Products

Roof Coverings

Failures of roof coverings and resulting water intrusion were primary causes of severe damage and loss from the hurricanes. FEMA’s Risk Mitigation Report encountered concrete, membrane roof systems as well as single-ply and modified bitumen roof membranes which had failed in whole or part causing extensive damage to the underlying building structure. Performance of the roof coverings was typically poor, with some structures experiencing near complete blow-off, while others experienced multiple punctures which allowed for water intrusion.

Roof Top Equipment

Rooftop equipment was commonly damaged by the high winds, frequently when it was tipped over or otherwise displaced. Connectors that secured equipment were often broken. Some connectors had been weakened by corrosion. Proximity to the coast exposes building structures to salt spray. The aggressive environmental effects had pronounced impacts on rooftop structures including vents, frames, solar water heaters, panels and rooftop mounted air conditioning units.

TEC CARIBE Products are stronger and more resilient to wind and seismic forces.

They are ideal for use in roofing and will remain in place for the lifetime of the building

Overview & Benefits

The New Generation of Building Materials

Faster

Ease of use - Installation requires very limited training and requires a low skill level. No special tools required

FASTER TO BUILD

Cost Effective

Our building materials will compete with all existing construction methods

COST-EFFICIENT

Echo Friendly

Environmentally friendly, natural materials

ECO FRIENDLY

Safe

Resistant to water, fire, wind, projectile impact, earthquakes, insects, fungus, mold, mildew and chemical infiltration

SAFER

Stronger

Wall axial load capacity is nearly 4 times stronger for Wall Panels vs conventional construction

STRONGER

Light Weight

Our building materials will compete with all existing construction methods

LIGHT WEIGHT

Sustainable

The average lifespan for a stick build home is only 40 years

SUSTAINABLE

ENERGY EFFICIENT

Our products create a tighter structural envelope increasing energy efficiencies and reducing power consumption

ENERGY EFFICIENT

TEC CARIBE Innovative Materials used in Roof Construction

There are many types of building materials used in construction. Each material has different properties such as weight, strength, durability and cost which makes it suitable for certain types of applications. The choice of materials for construction is based on cost and effectiveness to resisting the loads and stresses acting on the structure.

The manufacturing of building materials is a well established and standardized industry capable of providing a reliable supply of high-quality materials for our structures.The production of structural-grade building materials is subject to quality control procedures that involve inspection and testing according to national standards and scientific testing methods.

Magnesium Oxide Board

Magnesium oxide is a versatile mineral that when used as part of a cement mixture and cast into thin cement panels under proper curing procedures and practices can be used in residential and commercial building construction.

  • Flame retardant
  • Waterproof (tested to freeze/thaw for 36 months
  • Free from mildew / mildew / insects (does not feed mold, mildew and insects)
  • Shock resistant
  • Silica / Asbestos Free STC Rated 53-54
  • No special tools required.
  • Hard non-absorbent surface - based on fiberglass - no paper.
  • Available in colors
  • Energy Efficient: High Thermal Insulative Properties

Magnesium Oxide (MgO)

Structural Insulated Panel (SIP)

One technology that can improve building performance is a structural insulated panel (SIP) construction. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are a relatively new building technology which has the ability to significantly reduce the energy usage of buildings.

  • Superior Fire Resistance
  • Non-Combustable
  • No Smoke
  • 100% Non-Toxic
  • A green building materials
  • Water & Heat Resistance
  • No Mildew
  • Insect Resistant
  • Good acoustic performance

Traditional Materials used in Roof Construction

Engineered Lumber

Engineered wood products are manufactured by cutting, peeling, or stranding to make various shapes and sizes. These pieces of wood are then bonded back together using exterior adhesives to make panels or beams. This manufacturing process improves the products’ strength and stability while reducing variation and defects. In the course of this manufacturing process, increased durability, fire resistance, and radiant insulation can also be added to the products.
 
Disadvantages of Engineered Lumber
  • A major drawback of MDF is they are not water-resistant and hence exhibit a tendency to soak up water and swell.
  • They require more primary energy for manufacture than solid lumber. Many of the formaldehyde-based adhesives are toxic – either during or after construction.
  • Difficulty working with some types of wood due to density, weight and strength.
  • Certain woods such as plywood have layers of veneers showing at the edges, and hence the edges have to be finished either with laminate or veneer.
  • In most cases, the manufacturing process involves the usage of urea-formaldehyde resin. This may make the boards toxic and the off-gas can also deteriorate the air quality indoors.
  • The resistance to moisture and humidity is low with particle boards. As a result, they expand, warp, and discolor easily.

Plain lumber

Most mills sell plain sawn lumber because it’s the simplest, most cost-efficient way to mill a log into planks. Cutting parallel through the log, plain sawn wood planks are wider and can be milled effortlessly with minimal waste. The loops and growth swirls found in the grain patters of plain sawn wood gives you that famous “cathedral” look.
 

Disadvantages of Plain Lumber

  • As the wood dries and ages, the tension of the tangential grain can make plain sawn planks cup, twist, and sometimes bow.
  • They also tend to absorb more moisture from the air which can also lead to unwanted movement.
  • Due to the tangential grain, there is a higher chance of cupping and twisting especially if there is moisture present.

Metal

Metal can be used as a roof covering in several different ways. The main forms are based on sheet-like panels, which may be flat or profiled, and either prefabricated, or formed on site, but metal can also be used to create shingles – formed into shapes similar to tiles, shakes or slates.

Disadvantages of  Metal

  • Affordability. Metal roofs can be as much as two or three times more expensive than other roofing materials.
  • Noisiness. Metal roofs can be noisy, especially during a heavy rain or hailstorm.
  • Expansion and contraction. Metal roofing materials that are attached as large panels tend to expand and contract. If they are not properly installed with fasteners that allow the metal to “breathe,” the panels may loosen.
  • Performance. If water accumulates anywhere on the roof because of poor-quality installation or repair, it can eventually cause serious damage.

Asphalt Shingles

These elements are typically flat, rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive course overlapping the joints below. Shingles are made of various materials such as wood, slate, flagstone, metal, plastic, and composite materials such as fibre cement and asphalt shingles.

Disadvantages of Shingles

  • Asphalt shingles have the shortest life span of the roofing materials mentioned in this post. An asphalt shingle roof should last 15 to 30 years, but other roofing materials can last 50 years or more.
  • Asphalt shingles are vulnerable to strong winds, heat, and storm damage.
  • While asphalt shingles are recyclable —and often used in pavement— they are not considered environmentally friendly. Producing these shingles creates a lot of greenhouse gas emissions.

Tile

Roof Tilers cover roofs with tiles, sheets and shingles to form a waterproof surface. They work outdoors on roofs of varying heights, sometimes from ladders and scaffolds. Roof Tilers must observe safe working practices to avoid falling, and injury when working with hazardous materials.

Disadvantages of Tile

  • Tile is a heavy material – Because of how heavy a tile roof can be, it’s important for your home to have the proper structural reinforcement to safely support it. …
  • Tile roofing can be expensive – Clay or concrete roof tiles can cost twice as much as asphalt shingles.
  • Tile roofing can be brittle – As durable and weather-resistant as tiles are, they can still crack or break as a result of impact damage, which can occur if a branch were to fall on your roof.
  • Tiles may get dirty – With Florida’s lowline environment, algae growth is common. Tile roofs offer an area for algae growth to bloom creating dark streaking.