Mechanically attached single ply roofing systems are your best choice when speed and ease of installation are important. It features metal plates and fasteners in the seam overlap spaced according to the roof’s wind uplift and manufacturers requirements. Fully adhered single ply roofing systems are also available and utilize a cold adhesive or hot asphalt rather than mechanical fasteners. Mechanically attached systems are best used when weight and structural loads is a consideration, or when the roofing system is to be installed during cooler weather. Structural concrete decks are typically not a good choice for mechanically attached systems states Roof Coatings Phoenix. Installing fasteners into the concrete deck can be a slow and difficult process to penetrate to the concrete deck. The fasteners can rust over time and spall the concrete during the installation process. The oil crisis of the 1970s clearly showed the need for alternative systems to that of traditional asphalt petroleum-based roofing. To answer this need, a plethora of lightweight, flexible single ply roofing membranes came on the market and were easy and inexpensive to install and added options to the roofing mix.
Roof Coatings Phoenix: Installing Mechanically Attached Commercial Roofing Systems and Restoring them with Restoration Coating Systems
Roof Coatings Phoenix Installing Mechanically Attached Commercial Roofing Systems
Coverboard
Most mechanically attached roofing systems need insulation or a coverboard to improve insulating value of the roof system, and to provide a smooth surface for the single ply membranes installation. Types of insulation that may be used are polyisocyanurate, expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene, perlite, high density gypsum, or wood fiber board. Never use insulation or coverboard smaller than 4’ x 4’ sheets unless approved by the roofing system manufacturer. Minimizing the number of joints in the insulation will also improve the performance of the insulation. Roof Coatings Phoenix expresses that staggering multiple layers of insulation at least 6” so the joints do not align will minimize what is called thermal drift and reduced energy loss at the joints. Support the edges properly assuring that they are properly supported to reduce potential damage to the insulation. Always replace wet, warped, buckled, or damaged insulation or coverboard.
Thermoplastic Membranes
Roof Coatings Phoenix recognizes there are several major thermoplastic membranes currently on the market. Thermoplastic mechanically attached systems lend themselves to cool-weather installation as there are few solvents and no hot asphalt to be concerned with. However, as in all cases of thermoplastic membranes, the temperature of the heat welding of the seams is critical to getting a good bond and cool weather must be taken into consideration when welding.
Steel
Steel is an excellent choice for mechanically attached systems, especially when installing a new roofing system over a structural standing seam metal building, because the mechanical attachment is light weight and less likely to overload the highly engineered weight limits of the building. Wood decks are also very good for mechanically fastened systems, however, fire ratings need to be closely evaluated. We at Roof Coatings Phoenix voice that mechanically attached membranes are generally not the preferred way of installing single plies over structural concrete decks but are good for use on steel or wood. A fully adhered or ballasted system is more appropriate for structural concrete to avoid damage to the concrete.
Coating Restorations
Commercial building owners also need to be aware that most mechanically attached or fully adhered single ply roofing systems can also be restored with protective coating systems when the single ply membranes begin to show signs of degradation caused by normal weathering and UV exposure. The photograph below shows a 14 year old existing mechanically attached single ply roofing system restored with coating.
Roof Coatings Phoenix: Installing Mechanically Attached Commercial Roofing Systems and Restoring them with Restoration Coating Systems
Roof Coatings Phoenix Restoring Mechanically Attached Commercial Roofing Systems with Restoration Coating Systems
Roof Coatings Phoenix talks about Choosing the Right Commercial Roof Coating
Posted by: | CommentsRoof Coatings Phoenix talks about Choosing the Right Commercial Roof Coating
Choosing the right commercial roof coating can be very tricky says Roof Coatings Phoenix. You have to look at the type of roof you have and the amount of fabric it has, to determine the type of coating you need. If your roof has a hard, smooth surface, then a high level of adhesion is required. But if you have a rough and uneven surface, you will find a wide variety of coatings that adhere to your commercial roof’s surface just fine. Most roofs have a particular base coat specifically formulated for them, further improving the adhesion level. Another base coat benefit is preventing the bleeding of color from your old roof into the new coat, because a roof coating is not only designed to repair your roof, but also extend its life and improve appearance.
Roof Coatings Phoenix talks about Choosing the Right Roof Coating
Successful Commercial Roofing Application
The success of a commercial roof coating application can be affected by many factors. There are some beyond the roofing contractor’s control, such as weather conditions, but others are in their control, like the application thickness, and even control, so hiring a Roof Coatings Phoenix professional is likely to enhance your roof in both appearance and durability because of the professionalism and experience you choose. Commercial Roof coatings are usually guaranteed for about ten years and come in a range of colors and finishes, so you can pick the one that is right for you aesthetically. There are also some finishes that improve heating and air conditioning because of the insulating material they are made with, and that is not only good for the environment but the running costs of the building, as well. An added benefit of the insulation is the comfortable environment it gives in hot weather, with the regulated building temperature that is a result of a good commercial roofing application.
Take into Consideration
Other factors you may want to consider depend on where you live and the type of conditions you have with your weather. Moss growth or acid rain can greatly affect the reliability of the roof as well as its appearance, so it is good to pick something that will be reliable against all factors that are a result of your commercial roof getting weathered. Roof Coatings Phoenix stresses that when choosing your roof the cost will definitely be a factor in your purchase, but you should also take into consideration several issues which could affect the life of your roof over time: existing commercial roof type, effect on energy bills, durability, guarantee period, range of colors, resistance to acid rain, weather resistance, resistant to moss and lichen growth, and a base coat required or recommended.
Safety
In some cases, you may find yourself requiring a special coating because of a commercial roof having been made with asbestos. This then becomes more important for safety reasons than making sure your roof’s lifetime is at its maximum, so you will be more concerned with picking a heavy duty covering than something that will give you the best bang for your buck says Roof Coatings Phoenix.
