Opinions/Experiences with Modified Bitumen?

[wintermute]

My house is finally going to need a new roof next summer, it's a '50s era rancher with a nice shallow pitch over most of it with one bedroom and the garage coming in flat. Not bad considering I've been here for the last 10 years.

I'm looking at replacing the existing torch down with self-adhesive modified bitumen material. From the little that I've seen so far, installation seems simple enough, but I'm just getting in to my materials research.

Has anybody installed a MB roof system? Any pros or cons between the different brands? Any pitfalls to look out for?

I have searched a little here, found one 2-year-old post where the response with the most direct information was from a since banned member

 

[7echo]

Are you DIY this job?

I have torch down mod bit, 10 years old. It replaced a 3 ply built up. The mod bit is holding up well, I have lots of shade and that helps.
The roof guys have all but abandoned hot roof work, few use kettles around here and torch work is mostly for repairs. Fully adhered mod bit is common, but it seems like TPO is the most popular for new roofs. I have a 2 in 12 pitch and will most likely go with TPO when the time comes.
Whatever you go with make sure the details are done correctly. Penetrations and flashing have to be the correct ones for the system/brand you use. I have had some TPO installed recently at work. About a month after the install the mfg rep came to inspect the jobs. They have to pass inspection to get the full warranty, in this case 20 years. I am over seeing a new install of TPO starting tomorrow, approx 6800 square feet.

 

[Architorture]

I would recommend going with one of the large national manufacturers as the benefit of a long warranty is somewhat diminished when the business goes under or gets bought up.

TPO had a bad reputation several years ago but has corrected most of the problems and is again gaining in popularity.

 

[BlackTalon]

I have had some TPO installed recently at work. About a month after the install the mfg rep came to inspect the jobs. They have to pass inspection to get the full warranty, in this case 20 years.

That usually is not available for 1- and 2-family homes. And most membrane roofing manufacturers have minimum 20 year warranty charges of about $2,500.

TPO only has market share because the manufacturers had the vision to jump on on the EnergyStar bandwagon early on. It definitely is not a go-to membrane for me unless the Owner really, really insists on having it. For a garage, house, etc. I would entertain it if there were few penetrations and hopefully no chimneys, as the installers for residential don't have much of a clue about proper installation. There is also a great example of this on a contemporary house two doors down from me. I have a bit of work experience with it, and it's pretty mixed. It would never beat out a 4-ply BUR.

The mod bit system could work well, although I would consider sticking with the self-adhering sheet for the base layer and having a torched-on cap sheet installed overtop.

All of this is said with no notion of the roof deck type, actual slope or if you need insulation above the roof deck.

 

[wintermute]

I would recommend going with one of the large national manufacturers as the benefit of a long warranty is somewhat diminished when the business goes under or gets bought up.

I'm looking at doing this myself, thus the interest in self-adhesive systems over torch-down. A brief search yields GAF, Mulehide and CertainTeed as top results. I'm familiar with CertainTeed through some of thier insulation products. Has anybody used GAF or Mulehide?

The roof deck is T&G 2x6x8' over post & beam support at about 1-3/4 in 12 pitch. I know there's some foam board insulation now, but I don't know if there's anything between the 2x6s and the base layer.

It looks like I'll have a lot of reading to do over the winter though! A bonus will be the ability to remove a couple of disused penetrations in the roof along with potentially upgrading the insulation.

 

[chops101]

I had a re-roof done 7 years ago, and now a (new to me) house getting done the 2nd week in January 2015. I won't allow the roofer to use the peel and stick, too many uncertainties with air pockets that can occur and it just isn't worth the risk. It is gaining in popularity around here because it is easy.
Anyway my roofer uses CertainTeed GMS Modified completely in the field and valleys. This will be a hot mop roof, 65 squares with foamed on S tile.