This article reprinted from Western Roofing magazine May/June 2007.

Las Vegas Reroof

Standard Roofing Material Plays an Entirely New Role in Las Vegas

by Sarah Michaels, freelance writer

A innovative use for a TPO roofing product by Carlisle Manufacturing has been implemented by Commercial Roofers, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada. The first installation was completed on the Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. When the tower addition to the hotel and casino was originally constructed six years ago, the walls on the two tower roofs that stand 20’ high specified that direct applied EFIS material be used over Dens Glass in the equipment well areas. Unfortunately for the Luxor, the walls continually leaked due to cracks in the EFIS material as well as from poor joint areas.

Because the wall areas were so high, the infrequent but drenching rains that sometimes plague the Las Vegas desert were enough to cause water to leak into the hotel complex below. The frustrating situation wreaked havoc for the hotel and casino for several years. No one seemed to be able to find a solution until the hotel complex called on the services of Commercial Roofers, Inc. One of the many services offered by the company is waterproofing in many different forms.

Commercial Roofers sent their team of professionals to do a complete assessment of the problem and hopefully arrive at a solution that would be time and cost effective. Calling on the expertise of one of the largest and most experienced roofing contractors in Nevada really paid off for the Luxor. The Commercial Roofers team was determined to solve the problem of leaks, costly extra expenses, and frustration which the Luxor had endured for so long.

The result of the team analysis was to design and create an entirely new concept in the way some standard roofing materials could be used. In a world of constantly changing technological demands, the team brain-stormed and came up with a novel, and at that time, unheard of solution. They decided to fully adhere .45 mil Carlisle TPO directly to the EFIS covered walls, and do a tie-in to a new roof. The TPO on the walls was secured at the top of the wall with termination bar. The original roof had been a BUR system over metal deck and insulation. The newly designed solution was to overlay the old roof with 100 mil Carlisle FleeceBACK with FAST 100 adhesive. The FleeceBACK material was then applied after cutting away buckles and imperfections in the old material, and doing any necessary minor repairs.

The new system provided a completely sealed, and water tight solution for the roof and walls. The use of TPO on the walls allows for a degree of movement and flexibility in the roof system, while at the same time protects the integrity of the newly applied system. The use of the FleeceBACK material on the roof deck eliminated an expensive tear-off operation and minimized inconvenience to the hotel and its guests. Additionally, the use of TPO in this way now results in a savings in power bills for the hotel. The areas repaired and improved consist of the two towers, and six step-down levels. The wall areas covered in this unique way total approximately 40,000 square feet. The original BUR roof that Commercial Roofers then over-layed totaled approximately 350,000 square feet, which covers the towers, casino, show rooms, and central plant.

This innovative use of TPO applied to the walls and roof expanses tied-in together has proven to be far more effective when compared to standard EFIS applications. It has provided the Luxor Hotel and Casino with peace of mind. After years of frustration, the problem was finally corrected and solved. •••