- Heat contributes to the breakdown of the composition of many roofing systems, those with tar and bitumen components and those with glue and tar applications. When the weather is hot, the typical roof reaches 160º on a 90º day. Over the "life" of the roof, the material looses its resilience and weakens.
- UV Radiation breaks down the roof from day one. In traditional roofing systems, the sun dries the oils in the materials as heat releases the hydrocarbons. It becomes brittle and flaky and looses its water-resistant characteristics.
- Thermal shock results from the change in temperatures from season to season and day through night. The heat makes it stretch, and the cold makes it contract. As it does, it pulls away from the adhesive holding it in place and pulls away from drains, gutters, and flashings. The movement causes tears, wrinkles, and separation in the seams.
Seams are the problem.
- They seal bitumen and Built-Up roofs (BUR) with hot asphalt or cold adhesive.
- They fix EPDM rubber with adhesives or sealant tape.
- They weld seals in some membranes with a torch until the asphalt melts into the seams at risk
If you want to install a roof that will last and return your investment, you need to do three things:
- Plan and design the roof correctly from the start. Think about its exposure to the elements and foot traffic. Design and plan a system that anticipates the intrusion of vents, angles, skylights, and entrance hatches. Choose installation and materials to forestall those problems.
- Oversee proper installation according to manufacturers specs. Joints, folds, seams, and flashings musts meet roofing where movement is likely to create pressure.
- Maintain the roof as part of maintenance routine. Keep foot traffic to a minimum, and prohibit smokers and anyone without reason to be on roof. Watch the work of sign installation and HVAC workers.
You can avoid or minimize these recurring problems with master installation of a Dura-Last roofing systems.This is a single-ply membrane made of PVC vinyls pressure laminated to a tightly-knit scrim. The thermoplastic formula includes fire retardants and IV absorbents. (The white version has an EPA Energy Star rating because it rejects 86% of the sun's harmful rays.) 
But, what is unique about the Dura-Last roofing systems is that it is pre-fabricated off-site at a manufacturing facility near you. Processed under quality control standards, it is applied as a piece to your roof with minimum interruption of your business operations. Custom made fittings are then placed over vents, around skylights, and other protrusions before they are heat sealed to the membrane surface creating a monolithic roof to fight weather extremes as well as traffic damage.
Even Duro-Last needs to be kept clean, inspected regularly, and marked by walk-way pads.
