Roof Replacement
If a new roof installation is chosen, the materials are ordered, the job is stocked, and the roof is completed…
Roof Design and Estimate
Based on the information obtained from our roof evaluation, we create a thorough proposal based on your unique…
What You Need to Know About Flat Roof Designs
Flat roofs are among the most common and versatile types of roofs globally. While they are not the most glamorous and enchanting option, they have unique advantages. It’s important to note that flat roofs require special attention, care, and handling. Flat roofs differ from their contemporary counterparts in more than outward appearance. Costs, materials, and versatility benefits are distinct capabilities of flat roofs. So, if you’re a commercial building owner or a private real estate developer, you will most likely have to deal with flat roofs firsthand.Here’s what you need to know about flat roof designs: 1. Cost The cost of a flat roof system can vary dramatically. If you need to complete a full tear off, you also need to install code-compliant insulation, which can add dramatically to the cost. There are also big cost differences between the products available (TPO, EPDM, PVC) and how they are installed (Fastened, adhered, etc). Make sure you do your homework and know what you are getting before approving a proposal. 2. Maintenance On a flat roof system, maintenance is very important. Clogged roof drains and minor defects can create big problems down the road. It is very important to walk your roof at least once a year, clearing vegetation and checking for defects. An annual maintenance program can go a long way in making sure your roof […]
4 Reasons to Avoid Built-Up Roof Systems
A built-up roof system, also known as BURS, is a multi-tiered roofing system for flat roofs. Built-up roof systems provide roof protection against the elements with multiple layers of protective systems. A built-up roof system is also known as a tar and gravel roof. The number of layers in the system will depend on the owner’s preferences and usage of the building. Typically, it is installed in 3-5 layers. The more layers, or plies, the stronger the BUR system and the longer it will last. The first layer of a built-up roof system is typically a base felt paper. This prevents the BUR system from being adhered directly to the structural decking, making removal down the road difficult to impossible. Then, alternating layers of asphalt/tar are applied between additional layers of felt paper. Install felt sheet, mop on a layer of asphalt, repeat. The top layer of a built-up roof system usually consists of gravel. In a built-up roof system, gravel acts as UV protection, which will prevent the asphalt roof system from cracking and breaking apart over time. In some cases, coatings are applied instead of P-stone. This serves the same purpose, UV protection. However, in some cases, they also serve as a heat-reflective top layer that reflects sunlight and heat away from a building to help keep it cool and lower energy bills. […]
Adding or Renovating Your Property? Consider Upgrading Your Roof
The average roof will last 15 to 30 years in the United States. However, if you own a commercial building, you should not take anything for granted. It would be best to regularly inspect your roof and take proactive steps in renovating and upgrading your roof before problems develop. Here are three ideas on renovating or upgrading your roof to save money and improve the aesthetics of your commercial property. Related: EPDM Warranties Explained (And Why It’s So Popular) EPDM Over 50% of American buildings have mild to serious mold infiltration problems. Many people think leaky pipes cause expensive, façade damaging and health-endangering mold problems but sometimes, mold can infiltrate your building from the top. It would not take a lot of water infiltration via the roof for a mold problem to get out of control. Ethylene propylene diene monomer, more commonly known as EPDM, is a sheet material made of synthetic rubber. EPDM is used to line flat roofs and most commonly as the lining for artificial ponds because of its durability. EPDM lining is held in place with masonry pavers, ballast, glue, or fastening. It is a lightweight, relatively inexpensive material that offers enhanced insulation. As long as EPDM sheeting is installed expertly, leaks won’t be a commonplace occurrence. If your commercial property is located in a region with colder weather, then the […]
Choosing The Longest Lasting Commercial Roofing For Harsh Winters
Winters are harsh on commercial roofing. All of that rain, sleet, snow, ice, and wind will do damage. Often business owners think their roof is strong until a night of wind and rain brings leaks and damp patches. The weight of heavy snowfall or a week of ice will cause its own problems. A harsh winter will expose weaknesses, often with devastating results. At Chaffee Roofing, we know the benefits of a long-lasting commercial roof. The type of roofing to come through the winter and withstand the toughest conditions is what you need. Let’s take a closer look at the best roofing for your building. TPO is one of the best roofing solutions for harsh winter problems. We supply EPDM, TPO, and PVC membrane roofing materials for commercial installs. All three products have their benefits, depending on the style of the roof. TPO is one of the best for harsh winters. It has many benefits, and for commercial roofs going through harsh winters, TPO covers all eventualities. Not shattering is one of the major benefits of any roof in a harsh winter. Instant, low temperatures can cause a roof to shatter, often overnight. This will not happen with TPO, and you can rest assured when the coldest nights come that your TPO roof will stay secure. Shrinking is another problem with cold and freezing conditions. […]
Types Of Commercial Roofing That Are Installed Over Your Old Roofing
Does your old commercial roof need replacing? Are you considering installing a new roof over the old one? Are you worried about choosing the right roof for your building? We see projects where removing and disposing of the old roof is as big a job as installing the new one. The solution can lie in installing the new roofing over the existing one. There are types of commercial roofing systems that allow you to do this without any trouble. When done correctly, the finished roof is as strong and reliable as any new installation. Let’s take a closer look at the types of commercial roofing to install over your old roofing. TPO will install easily over the old roof TPO is one of those materials which fits easily over an old commercial roof. The heat-welded seams do not leak, and the TPO does not shrink under the summer sun. A significant advantage of TPO is puncture resistance. If you have a lot of foot traffic on your roof, then TPO is for your building. A team of qualified roofing technicians will install your new roof and leave you with a much-improved structure. Shingles can be difficult We often get calls from clients looking to replace a shingle roof. A major expense can be the removal and disposal of the old shingles. Yes, it is possible […]
EPDM Seams and Flashings – What’s Changed?
EPDM has always been known as one of the most durable roofing products available. Its high UV resistance and ability to stand up to weather over time has made it a very popular flat roofing product, decade after decade. Its ability to resist ponding water on roofs has also made it very popular as a man-made pond liner, among its many uses. However, EPDM has always had one big weakness: seams and flashings. Alternative single-ply roof systems, like TPO and PVC, can be heat welded. If completed correctly by a knowledgeable crew, a heat weld is the strongest bond available. It essentially welds the flashings and seams together with the base PVC or TPO membrane. With EPDM, heat welding isn’t possible, so the seams are instead bonded together with adhesives. In the early days of EPDM, seams and flashings were only expected to last 10 to 15 years. The reason was the technology they had at the time, which was a product called splicing cement. On most early EPDM roof systems, the seams were glued together using this method. Some manufacturers used caulking products to hold off water penetrating the seams, which could help buy some time. However, after a period of time, the result would always be the same – open seams and flashings. The cure to this problem was an expensive one: re-do […]
Membrane Formula Change – New and Improved, Inconsistent and Unproven
In the world we live in today, we want everything we buy to be the latest and greatest. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, car, appliance, or even a kid’s toy, the newest products are what everyone wants and talks about. Even a model of just about any product above a year or two old can be sold for steep discounts in favor of clearing space for upcoming models. However, with most construction products, especially flat commercial roofing products, the opposite is typically true. Why? Probably the biggest reason, in my opinion, is that unlike most consumer items, construction products are something that you will likely live with for decades. Even something as major as a car is typically replaced every 5 to 10 years. Compare that to a flat roof system, which is typically warranted from 15 to 30 years. As a result, product failure or shortcoming is something that you may have to live with for a long time, especially if it isn’t backed up by a strong warranty. This means that for many people who are experienced in construction, they don’t want to be the guinea pig with something that will last such a long time and comes with such a high price tag. Another reason that consistency prevails in the construction industry is that oftentimes, manufacturers will release a new product to […]
What Parts of a Flat Roof Can Be Recycled?
When possible, we try to look into recycling components of a roof system. Not only does it help us reduce the amount of debris going into a landfill, but, in some rare cases, it can also provide cost savings. It all depends on what type of roof system and insulation you are removing. Roof Projects to Consider: As a general rule, it is hard to recycle components that are under an asphalt roof system, like modified bitumen or built up. The reason being that removal of these roof systems is not a delicate process. Cutters, ripping spades, axes, etc. are used to break apart the roof system, and the underlying insulation is typically damaged also. Fully adhered roofs can also prove challenging since the face of the insulation is typically damaged while the membrane is being removed. This causes the insulation to sustain damage, and the membrane has parts of the insulation adhered to it, making it non-recyclable. Mechanically attached roofs can be good candidates, depending on how they are installed. In some cases, we can completely remove the fasteners and take apart the roof system, making all components reusable. In other cases, we can leave the membrane fasteners in place, and recycle everything around it. Ballasted roofs tend to be the best candidates for recycling. Once the ballast stone is removed, the underlying roof […]