The Building Show 2015 - So Big for Construction Pros that Duradek is there Twice!

The Building Show, one of the largest construction industry events in North America, takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Center this week from December 2nd to 4th.

Anybody involved in the construction industry, architectural communities or property management professions will benefit from the latest in product information, industry education and networking potential, all packed into 3 exciting days.

This event has taken form of the latest trend of mega-events where top industry trade shows combine to offer attendees the absolute most value for the time and investment to attend, no matter where in North America they might be traveling from. The Building Show is comprised of:

• Construct Canada (south building)
• PM Expo (south building)
• Home Builders & Renovators Expo (south building)
• World of Concrete Pavilion (south building)
• IIDEX Canada (north building)

Registration into any of these shows gives you admission to ALL of these shows, and Duradek is proud to have representation at two locations at this year. You can find Duradek distributor, Raildek at the Home Builders & Renovators Expo (booth #326); and the flat roof waterproofing experts of Triumph Roofing at the PM Expo (booth #1447).

Look for Triumph Roofing at PM Expo 2015 - booth #1447

For anyone who deals with decking, roofing, design or property management and wants a reliable product with professional installation techniques that always considers protection of the building envelope of primary importance, a visit to a Duradek professional can give you just the solutions you need.

Since Duradek is not a retail product and only available through trained installers, Ontario designers or builders may want to start by contacting Raildek Distribution to be referred to an authorized Duradek installation company.

Established, specialized professionals like those at Triumph Inc. know the nuances of the Duradek membrane and all of the intricate details involved in waterproofing and protecting the building envelope. If you have a commercial or multi-residential property or project in Ontario that has balconies or roof decks, be sure to make Triumph your fist stop.

A History of Excellence for Triumph Inc. - Duradek Dealer Specializing in Commercial and Multi-Residential Projects

In 1989, Triumph Inc. was founded on the principle that quality always comes first. For over 25 years, Triumph has served Southern Ontario and Alberta as the leading roofing contractor for new building construction, repair, renovation, and maintenance services.

Their mission is to provide each and every customer with quality products, and superior workmanship with the support of our highly trained crew and dedicated team. This made Duradek an ideal product offering for Triumph since Duradek has a proven, superior product, but acknowledges that no matter how good a waterproofing membrane is manufactured, it is the skills of the installers with precise waterproofing details that make the product’s performance surpass all expectations.

Triumph’s reputation is built on the notion that their clients’ needs remain at the forefront of each service offering. Put simply, they guarantee that your Triumph experience will be a seamless one…except with Duradek, where the only seams are incredibly strong, heat-welded seams that prevent water from infiltrating your building!

Commercial Roof Deck by Triumph with Duradek vinyl.

Whether it is a commercial, industrial, institutional or residential project, the team of experts at Triumph are committed to providing you with the solutions to any roofing, cladding or waterproofing job.

For more information on how Triumph can help you with your low maintenance flat roof deck solutions, visit www.triumphinc.ca.
Email Inquiries: info@triumphinc.ca
Phone Inquiries: 416-534-8877.

You can find more information on Duradek sheet applied pvc membrane at ConstructionCanada.net and search by MasterFormat number 07 54 00 – Thermal and Moisture Protection / Membrane Roofing.

To contact an authorized Duradek installer in your area, see our Find a Dealer page.

How to Winterize Your Vinyl Deck in 3 Steps

There’s no more denying it. The days are shorter. The temperature is colder. Winter is on its way.

If you’ve got a covered deck, you might use it all year round, but decks exposed to the rain and snow tend to get neglected through the winter months.

There’s a few things you can do to keep your vinyl sundeck in top shape to survive the harsher winter weather and be ready for a simple cleaning come spring.

#1 – First, if you have not already done so, pack away any seasonal furniture or planters stored on your deck. When you are not using your deck frequently, you may not notice the debris or dirt that can accumulate around the edges of temporary furniture or fixtures of your deck, making for a tougher scrubbing in the spring.

#2 – Clear any organic debris that has accumulated. If you are lucky enough to have a lot of trees around your deck, that good fortune is often is accompanied by leaves and twigs that autumn weather can send to your deck in wet, mucky piles. Be sure to remove organic matter before it starts to decompose as this can lead to stains on your vinyl deck that can be difficult to remove.

#3 – Wash your deck with a mild cleaner and rinse thoroughly. While it is easy to brush this one off the list until spring, you can make your spring clean a little easier if you perform once before winter. You can use a vinyl deck cleaner for a gentle clean but if you would like to substitute for a more common household cleaner we have found that diluted Cascade powdered dish detergent works well also. Simply scrub with a soft bristled brush or broom. No matter what product you use to clean, make sure it is safe for use on vinyl and be sure to rinse well so there is no chemical residue remaining.

Now your deck is ready for winter, and probably looks so great that you will still want to use it every chance you get.

If you do access your vinyl deck through the winter months, have some rock salt or other snow melting chemicals on hand to deal with slippery ice and snow. Just remember that as soon as the spring weather arrives, you must rinse those chemicals off your deck to get keep your vinyl from premature aging.

Depending on the amount of snow accumulation you get, you may also want to be sure to have a plastic edged snow shovel on hand. Avoid the use of metal edged shovels on your vinyl deck so there is no chance of puncturing the membrane.

If you have been considering a deck renovation, don’t wait until spring or summer when deck builders are at their busiest. Start the conversation now to get an estimate on your decking project.

In many areas, Duradek installers can take care of re-surfacing your deck with Duradek vinyl all year round.  

Duradek installers are a very talented and creative bunch of contractors. Communicate with your Duradek contractor and don’t be afraid to ask him to make use of any scrap bits of left over vinyl (if there are any). Little, left-over vinyl remnants work well to place under metal planters to stop rust from developing on your permanent deck; and creative uses like this mini snow slide protects the landing of a patio stairway from snow accumulation.

In the fall and winter months, deck contractors have a little more time than they do in the summer to accommodate extra requests.

Drop of Your Coats for Kids at Duradek in 2015

20th ANNUAL Coats For Kids - "20 Days of Giving"

#Coats4Kids @GVHBA

Once again, Duradek is proud to take part in The Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association (GVHBA) Coats for Kids campaign in support of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau and Surrey Christmas Bureau, two groups whose many initiatives help to provide a brighter Christmas for families in need.

This year as the 20th annual year, we are specifically looking for; "COATS & JACKETS FOR TWEENS AND TEENS: AGES 12 - 18 YEARS OLD". 

The 2015 Coats for Kids will run for 20 days from Friday, November 13 to Wednesday, December 2.

You are welcome to drop of new coats, but gently used coats are more than appreciated!

Last year Duradek was one of 46 member companies of the GVHBA at 67 locations in 13 municipalities that served as a coat drop-off site.

The response to Coats for Kids 2014 was heartwarming as Lower Mainland residents donated more than 4,000 coats, scarves, gloves, blankets and new unwrapped toys and gifts for distribution to children, teenagers and adults.

Duradek, a proud member of the GVHBA – We’ve got you covered!


Drop off at our Head Office location in Surrey, BC - 8288 129 Street, Surrey

Roof Leaks, Repair Delays and the El Nino Influence

Thanks to the influence of El Nino, roofers and repair contractors are in top demand as home owners scramble to prepare for the wet, stormy weather.

Fixing old, leaky roofing is a top priority but preparation has turned into moisture management for some as many roofing companies are already booked through the fall and winter.

But be cautious when pleading for the services of a roofing contractor because when demand for a service is this high, the scam artists smell opportunity. It is important to stick with a reputable contractor, even if you have to deal with tarps and buckets while you wait. Verify that a contractor is licensed, ask if the company is insured and always get everything in writing. While many contractors may ask for a deposit, never pay for the full amount of the repairs in advance.

The influence from El Nino is causing a surge in roofing services from coast-to-coast across the lower US states.

The Weather Network reported that El Nino is strengthening and has an 80% chance to run into spring 2016; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports a Strong El Nino sets the stage for 2015-2016 winter weather with wetter-than-average conditions most likely in the Southern Tier of the United States, from central and southern California, across Texas, to Florida, and up the East Coast to southern New England.

California Waits for Roofing Contractors

As California residents prepare for El Nino, Bay Valley Contractors in Walnut Creek has seen business increase by about 100% over the past few months. The company now has a waiting list of up to two months for new roofs and up to three months for roof repairs.

People along the California coast remember the El Nino of 1997/98 and are doing their best to be prepared, so California roofing contractors are busier than ever. Many home owners who have procrastinated roof repairs are relying on tarps and buckets to get them through until a roofing contractor can get to them.

One roofing company in California reported they are working 6-days a week since September and are already booked into June of 2016 as reported on Channel 5 News.

Texas Roofing Contractors are in Top Demand

In Texas, KENS TV in Texas reports that record-breaking rainfall is a challenge for roofers who have been swamped since last May with a record breaking rainfall, the wettest month on record since 1895. Now, after an extremely wet October, roofers are falling further behind in the demand for roof repairs and replacements.

In Pennsylvania, high winds in late October tore the roof off of an auto about a mile south of Latrobe where wind gusts of about 40 mph reportedly blew through in the early morning hours of Oct. 28th. While trying to secure the site, wind gusts of 35 – 50 mph were impeding progress. It was also reported that a mobile home in Derry Township also had its roof tore off due to the high winds and there was even an incident of a building collapse.

Flat Roof Waterproofing

There is nothing we can do to stop Mother Nature, but we can protect our homes by using reputable contractors and quality products like Duradek vinyl membranes on our flat roof decks.

One of the great benefits of Duradek vinyl as a roofing solution for flat roofs subject to pedestrian traffic is that it can withstand extreme weather and protects your building envelope better than many other options out there. Duradek does not require any on-going maintenance to keep performing, and once installed its waterproofing performance is warrantied for 10 years.

If you have a flat roof deck that needs waterproofing attention talk to one of our experienced Duradek installers near you.

For California, Texas and all other U.S. states, contact our Duradek U.S. Head Office at duradekus@duradek.com or use our ‘find a dealer’ locator.

Vinyl Decking – Understanding the Difference in Backing Types

There are 3 different types of backing for vinyl decking…each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. If manufactured by a reputable company, each type can have roofing approval and each type is perfectly suitable for your deck.

What is actually more important than the type of backing on the vinyl is the quality of the contractor installing it.

As the saying goes … “A bad Contractor can screw up even the best of products.”

There is a woven cloth backing, a non-woven backing (referred to as fuzzy-backed), and a PVC backed product. A good contractor will be able to do a good job with any of these three backing types.

Characteristics of Each Backing Type

Download “Compare Membrane Backing Options” (296 KB .pdf) for an overview of the following information.

Woven Back – Type 3 (non-embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesion – Adhesive sticks well to woven backing and contact adhesives used allow for a wide window of application in all seasons (but be aware contact adhesives are product specific and not available “off the shelf”).

Heat Welding – Manufactured with a solid color throughout which helps create a solid “bleed out”. The fabric backing melts away to create a strong vinyl-to-vinyl weld. Welding results exceed industry standards, but requires more skill to master installation techniques.

Details – Fabric backing can be removed and vinyl easily manipulated for successful detailing. Standard details are easily attainable without extra preparation or expensive, pre-manufactured details.

Other – Easier to work with in hot weather with a good combination of strength and elasticity. Because skill for installation is mandatory, Duradek (followed by some other manufacturers of woven back vinyl) is only sold to trained contractors, and not available to the general public.

Non-Woven Back – Type 3 (non-embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesion – Adhesive sticks well to fibers, and while adhesive is typically less expensive, this backing can “suck up” the adhesive so will use more, and sometimes excessive glue will cause bubbles.

Heat Welding – Fibers on the backing can be melted off with the heat gun to allow a vinyl-to-vinyl weld and reasonable welds can be achieved by an experienced applicator. Involves a few more steps as the fuzz has to be “buzzed”, and can take a longer time to master the installation techniques.

Details – Without center reinforcement, it is an easier membrane to detail with, but because the fuzz wicks water, you have to remove it or saturate the cut exposed ends at flashings, drains, etc. with glue.

Other – It is usually a less expensive system, but if there is any waterproofing breach in the membrane, water can wick though the fibers (if not properly coated with adhesive) causing rot. Depending on the substrate, repositioning the membrane can be difficult as it will stick like Velcro to rough plywood, when without being glued. In hot weather, the vinyl will “creep” when being smoothed out during application. It is often sold as a “cash & carry” product so available to untrained individuals.

PVC Back – Type 4 (embedded fabric) Class B (exposed roofing) Membrane

Adhesive – Adhesive is typically expensive and there is no second chance if weld area is contaminated with glue. Contact adhesive has a short “working window” making it difficult to use in bad weather or off-season.

Heat Welding – The weld is strong as there is no fabric barrier and it is the easiest to master installation techniques; however different coloured ply makes for bad “bleed out” on welds.

Details – Center reinforced vinyl is more difficult to bend for detailing. Due to the difficulty to adopt to 90˚ bends, PVC metal and pre-made corner boots are required for proper waterproofing detailing.

Other – Because of its conventional “roofing” construction, it is the preferred membrane of some specifiers, but as a deck surface has some disadvantages such as a higher chance of delamination and it is difficult to hide sub-surface blemishes due to the hard surface. Additionally, UV/Mildew inhibitors are only on the top ply where in fabric backed membranes it goes all the way through the PVC.

“Compare Membrane Backing Options” (296 KB .pdf) for an easy-to-follow overview.
Download

To be referred to a Duradek vinyl decking expert in your area about your specific decking needs, contact us to request a free, no-obligation estimate.