and gravel .....
But the real question is what is the best roof for the particular job ..... Most residential homes are well served by TPO - EPDM or Modifieds .... Once again, depends on the particular job ..... each has pluses and minuses .... but with respect to the TPO the jury is still out on that membrane .... see below from the MRCA dated 2/10/10..... Not good for TPO ......
February 10, 2010
T&R Committee Advisory on TPO
Information is being circulated in the industry indicating that high solar loading and elevated temperature lead to the premature exhaustion of anti aging components such as anti oxidants, UV absorbers and heat and light stabilizing compounds within TPO. This could lead to the breakdown of the sheet in affected areas.
This also might explain some reported problem applications with localized deterioration of membrane. One manufacture has recently changed formulation to account for this problem; another advises their product not be "subjected" to high thermal or solar loading; while others remain silent. Southern states appear to have this problematic local condition due to the heat load these roofs experience.
The committee believes that enough information has surfaced concerning TPO accelerated weathering due to solar or thermal loading to advise members to:
Review roof plans for situations where sun light is reflected back on membrane; such as areas below metal and glass or highly reflective curtain walls, or high profile reflective wall flashings.
Look for heat emitting equipment or heat exhausting vents or dark emissive materials laid on the roof that can elevate the temperature of the covered sheet; as well as areas under or over elevated temperature operations.
If situations exist that may commonly elevate temperatures over 160 degrees or increase solar loads beyond "normal" incoming solar load, question the manufacturer as to the suitability of their product for the situation; consider changing the product to a material that will clearly withstand the loading; consider changes in design to forestall the loading.
If you have existing TPO roofing subjected to these situations you may well want to inspect the applications for incipient, developing or obvious local problems. The manufacturer can then be approached for direction in addressing or rectifying any deficiency.
Please inform the committee of any problem found as well as any reaction from the manufacturer involved.
T&R Committee
41 - 60 of 147 Posts
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