Building Owners Guide to a Duro-Last System
Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction to Duro-Last Roofing Systems Section 2: Benefits of a Duro-Last Roofing System Section 3: Comparing a Duro-Last Roof to Other Flat Roof Repair Systems Section 4: Maintaining Your Duro-Last Roof System
Section1: Introduction to Duro-Last Roofing Systems
Introduction to Duro-Last Roofing Systems Duro-Last has been manufacturing products to meet the needs of the roofing industry since 1978. From prefabricated Duro-Shield roofing membranes to specialized membranes and insulating panels, the company provides roofing solutions to make flat roof repair and protection an easier process for everyone involved. Membrane Systems The Duro-Shield metal retrofit roofing system is a prefabricated membrane, customized to fit an individual roofing system. This product is designed to be installed over a failing metal roof and prevent water penetration. Duro-Shield and other Duro-Last membranes offer chemical, fire and high wind resistance. Cool Zone and a Vinyl Rib membrane system are two other options available from Duro-Last to meet different roofing needs. Cool Zone meets the requirements for a sustainable roofing system and provides high-performance results. The Vinyl Rib system provides an architectural standing seam appearance and is excellent for use in areas with higher snow amounts. While white roofing systems offer energy efficiency, membranes are available in several color choices. The Rock-Ply roofing membrane replicates the look of a stone roofing ballast while still providing the superior durability of all Duro-Last membranes. There are no stones that can move, to expose the underlying membrane, or cut through the material. Insulation Panels Duro-Guard EPS and ISO insulation panels are designed to work with the Duro-Last membrane system and offer higher Long Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR). These panels also contain no HCFCs or CFCs and meet EPA requirements. Insulating systems are installed in the flutes of an existing roof, with a second layer of insulation on top, to form a smooth even surface. This insulation reduces heat loss in colder weather and prevents the condensation that can occur from a cold exterior surface and warm interior.
Duro-Guard Sopravap r is a vapor barrier membrane that can be added to other Duro-Last roofing systems. Sopravap r is self-adhesive and self-sealing. Duro-Guard Elastocol Stick is a primer manufactured with synthetic rubber and natural resins. Elastocol Stick increases the adhesion of Sopravap r to concrete, wood, masonry and gypsum. Flat roof replacement or major overhauls are no longer the only options when an existing metal roof begins to fail. Duro- Last roofing membranes simplify flat roof repair and provide years of reliable protection against the elements.
Section 2: Benefits of a Duro-Last Roofing System
Benefits of a Duro-Last Roofing System When you need to restore or repair a flat roof, you want a system that will offer you the longest lasting results and the best protection. Roof coatings do offer protection, but require continual maintenance and re-coating. A Duro-Last roofing system provides you with an alternative to a complete flat roof replacement while restoring your roof to its original protective function. Duro-Last vinyl membranes are a thermoplastic formulation that is manufactured to provide a durable, watertight sheeting material. The manufacturing process includes flame-retardants and U.V. absorbers. The single-ply membrane remains flexible through temperature variations and meets or exceeds all major wind and fire code requirements. The roofing membrane is prefabricated at the factory to reduce onsite seam welding and make the installation process easier. The custom work includes stack and curb flashings, further reducing field labor and potential for leaks. Prefabrication reduces the onsite labor for flat roof repair by up to 85 percent; this also reduces the potential for errors in installation that are the main cause of roofing failures. Prefabrication of the Duro-Last roofing membrane also means that installation can be completed at any time of year. With less work required in the field, adverse weather is not an obstacle. Seam work done on the rooftop is completed with hot air welding, which is not hindered by damp or cold weather. A custom manufactured membrane benefits both the building owner and the environment by producing less waste. Only the required amount of material is ordered. Duro-Last roofing systems also improve energy-efficiency and a Cool Zone membrane is one choice for a reflective white roofing solution. You can also choose to change the appearance of your commercial rooftop with the same protection of the Duro-Shield membrane system. Duro-Last Shingle-Ply is a single-ply, thermoplastic watertight membrane that creates the look of shingles. The design is imprinted onto the material and a polymer coat is added to keep the appearance from fading or marring.
A Duro-Last Rock-Ply system creates the effect of a stone ballast with the same imprinting and polymer protective coating. The Shingle-Ply and Rock-Ply membranes come with the superior industry leading warranty that all Duro-Last roofing systems offer. Talk to a professional today to learn about all of the benefits that Duro-Last has to provided.
Section 3: Comparing a Duro-Last Roof to Other Flat Roof Repair Systems
Comparing a Duro-Last Roof to Other Flat Roof Repair Systems There are many products on the market used for flat roof repair or restoration. In order to select the best roofing system, you need to compare the types of materials used, the installation procedures, maintenance requirements and warranties. Duro-Last membranes are manufactured with a thermoplastic formula of PVC resins that includes stabilizers, flameretardants, biocides and U.V. absorbents. Other systems use TPO, EPDM or Modified Bitumen. A polyester scrim is laminated between the top and bottom layers of the PVC film to provide exceptional durability and strength. This membrane meets both fire and wind resistance code requirements. Failures in roofing systems frequently come from problems during installation. Duro-Last membranes are prefabricated in sizes up to 2,500 square feet. This greatly reduces the amount of seaming required in the field. Curbs and stacks are also custom manufactured to provide a superior finished product. The prefabrication system also allows for quicker installation and no removal of the old roof is required. The interior of the building is not exposed to the elements during the flat roof repair process. The building can remain in use without fear of exposure to chemicals or odors. Flashings are reinforced and installation is completed with heat welding in the field. Many other companies use glues or hot-mopping products to secure flashings. These materials can wear out over time and become a source of leaks. Maintenance of a Duro-Last system is minimal. Flashings and other connections do not require re-coating for full service life. The Duro-Last prefabricated membrane system comes with a 15-year transferable warranty. This warranty is included at no extra cost to the customer. Extended warranties are available. Duro- Last also covers more in the provided warranty than many other manufacturers. If your flat roof has problems with ponding water, many manufacturers will not provide coverage for membrane damage from this situation. Duro-Last designs membranes to handle standing water and includes this in the warranty. The warranty also covers the repair or replacement of the roofing system. Most manufacturers will only provide repairs to the membrane or coating.
Talk to a professional today to compare the materials and protection offered by a variety of flat roof repair systems. Make sure to look at the details included in warranties and the actual installation procedures. Duro-Last provides an alternative to flat roof replacement that gives you the most value for your roofing budget.
Section 4: Maintaining Your Duro-Last Roof
Maintaining Your Duro-Last Roof Duro-Last roofing systems are designed to be virtually maintenance free. In order to protect your investment in flat roof repair or restoration, there are steps that you should take to ensure the longevity of the membrane system and maintain the warranty. Regular inspections should be performed to prevent premature failures of the roofing membrane. Detecting minor problems before they become serious allows for quick repair without disruptions. Roofing inspections should be performed by a professional who is knowledgeable in Duro-Last membranes. These inspections should be completed twice each year in average climates. One inspection should be performed in the early spring to make note of any potential problems that harsh winter weather may have caused. This also allows any repairs to be completed in a timely manner during reasonable weather conditions. The second yearly inspection should be completed in mid to late fall, before snow or ice can accumulate. The fall inspection allows debris to be removed from the roof surface that could otherwise present a drainage problem. Additional inspections should be performed after any heavy storms, nearby fires or when the building has undergone construction work that involves the rooftop. During the inspection of the Duro-Last system, notes should be made regarding any unusual wear patterns or deterioration. A record should be kept with notes about any areas with poor drainage or substantial debris accumulation. While Duro-Last does not exclude standing water under the membrane warranty, the problem should be resolved to prevent structural damage. If any ballast is used on the roof, loss or displacement of the ballast should be noted.
Areas that use sealants or caulks require careful inspection. Sealants are prone to peeling, cracking or splitting and repair work should be completed immediately, before water can begin to penetrate the area. Any sealants used for flat roof repair should be a Duro-Last product. This ensures the quality of the sealant and the compatibility with the membrane material. A white roof membrane should be washed with a non-abrasive, non-sudsing cleanser to help maintain the solar reflectivity. Duro-Last flat roof repair membranes are prefabricated before installation. This eliminates up to 85 percent of the installation work and seaming that would otherwise be completed on the site. Seam work done on the roof top is completed with heat welding, which provides a stronger seal than glues or liquid products. With regular roof inspections, your Duro-Last flat roof repair should provide you with years of superior service.