Thursday, February 20, 2014

Single-ply Roof Systems: The Evolution Continues.

Following is a discussion that will cover the position of single-ply roof systems within the roofing market over the past few years. It includes changes that have occurred among the manufacturers of single-ply membranes and roofing in general, new products and techniques, taking care of the single-ply roof, and a listing of resources for single-ply roofing systems.

Market Position of Single-ply Roof Systems

Over the past five years, the overall roofing market has remained relatively stable. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Rosemont, IL, reports in their 1995 - 1996 Annual Market Survey that the total roofing market was $18.35 billion compared to $16.7 billion in 1990. The overall market dropped to $14.3 billion in 1992 but has seen steady growth since.

Single-ply roof systems have seen their share of the overall roofing market slightly increase during the last five years. NRCA's Market Survey reported in 1990 that of the $11.6 billion commercial segment of the overall $16.7 billion market, 36.9% of new construction and 31.7% of re-roofing projects utilized single-ply roof systems. That compares to the 1995 Market Survey that reports of the $13.2 billion commercial segment of the overall market, 40.5% of the new construction and 32.7% of re-roofing projects were single-ply. While single-ply systems are not garnishing the leaps in growth experienced during the 1980s, their market presence has remained strong.

Today, several varieties of single-ply systems are on the market. Some have now been available for almost two decades. Single-ply systems are categorized into two generic types: First, thermoplastic membranes are sheets where chemical cross linking does not occur. Thermoplastic materials are seamed by either hot air or solvent welding of one sheet to the next creating a direct bond of the material. Second, thermoset membranes are those that chemically cross-link (i.e. cure). Most thermoset materials are seamed with an adhesive since the cured material cannot be chemically linked.

Application and Uses Of Liquid Rubber

• Metal - Coated or Galvanized Steel Weathered Aluminum
• Weathered Copper
• EPDM Rubber membrane
• Concrete (except foot traffic surfaces)
• Urethane Foam
• Primed Wood
• Fiberglass EPDM lined fish ponds
• PVC Sheet and Pipe
• Acrylic Sheet
• Sponge Rubber insulation
EPDM Rubber Membrane on flat or sloped Roofs
• Weathered Steel Siding
• Weathered Fiberglass
• Weathered standing seam and corrugated metal roofs
• Weathered Vinyl, PVC and Polycarbonate plastic
• Foam insulation for pipe
• Cast Concrete foundations

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Here's what you might see when you go up on your roof


Uplifting or splitting of the EPDM roofing membrane (the material that covers the roof) or decking on flat roofs. Punctures in the roof caused by debris hitting it.
Cracking or other age-related deterioration. This is typically most apparent on southern exposures, and especially on wood or composition shingles.

Damaged roof-mounted vents or air-conditioning equipment.
Stripped ridge tiles, or missing or broken tiles on concrete or clay roofs.

This can be caused by:
  • Hail or from toxic substances in seedpods.
  • Stripped or torn shingles on fiberglass, or cedar roofs
  • Algae growth from poor drainage.
  • Previous roof repairs.
  • Rotted or rusted decking.
  • Worn or rusted flashing.
  • Wrinkled roofing membrane.
  • Holes from missing shingles or other roofing materials.
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Application process of Liquid Roof


Repair torn rubber with adhesive Butyl Tape. A rubber patch may be applied over torn area if desired. Remove chalk from white rubber membrane by brushing with a detergent solution followed by a water rinse or working surface with a stiff brush. Smooth metal or plastic surfaces should be roughed up to improve adhesion of Liquid Roof®. A deglossing solvent may work on some plastics.

Useful Tips On How To Choose The Best Roof Coatings

Roofs play a vital role in helping to protect occupants of any business premises or homes from cold and heat and for this reason, they consider them extremely important. Homeowners, architects, and contractors know that roof coatings are vital when constructing roofs. Hence, coatings such as elastomeric or liquid epdm rubber and aluminum coatings, which help to extend the lives of roofs, provide viable options. These coatings are some of the varieties that are available in the market today, and play a vital role in helping business and homeowners to protect their roofing materials against any damage that weather conditions may cause.

However, in order for them to reap maximum benefits from them, they need to apply them properly. In addition, they should choose the most appropriate ones by considering various factors. Just as there are various types of roofs, there are also different types of coating options. Hence, business and homeowners should ensure that they choose the ones that suit their individual roofs by making wise decisions when buying them. Regardless of their roof substrates, which may include PVC, metal or tiles, the right coating products should be effective but in order for this to happen, wise choices are necessary.

Some roof coatings are specially formulated to enable business and homeowners to repair leaks while others offer protection against the sun. These coatings, which include asphalt based cutbacks, high performance urethanes, elastomeric or liquid EPDM Rubber and silicones, offer numerous benefits but in order for the aforementioned people to reap maximum benefits from them, they need to know their unique features in order to make the right choice. Roof coatings play a vital role in the restoration of modified bitumen, polyurethane foam, asphalt, and metal roofs.

In addition, they help business and homeowners to avoid disrupting their operations by replacing their roofs when they get damaged by helping them to resolve all their problems. In effect, they enable them to reduce the costs that they would otherwise incur in replacing their roofs. Elastomeric coating or liquid epdm rubber and aluminum coatings are some of the most commonly used types of roof coatings because they do not only offer numerous benefits but they also have various unique features. These coatings do not only provide reliable protection for roofs for many years but they also work extremely well with many types of roofs because they are specially formulated.

Elastomeric Roof Coatings or liquid epdm rubber coating helps business and homeowners to reduce their air-conditioning costs thanks to its unique ability to reflect light and heat, which helps to keep roofs cooler. This coating, which is available in many of colors such as ultra-white, white and many others, is a favorite choice for contractors thanks to this energy saving ability. Consequently, it has become increasingly popular in recent times. Aluminum coating on the other hand is the perfect choice for the summer season since water seeps in the roofs when it rains owing to the damage that the heat causes during this season. The heat creates holes on the roof surfaces by distorting them. This coating, which is available in non-fiber and fibered form, extends the lives of roofs by reducing heat, which causes damage to them.