Lately, cool roofs have come under attack by the EPDM Roofing Association (ERA). They are making numerous, albeit erroneous, claims against cool roofs in spite of the science supporting their general benefits. In particular, they are frightening customers with undue concern for accumulative condensation within cool roofs in northern climates.

Hybrid

noun \ˈhī-brəd\: something that is formed by combining two or more things

In the case of this “multi-ply” Hybrid scenario: 1 + 1 = 3

The notion of hybrid roofing assembly is a simple concept. It assumes that the materials being combined are proven and compatible with one another. We are bringing together two distinctly different roofing systems and concepts to create a new roofing system that combines the best of both.

When it comes to performance, our forefathers had it right long ago. They optimized the three pillars of performance, materials, engineering and installation, to provide roof systems that truly withstood the test of time. The oldest roof system I’ve ever encountered was a slate roof. It combined the performance of stone with phenomenal engineering to account for the weight and slope. Last but not least, the craftsmanship to bring it all together to create a watertight roof system. Many of these roofs had and/or have over 100-year life cycles. I can only assume that cost was not as important as value when it came to construction.

Some of the justifications for having a vegetated roof top include:

We are often asked to articulate a position on ponding water and whether we warrant ponding water. Our answer is multifaceted as the concerns are much more than just possible membrane degradation. After all, the simple purpose of a roof is to shed water off and away from the building.

As technology for industrial coated fabrics advances, new opportunities in the single-ply membrane market also begin to unfold. These advancements are leading to typical roofing paradigms being broken, allowing architects to meet customer needs that were previously impossible. 

When choosing a roofing system that meets your needs, there are a number of considerations to be made. Ultimately, you are choosing one of six roofing systems: built-up (BUR), modified bitumen, EPDM, PVC, TPO, or KEE. Each roofing system is unique in how it is made and assembled, and varies in price. But where do you start? With all the information about these various systems on the Internet, it is easy to get overwhelmed. With these 5 critical considerations (and this easy to read table differentiating the six roofing systems), you’ll be well on your way to finding the best roofing system for your needs. 

During a recent webinar, an attendee asked the following question:

Most of our buildings are over 50 years old with many changes in plane on the surface. Most are BUR with mineral cap sheets. What would be a better system when replaced?

Thicker is not always better; better is better!

With a virtual smorgasbord of roofing products to choose from, quality, value, and performance cannot be determined by measuring and subsequently putting a price on thickness alone. The debate is only technically relative to “like kind” materials and the novice has a tendency to assume that just because certain products are similar, they are all alike.

As outlined in Part 1 of this series, there are a number of factors that can affect the longevity of your roof. While some of the factors are relatively obvious, there are also factors that tend to be overlooked. These overlooked causes of roof failures can rapidly decrease the lifespan of your roof and increase overall costs to you. In order to protect your valuable assets, check out the last top four factors that affect roof performance.