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4specs Discussion Forum » Archive - Product Discussions #6 » Decorative overlays or toppings to Single Ply PVC roof? « Previous Next »

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Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: nwoods

Post Number: 726
Registered: 08-2005


Posted on Monday, December 11, 2017 - 08:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I have a white 60mil felt back single ply PVC roof here in Southern California. One of my rows of doctors offices looks out over this roof, and they dislike the dirty white appearance. They are asking me for recommendations on what they can :add" to the roof to address this aesthetic dilemma. My suggestion to add window blinds was not well received. (north facing roof).

Any ideas? Yes, I know there will need to be weight calcuations, and we have an 85 mph wind load, and CalGreen and LEED for HealthCare reflectiviy indexes and so forth as well to factor in.

I'm not too worried about weight. I have a healthy live load factor in this facility.
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: michael_chusid

Post Number: 350
Registered: 10-2003


Posted on Monday, December 11, 2017 - 10:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Would they consider washing the membrane a few times a year?
Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937
www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru
Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: nwoods

Post Number: 727
Registered: 08-2005


Posted on Monday, December 11, 2017 - 10:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

LOL, I have already written a deficiency notice to the contractor on that!

I think the ownership is thinking more permanent type of solution. Perhaps decorative gravel ballast.
Brian Payne, AIA
Senior Member
Username: brian_payne

Post Number: 122
Registered: 01-2014


Posted on Monday, December 11, 2017 - 10:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

You could use Live Roof; Roof Edge as the perimeter and river rock with a protection fabric below.

I have also used a translucent 3M window film just high enough to cover the view of the roof, but open above. It worked well.
Guest (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2017 - 08:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

What about a brown color PVC sheet? That way, doctors won't be able to tell dirt from color. :-)

Seriously? Maybe a green roof (with putting green) so doctors can practice their pitch or wedge golf shots?
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan

Post Number: 1010
Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 - 07:56 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

The real solution is maintenance; they need to wash the roof. There is a company that makes acrylic coatings for PVC, but this is not endorsed by the membrane manufacturer. In this particular case, maybe doing a green roof would make some sense. Changing the color may change the thermal performance of the envelope.
J. Peter Jordan, FCSI, AIA, CCS, LEED AP, SCIP
Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC
Senior Member
Username: redseca2

Post Number: 621
Registered: 12-2006


Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 - 01:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Is the roof white for a solar reflectance index conforming with code (Cal-Green/Cal Energy Code)? Or perhaps to score LEED point?
Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: nwoods

Post Number: 729
Registered: 08-2005


Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 - 08:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Steven, yes. Both.

Live Roof is interesting. Running irrigation to this location might be problematic though. I am 90% sure if we do anything, it will be 1" rock ballast matrix, to a depth of about 2". SEOR is reviewing now.
Phil Kabza
Senior Member
Username: phil_kabza

Post Number: 600
Registered: 12-2002


Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2018 - 12:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

There are multi-component urethane "coatings" compatible with PVC roof membranes - they're more like a liquid applied membrane than a coating. But I can't say that they are any more self-cleaning than the original PVC membrane.

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