Legacy Roofing Contractors
Legacy Roofing is our Commercial roofing division. We have been installing and replacing Commercial and Industrial roofs for over 65 years. Owner Mark Washburn’s Maternal Grandfather opened Krumwiede roofing in 1952. After working for, and running Krumwiede roofing for many years, Mark’s Father James Washburn Sr. opened Ability Roofer’s in Franklin Park, IL. Mark worked for, supervised, and ran Ability Roofers for 20 plus years. Mark opened Shingle Company Construction in 2006, and the following year Legacy Roofing Contractors was legally added as the commercial branch of the Company.
Repair or Replace?
How do you know when to replace your commercial roof system? If your roof is 15 years old or older, hire a legacy roofing contractors. We are licensed to inspect your existing roof system. In doing so. we will inspect your roof for many types of damage. Based on the use, climate, codes, energy requirements, age, and condition of the building we will either suggest repairing, or replacing the roof.
Maintenance:
Regular inspection and maintenance of a roofing system is paramount to its lifespan. Hire the professionals at legacy roofing contractors to perform detailed inspections at least once a year. Inspections are also necessary after any major weather event. Bear in mind, inspections may indicate the need for repairs. Legacy Roofing Contractors will ensure all repairs are done in accordance with the manufacturer’s warranty, and all applicable codes.
Warranties – Why Do I Need One and What Do They Provide?
Most commercial roofing systems come with a limited 10-20 year warranty. Warranty coverage varies, depending on the manufacturer, and type of roof being installed. While understanding the details of a roofing system is important, there are several factors you need to know about warranties. When purchasing a new roof system, there are two warranties to consider: First is the manufacturer’s warranty. These warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the material itself. Secondly, once the project is complete, the roofing contractor should provide a warranty covering his workmanship along with a certificate for your records. Legacy roofing’s warranty covers installation and related issues, and is called a craftsmanship warranty. Many contractors offer one or two years of coverage, however, Legacy Roofing Contractors offers warranties starting at 10 years for new roof systems.
CHOOSING A FLAT ROOF
What are my best best options for a commercial roof?
Seemingly simple, the basis of a roof system is to maintain the watertight integrity of a building and keep its contents dry. Today’s variety of flat (or low slope) commercial roofing options is no longer makes it an easy choice to navigate.
Liquid Applied / Spray Foam
Spray Poly Roof Application
Liquid applied roofing includes hot and cold polymer-modified asphalt, single-component asphalt, or coal tar-extended urethane, and two-component urethane elastomers.
Liquid applied systems require extensive preparation of the substrate, which must be dry and dust-free with patched cracks.Liquid applied coatings are highly elastic, and self-flashing. Therefore, are easily applied to contoured surfaces. Their durability in cold and wet climates in the past has not been stellar, and if not installed correctly will not be a good choice.
Metal Roofs
Standing seam metal roof
In general metal roofs are for commercial use in steep slope applications (where roof is steeper and a 4:12 pitch). One of the world’s oldest roofing systems. Metal roofing began with materials like the bronze on Rome’s Pantheon. Lead roofing later joined bronze as a popular choice for cathedrals and castles throughout Europe during medieval times. Many of today’s low slope metal roofs are made of corrugated galvanized steel (coated with zinc). Copper, aluminum, stainless steel and tin also are used in commercial metal roof systems. Benefits of metal roofing include long lifespan, and heat resistance. Additionally, metal roofs can withstand high winds and are largely impact resistant. However, the cost of metal roof systems is much higher than other types of low slope roofing material.
Structural metal roofing is commonly known as a standing seam roof. It consists of interlocking panels that run vertically along the roof. These panels can come pre-painted, mill finish, or clear acrylic finished. Some metal roofing requires machine seaming during installation. A seaming tool is simply rolled along the panels to crimp the panel seams together.
Built Up Roofing (BUR)
Hot Tar! That was always one of my favorite things! — Yelling “Hot tar” to let everyone know it was time to start roofing when we pumped up our first bucket of boiling hot tar onto a commercial roof in the morning!
– Mark Washburn, President – Legacy Roofing Contractors
Popular in North America for more than 100 years, Built Up Roofing (BUR) Systems are composed of alternating layers of bitumen (asphalt), and fabrics called roofing felt. The felt is reinforced with either glass-fiber mats or organic mats (ply sheets) and when joined with the bitumen form a durable roofing membrane. The number of “plies” on a roof implies the number of layers, i.e. “four ply” denotes a four-layer flat roof membrane system.
Hot Tar Roofer
BUR systems are redundant, meaning if one layer breaks down, multiple remaining layers provide immediate protection. These systems also offer great tolerance for building stress and resistance to thermal shock, high puncture resistance and outstanding membrane strength and toughness for proven long-term durability.
BUR systems can include SBS, fiberglass or organic felts, and offer many options to suit a variety of building needs. The key to this system is the repetitive layers. BUR also is known for superior fire resistance from external flames. Reflective surfacing options also are available to offer maximum membrane protection, superior puncture resistance and high resistance to foot traffic and mechanical maintenance.
Modified Bitumen (Modified)
Modified Bitumen or “Modified” roofs are constructed using factory-fabricated layers of asphalt that are “modified,” using a rubber or plastic increased flexibility, and longevity. They’re combined with a reinforcement for added strength and stability. Bitumen (or asphalt) is a sticky, black liquid, or semi-solid form of petroleum. It’s found in natural deposits, or refined, and is used in roads and roofing.
Torch down APP roofing membrane
In modified bitumen, there are two membranes used today: APP (atactic polypropylene) and SBS (styrene butadiene styrene). APP and SBS refer to the type of polymers that are added to the asphalt. A variety of reinforcements are used. Fiber glass, polyester mats, and scrims. Scrim is a fabric made from continuous filament yarn.
Modified membranes are typically installed in two- or three-ply systems. SBS is mopped down using hot asphalt or heat welded to melt the asphalt so that it flows onto the substrate. Seams are sealed by the same technique. The membrane system may be held in place on the roof by fully adhering the base sheet, mechanically attaching the base sheet, or using ballast. APP Bitumen is heat welded, or “torched” down. In a similar fashion over base sheet.
Modified bitumen roofing systems are installed fairly quickly. Are easy to maintain, and cost efficient. Modified membranes are either hot mopped like traditional BUR, or applied as a torch down product.
Single Ply Membrane
The single ply membrane market has grown exponentially in the past 40 years. A reliable commercial roofing application, single ply offers an extended service life and requires relatively low maintenance.
Rising petroleum prices during the 1970’s energy crisis. As well as,
frustration with conventional bituminous roofing provided a market. The less labor-intensive field installation of lighter materials versus the heavy field labor required of the conventional systems. The Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) classifies single ply commercial roofing membranes as “flexible sheets of compounded synthetic materials that are manufactured in a factory to strict quality control requirements”. Single ply roofing systems provide strength, flexibility and long-lasting durability. The pre-fabricated sheets, consistency in quality, versatility in the attachment methods, and wider applicability offer many advantages over bitumen or asphalt.
There are two major categories of single ply membranes:
Thermosets and thermoplastics.
Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) Roof
Thermoset membranes are made from rubber polymers. The most commonly used polymer is EPDM or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. EPDM is a durable (but thin) rubber roofing solution and available in both black and white. Thermoset membranes are successful for use as roofing materials because of their proven ability to withstand the potentially damaging effects of sunlight and most common chemicals generally found on roofs. EPDM in our experience though is not as resilient to punture damage due to its thin, and soft profile. The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) offers detailed information on EPDM roof resources.
Thermoplastic membranes are made from polymers which soften when heated and harden when cooled. These pre-fabricated sheets are applied on the job site using one of the standard installation techniques for sheet membrane systems (fully adhered, mechanically attached or ballasted). This process is repetitive provided the material is not heated above the point at which decomposition occurs. The membranes can be welded together with heat or solvents. When welded, they develop a bond strength which equals or surpasses the strength of the base material. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), blends or alloys of PVC and thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) are the most common types of thermoplastic roofing membranes.
Insulation and Vapor Retarders
Iso insulation
Insulation is a vital component in roof systems, serving many functions in addition to the primary purpose of energy conservation. Insulation is designed to reduce heat from, or into a building. It is generally installed either just below the roofing membrane, or waterproofing system. Insulation comes in rigid, semi-rigid boards, or panels. Made of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, fiberboard, fiber glass and composite insulating material.
Polyisocyanurate (iso) is a closed-cell, rigid foam board used in roof and wall assemblies within commercial and residential buildings. Because of its high thermal performance, it is the top choice for architects, builders, building owners, and contractors. It is North America’s most widely used, and readily available insulation product. It is stable and compatible with a variety of roofing systems.