FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. First, get important papers and special photos in order and secured in plastic. Identification is difficult and time-consuming to replace: so be sure to include social security cards, birth certificates, high school diplomas, titles or deeds to property. Photos of special occasions or loved ones cannot be replaced, so including these is important as well.
  2. Think ahead and take video or photos of your property before you leave. This will help later on with any insurance checklist claims for damage that may need to be filed.
  3. Along with overnight clothes, consider stocking your Hurricane Kit with the following: extra cash, generator, batteries, flash lights, battery operated radio/television, bottled water, toilet paper, non-perishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned goods, a can opener, a small cooler, candles, prescription medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use regularly; and if you have small children – diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food.
  4. Count on the power being out for at least a day or two. Remember that ATM’s will be non-operating, so have at least some hard cash in your Hurricane Kit (see no. 6, above) to see you through the storm.
  5. If you decide to tough out the storm, stay downwind in your home. This means if the wind is hitting the living room windows, go to the room opposite the living room.
  6. Plywood is a ‘hot’ commodity for those of who decide to stay. Boarding up windows that will take the brunt of the wind and rain is a wise decision. If the board is not available, protect your windows from the wind by crisscrossing them with layers of duct or packing tape. This will be enough protection for light-to-medium winds.
  7. Finally, STAY INSIDE. However tempting it may be to videotape or take photos of the storm, be sure to shoot from indoors – where it’s safe and dry!

Answer: Spectrum Systems is Jamaica’s largest importer and distributor of roofing products and systems. We also distribute other products such as drywall systems, lumber, etc. Spectrum also manufactures products such as standing seam roofing, rainwater gutters, and other roofing products soon to be announced.  

Answer: We are located in Kingston, Mandeville and Montego Bay. See our exact locations on our locations tab. Our opening hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays, and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturdays.
Answer: We do not typically do installations but recommend a panel of qualified and experienced roofing contractors who we work closely with to ensure good installations. There are some special projects that we will undertake ourselves depending on the circumstances. Examples of such past projects are the Iberostar Resort, the Half Way Tree Transport Centre, and the Richmond Housing Development in St. Ann (Phase 1).
Answer: We offer a much wider range of products and systems than any competitor does, by far. So, you have far more choices for your roof. All of our products and systems are of consistently high quality to provide you with longer lasting performance. And we offer better value for money than any other supplier, due to far bigger economies of scale which we pass through to the customer.
Answer: Warranties differ by product/system type. Please enquire of our sales office and request a copy of our warranty summary. Please refer also to our supplier websites, linked on our product web pages, for additional warranty information.
Answer: We will soon have exciting news on this … stay tuned!
Answer: Depending on workload, most orders can be manufactured within 1 week. Special arrangements may be available to expedite your order.
Answer: Remote or “keyed in” credit card transactions are subject to high incidences of fraud, so are not recommended by our bankers. We therefore do not offer this facility.
Answer: We accept cheques, cash (maximum 1 million Jamaican dollars per transaction or as varied by the authorities), credit/debit cards, and direct wire transfers. All cheques including managers cheques will take about 5 working days to clear before goods can be issued. We strongly recommend that local customers utilize the RTGS system to make payments, as these can usually be confirmed within 1 business day.

Answer: No, we do not. Some qualified repeat customers may receive credit facilities up to 30 days, subject to an application process.

Answer: Spectrum can deliver your order with our own trucks or make arrangements for delivery with a reliable outside contractor. There is a reasonable charge for all deliveries.

Answer: Spectrum will accept returns of most products in salable condition, accompanied by an original invoice. Depending on the condition of the item(s), a restocking fee may be charged.

Answer: 3502 is white so it will reflect solar heat effectively. However it is primarily a waterproofing product, not heat reflective. For maximum cooling effect, a product such as INDEX White Reflex is more effective. This is specifically designed for maximum heat reflection and emission. Please see technical data sheet under Roof Insulation page of our website.
Answer: Drywall partitions are significantly cheaper at around $ 4,575.00 per square meter installed. Block and steel walls (typical 6 inch thickness) cost around $ 6,950.00 per square meter installed as at April 2020. Prices quoted include GCT on the materials.
Answer: Various techniques such as using staple guns, pre-soaking the shingles in water, tamping nail points with a hammer, and avoiding over driving the nails into the shingle are used by experienced installers. It is critical to ensure that your installer is well experienced in the installation of Wallaba Shingles which are more difficult to install than Cedar Shingles. Also, since some of the shingles will unavoidably split, the use of roofing felt underlayment IS MANDATORY or the roof will leak.
Answer: Unolastic is medium grey in colour so requires no additional coating. However, for increased energy efficiency, aluminium paint is fully compatible after the Unolastic has been allowed to cure for one week.
Answer: The choice of a roof usually begins with its appearance, and the type of look preferred by the customer, especially taking into consideration the design of the building. After that, cost is an important factor, and the lifespan of the system. There are also technical considerations that come into play, such as the weight of the system and the type of roof deck required for installation. With the widest range of roofing options available at Spectrum, customers can usually find an option that suits them best.
Answer: Metrotile stone coated tiles are tested and approved for rainwater harvesting. Allow the new roof to be thoroughly cleaned by three heavy showers of rain to remove surplus loose stones from the manufacturing process, then safely connect your harvesting system.
Answer: Stone coated tiles are more durable because they are coated with a layer of acrylic and then stones which provide additional protection from the elements and abrasion resistance. Painted tiles are only protected by a layer of paint which is not as durable. Paint will also fade over time unlike stones.
Answer: Generally speaking, for inclined roofs, 3-tab fiberglass shingles are the most economical roofing system. For flat roofs, a liquid applied coating such as Unolastic would be most economical.
Answer: Sanded membranes can be more aesthetically pleasing in some settings where the roof is highly visible, for example in a resort setting where central facility roofs may be visible from room towers. They are also less reflective, so may be more desirable if roof glare would create problems or safety issues, for example at an airport. The granules do also provide some amount of resistance to abrasion on roofs that are trafficable. For maximum energy efficiency, plain membranes can be coated with highly reflective paints to reduce solar heat gain into the structure.
Answer: Aluminium or other reflective paints accomplish three functions. First, they shield the membrane from most of the damaging ultraviolet radiation thereby extending the life of the membrane. Second, they reflect most of the solar radiation thereby reducing solar heat gain into the structure. This also reduces expansion and contraction of the roof which causes harmful thermal shock. Lastly, they beautify the roof.

APPLICATION RELATED

Answer: Primer is required on concrete or any cementitious surface, or any surface that is prone to being dusty. All such dust should be washed or swept away before application of the primer. Clean metal or wooden surfaces do not usually require priming. The same applies for torch on membranes except that they should not be applied to wooden surfaces because of the risk of fire.
Answer: The SCUDOTENE HDPE 1.5mm Membrane (20 sq.meter) is designed specifically for waterproofing of foundations and subterranean structures. It is also protected by a very strong HDPE surface which helps to protect it from backfilling of the foundations.
Answer: Rainwater gutters usually leak at the joints if the sealant has deteriorated, or was not properly installed. Cleaning of the area and reapplication of a contractor grade silicone sealant such as Geocel 2320 can solve this problem. In extreme cases, if the gutter was made from steel sheeting it may have rusted, causing holes and leakage. Aluminium gutters are recommended as they are most durable over the long term, especially by the sea.
Answer: The advantages would be that PVC panels are completely resistant to termites and other vermin, water damage from roof leakage, and never need to be painted. However, some people may not like the look of a PVC (plastic) ceiling vs. a wooden ceiling.
Answer: Standing seam roofing is usually more expensive than stone coated tiles, but not excessively so. It depends on the profile selected, type of roof deck and range/quantity of accessories required. There are some cases where it can actually be cheaper.
Answer: In the case of a slab roof, the application of foam insulation or radiant heat coatings on the top of the slab (with a waterproofing layer such as membrane) is effective. In the case of fiberglass shingles, installation of roof vents at both the eave and ridge of the roof will cool the area beneath. In both cases, installation of a drop ceiling insulated with fiberglass BATT insulation will also be effective.
Answer: This depends on the type of roof product. Fiberglass and wood shingles, aluminium standing seam roofing and clay roof tiles don’t rust so are not affected by salty conditions. Steel roofing products should only be considered if they are coated with Galvalume, and may not last longer than about 20 years.
Answer: ENDURIS 3502 silicone coating is ideal for coating over existing membrane roofs that have developed leaks due to improper installation or age. The advantage is that costly and dangerous removal of the membrane can be avoided in most cases, except where the membrane is in a very advanced state of deterioration with widespread delamination from the roof deck. In that case, removal of the membrane may be required.