Duro-Last Firestone TPO Standing Seam Metal and PVC

So you need a new roof and you don't know what to do. At a time in history when roofing options are as bountiful and colorful as an Ipod nano what are you to do?

You can choose Standing Seam Metal. Firestone is an old and trusted metal roofing provider. They have the " Red Shield" warranty that covers the roof for 20 years. I love metal because it can easily last over 50 years in most states and it is very environmentally friendly. If you insulate it correctly it can create a thermal lock between indoor and outdoor heat exchange. It can also be totally recycled at the end of it's life cycle.  Metal can come in just about any color you want and it looks very rich. In recent years metal has also become very close with the solar industry so it can easily have a solar PV array attached to many systems.

     TPO and EPDM are also options. You can get them in Black or white from most manufacturers.  They range in thickness from 40mil to 100mil and can come with a  wide range of warranty. For the most part these are the cheapest types of roofing you can put on and can be good for a building at the end of it's life cycle or for someone that wants a quick fix before selling a building. The white options can boast energy savings although lower than most metals and white PVC's. 

     
     Duro-Last PVC is a great all around roofing option. It comes with a standard 15 years warranty or optional 20 year warranty. It can be easily recycled and can pair easily with a solar installation. It also boasts the highest energy star rating in roofing options for savings and reflectivity. 

 I was recently at a trade show that had many roofing options advertised. I saw spray foam roofs, Firestone Metal roofs, Tremco and Duro-Last PVC roofs and too many name brand knockoffs to list. In a time when roofing options abound and the construction industry is still lagging you really need to research all of your options.  The federal government has a roofing calculator that shows energy savings with different roofing options based on location. Energy Star also lists efficient roofing options and for profit buildings can often qualify for tax rebates and grants from electric providers if savings guidelines are met. Spend your time figuring out the best option before you sign a bid and you will be happy you invested the extra time upfront. Because it will save you money in the end.