The polyurethane foam is said to be one of the most affordable and high performing roofing systems for commercial roofing today.  Although there may be good benefits from studies, Duro Last has these same benefits and more. There are benefits for the polyurethane foam like lasting protection, long term cost effect and energy savings. But there are some doubts about polyurethane foam. The Duro Last roofing systems compared to the polyurethane foam can outweigh the benefits.

Because the roof of your commercial building is sight-unseen, you tend to forget about it. When a problem with leaking comes up, you are already too late to salvage your investment.

Oh, you can patch it and mend it. You can tape it and seal it. But, water will find its way, so that, even if it is linking here the leak does not show up until it is over there. And, faced with the price of replacing the roof, you just do not know what to do.

Well, think on this:

There are three main causes for roofing failure:

If you've got a commercial building, then you've likely got a lot riding on the integrity of your roof. Should it fail, thousands of dollars in damage could result; ceilings, floors and valuable office equipment are all vulnerable to water damage as a result of insufficient roofing systems.   

Another type of shingle you might be considering in replacing your new roof with is metal shingles. Residents are starting to have an interest in metal roofing due to cost, style and energy efficiency. Some though, do not like the look of the most common metal roof systems like the standing seam. Even though these come in different variety of colors, your neighborhood or your home may not take to the standing seam metal roofs. An alternative is metal shingles.

In considering whether a metal roof is right for your home, there are some things you should consider in finding the right roofing material for your roof. Not all metal roofs can offer you everything that your home may need and you will find when you start researching about metal roofs that there are many different types of metal roofing.

Metal roofing has been around for a long time. Along with being attractive, metal roofing can hold up well for many years.  All it takes is a little proper maintenance and you will enjoy an excellent return on your original investment in the roof.

Common Issues That You Can Avoid

Maintenance is all about protecting the integrity of the roof and prolonging its useful life.  There are several issues that you want to identify and address quickly.  These more common events include:

Flat roofing systems, those with less than 25% grade, often fail because of heavy snows. You cannot stop the snow. And, snow is not your most common problem.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

These cut and paste sort of solutions are very short-lived and may promote additional damage.

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.  

There are signs that you can look for that will indicate that you may have a problem with your roof whether it is leaking or damaged. Sometimes signs can be very noticeable but you may look at your roof and think there are no problems; but without regular maintenance checks and knowing what to look for, there could be a problem and you just do not see it yet. It could start off as a small issue that you do not notice and can in turn become a major problem. 

The Duro Last Commercial Roofing System fits so well in Indiana because it has so much in common with Indiana businesses; it is hard working, tough, and resilient just like hoosiers. But that is not the only reason the trained network of Duro Last contractors/installers in Indiana have enjoyed dramatic increases in sales and demand for the single ply PVC membrane. Indiana Duro Last contractors are able to install flat roofs at a lower cost and are able to do it faster, with more efficiency, and little to no down time for the facility receiving the new flat roof.

There are several things all commercial roofers should know in order to maintain a safe working environment. Simple things like setting up your ladder properly as well as fire prevention and proper safety gear are all factors in an accident free work site. Let’s go over a few of them.