8 months, 290,000 square feet and over $400,000 in savings

By Versico Roofing Systems. 

Learn how one contractor not only restored an iconic building in their hometown but also upgraded it.  

In the heart of Mobile, Alabama next to the historic Mobile River sits the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. With 16 meetings rooms, two ballrooms and two exhibit halls, this three-level convention center is a hub for conventions, trade shows, meetings, social gatherings and consumer shows. It was this 317,000-square-feet of building combined with the busy schedule of events that made it a bit of a challenge for the City of Mobile to find the right contractor to tackle reroofing it.  

Luckily, in 2021, they connected with a local and family owned company, Dortch, Figures & Sons, Inc (DFS). With over three decades of experience, the team at DFS has an established track record of excellent workmanship and a broad knowledge base relevant to the project. Their portfolio includes both commercial and residential construction; historical building renovations; and municipal and utility improvements. Their team’s wide skillset allowed them to rise to the challenge of working on the Mobile Convention Center. 

And it was no easy task. The Mobile Convention Center’s existing 290,000-square-foot built-up roof was old, and many of its expansion joints had separated over time. In some areas, water had penetrated into the seams, causing gas bubbles and blisters. The re-roofing job was originally put out for bid based on another manufacturer’s specification, but the DFS team worked with Versico Roofing Systems to design a system that would give them a competitive edge. DFS submitted Versico as an alternative (equal or greater product), and the City of Mobile Architectural Engineering Department approved the Versico system, which ended up saving the city about $400,000. 

The roofing system that was selected was an induction-welded 80-mil-thick gray VersiFlex PVC membrane over a ½"-thick SecurShield HD Polyiso cover board. The system could be installed directly over the old roof, so there was no need for tear-off. VersiFlex PVC single-ply membranes have been providing protection and performance for decades, making them a popular choice among roofing consultants and specifiers. PVC’s excellent resistance to chemicals, grease, fire and punctures make it an ideal choice for a wide variety of buildings and the 80-mil-thick membrane provides added durability. Instead of glue or traditional fasteners and plates, DFS used an induction welded attachment method featuring Versico fasteners and special isoweld Plates that are secured with the help of a portable induction welding tool. This non-penetrating system uses the same fastener and plate to secure the membrane and insulation to the deck, creating an FM-approved system with no point of entry for moisture. Versico’s isoweld system also provides superior wind uplift performance compared to traditional mechanically fastened assemblies. 

The 290,000-square-foot phased project took about eight months and the Mobile Convention Center received a 20-year warranty after Versico inspected the installation. Rashawn Figures, CEO at DFS, said, “When Versico designed a system for the structure, it was clear that the system would provide us with an advantage over our competitors. Dortch Figures was able to save the City of Mobile more than $400,000 based on this design approach.” 

Original article and image source: Versico Roofing Systems