Commercial Roofing Systems

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer)

EPDM is an extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane widely used in low-slope buildings in the United States and worldwide. EPDM is available in both black and white, however black is its natural color and most readily stocked and utilized.  Thicknesses range from 45 to 90 mils with 60 mil being the most commonly utilized. EPDM can be installed fully adhered, mechanically attached or ballasted, with the seams of the roofing system sealed by specially formulated tapes. Ask your Hytech estimator about the benefits of the different installation methods offered.  EPDM has one of the longest performance track records in the roofing and waterproofing industry. Hytech has EPDM installations still in service well over 30 years old! EPDM works so well keeping water out that it is the most common waterproofing liner utilized in commercial and backyard ponds!  EPDM roofing, being very dark colored, has greater benefits in our region vs bright reflective membranes. This is due to the fact that we have more heating degree days than cooling degree days. Hytech has aligned with Carlisle Syntec for EPDM products and industry-leading NDL full system warranties.  Carlisle Syntec was one of the first roofing manufacturers to the market with an EPDM roofing membrane system which was installed on the Chicago O’Hare Airport in 1961.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC was discovered accidentally in the 1920s when a scientist was searching for a synthetic adhesive. Soon after the discovery, PVC was being used as shoe heels, shower curtains, wire insulation, and waterproofing fabric for raincoats. PVC has been used as a roofing material since the 1960s and has over 50 years of proven performance. PVC is a premium single-ply membrane roofing product that is commonly available in 50 mil to 80 mil thicknesses but 60 mil is the most readily utilized. PVC can be mechanically fastened or fully adhered. PVC’s overlapping seams are “hot-air welded” together to prevent water from penetrating the building. A well-installed & maintained PVC roof system can last well over 25 years in service. One of the greatest benefits to PVC versus other membrane roofing products is its chemical resistance. For restaurants and processing facilities with chemical oil and gas exposures, PVC roofing is your best choice. Hytech has aligned with industry leaders of the PVC market with industry-best products and no dollar limit warranties that protect building owners. Sika Sarnafil has been offering PVC membrane roofing systems to the industry for over 55 years and has set the standard. Carlisle Syntec also came to market a bit later with a great PVC membrane containing KEE (Ketone Ethylene Ester) ingredients that greatly resist chemical and grease exposure.

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)

TPO membrane roofs are the new standard in the roofing industry when it comes to the most cost-effective. Early formulations of TPO membrane originally came to the industry much later than EPDM or PVC. The first known TPO roofing membrane was installed in 1986 in Michigan. TPO roofs are no longer unproven. Now with a track record of approximately 30 years and many studies to back their weathering performance. For your average building, TPO membranes installations are going to come at a lower cost point than many others. Being a lower cost installation does not mean they aren’t a great roof. TPO roofs are the most specified roofing product by architects on new schools, malls, and other commercial buildings. From 1998 to now, TPO membrane sales have grown annually at a double-digit rate, far outpacing any other single-ply, mod bit, BUR, or metal product. TPO roofing thicknesses range from 45-mil to 80 mil and the most commonly utilized thickness is 60 mil. Like the other single-ply membranes, TPO can be installed mechanically fastened, fully adhered, or ballasted and its seams are hot air welded. TPO roofing Manufactures like Carlisle Syntec and GAF offer full system NDL warranties up to 30 years depending on the thickness and application methods. We would expect that today’s mechanically fastened, 60 mil TPO membranes are going to likely last 20-25 years.

SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) & APP (Atactic Polypropylene)

These asphalt-based roofing products can be torch applied, adhered with cold adhesive, or hot asphalt adhered. Hytech’s preferred method of application for these systems is torch-applied. Torch applied systems combine the performance of hot asphalt but with the convenience of not having to deal with hot liquid asphalt on site. Cold adhesive applied systems require cure times, before rain events, which can be tough to obtain in our region. It can possibly be done at the right time of year during the right stretch of weather. Although hot asphalt applications make a great roof assembly, Hytech does not currently offer hot asphalt applied systems for various reasons. Hot asphalt applications require a tank or “kettle” on the job site keeping liquid asphalt up to temperature. This “kettle” or tank requires constant monitoring of the temperature to make sure flash point and explosions do not occur. Back when Hytech used to install hot asphalt systems, the smell of liquid asphalt was also a very common complaint of building owners. Lastly, the hot asphalt application can lead to some safety concerns for the applicators. With the proper PPE and installation methods, hot asphalt applications are absolutely possible but Hytech has decided to stay away from them for the last 15 years because there are so many other great alternatives.

Generally speaking, APP membranes are going to be the entry-level budget option for a torch-applied roof system. SBS roofing membranes contain rubber which allows for greater elasticity and flexibility and the more premium option. A two or three-ply SBS System is one of the most durable roofing applications in the roofing industry. Multi-ply SBS systems have more layers than a typical single-ply membrane system (PVC, TPO, EPDM) therefore are a more costly roof. This also means that the roof will last a very long time! If extreme foot traffic is expected on your roof, the impact resistance of a granule surfaced multi-ply SBS system is a great choice!

Hytech selects manufacturers that are leaders in the industry with warranties owners can count on and materials with proven performance. SOPREMA has been manufacturing bituminous membranes for over 100 years and Hytech has partnered with SOPREMA for 30 of them. Hytech also offers products from GAF and Polyglass.

PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate)

PMMA liquid waterproofing systems are characterized by rapid curing formulations and extremely high-performance properties. PMMA offers solutions for many varied and complex environments and constructions and offers sealing, waterproofing, and surfacing systems for roofs, balconies, terraces, walkways, flooring, and car parks. Hytech primarily works with SOPREMA and their ALSAN PMMA systems.

ALSAN PMMA systems are completely flame-free and include fully reinforced, fast curing, resin waterproofing systems, hardwearing layers for trafficable environments, specialist primers for all substrates, and unlimited colored and textured finishes. ALSAN enables a multitude of surfaces to be sealed or waterproofed with a completely seamless and aesthetic finish. ALSAN PMMA systems are BBA certified, self-terminating and guarantee a watertight solution for even the most complex of projects. Hytech also successfully utilizes ALSAN for tough repair situations on existing roofs.

Fleece-backed Systems

Most of the single-ply membranes Hytech offers, with the exception of SBS & APP, can be provided with a fleece-backed product offering. Fleece-backed membranes are a premium roof membrane offering many advantages over the standard bare backed membrane.

Fleece-back is ideal for re-cover applications over abrasive surfaces like concrete or granule-surfaced membranes because no protective sheet is required. The fleece allows for the application of the membrane in low-rise foam adhesive, creating a cost-effective, fully adhered, re-roofing option for building owners. The membrane can be mechanically attached as well, still providing protection from abrasive surfaces below, while keeping installation costs lower than on an adhered application. Fleece-back systems provide better weather-durability than other roofing systems, especially combined with low-rise adhesive. Because the system is thicker and more impact resistant than bareback, it can withstand storm systems better than other membranes. Another advantage of adhered fleece-backs systems is the low impact to an occupied building and the personnel or customers below. Because the system is adhered, and the adhesive is low VOC, the chances of disruption below due to odors or noise are a lot less likely. Property managers know that happiness is one of the top priorities for facility managers and limiting the disruption during a roofing project is in their best interest. Sika Sarnafil & Carlisle Syntec are manufactures of which we typically offer fleece-backed assemblies from. Carlisle Syntec also has a really cool fleece-back system called RapidLOCK. Long story short, Carlisle has developed a premium roof system that utilizes VELCRO instead of adhesives to adhere it. Zero odors for tenants inside the building!

Metal Retrofits

Most of the single-ply membranes Hytech offers can be installed over an existing corrugated roof. Sounds odd right?  It isn’t overly complicated though. The process involves filling in the metal roof corrugations with precisely measured and laser cut foam insulation, followed by a flat nominal top layer of rigid insulation.  The insulation can be fastened to the existing metal panels or it can adhere to the roof panels.  The Single-ply membrane roofing system is then attached with fasteners down to the existing metal deck or it fully adheres to the insulation. Not only does this foam insulation provide a suitable substrate for the new roofing membrane, it adds some r-value to the building.   More often than not, metal buildings are built to include very minimal thermal performance characteristics.  During a metal retrofit installation, it is also a great time to think about adding more layers of foam to boost the performance of the building, save energy costs, and lower your carbon footprint.  We can assist in running an ROI calculation on adding insulation to your building.  Because all of these components are relatively lightweight, the existing building can usually handle the added weight.  We do recommend a structural engineer review the structure to confirm this is the case. With a metal retrofit, the existing metal roofing system stays in place and is not removed and hauled away to a landfill.  This means less disruption to your facility and business as usual.  Because this is a re-cover system, we can, and have, successfully installed these systems year around in the Pacific Northwest.