Where it fits best
We most often recommend PVC for these buildings and conditions.
- Food processing and commercial kitchens
- Restaurants in retail centers
- Chemical and pharmaceutical plants
- Hospitals with rooftop exhaust and sterilizer vents
SYS-03
PVC membrane roofing
Welded vinyl membrane that shrugs off grease, chemicals and rooftop exhaust.
- Service life
- 20 to 30 years
- Sample budget
- $9.00 - $13.50/sf
- Wind
- FM 1-90 to 1-150
- Warranty
- Up to 30-year NDL
How PVC performs in Houston
PVC is the membrane we specify when a roof sees kitchen exhaust, animal fats, jet fuel or chemical process vents. It welds like TPO but carries plasticizers and a chemistry that resists the contaminants that break other membranes down.
It costs more per square foot, so on large mixed-use roofs we often install PVC only around restaurant exhaust fans and grease traps and TPO everywhere else, detailing the transition so the warranty stays intact.
Specification
| Item | Typical spec |
|---|---|
| Membrane thickness | 50, 60 or 80 mil |
| Seams | Hot-air welded, 1.5 in minimum weld |
| Chemical resistance | Animal fats, oils and many acids |
| Fire rating | Class A assemblies available |
| Typical crew output | 6,000 to 10,000 sq ft per day dried-in |
What our install includes
Every proposal lists these items so you can compare bids line by line.
- Contaminant survey around rooftop equipment
- Insulation and cover board package
- 50 to 80 mil PVC, hot-air welded
- Grease containment and walkway pads
- PVC-coated metal flashings
- Final manufacturer inspection
What to watch for
Every system has failure modes. These are the ones our service techs see most on PVC roofs.
- PVC and TPO cannot be welded to each other directly
- Plasticizer migration is worse against old asphalt, so a separation layer is required
- Higher cost per square foot than TPO
Industries that use PVC
- IND-02
Retail centers
Multi-tenant roofs with restaurants, signage and shoppers who should never notice us.
Industry details - IND-03
Healthcare facilities
Infection control, air intakes and patients below. No shortcuts.
Industry details - IND-05
Manufacturing plants
Process heat, chemical exhaust and production lines that cannot stop for a roofer.
Industry details
PVC FAQ
Straight answers on bids, schedules, leaks and warranties. Still stuck? Our estimating desk answers the phone.
Rarely. We map exhaust fans and grease sources and use PVC where it pays for itself, then transition to TPO with a warrantable detail.
Rooftop grease containment boxes on every exhaust fan plus a maintenance schedule to swap filters. It protects the membrane and helps with fire code.
Thickness and cover board matter more than chemistry. An 80 mil PVC over HD cover board is very robust for service traffic.
Other systems
- SYS-01
TPO membrane
Heat-welded white single-ply that reflects Houston sun and keeps big warehouse decks cooler.
TPO details - SYS-02
EPDM rubber
Proven synthetic rubber with decades of track record, flexible in heat and easy to repair.
EPDM details - SYS-04
Modified bitumen
Redundant multi-ply asphalt system that stands up to foot traffic and punctures.
Mod bit details
Price a PVC roof
Send square footage and roof age. We will survey the roof and send a written, line-item proposal.
Free roof survey · Written proposal in 5 to 7 business days (sample)