Shifting from Metal to Vinyl
Protecting First Responders with Vinyl Rib Roofing in Lincoln City, Oregon
by Melissa Lee, marketing communications manager, Duro-Last, Inc.
Lincoln City sits on the central coast of Oregon and is known for having over seven miles of pristine beaches that welcome thousands of vacationers every year. Incorporated in March 1965 as a result of uniting the neighboring communities of Delake, Oceanlake, Taft, Cutler City, and Nelscott, Lincoln City is home to an estimated 9,000 residents. At the heart of this coastal community is the small but mighty North Lincoln Fire and Rescue District #1, staffed almost entirely by volunteer firefighters and a dedicated team of 16 full-time administrative personnel.
North Lincoln Fire and Rescue District #1 is comprised of six stations that provide emergency support to Lincoln City and its surrounding communities. The Bob Everest – 1400 Station is one of the larger facilities in the district, housing Engine 1407, Ladder 1455, Rescue 1438, two water rescue response vehicles, and Reserve Engine 1405.
In 2018, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue appealed to the community for support with Measure 21-183, which provided funding for both equipment and badly needed upgrades to the Bob Everest station. In addition to the local funding request, which was ultimately approved, the district was also able to secure an Oregon Infrastructure Authority Grant, which provided for seismic upgrades to the facility.
Emerick Construction Company of Tualatin, Oregon, was awarded the general contractor role for the project, which included the addition of office space to allow administrative staff to be housed in one location, an enclosed space to house firefighters’ gear, reconfiguring crew quarters with new dorms and bathrooms, repairing kitchen and living areas, and a variety of other upgrades including the roofing system. Portland, Oregon, architect firm Mackenzie drew up plans for the existing 13,900 sq.ft. facility, specifying shingles and approximately 10,000 sq.ft. of 24 gauge standing seam metal panels for the roof.
Through an open bidding process, Nail It Roofing Company of Oregon City, Oregon, was awarded the roofing system portion of the project through Emerick Construction Company. Upon review of the drawings, the Nail It Roofing team knew that the standing seam metal was not going to be a good solution for the 1-1/2:12 low-pitch portions of the roof. Working closely with the architect and general contractor, they evaluated a different solution more suitable for the high winds and precipitation common in Oregon coastal communities.
While a variety of products were reviewed, the Nail It Roofing team proposed the use of the Duro-Last® Vinyl Rib roofing system. Featuring a PVC membrane and separate vinyl ribs that are heat welded to the installed membrane, this system provides an aesthetically pleasing watertight solution where traditional standing seam roofs aren’t practical.
“The architect envisioned the standing seam roof on the lower sloped portions of the project, so we had to find a solution that matched that vision as closely as possible while knowing that it would perform well in the long run,” explained Nail It Roofing Company president Rodrigo Quintanilla. “It took some back-and-forth to make sure everyone was comfortable with the change, but the Duro-Last Vinyl Rib system was ultimately approved and incorporated into the plans.”
Once the Nail It Roofing team received the green light to move forward with the new plans, they were able to begin installation almost immediately. With attic insulation already in place, they installed vapor barrier and 1/4” DensDeck® Prime cover board over the 5/8” plywood deck before adhering the dark gray Duro-Last 50 mil membrane. Dark gray vinyl ribs were then added every 18 inches, giving the appearance of a standing seam metal roof.
With an average crew of six, Nail It Roofing completed the membrane portion of the roofing system in approximately four days. “It actually took us a little longer than it normally would for a project this size,” said Quintanilla. By the time their team was able to install the membrane, the weather had turned cold. As with any coastal community during the winter months, precipitation and ice became a bit of a challenge. “There were days that we had to scrape down the ice from the previous night’s rain before we could begin installation for the day,” he continued. “It got a little labor intensive at points, but the material itself was wonderful to work with, especially under those circumstances.”
Despite the challenges that the Nail It Roofing team faced, they were happy with the installation. “We are extremely happy that we were able to work with the general contractor and architect to modify the plans for the vinyl rib system,” Quintanilla said. “The color options and support that Duro-Last offered were the ideal solution to everyone’s wants and needs.”
Once installation was complete, Nail It Roofing Company provided North Lincoln Fire and Rescue District #1 with a 20-Year NDL Warranty for the Duro-Last Vinyl Rib system. “From the feedback that we have received, it’s safe to say that everyone was very happy with the outcome. The roof looks great, the vinyl rib system complements the dark shingles well, and it still provides the clean aesthetic typically found with traditional standing seam roofs. Not only that, but we were able to deliver a solution that offers the district long-term peace of mind with a warranty to back it up.”
