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Commercial Roofing

Main Roofing Systems We Provide:

There are lots of things to consider when looking at a commercial roofing project. The professionals at Legacy Exteriors utilize state of the art equipment and practices to diagnose your roof system to help you determine what is the best direction to go with your project.

EPDM-ethylene propylene diene terpolymer aka Rubber Roofing

EPDM is an extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane  (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) widely used in low-slope buildings in the United States and worldwide. Its two primary ingredients, ethylene and propylene, are derived from oil and natural gas. EPDM is available in both black and white and is sold in a broad variety of widths, ranging from 7.5 feet to 50 feet, and in two thicknesses, 45 and 60 mils.

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Advantages

Cost-Effective Rubber Roofing

Businesses look to cut costs in any way they can without compromising on quality. Purchasing an EPDM roofing system is typically cheaper per square foot than most other types of roofing (like TPO) while still being a high-quality material. For those two reasons alone, purchasing EPDM roofs is one way your business could cut down on roofing costs.

Longevity of the Roofing Materials

You can get a good twenty years or longer out of your EPDM roof, provided you get the right roofing contractor for the installation. Since roof replacement is not only costly but also time-consuming, make sure you’re using a commercial roofing company who has the experience and manpower to complete the job quickly and correctly.In business, time is money, and you don’t want to lose any time on roof replacement that you could use to make money. 

Easy to Install Flat Roof Option

The reason why EPDM roof installation costs remain so affordable are because the roofing systems are easy to install. EPDM is a light-weight but strong material, and EPDM rubber comes in rolls of about 10’ by 100’ (meaning that your roofing contractor can just roll the roof on the building and get to work).

Fire-Resistant Roof System

Often, fires spread from one building to another through the roofing system and even a tiny wisp of a flame can ignite the neighboring building.

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Disadvantages

It’s Not a DIY Project

EPDM roofs are very easy to install, but you typically can’t install them on your own (unless you have previous commercial roofing experience). For the business that wants to try and save some money by installing the roof on their own, it just isn’t possible here.

There’s a lot of technical stuff that goes into installing an EPDM roof! If you choose to go it on your own, the probability of an EPDM system failing is very high. That’s why it’s so important to find a competent commercial roofing installer to handle your EPDM roofing.

Utilitarian Design

While an EPDM roof has a clean and professional finish, it’s looks are certainly nothing to write home about. With EPDM roofing, you don’t get theglamor of wooden or asphalt shingles, and in fact, you can just think of it as a plain sheet of rubber.

For a bit of style, you can get one with a ballasted layer. However, even with an asphalt layer, it’s still very utilitarian. This is just fine for most commercial roofs, but if you’re a business that wants to use the roof as an outdoor space, you’ll likely want a different type of roofing for your building.

Can Puncture Easily

EPDM is a high-density rubber that is very strong. However, EPDM roofs may not hold up well to high-impact forces and cannot withstand large falling objects.

That’s why a fire-resistant roof systems are so popular. Flat roofing systems such as modified bitumen, for instance, lose their resistance after only five years.

Environmentally-Friendly

It’s hard to use the terms “rubber” and “environmentally friendly” in the same sentence unless you’re talking about EPDM. EPDM is 100% recyclable.

TPO-Thermoplastic Polyolefin

Thermoplastic Polyolefin is a single-ply roofing membrane that is one of the fastest growing commercial roofing systems on the market. TPO roofing systems are made up of a single layer of synthetics and reinforcing scrim that can be used to cover flat roofs.

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Advantages

Its Cost Effective (At Least Compared To PVC)

TPO can be a desirable option because it has a relatively low price point. Compared to PVC, TPO offers comparable energy efficiency and ability to weld hot-air at a fraction of the cost of PVC.

Strength and Durability, Especially At The Seams

TPO would be considered a strong roofing product because of its ability to resist tears, punctures and dirt and mold build-up. On top of those features,TPO has the most flexibility when it comes to single-ply roofing membranes because it is able to deal with expansion and contraction of the building more efficiently than other materials. It allows for a wide array of options when it comes to moving or settling of a building. 

As TPO membranes have hot air welded seams, its seam strength is three times stronger than conventional rubber roofs that use tape systems. It is also about six times stronger than those with glued seams. This is very beneficial when using rooftop supports that need to be fastened to the membrane.

Energy Efficiency

TPO has UV resistant properties which eases cooling costs in warm months and climates. TPO not only meets, but exceeds the EPA Energy Star requirements. This means that in the Summer, TPO will help keep your energy bill low while simultaneously helping the environment and keeping your home or building cool. The energy efficiency of TPO will definitely have an impact on the overall cost of the roof once you factor in energy savings.

Installation

TPO weighs less than EPDM making it easier to maneuver and move around. TPO is synonymous with less labor time needed for an install compared to other roofing options. Less time working on a project results in significantly lower labor costs, which is just another area that TPO can save you money.

Adaptable To Various Home or Building Styles

TPO comes in a variety of colors – Black, White, Grey – and with its strong level of UV-resistance, all colors of TPO can deliver energy savings for you. Having the ability to choose colors makes the membrane a little friendlier when designing a building or home. This may seem like a small detail but this gives architects the ability to still have a product that fits in both design and energy efficiency.

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Disadvantages

Longevity

With TPO being the “new kid on the block” there are questions when it comes to its longevity. The chemical formula for TPO has been changed and tweaked over the past 30 years. This is typically for the better, however it is important to keep in mind that with these changes in the chemical formula, the verdict is still out for how well it hold up over the years.

Does Not Do Well When Subjected To High Heat

TPO roofing can save you a remarkable amount of money on your energy costs and make your home or office building cooler, but when the heat gets too high, it can cause serious problems. Southern states that are generally warmer over the course of the year than northern states have shown that this could be a concern. If temperatures are pushed to a tremendously high levelon a regular basis or if solar loads are increased far beyond usual amounts, it is entirely possible TPO roofing could fail to withstand those conditions. So, if you live in a climate where those are issues you will regularly encounter, TPO roofing may not be your best option.

Silicone Coatings (Rolled on Roofing)

A silicone roof coating system is a single layer (applied in one or two coats) of silicone that’s rolled or sprayed on as a liquid to fill in cracks, blisters, and seams.The process does not improve the insulation or underlying system, but it does add an extra layer of protection from the elements.

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Advantages

  • Significantly cheaper than a roof replacment.

  • It is a highly elastic material that provides excellent adhesion to the existing surface.

  • Silicones provide good weather resistance and rarely become hard or brittle.

  • Silicone coatings have gained market share on the commercial roof market in the last decade.

  • The rise in applications is primarily due to the material’s ability to withstand long-term exposure to ponding water, as most of the other coatings cannot withstand ponding water.

  • Silicone coatings also provide excellent ultraviolet protection in extreme temperatures and harsh environments and can resist oxidation. Silicone is available in a variety of colors and provides high reflectivity and emissivity ratings.

  • You can write off 100% of the cost in the first year because its considered a maintenance item and doesn't require an amortization schedule like a “roof replacement” project would.

  • Eligible for comparable warranties as a roof replacement.

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Disadvantages

  • Improper installation and prep can cause failure and delamination

  • Silicones hold dirt and rain acts as a cleaner; therefore the material loses reflectivity over time.

  • It is hard to adhere to silicone, so when a roof needs re-coating, you must either remove the coating completely or re-coat with a compatible silicone.

  • Cant be done if the existing roof is too far deteriorated so it should be done as a preventative measure rather than waiting until the very end of the life of the existing roof.

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