commercial roofing | Infinite Roofing & Construction Roofing Blog

Polyurethane Foam vs Duro Last

January 31, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Spray Polyurethane Foam and Duro Last go head to head in the market, the reason being that they both have the same benefits for your commercial roof. However, some may say that Polyurethane Foam is better than Duro Last and some may say the opposite. Well, we are going to compare them both and see exactly product is more beneficial for your roof.

What is Spray Polyurethane Foam?

When talking about Polyurethane Foam, the question you might ask is, what is the sole purpose of Polyurethane and how can my commercial roof benefit from it? What are the benefits of installing the spray polyurethane foam roofing system and how would it outweigh the advantages of other roofing systems? Many manufactures use SPF simply because of the ease of installation, the impressive performance, affordability, and durability. Property owners love the idea of it because of the protection it provides for their roof. Some of the benefits that SPF provides are energy efficiency, durability, a seamless surface and it’s environmentally friendly. Sprayed Polyurethane Foam has been used as a commercial roofing and insulation material for over 20 years.

Energy Efficient Insulation

Spray Polyurethane Foam provides the highest level of insulation against air and moisture, it also provides that perfect thermal barrier. Therefore, spray polyurethane foam carries out as an air sealant, where it closes the spaces that would allow the air to escape and add dollars to monthly energy bills. Based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program they estimated that when adding insulation and sealing air leaks, you can save about 20 percent on your monthly bill. Among other roofing and wall insulation, it has the highest R-value per inch. When a system has a higher R-value that simply just means that there is greater insulating power.

Durability

When applying a Spray Polyurethane Foam roofing system it is able to improve a building’s strength and effective lifespan. When SPF is sprayed on to the surface it conforms and adheres to the material, which creates a strong bond to protect the roof. That layer of spray foam is seamless, which can eliminate the ability of water to seep through weak spots. Therefore, if there was to be a flood on your commercial roof where spray polyurethane foam was sprayed, it would be highly resistant to water damage. When spraying the foam in the cavities of the walls it increases the durability of the wall system because of the foam’s ability to conform and adhere to the surface and create a strong bond where it’s sprayed. One of the best qualities that spray foam has, is that it is able to expand and contract with the changing temperature. Roofing contractors would be able to install the SPF in any climate or harsh environment and it will not be at the mercy of the conditions. Thus, guaranteeing a strong and legitimate bond.

Seamless Surface

The way that roofing companies apply SPF is by a liquid through a high-pressure spray gun. When the liquid lands on a surface it ends up expanding, covering the entire roof over a large area. Doing this provides a seamless membrane that fills in the cracks, holes, corners, and crevices along the base of the roof. Because spray foam roofs have no seams, there is a less chance for water to leak through. Spray foam is a solid, seamless barrier that is able to protect your roof from moisture and air.

Environmentally Friendly

Spray Polyurethane Foam is an environmentally friendly alternative to fiber insulation, such as fiberglass or cellulose. Spray foam insulation reduces the impact on the environment by using renewable resources and recycled plastic waste in their foams. Therefore, with the proper maintenance, your roofing contractor would be able to recycle the membrane of your roof whenever the time comes to replace your roof, and recycled materials would be used to create a spray foam. Also, keep in mind that Spray Polyurethane Foam insulation can improve the air quality by creating an impermeable air barrier against pollen, pollutants, and dust. With this, it makes it perfect for people who suffer from allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivity.

The Downside to SPF

We know that there are some great benefits to Spray Polyurethane Foam. However, here’s the downside, some people have poor thoughts on the spray foam because some commercial roofs were installed incorrectly using the foam insulation. This is one of the biggest reasons that there are negative reactions to the spray foam. To get the most benefits out of the Spray Polyurethane Foam roofing system, then your roofing contractor must install it correctly. Hiring a professional, certified roofing contractor would be able to provide your commercial roof with a special product that supply the savings in energy cost that SPF provides and they will reapply the SPF every ten years to ensure its quality. However, many believe that over time, these benefits will slowly disappear in comparison to the Duro Last roofing system. When compared to Duro Last, Duro Last uses a white or grey membrane that reflects the UV rays from the sun without having something additional applied to it.

What is Duro Last?

What makes Duro Last equivalent to SPF? What benefits from Duro Last could potentially outweigh SPF? For starters, Duro Last roofing systems contain the highest quality materials and undergo demanding quality control checks during the manufacturing process. A Duro Last roofing system is a reinforced thermoplastic (PVC) single-ply membrane that would be a perfect fit for your commercial roof or industrial building that has a flat or low slope roof. It is said that the Duro Last roofing system can last longer than the spray polyurethane foam. There are elastomeric coatings for roofs that can be applied and reapplied that can help make the spray foam last longer. When the PVC membrane is used and the ISO insulation is installed underneath the membrane, then Duro Last can last longer than the SPF. The only way that the spray foam can last longer than 20 years is if it is maintained and reapplied correctly. It would have to be recoated every ten years or so and would require a strict maintenance program in order to maintain all of its benefits. Duro Last offers a 15 and 20-year warranty on their products which many building owners prefer.

Prefabrication

With Duro Last, each roof is measured and manufactured to the exact size of the roof, accommodating for every rooftop penetration. When the Duro Last roof is prefabricated in the factory, it eliminates just about up to 80 percent of seaming that would’ve been done on-site during rooftop installation. Which in return improves the long-term performance of the roofing system. It is actually the only roof manufacturing company to offer prefabrication of the entire roofing system. Doing this provides an excellent fit and delivers leak-proof protection. A custom- fabricated Duro Last commercial roofing system is long-lasting and is one of the leaders in roof leak prevention.

Durability

Comparing Duro Last to SPF, the durability is quite similar in the sense that the Duro Last roofing system is resistant to any water damage. Duro Last has a custom flashing that is able to resist any ponding water, or collecting of water, which is very common in a commercial roof. Once the roof is installed, it is virtually maintenance-free, unlike other roofing materials that may require regular maintenance or other repairs. Not only is it resistant to ponding water, but it is also resistant to fire, chemicals, grease, high winds, and punctures. Just like the spray foam, Duro Last can easily accommodate for a wide range of temperatures.

Energy Efficient

The Duro Last roofing system has a white membrane that has the highest reflectivity retention of any single-ply membrane. Which means that you are able to save more money on cooling costs, very similar to Polyurethane Foam. Out of the white, single-ply products rated by the Energy Star program, Duro Last is the only roofing system that has a reflectivity retention of greater than 85 percent after three years of weathering. The sustained reflectivity rate is saving a lot of energy and money for building owners. The Duro Last roofing system is mechanically-attached, and insulation can be placed under the membrane during the installation of the roof, which would reduce the amount of heat loss in the winter.

SPF vs Duro Last: Which is Better?

Spray Polyurethane Foam is more costly than Duro Last because of the installation process. It is as easy as needing a piece of special equipment in order to install the spray foam, even to reapply it, but the special equipment is expensive to use. However, Duro Last is easy and quick to install as well without the required expense of high tech equipment to be used. Many know spray polyurethane foam is sprayed to secure the roof. Duro Last is installed with screws and plates which gives it that air and watertight fit. Duro Last can also be applied over EPDM rubber roofs, TPO single-ply, and metal roofs. It’s also affordable, plus it carries a longer lifespan and more benefits than polyurethane foam does. However, we are going to go against Duro Last a little. The reason being, that polyurethane foam can be applied to surfaces with irregular shapes and penetrations. Another benefit of SPF is that it can be applied over an existing roof, which eliminates the need for the cost of tearing off of an old roof. Sprayed Polyurethane Foam roofing systems are also much lighter than Duro Last. When placing the insulation on the outside, the foam insulation reduces building movement and thermal shock. Spray Polyurethane Foam is one of the best insulators that a building owner can buy. Closed-cell SPF is the only insulating material that does not soak up water. Since SPF is applied to the roof surface, it is recommended for your commercial roof that your qualified roofing contractor assures the material’s integrity.

So is SPF better than Duro Last? Or is it the other way around? The decision comes down to the requirements of your project, your budget, and personal preference. Both roofing systems are high quality products that will ensure the quality and protection of your roof. It is important to sit down with your commercial roofing contractor and discuss the pros and cons of each of these methods to come to the best solution for your commercial roof.

Commercial Roof Maintenance

November 1, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Many people might ask themselves why they should maintain or how they should maintain their commercial roof. Well, preventing any problems that would require an emergency roof repair or replacement would be the best way to take care of your commercial roof. Taking care of your roof before the winter comes means that it will be in the best condition for the rest of the year. When your roof gets the proper maintenance, it helps it fair better during storms and extreme weather, which means there would be less of a chance of getting any leaks or other elemental damage. When something serious goes wrong with a commercial roof, such as severe weather damage, unforeseen circumstances, or lack of routine maintenance and routine inspections, this can cause an entire section of a building to be shut down. This is terrible for any commercial operation! Especially one that has business going on constantly. Therefore, any business, especially one that has a large amount of square footage dedicated to a roofing system, should have their roof maintained properly. Maintaining every part of your commercial roof is a key duty of the facility manager. Regular roof maintenance is essential to ensure the total integrity of the building, however, knowing how to approach it is a big responsibility.

Roof Warning Signs

A properly designed roof provides structural support, fire resistance and more. A minor issue like a tear in the outer layer or warped asphalt, sealant could pose a risk. Therefore, when hiring an experienced professional roofer they should do a routine inspection. During a routine inspection, they could look for some of the following warning signs.

Having bubbles or blisters on your commercial roof is a definite warning sign that should be taken care of as soon as it’s spotted. An improper roof application is typically a leading cause of roof blisters and bubbling. Bubbles appear on your roof when there is moisture that is trapped under the roofing materials, where the water evaporates, and the result is usually the formation of bubbles or blisters.

Your roof shouldn’t be uneven, simply for the fact that a roof is built to bear its own weight. If you happen to notice any part of your roof sagging, then contacting a commercial roofing contractor is your best bet so that they can look at your roof and determine what actions should be taken. A sagging roof could be caused by many different issues, among them, being accumulated moisture, additional weight on the roof due to the installation of new roofing materials on top of old ones for a long time and other factors.

Excess standing water also known as ponding is very dangerous for your roof. Standing water is defined as water on a roof that hasn’t been drained or evaporated within the 48 hour period after rainfall, flooding or any other causes. If it hasn’t evaporated within that period, you can be expecting it to remain for an extended period of time. The accumulation of standing water on a roof over time can lead to dangerous defects which would include leaks that may eventually allow hazardous mold to grow on your roof surface. When the standing water has been on your roof for a while it can begin to cause sagging, thus creating a larger dip/pool to hold yet more standing water. Once you get standing water, it often creates a vicious cycle that ends with roof repairs or even full replacements to counter the damage caused.

Regular Routine Inspections

Many commercial roofing companies recommend that facility managers, or their local roofing contractors perform a routine inspection of a roof twice per year, usually once in the spring and again in the fall. This will allow you time to address any concerns before bad weather could cause an issue or make any issues worse. It could be tempting to do the roof work yourself and you might even be lured into thinking that any roofing contractor is qualified for the job. However, hiring the wrong commercial roofing company will lead to more expense and wasted time correcting any issues they have caused. When hiring just any roofing contractor, they could be using inadequate materials or they could get injured while servicing your property. This can cause invalid warranties and cause your insurance costs to skyrocket.

An experienced commercial roofing contractor would be able to find any signs of a leak or any other type of damage. They would be able to pinpoint any loose materials that need to be replaced, overhanging branches that would need to be trimmed, along with any dirt and debris that would need to be cleared off. Hiring a professional commercial roofer, they would be able to visually survey the total roof system and check all the flashings, fittings and other roof-related accessories. Any blockage to drains or downspouts should be checked in order to prevent adequate water drainage. A routine commercial roof inspection would look for gaps or tears in penetration and flashings, proper seals on all rooftop vents and equipment, and any other signs of damage.

A proper commercial roof inspection would cover counter flashing as well. The purpose of counter flashing is to prevent moisture from entering behind the vertical flange of the headwall or sidewall flashing. Usually, the material covering the exterior wall serves as the counter flashing and often a separate slip metal flashing would be installed under the counter. Counter flashing is important mainly when it comes to brick walls. When properly installed, counter flashing sections are inserted into the mortar joints. Afterwards the joints would be sealed with an appropriate sealant. Counter flashing is also inserted into a groove cut into the brick, and then it is sealed.

During your routine inspection, your local commercial roofing contractor would conduct an interior and exterior exam. When conducting the interior inspection of the roof, you would be looking for discolored or water-stained ceiling and walls, raised or deteriorated areas on the wall, discoloration or water staining around window frames. There could also be rust or other deterioration of the roof decking, joists or other structural components, as well as mold on any interior surfaces.

With the exterior of the building, on the other hand, there could be excessive standing water on the roof’s surface that would most likely be caused by structural failing, broken purlins, broken joists, loose/buckled flashing or damage to the roof membrane. There could also be materials stored on the rooftop that should be stored elsewhere. You would also have to look for nails or screws in the roof deck backing out of the roof membrane, debris on the roof or in the drains and gutters, missing domes on drains and defective, damaged or missing masonry joints.

Maintenance Program

The most trusted providers of commercial roofing or re-roofing services often offer a commercial roof maintenance program that has a comprehensive plan. Proper maintenance can extend the roof’s life and reduce potential damage to the building’s interior, protecting one of a company’s biggest assets, their building. When setting up a commercial roof maintenance program, the recommendation is that once every two years you have a plumber check all the roof drain lines. For a comprehensive commercial roof maintenance program, you should create standardized documentation for each building that is being inspected to help maintain proper records. With that documentation, there should be a file for each roof, including the roof’s installation dates, records of repairs and updates, a map of any current leaks and every time roof maintenance is performed.

Proactive Vs. Reactive Roofing Maintenance

In order to know if proactive or reactive roofing maintenance is something that you want to go with, you should know what exactly they are. Proactive is to take control of the situation by actively preventing something from happening rather than responding to it after it has happened (reactive). On your roof, being able to spot minor problems before it becomes a bigger issue with a larger price tag, taking an active role in the maintenance of your roof by performing routine inspections and keeping up with minor repairs.

Reactive maintenance always happens after the fact. This simply means that the maintenance work and repairs aren’t addressed until there is very obvious evidence that a problem is present, such as missing shingles or water leaking into the home. Unfortunately, with reactive maintenance, warning signs of potential problems are often missed. The result is that damage and repairs often end up being more extensive and costly than they otherwise would have been. Many owners take an “out of sight out of mind approach” with their roofs. However, taking a proactive maintenance approach over the reactive maintenance approach not only extends the life of your roof but provides significant cost benefits.

Facility managers who choose to react to problems as they occur would generally pay an average of 25 cents per square foot annually for maintenance. On the other hand, facility managers who get their roofs inspected and repaired routinely before problems happen will spend less than 25 cents annually. Proactively maintained roofs last an average of 20+ years compared to an average lifespan of 13 years for reactive maintenance. The longer you can extend your roof’s life before replacement, the greater your total savings will be and the chances of a roofing disaster occurring on your property will decrease.

Metal Roofing Vs Shingles

July 5, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Where you live is more than just a basic shelter. The roof can be what makes the difference between a house and a safe, secure home. A roofing system should fit the structural design, protect you from the elements, and insulate you from the cold of winter and the summer’s heat. We will discuss the difference between metal roofing systems and asphalt shingles, so you can pick which one would be a better choice for your home.

Varieties

Metal roofing systems come in a variety of styles, largely dependent on the metal used and coatings applied. Aluminum is a metal that needs no coating. Steel, on the other hand, requires specialized treatment to prevent rusting. Other options for your property are zinc, stainless steel, titanium and copper roofing.

Asphalt shingles come in two varieties, the traditional organic ones and the newer fiberglass shingles. The difference is in their layered make-up. There is a 3 core fiberglass covered with an asphalt layer in the fiberglass shingles and the organic shingles have a heavy felt layer under the asphalt.

Roofing Materials - Choose the right look for your property

Appearance

The layered look of asphalt shingles is by far the more popular of the two types. The vast majority of homes in the United States has asphalt shingle roofing, largely because asphalt is the material most builders trust and what homeowners are accustomed to seeing on houses. Asphalt shingles can vary in colors to match the paint or brick of a home, and the variety of their colors is more than with metal roofing. The three-tab shingles give a flat appearance while the more expensive architectural shingles appear more three dimensional.

Metal roofs are rarely seen in urban and suburban areas. The sleek, metallic appearance seems more suited for an agricultural setting. Metal roofing systems are available in a variety of colors and styles to match the rest of the home. The metal can be in panels, tiles, or shingles, but the appearance of a metal roof still can be jarring in a neighborhood full of asphalt shingle roofs.

Installation

Metal roofing installations are much harder than installing a shingle roof, but due to the weight of shingles, especially the traditional ones, the previous shingle materials may need to be removed first. Also, warranty and insurance requirements may demand the removal of previous asphalt shingles. A roofing square of three-tab shingles, which is 100 square feet, can weigh 200 pounds, and a square of architectural shingles can weigh up to 500 pounds. Because the installation is easier, even with removing a previous roof, installing asphalt shingles can take as little as a day or two of labor, depending on the size of the house.

Metal roofing, on the other hand, is much lighter and can be installed directly over the previous roof. The weight varies by the material used. Aluminum weighs only about 50 pounds per square while steel weighs 100 to 250 pounds. One reason why roofing with metal takes longer is the extra step of laying plywood 4 or oriented strand board (OSB) under the metal. This additional step eliminates the added noise of metal. With proper installation, rain or even hail should sound no different inside a home with a metal roof than it does inside a home with an asphalt shingle roof.

Both of these jobs are best left to professional Albany roofing contractors. Working on a roof can be dangerous, and installing roofing materials is a very precise and demanding job. Areas around vents must be properly sealed, and flashing must be carefully put into place. Also, some warranties may be voided if the materials are not installed by a professional Albany area roofing contractor.

Costs

A metal roofing will cost approximately $265 to $600 per roofing square or $2 to $6 per square foot for steel or aluminum shingles, $120 to $150 for corrugated steel panels, and $700 to $900 for copper or zinc. After adding installation, a steel or aluminum roof will cost about $500 to $1,000 per square. For a home with a 1,500-square-foot roof, this comes to about $7,500 to $15,000. For a home with a 2,500-square-foot roof, this comes to $12,500 to $25,000. This is, on average, about three times the cost of asphalt shingles and is another reason many homeowners opt for an asphalt shingle roof instead.

Energy Efficiency

Asphalt shingle roofing is much less expensive at about $60 to $90 per roofing square for three-tab asphalt shingles or $100 to $120 per square for architectural shingles. Felt is installed under the shingles at $40 per roll of synthetic underlayment, at $85 per 400 square feet. Installation costs about $80 to $200 per square, and removal of a previous roof shingles adds about $80 to $150 per square. If architectural shingles are used, the labor rises to $200 to $400 per square. A highly pitched or steep roof will add even more to the installation cost. For a property with a 1,500-square-foot roof, the cost of a three-tab shingle roof comes to about $2,100 to $4,800 without the removal of the previous shingles, an additional $1,200 to $2,250. For properties with a 2,500-square-foot roof, the cost comes to between $3,500 and $8,000 without the removal of the previous shingles, an additional $2,000 to $3,750. These prices make asphalt shingle roofing an almost certain choice for first-time home buyers and contract builders. Newer fiberglass varieties can be even less expensive.

A metal roof will lower your energy bills by about 40 percent in the summer. The reflective surface lessens the transfer of heat into the home. On the other hand, asphalt shingles absorb the sun’s heat, transferring it through the roof to the home, making the home’s cooling system work harder. This is why asphalt shingles are recommended more strongly for temperate climates.

In winter, asphalt shingles perform better, using the heat absorbed from the winter sunlight to make the home much warmer. However, metal roofs also perform well in winter. The year-round energy usage will still be lower with metal than with asphalt.

Even so, some asphalt shingle styles are designated as cool roofs and join some metal roofs in carrying an Energy Star rating for higher energy efficiency. These roofing materials are certified to reflect more of the sun’s energy, lowering the roof’s temperature by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though other factors can affect the amount of savings offered, they can decrease demand on the home’s cooling systems at peak times by 10 to 15 percent.

To offset the cost of installing a new roof, you can look for Energy Star certified asphalt shingles or metal roofs. When using these energy-efficient materials, 10 percent of the materials cost, up to $500, can be received as an energy credit.

Durability

The higher cost of metal roofing is also offset by its long-life expectancy. A metal roof can last for 60 years or more with little maintenance. Most roofing manufacturers offer a 50-year warranty on metal roofs. However, an asphalt roof will need to be replaced two or three times during that same 60-year period. Warranties for asphalt shingle roofs vary from 20 to 25 years.

Asphalt shingles are susceptible to hail and high wind damage, although fiberglass shingles are more durable than organic ones. Also, if asphalt shingles do not get adequate sunlight, they can accumulate mold, algae, or mildew. Metal roofs, on the other hand, are superior performers in high winds and bad weather, and they are impervious to molds, mildews, and bugs.

Metal roofs perform so well under harsh conditions that homeowners in over 25 states are eligible for insurance discounts when they install impact- and fire-resistant metal roofs.

If the metal roof is a low-quality steel without an adequate rust-resistant coating, then use near salt water is not advised. More expensive, rust-resistant metal alloys and coatings should be used instead.

Fire Resistance

Some manufacturers’ asphalt shingle lines are rated Class A for fire safety, especially the fiberglass varieties. Also, all metal roofs are fire resistant, steel and copper more so than aluminum. This makes metal roofing a good choice in areas prone to wildfires.

Recyclability

Metal roofing systems win the day regarding recycling issues. Some are made with recycled materials, and all are completely recyclable. About 1 million tons of asphalt shingles are disposed of each year, and they can be recycled into a variety of products. The cost to recycle them is generally less than to place them in landfills. However, available recyclers for asphalt shingles are few, but the development of more recycling availability is underway.

Maintenance

Repairs are more difficult with metal roofing since most of the metal used is made in sheets and must be replaced that way. When damage occurs to a roof, asphalt is easier and less expensive to repair or replace. Metal roofs require little maintenance and need to be repaired far less frequently.

Resale Value

Because a metal roof is strong, durable, and energy efficient, it should increase a home’s resale value. By some estimations, the resale value will increase by 1 to 6 percent over a house with asphalt shingles. The buyer must appreciate the look of a metal roof, however. Any new roof will help sell a home since buyers want to feel secure about the condition of the roof over their heads.

Infinite Roofing and Construction are the Albany roofing contractors of choice, whether you are going for a metal roofing installation or an asphalt shingle roofing installation. We are experienced in both residential and commercial roofing installations of any type and can best advise you on the best materials for your property. Call us today for a free consultation on 518-444-ROOF (7663).