The roof that won Quality Exteriors a Duro-Last award

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about the 117,000 square foot roof that took home a 2025 Edge-to-Edge & Deck-to-Sky™ Project Award. 

On the South side of downtown Nashville is a district called the SoBro district. This area is known for combining historic architecture with new development to create a thriving and lively neighborhood full of hotels, bars and musical venues. It was this distinct character that the Mill Creek Residential team wanted to bring into their Modera SoBro project. This development was a 404-unit luxury apartment complex complete with rooftop amenity spaces to keep residents connected to the district.  

With such a big goal, the Mill Creek Residential knew that they needed to work with the right partners to create the perfect balance of beauty and performance in the complex. As Steven Naiman, senior superintendent with Mill Creek Residential, put it, “We [needed things] that would perform at a high level but also look great from day one.” 

For the roof, the right partners were Quality Exteriors and Duro-Last. Quality Exteriors got involved in the project right from the get-go, which turned out to be crucial to success. Brandon Byrd, vice president of commercial roofing at Quality Exteriors, recalled, “We caught this project during design. That gave us time to fine-tune the specification and make sure the owner got a system built for longevity, with every component under a single Duro-Last warranty.” 

The system that they installed featured a tapered Duro-Guard ISO insulation as well as a ¼-inch DEXcell cover board. Combined, these two products ensured the roof had proper slope (for drainage), strong durability (to support rooftop amenities), and a high fire resistance (for safety). On top of this, the Quality Exteriors team fully adhered Duro-Tuff 50 and 60 mil light gray membrane, chosen for its performance and reduced glare for residents using rooftop terraces. 

There were some unique challenges with this project, both on the roof and on the ground. For example, the crew on the roof had to individually flash more than 650 balcony penetrations with custom-fabricated curbs and stacks. And on the ground, the iconic SoBro District led to staging challenges. Brandon explained, “You can’t leave trucks parked on Division Street. We sequenced deliveries just-in-time and made sure every section was watertight as we went. Coordination was everything.” 

All-in-all, the project took 12 months to complete and the final roof delivered that perfect balance of beauty and durability that the Mill Creek Residential team was looking for. As Steven put it, “Brandon’s team was incredibly organized. They managed deliveries, coordination and safety flawlessly, and their communication made a huge difference.” 

See the project for yourself on Duro-Last's YouTube channel!