Roof question

10 years ago

Hi all,

We recently completed a renovation about 6 months ago and installed TPO roofing on the new portions of the house (the old roof is torch-down, about 7-8 years old). We are now replacing the AC unit that is on the roof, and we are trying to figure out if we should also replace the roof before we put the new unit up there. Some of the folks who came out to provide estimates for the AC and/or roof indicated that the roof is in good shape and doesn't need to be replaced, while others strongly encouraged us to replace it now rather than waiting a few years and having to move the AC unit around. We have no insulation in the entire older portion of the house, in either the ceiling or the walls. If we replace the roof with TPO, we have been told that we can add insulation and/or a radiant barrier. Someone else who came to provide an estimate mentioned that we could add a reflective coating on top of the existing roof rather than tearing it all out, and another person indicated that if we decide to wait we may not want to spend the money on the reflective coating because they can be problematic, and that since we already have TPO on the new roof, it would make more sense to match that.

Needless to say, I am not a roofing expert and am thoroughly perplexed. Any advice/feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

-Nicole

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Comments (5)

klem1
10 years ago
I can only tell you what I would do if the torch down was properly installed. 8 years is young for torch down,I would not replace it. Flat roofs have curbs that pak unit ac sit's on making it straight foward to replace ac without harming roof. Flat roof installers have equipment to routinely lift ac a few inches while tieing in new roof. I've had both jobs done dozens of times without a hitch. Use only installers that do warranty work for the manufacture of material being installed. That go's double for tpo install and repair. 90% of residential roofers know squat about flat roofing,contact commercial roofing contractors.
Nicole thanked klem1
Nicole
Original Author
10 years ago
Klem, in the roofing estimates, these various products were mentioned by different people:

Fr 10 underlayment
1/4" dense deck
Iso board insulation
Low e therma sheet

Do these serve the same purpose or are they different from one another? What do you recommend? I tried to look it up online and am having a hard time figuring out if they are different products that serve the same purpose (insulation), or if they are something else...and I definitely don't know which individual or combinations of products would be better, if/when we do replace our roof.
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klem1
10 years ago
Your questions should be answered by contractors to your satisfaction before signing a contract. The names you listed sound like proprietary products that may serve same or similar functions. From a consumer standpoint the important issue is knowing materials and installation methods meet TPO material manufacture's requirments. Most manufactures have a "system"comprised of underlayment and installation,ask for a brocure or data sheet. Ask contractors for data sheets or where you can find information on the above products. If i understand,you are A. decideing wherther to replace roof while replacing ac B. Trying to choose type roof to use. I've already give you my opinion on A. If you choose a roof but defer installation,I reccomend asking roofer if it is wise to install new flash on curb while ac is off to save lifting ac when roof is installed in later years.
Nicole thanked klem1
Nicole
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks Klem, I think we have decided to defer the roofing, but I will definitely ask about installing the appropriate curb to make this easier in the future. Thanks again!!!
Nicole
Original Author
10 years ago
Update - AC system is getting installed tomorrow, and we had a roofer put a proper curb in so that when it is time we can redo the roof easily without having to move the AC unit. Very excited, thanks again for all of your help!!!