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Duro-Last Roofing System Review

Duro Last Roofing System Review By Sentry Roofing Inc

Table of Contents

If you are a building owner considering a Duro-Last roofing system, we have written this detailed guide for you.

In our 40 years as Sentry Roofing, Inc. we have installed tens of millions of square feet of commercial roofing systems across the nation for thousands of satisfied clients. The product the overwhelming majority of our clients selected for their installations, on facilities small and large, was Duro-Last, due to the quality and performance of the product and the consistent integrity of the manufacturer.

The following is intended to provide a better understanding of the Duro-Last roofing system and what it offers, to help you make an informed decision for your roofing needs.

Overview of Duro-Last PVC Roofing Systems

Duro-Last was founded in 1978 and quickly became a leading player in the roofing industry. Founded by John R. Burt, the company’s custom-fabricated, single-ply PVC roofing system is ideal for any flat or low-sloped application.

It’s extremely durable, easily installed, watertight, highly reflective, resistant to chemicals, fire, and high winds, and requires little to no maintenance.

Product Offerings

Duro-Last offers a broad range of PVC roofing membranes, in a variety of thicknesses and colors, each tailored to specific needs and requirements. The company’s PVC roof system has a proven track record of performance, with billions of square feet of membrane installed across North America.

Membrane choices include the 40 mil, 50 mil, 60 mil and 80 mil PVC roofing systems, each with unique characteristics and applications.

The 40 and 50 mil membranes are provided as either roll goods – the industry standard –or as prefabricated roof panels of up to 2500 square feet in size for 40 mil and 2000 square feet for 50 mil. Prefabricated panels, combined with custom prefabricated accessories, reduces on site labor with up to 85% of the welding typically done in the field completed under ideal, factory conditions.

Thicker membrane translates to longer roof service life, provided the wear layer of membrane (membrane above the scrim reinforcement) is thicker. Many manufacturers provide thick membranes, but the bulk of the material is in the base layer that never sees the weather. Duro-Last has the thickest above scrim layer available, providing the longest service life.

Common characteristics across the membranes:

  • Ideal for flat or low-sloped roofs.
  • Offers a cost-effective solution with proven durability and performance.
  • Reflective white membrane that can help reduce energy costs by reflecting up to 88% of the sun’s energy.
  • Provides lasting watertight protection and long-term durability.
  • Suitable for various climates and conditions.
  • Typically proves to be the lowest cost roof to own over its service life.
  • Known for its exceptional durability and resistance to chemicals, fire, and high winds.
  • Thicker membrane offers maximum protection and performance for demanding roofing applications.
  • Warranties of up to 30 years on 60 or 80 mil, ideal for solar panel, green roof, or rooftop deck/paver applications.

Installation Process

Video Thumbnail: Largest Duro Last Commercial Roof Installation Sentry Roofing

The installation process for a Duro-Last roofing system on a commercial building typically involves these key steps from start to finish:

1. Create a plan

The first step is a meeting with you, the building owner or manager, to determine your needs and expectations for the roof and any work that is needed. We will develop a work plan based on the facility, the sensitivity of the work being done, your staff, and products in storage, for assurance that roofing work can take place with little or no interference or risk to business operations.

2. Initial Roof Evaluation

A detailed roof inspection is conducted by an authorized Duro-Last roofing contractor to evaluate the current roof condition, identify visible structural issues, and determine the scope of work required for the installation.

3. Preparation and Repairs

Any necessary repairs, such as replacing damaged insulation, or addressing structural issues, are completed to ensure the roof’s integrity before installing the new Duro-Last membrane. In many cases the existing roof insulation is dry and sound, allowing a new roof to be installed without tear-off of existing materials. If the roof insulation is wet, or multiple roofs are in place, a full or partial removal will be required.

4. Off-site Custom Fabrication

If prefabricated roofing is selected, up to 85% of the field welded seams will be custom-fabricated in house under factory-controlled environment before delivery to the job site, reducing on-site seaming and potential leaks. Rooftop details – curbs, stacks, drains, scuppers – will be custom prefabricated under factory conditions at Duro-Last, eliminating most of the detail field welding required by other systems.

5. Membrane Installation

The Duro-Last PVC membrane is installed using either adhesive bonding or mechanical fastening methods, depending on the type of roof deck, building operations and client preference. Once the membrane is secured in place, field seams are heat-welded with robotic welders for superior strength and waterproofing. Duro-Last heat welded seams have excellent integrity, exceeding the tear strength of the membrane.

6. Maintenance

The Duro-Last roof system requires little to no maintenance, however the rooftop itself typically will. Scheduled maintenance checks by either your maintenance staff or your Duro-Last installer can help identify and address potential issues early on, ensuring the roof’s longevity and optimal performance. Typical rooftop maintenance includes inspections around rooftop A/C or mechanical equipment for damage from servicing equipment, removing leaves or debris from corners, drains, or gutters, and a general inspection for punctures due to wind blown debris or tree limbs after severe storms.

A good policy is to inspect roofs at least twice per year, in the spring and fall, and after unusually severe storms. If a leak is discovered, call your Duro-Last installer for and inspection and repairs.

Cost Analysis of Duro-Last PVC Roofing Systems

The cost of installing a Duro-Last roof membrane per square foot can vary based on project type, materials used, application method (mechanical attachment or adhered), and regional labor markets. Here are a few different scenarios that must be factored into the cost of a Duro-Last roof installation:

  • Flat Roof Overlay Projects: Typically, the cost for flat roof overlay projects using Duro-Last to recover an existing flat roof system ranges from $3 to $5 per square foot installed.
  • Metal Retrofit Installation: Installing a Duro-Last single-ply membrane over an existing metal roof, known as a metal roof retrofit, typically costs between $2.75 to $5.00 per square foot installed. Prices vary due to different depths of metal ribs and varying metal thicknesses.
  • Commercial Roof Replacement: An average 15,000 square foot commercial roof replacement can cost between $5 to $12 per square foot.
  • Numerous variables affect a roofing project: type of roof deck, number of rooftop units and penetrations, height of parapet walls, whether or not a tear off is required, age and thickness of existing roof system, thickness of new insulation required, access to the rooftop, time of year and weather conditions, local permit costs, local code requirements, etc. All of these can be addressed with a site visit by an ethical, professional contractor with your best interests in mind!

Calculating the Annual Cost of a Duro-Last Roofing System

One way to understand the cost difference between a Duro-Last PVC and other roof systems is to calculate your annual costs for ownership of the roof.

Your Duro-Last roofing system may have a slightly higher up-front cost, but lower maintenance costs and a years longer service life can provide the lowest cost to own the roof, year after year.

Annual Roof Cost Calculator

Replacement Cost + Maintenance Cost / Total service life of the roof = Annual Cost of the Roof
Price: $0.00

Consider this: if your Duro-Last roof costs $96,000 to install, has a $250 per year maintenance cost, and lasts 30 years, your annual roof cost is around $3,450 per year.

If you opt for another roof that is cheaper to install, say for $80,000, but has a yearly maintenance cost of $1000, and lasts 20 years, you’re paying $5,000 per year to own the roof.

Investing in a Duro-Last roofing system will pay you back with a tougher and stronger membrane, lower maintenance costs, and savings every year, year after year.

For a detailed evaluation of your facilities roof and a concise plan to help resolve roofing problems, schedule a no-cost, no obligation roof evaluation from our professionals at Sentry Roofing, Inc.

Comparison with Other Roofing Systems

Feature Duro-Last PVC TPO EPDM
Materials Materials PVC film laminated to both sides of a weft inserted reinforcement fabric. Top layer is the thickest wear layer in the industry. Non-flammable, self-extinguishing if exposed to flame. High tear resistance. Thermoplastic Olefin films laminated to scrim reinforcement fabric. Low tear resistance, flammable. Ethylene propylene diene monomer, a synthetic rubber, with or without reinforcement scrim, flammable.
Installation Prefabricated or roll goods, can be mechanically attached or fully adhered. Accessories are custom made under ideal factory conditions. Roll goods only, can be mechanically attached, fully adhered or ballasted. Accessories are primarily field created. Roll goods only, can be adhered, mechanically fastened, or ballasted. Accessories are primarily field created.
Durability High tear and puncture resistance due to weft-inserted scrim. Membrane above scrim is the thickest in the industry. Lower tear strength, spotty field performance, higher call back due to more labor involved on site for critical detail welding. Good membrane with a long performance history, but is a black, non-reflective color, easily punctured or torn.
Longevity 20 to 30 years. Typically lasts 20+ years, but newer to the market so long-term performance is less known. Typically lasts 20+ years.
Warranties Clearly written comprehensive warranty with consequential damages for building and contents options, up to 30 years in length. Warranties vary, generally less comprehensive than Duro-Last. Varies, but generally offers good coverage for material defects and workmanship.
Maintenance Low maintenance, resistant to chemicals, fire, and high winds. Resists corrosion, mildew, algae, and does not require pressure washing. Low maintenance, but more prone to mold/mildew buildup than PVC.
Environmental Impact Energy-efficient, highly reflective, 100% recyclable PVC membrane. White, lower reflectivity than Duro-Last, can be recycled. Black, non-reflective, can be recycled in some cases.

Warranty Information

Duro-Last leads the roofing industry with comprehensive warranty coverage, offering unparalleled protection for commercial roofing applications. They are the only manufacturer to provide a warranty choice that expressly covers consequential damages on commercial buildings, demonstrating their confidence in the performance of the Duro-Last roofing systems.

Duro-Last’s warranty choices can include no dollar limit material and labor coverage, no exclusion for ponding water, as well as hail and/or high wind coverage, providing a variety of warranty options suitable for various roofing projects and specific client concerns.

A clearly written, comprehensive warranty is important for the building owner, but the integrity and support of the manufacturer standing behind the warranty is equally important. A comprehensive warranty and the integrity of the manufacturer assures you, the building owner, that your investment is well placed, and reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in the durability and longevity of their products.

Duro-Last’s industry-leading warranty coverage sets them apart in the market, offering building owners the assurance that their roofing system is backed by a company that stands behind its products.

With any manufacturer, carefully review and understand the various warranty options that may be offered.

Performance and Durability

Duro-Last roofing systems are known for their adaptability to various climates and conditions, all across the nation and Canada. The Duro-Last membranes are highly resistant to puncture, abuse, foot traffic, fats, many chemicals, fire, and high winds, making it an effective choice for diverse environmental challenges.

The custom-fabricated, single-ply PVC roofing system is designed to perform reliably across North America, where billions of square feet have been installed. Its durability is evident in its ability to withstand extreme weather, contributing to its longevity and consistent performance.

Maintenance and Care

For building owners, maintaining a Duro-Last roofing system is relatively straightforward and requires minimal maintenance.

The rooftop is a severe environment. Intense solar radiation, constant temperature fluctuations, rain, hail, snow, foot traffic, and rooftop unit servicing all work to weather and degrade a roof. We recommend that owners conduct semi-annual inspections to keep roof drains, scuppers and corners clean from debris, and make spot inspections after severe weather events. Prompt attention to any issues, such as leaks or damage, will help ensure the longevity of the roof.

You may conduct inspections with in-house maintenance teams, or consider a yearly maintenance plan from a reputable, experienced Duro-Last contractor like Sentry Roofing, Inc.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Duro Last Pvc Roofing System Recycled Membrane

Duro-Last PVC roofing systems demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental impact and sustainability for building owners through various initiatives:

  • Recycling and Waste Reduction: Duro-Last has recycled over 80 million pounds of PVC material through sustainable manufacturing operations and recycling programs. The company prioritizes recycling at every step of the manufacturing process, reducing its carbon footprint and virtually recycling all manufacturing waste.
  • Energy Efficiency: White Duro-Last membranes reflect up to 88% of the sun’s energy, reducing energy costs and making them an energy-efficient roofing solution. The high reflectivity of Duro-Last membranes helps in reducing peak energy demand, contributing to energy savings and mitigating air pollution.
  • Certifications and Transparency: Duro-Last has obtained certifications like NSF/ANSI 347 Gold Certification, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable practices and product durability. They published the first product-specific PVC Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in the commercial roofing industry, providing environmental impact data for informed purchasing decisions.
  • End-of-Life Recycling: Duro-Last offers a “Recycle Your Roof” program where mechanically attached PVC roofs can be returned at the end of their useful life to be recycled into new products, reducing landfill waste.

Duro-Last Roofing Systems: Are They Worth It?

For commercial and industrial building owners, we believe Duro-Last roofing systems are the best choice for a durable, low-maintenance, long performing and environmentally friendly rooftop. The system’s resistance to various environmental factors, along with comprehensive warranty coverage, positions it as a leading choice in the roofing market.

We hope that this Duro-Last roofing system review has informed you and will help you make with your decisions for roof evaluation, repairs or replacement.

For a detailed on-site evaluation, contact Sentry Roofing to explore the benefits and suitability of a Duro-Last roof for your specific needs. Thank you!

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