Duro-Last Project Profile: Georgia Institute of Technology

Founded in 1885, the Georgia Institute of Technology is home to 700 faculty and 15,000 students pursuing their dreams on a 330-acre campus in Atlanta.

Georgia Tech’s challenge is the same as similar institutions of higher education — keeping everyone sheltered under several hundred thousand square feet of roofing.

As a leading architectural college, Georgia Tech knew all the alternatives.

“We tried various roofing systems, from modified bitumen to EPDM,” said Larry Curbow, structural designer, facilities. “The problem with most new systems is there are too many seams that rely on the workmanship of the roofer,” he continued. “No matter how good you are, when you’re heat-welding hundreds of linear feet a day, you’re bound to make some mistakes. The result is weakened seams, and a roof that needs replacing again after a few years.”

The leaking copper gutters on Britain Dining Hall were simply lined with the Duro-Last membrane, which was custom fabricated at the factory to fit every inch of the repair work. This job was completed quickly and efficiently and worked so well that Curbow decided to try the entire Duro-Last roof system on the next reroofing job.

“Five years later, we’ve installed nearly 30 white Duro-Last roof systems over existing roofs,” said Jim Hummel, construction project manager for Georgia Tech. “It has several advantages. One, there are no fumes. Two, its performance is backed by a longterm warranty and more than 25 years of proven performance,” Hummel continued. “And three, we can have the roofing system installed very quickly with little disruption to campus or building activities.”

Perhaps the key benefit Georgia Tech has received from the Duro-Last roofing system is excellent solar reflectivity. The Duro-Last white membrane has the highest retained reflectivity of any single-ply membrane rated by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Roof Products Program, saving significant energy and money for building owners all over North America.

“The energy savings we get from the reflective white surface of the Duro-Last roofing system is icing on the cake,” stated Hummel.

Another reason Georgia Tech has specified so many roofs is the easy installation over most old roofing substrates, which eliminates the need for costly tear-offs and disposal.

Most importantly, there are no harsh chemicals, fumes or disruption during a Duro-Last installation. The daily activities of the college could remain the same.

“That’s smart, because prefabrication eliminates 80-85% of the on-site seaming work,” noted Wormley. “That means fewer seams and it also reduces most of the material waste.”

Since 1998, Wormley Brothers has installed more than 183,035 square feet of Duro-Last membrane on various buildings at Georgia Tech. Plus, approximately 118,540 square feet of membrane has been installed on family housing units on the campus.

Today, Georgia Tech has little to worry about when it comes to roofs. Energy efficient. Durable. Easy to install. Leak-proof. Best warranties in the industry. The DuroLast roofing system graduates with honors.

Learn more at www.duro-last.com.