Roof Talk 101 The Best Educational Roof Blog In America: April 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Roof Talk-101 How To Build An Edible Rooftop Garden

Roof Talk-101 How to Build an Edible Rooftop Garden

No ground to grow your edibles? Think up—onto your rooftop! If you don’t want to allocate valuable real estate to creating an edible garden but still want the pleasure of growing vegetables and fruits, a green roof may be the solution for you.

Although green roofs have been around for centuries, the concept was popularized in Germany about 50 years ago. A green roof is simply a living plant cover on a structure. The most common example seen today is an extensive roof where sedums or grass are grown in soils 4–6 in. (10–15 cm) deep. Now with urban agriculture gaining momentum, a new type of roof garden has emerged—the edible kind! With less than 1 ft. (30 cm) of soil, you can grow most vegetables, herbs and even some fruits on top of your house, shed or garage.

A.  Beams and posts are reinforced to municipal green-roof code and to support additional weight
B. Waterproof roof with drainage layer encourages drainage
C.  Walkways 2 ft. (60 cm) wide allow for safe movement and bed access
D. Lightweight green-roof soil reduces the load on the roof structure
E. Raised planter beds with open bottoms lined with filter fabric allow for drainage
F.  Guardrails line the perimeter of the roof
G.  Trellising on the north side supports vertical planting
H. Beehives boost pollination
I.  Good drainage system
J.  Rain barrels collect water runoff from roof drains

The Plan

Roof Dimensions: 28 × 24 ft. (8.5 × 7.2 m) 672 sq. ft. (62 sq. m)
Total Area of Edibles: 250 sq. ft. (23 sq. m) of raised beds, 120 sq. ft. (11 sq. m) vertically

How to Build a Vegetable Garden on a Green Roof

Designer Notes

The garage structure was upgraded and raised planters of various sizes were added. Using the square foot method and five raised planters (total of 228 sq. ft./21 sq. m) filled with only 10 in. (25 cm) of lightweight green-roof soil, you can harvest fresh produce through most of the year. The costs to install a small rooftop garden are as follows:

Lumber, filter cloth and hardware: $500
Structural reinforcement: $300
Green-roof soil (8 cu. yd. or 6 cu. m @ $65/cu. yd.): $520
Seeds: $100 or less (and I have enough seed for the next 5 years!)
Labour: Free

Design Elements

Before You Begin
There are a few considerations to take into account before diving into construction—and they are important ones.

Load on the Roof
The first step is to evaluate your roof’s loading capacity. This is the amount of weight your roof structure can support and includes everything: planter boxes, soil (when wet), possible water storage, weight of crops at maturity, equipment and such temporary loads as people and snow. This may be your biggest expense and will determine whether you are willing to pursue an edible roof or not. Working with a structural engineer is a must!

Contact a structural engineer and discuss what you intend to design; for this, a plan of your garden is required. The engineer will evaluate the possibility of carrying out the project, what it would take in terms of reinforcement, and the influence of obstacles (vents, chimneys, etc.) and/or possibility of eliminating or moving them.

Municipal Regulations
Review your municipality’s regulations. Architects or building designers can often assist you in interpreting building-code requirements for green roofs.

Sun and Wind Exposure
Consider sun and wind exposure. Edible plants require a minimum of six hours, with heliophilous plants such as tomatoes needing at least ten. Study your patterns and hours of sunlight and note adjacent buildings that may create additional shadows. Wind is often stronger at rooftop heights than on ground level and can cause serious damage to plants. Structural windbreakers may need to be designed in conjunction with the building frame and they must be able to withstand wind loads.

Additional Considerations

Depending on how elaborate you want to go, additional considerations may be:

Storage or areas for composting
Rainwater collection system—possibly from adjacent roofs with storage on garden roof
Electricity for running power tools and equipment
General security and lock off to limit access

Bare Bones In Design
This green roof is bare bones in design and located on top of a two-car garage. For maximum vegetable production think about keeping a couple of beehives for honey and pollination. But don't do too many because you don't want ninety thousand bees buzzing around at ground level.

Creating an Edible Green Roof on a Garage

Prepare Your Roof Structurally

Ensure it meets municipal building and safety requirements for a green roof. Also, check that your roof membrane can support walking and planters—you don’t want to risk a leak! Flat roofs are best.

Build Planters to Hold Soil
These planters used 2 × 4 fir on sleepers, allowing for 10 in. (25 cm) of soil. Gravel on the roof encourages drainage, which is an absolute must, so check that your roof drains properly! Box Construction for Green Roof Planters

Box Construction for Green Roof Planters

Line Your Planters
Use weed block to contain soil while allowing drainage.

Add Green-roof Soil
Lightweight soil specific for green roofs is placed in raised planters (soil weight: 75 lb. per sq. ft. or approx. 300 kg per sq. m). A bonus is that this mix starts out with no weed seeds. Choosing the Right Soil for a Green Roof

Choosing the Right Soil for a Green Roof

Plant Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit
Swiss chard, watermelon, iceberg and assorted leaf lettuce, vine and cherry tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers and everbearing strawberries are favourites. Vegetable Garden on a Green Roof

Tip: To grow vegetables that require more soil depth without committing to larger roof loads, use deeper containers in strategic spots (over your roof beam or posts). Always check with your structural engineer on any roof-load issues.

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Roof Talk-101 What Are The Benefits Of Green Roofs?

Green roofs can be installed on a wide range of buildings, from industrial facilities to private residences. They can be as simple as a 2-inch covering of hardy ground cover or as complex as a fully accessible park complete with trees. Green roofs are becoming popular in the United States, with roughly 8.5 million square feet installed or in progress as of June 2008.2A green roof, or rooftop garden, is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. Green roofs provide shade and remove heat from the air through evapotranspiration, reducing temperatures of the roof surface and the surrounding air. On hot summer days, the surface temperature of a green roof can be cooler than the air temperature, whereas the surface of a conventional rooftop can be up to 90°F (50°C) warmer.1

Benefits and Costs

In addition to mitigating urban heat islands, the benefits of green roofs include:

Reduced energy use: Green roofs absorb heat and act as insulators for buildings, reducing energy needed to provide cooling and heating.
Reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions: By lowering air conditioning demand, green roofs can decrease the production of associated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Vegetation can also remove air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions through dry deposition and carbon sequestration and storage.
Improved human health and comfort: Green roofs, by reducing heat transfer through the building roof, can improve indoor comfort and lower heat stress associated with heat waves.
Enhanced stormwater management and water quality: Green roofs can reduce and slow stormwater runoff in the urban environment; they also filter pollutants from rainfall.
Improved quality of life: Green roofs can provide aesthetic value and habitat for many species.

Estimated costs of installing a green roof start at $10 per square foot for simpler extensive roofing, and $25 per square foot for intensive roofs.3 Annual maintenance costs for either type of roof may range from $0.75–$1.50 per square foot.3

While the initial costs of green roofs are higher than those of conventional materials, building owners can help offset the difference through reduced energy and stormwater management costs, and potentially by the longer lifespan of green roofs compared with conventional roofing materials.

Researchers and communities are beginning to perform detailed, full life-cycle analyses to determine the net benefits of green roofs. A University of Michigan study compared the expected costs of conventional roofs with the cost of a 21,000-square-foot (1,950 m2) green roof and all its benefits, such as stormwater management and improved public health from the absorption of nitrogen oxides. The green roof would cost $464,000 to install versus $335,000 for a conventional roof in 2006 dollars. However, over its lifetime, the green roof would save about $200,000. Nearly two-thirds of these savings would come from reduced energy needs for the building with the green roof.4

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Roof Talk-101 How Much Can An Average Eco-Roof Conserve?

Roof Talk-101 How Much Can An Average Eco-Roof Conserve?

Eco roofs, or green roofs, replace or cover conventional roofs with vegetation. They conserve energy by insulating the building below, which reduces the urban heat island effect, cleans the surrounding air, increases the life of the roof by a factor of two or three, looks attractive and decrease storm water runoff. Roof gardens act like sponges, absorbing rainfall and allowing it to transpire from the leaves of the plants, or detain water for release into catchment systems. The performance of an eco-roof depends on many factors, including the season of the year, seasonal rainfall patterns and the interval between rains, according to the authors of a study for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Types of Eco Roofs

A green roof is multilayered, with a root barrier to contain invasive roots, a waterproof membrane, drainage and soil systems and the plants. Green roofs are either extensive or intensive. Extensive eco-roofs consist of a shallow substrate planted with drought-tolerant grasses, herbs, succulents and mosses. Once established, they are not meant to be walked on, and require little to no maintenance. Intensive roofs are more likely to be public spaces with complex substrates and varied plantings that resemble gardens, with annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. Intensive eco-roofs are high-maintenance and sometimes open to the public.

Environmental Benefits

Both intensive and extensive green roofs share a common set of benefits. The vegetation absorbs the storm water and releases it slowly. The result is fewer incidents of flooding, less erosion, less water that needs treatment before it is potable -- a significant decrease in the stress placed on municipal drainage systems. The water conservation function of a green roof may be its most compelling benefit. A Michigan State University study of extensive roofs found they retained 60 to 100 percent of rainwater .

Storm Runoff

Storm runoff is a serious problem for densely populated areas. It results in pollution of surrounding rivers, lakes and oceans, and it can affect aquifers and the purity of drinking water. When soil and vegetation absorb rainwater, they release the moisture back to the atmosphere through normal evaporation and transpiration from plant leaves. Concrete and other building materials interrupt this cycle, and green roofs restore it to some degree. The Michigan State University study of different roof surfaces showed that the green roofs in the study, on average, retained around 60 percent of rainfall, whereas conventional roofs retained only about 27 percent (see References 3). The EPA's study of extensive roofs found green roofs retained an average of 50 percent of rainfall, but this ranged from less than 20 percent during colder weather to 95 percent during the summer (see References 2, page 2-1). This is similar to the City of Portland's review of its own data, as well as literature from a variety of other studies. They conclude that while the average rainfall retention of eco-roofs in Portland was 56 percent, green roofs may retain anywhere from 26 to 100 percent of a rain event, depending on the roof and the region.

Rainwater Collection

Commercial Builders typically invest in an extensive roof, the kind that, once planted, maintains itself. The roof is not a recreation area. The membrane insulates and covers the house, while permitting recapture of the water that falls on it. Drainage systems channel the water from the roof to rain barrels and other catchment receptacles for use to irrigate a garden or lawn, wash cars or flush toilets. Some systems purify collected rainwater for drinking. Researchers at the University of Central Florida, for example, note that much of the work on green roof efficiency doesn't include the addition of a cistern to collect the percentage of rainfall not retained. Adding such systems can significantly affect an eco-roof's average water conservation.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Roof Talk-101 What To Consider When Choosing A Colored Metal Roof

Metal roofs have many advantages.

They are extremely durable and Have a very long life, being easy to install, repair and maintain. They don’t rot and don’t leak, being fire and water resistant and protecting your commercial building from bad weather. Also, metal roofing provides unlimited design options - you can paint the roof however you like as often as you consider necessary. Even if good quality paints can last for many years, you can still change the image of your house if you want a new outdoor design.

There is a wide assortment of metal roofing colors present on the market. You can consult with a specialist or choose the color by yourself, according to other elements of your exterior design: the color of your house, the style of the doors and windows, the particularities of the landscape and so on. If you’re not satisfied with the available colors, you can always mix two or three paints for creating the shade that will look best on your metal roof.

When you select the paint, make sure it’s been treated with a special acrylic resin that will block the ultraviolet light, preventing premature fading, corrosion, peeling, water infiltration and rust. You can also find many types of top coatings and sealants that you can apply as a protective layer after painting the roof. If you want your roofing to have an extra shine, you can buy a shining top coating that will also protect the metal from sunrays, moisture and mildew, making the paint last longer and saving your energy expenses.

After choosing a quality type of paint, you can select the most suitable color for your metal roof. There are a few things you should keep in mind for ensuring that you make the best choice.

1. The decorative aspect. The color of your roof has to match with your outdoor design. You will not paint your metal roofing in electric pink if your house has a classical style in light neutral shades.

2. The practical aspect. Different colors have the ability of reflecting or absorbing the heat coming from the sunrays. If you live in a warm environment, choose a light color (white, light bronze, beige, peach, light green or blue) - it will protect your commercial building from extreme heat during summer, this way lowering your energy expenses. If your house is rather cold, even in summer, choose a darker color which will absorb the heat, helping you to keep your home warm.

3. The purpose of the building. If you choose a metal roofing color for your home, the color should be more neutral. Remember that quality paints can keep their original shine for many years, so choose such a color that will seem agreeable to you even after a long time. If you need to paint a commercial building, don’t be afraid to choose a more daring color. After all, your purpose is to catch the attention of your potential customers. If you have a brand color, you could paint your roof accordingly. But don’t exaggerate - a ‘yelling’ color will not always look harmonious, so try not to cross the boundaries of common sense.

4. The general aspect of your neighborhood. When you select the color for your business' roof, pay attention to the ‘unwritten aesthetic rules’ of your neighborhood. Of course, you have the right to be original and express your personality by choosing the color that you like the most. However, don’t insult the classical taste of your neighbors - if they enjoy stylish, light ‘aristocratic’ colors, don’t paint your roof magenta, bright orange or dazzling yellow.

After painting your roof, don’t forget that it’s easier to maintain that to replace. Repaint your roof when you notice the first signs of corrosion and fading - don’t wait until rust will destroy the metal and you’ll have to deal with water infiltration. This is also a good way of freshening your outdoor design - you can always choose another shade for your metal roof, as long as it look balanced and has style.

The best metal roofing colors are not only aesthetic - they also help you lower your energy expenses and protect your roof from rust, decay and bad weather

.ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Roof Talk-101 What Can I Do About My Rusty Metal Roof?

If you have a rusty metal roof, you need to remove the rust, then keep it from coming back. You can either remove metal roof rust yourself or hire a professional. Likewise, prevent the return of metal roof rust either with a DIY paint job or a professional coating. A trusted professional is more likely to provide a complete, attractive and lasting solution to your rusty metal roof, but a DIY job will, of course, save money.

Get Rid of Metal Roof Rust

Most of the time, not every speck of rust needs to be removed before recoating a rusty metal roof. Instead, use a heavy power washer or a light sand blaster to blast away all the loose, flaking metal roof rust. The water or sand will also remove dirt, mildew and flaking paint from the surface. For stubborn metal roof rust that somehow survives a power blasting, try Trisodium Phosphate (TSP).

You can probably rent a power washer or sand blaster, but using either of them on your roof can be dangerous work, and you may not get at all the metal roof rust that needs to be removed. It may be worth the cost to hire a professional to blast away at your rusty metal roof. If you hire professionals, make sure they also use chemical solutions to remove and block any mildew on the roof.

Keep the Rust from Returning

Of course, you will probably just have a rusty metal roof again in a few months if you don’t coat the metal. Again, you have the option of painting the roof yourself or hiring a professional company to paint the roof or add a specialized coating.

If you choose to paint the roof, wash and rinse the roof thoroughly and let it dry. Start painting with a zinc primer, which can help prevent metal roof rust. Specialized metal roof paints are available for the top coat. Still, you may need to repaint the roof every few years to prevent the revenge of the metal roof rust.
The other option is an acrylic coating. Most of these coatings leave a metallic finish, but they block out metal roof rust for up to 10 years. Visit the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association for more information on roof coatings and to find a company in your area.

Whether you perform the work or hire a professional, attack your metal roof rust and prevent it from coming back.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Roof Talk-101 The Top 5 Reasons Commercial Roofs Need Cover Board

Roof Talk-101 The Top 5 Reasons Commercial Roofs Need Cover Board

Roofs are more important than ever. They support sustainability efforts, host tons of equipment, promote energy-efficiency and are the first (or last) line of defense from the elements.

So cover boards are a must to get the most out of your roof. Here’s how.

1. Fire Resistance
The right cover board can enhance a building’s ability to withstand and mitigate the effects of fire – especially if the insulation, decking or membrane is combustible. Make sure the cover board you use is UL Class A rated, and has met or exceeded ASTM E136 testing standards. Many commercial roof assemblies use a fiberglass mat gypsum panel as a thermal barrier against the deck AND as a cover board under the membrane, which increases the total fire rating of the assembly.
2. Insulation Protection
As the most expensive component in the roof assembly, you’re spending more money than ever on insulation as a key component in meeting a building’s energy goals. So the insulation needs to last. Rigid cover boards with good compressive strength resist impact loads, extending the life and performance of the insulation layer and the total assembly.
3. Wind Uplift Protection
Look for a cover board with enough strength to prevent wind uplift when installed between the membrane and insulation, and that can keep metal fasteners from loosening during harsh conditions.
4. Sound Resistance
Effective cover boards can help attenuate outside noise and significantly raise the Sound Transmission Class (STC) of the roof assembly. Some have been proven via third-party testing to increase sound reduction.
5. Strength and Durability
Cover boards are an effective means of protecting the membrane, insulation and decking from puncture, crushing and other effects due to hail, foot traffic, HVAC and other equipment installation and maintenance that can take a toll on a roof.

Gypsum cover boards with fiberglass mats, like DensDeck® Roof Boards from Georgia-Pacific Gypsum are especially effective in addressing these and other roofing needs.

ROOFTEC-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Roof Talk 101 Is My Commercial Roof Warranty Important?

Roof Talk-101 Is My Commercial Roof Warranty Important?

Few roofs are installed without a warranty, but few roofing warranties are actually read and understood. Clearly, warranty documents are not exactly beach reading. Understanding the legalese of a roofing warranty may be a challenge. But reading and understanding the fine print of a roofing warranty before signing the contract is essential. It’s the only way facility executives can find out what lurks in the fine print. They might be surprised.

There are two types of warranties — implied (see “The Other Warranty”) and express.

Express warranties are written documents issued by the roofing materials manufacturer or roofing contractor. They are contracts between the issuer of the warranty and the purchaser of the roof system that define the limits of liability that the issuer will assume if there are problems with the roof system.

Oftentimes, the only thing facility executives consider is the length of the warranty. While this is an important facet of the warranty, there are several other warranty elements that facility executives should examine carefully and understand.

The Issuer

Roof warranties are generally issued by the roofing materials manufacturer and are written by the issuer’s attorneys for the issuer’s benefit. Sometimes, however, especially in less-expensive installation schemes, the roofing contractor provides a warranty for workmanship and provides a materials-only warranty from the manufacturer. It’s important to be aware of who has provided the warranty since the ability of the issuing entity to fulfill the terms of the warranty is directly tied to the solvency and strength of the issuer.

A roofing contractor warranty is usually not as valuable as a manufacturer’s warranty because roofing contractors come and go much more quickly. Once the contractor’s corporation is dissolved, the warranty is worthless. So unless the contractor has been in business for a long time or has a lot of assets, be cautious about relying on the contractor’s warranty as the sole remedy for potential problems.

If a roofing manufacturer is issuing the warranty, also check its solvency and the location of its headquarters. Can it pull out of the United States if there are catastrophic failures of its products? If so, then the warranty is only as good as the manufacturer’s willingness to remain here. Generally this is not a problem as the cost of establishing a company in the United States usually means that the company is here for the long term.

Materials and Labor

If the roof needs to be replaced, a materials-only warranty means the manufacturer will only supply the replacement material and the facility executive will have to pay for the cost of installing it. Because labor is usually at least half of the cost of a new roof, the facility executive ends up spending a lot of money getting the roof replaced.

Facility executives should be wary of materials-only warranties that exclude or are in lieu of implied warranties, as such warranties may actually reduce the legal protection against problems. (See “The Other Warranty”)

Even if the warranty is a materials and labor warranty, facility executives should still scrutinize the terms carefully. If the warranty does not specifically say that it is a no dollar limit (NDL) warranty, the remedy may be pro-rated over the life of the roof. In such cases, if the roof fails in the fifth year of a ten-year warranty, the manufacturer may only be liable for 50 percent of the roof replacement costs. The warranty may also limit the issuer’s liability to the initial cost of the roof installation, which means that after inflation, the facility executive is still liable for a portion of the roof cost.

Other Side of the Coin

Most facility executives fail to understand that once they have signed the warranty they are contractually responsible for regularly maintaining their roof. Every warranty stipulates that the roof requires periodic maintenance to keep the warranty in full force and effect. This is the most overlooked portion of a roof warranty.

At a minimum, this means twice-yearly inspections, prompt repairs if defects are found, good records kept of the inspections and the repairs performed, debris removal on a regular basis, and maintenance of coatings and surfacings.

It may also mean that roof traffic must be avoided, that accessories such as metal work, equipment, curbs, supports and skylights be maintained, and that drains be kept free-flowing and unclogged. Regular roof maintenance is not only needed to keep the warranty intact, but it is, along with proper initial design and installation, one of the most important parts of keeping a roof in service for a long time.

Studies have shown that a properly maintained roof will last roughly double the time of a roof that is not maintained. Maintenance is a win-win situation. Most warranties also require that the issuer receive prior notification for additions or alterations that affect the roof system in any way.

Some warranties require that the roof be paid in full before the warranty is valid. This means that if there is a dispute and the roofing contractor has not been paid, the warranty will not take effect.

Exclusions

Facility executives usually think that the warranty will cover a roof replacement if there are leaks. That is not necessarily the case. Most warranties only cover repairing the leaks, or in warranty terms, “maintaining the roof in a watertight condition.” The warranty generally will only cover those products manufactured or private-labeled by the roofing materials manufacturer.

If the warranty commits the manufacturer only to fixing leaks, the manufacturer is not necessarily liable for damage to the insulation or roof deck caused by the leak. Most warranties also exclude “consequential damages” — other damage done to the facility as a result of a leak.

Consider what this means. If there is a call center on the top floor and the roof leaks, all of the computer equipment may be ruined and the facility shut down for two weeks. The facility executive would have no recourse for recovering those costs.

Even scarier is that roof leaks can lead to mold and mildew growth. Who will pay for the costs associated with them? Consequential damages are usually far more costly than the damage to the roof.

Most warranties also exclude ponding water and “acts of God.” These are reasonable exclusions. One cannot reasonably hold the manufacturer liable for items not within its control. Some exclude blistering. Some exclude hurricanes and still others exclude damage caused by much lesser windstorms — gale force winds and even high wind gusts.

Most warranties exclude additions or alterations to the roof unless the manufacturer is notified in advance and approves the alteration or addition in writing. Traffic across the roof is excluded in many warranties. Because it is difficult to make people stay on walk pads, even if they are installed in direct routes to rooftop equipment and roof hatches, this may affect the remedies available on the roof.

Pitch pans, counterflashings, gravel stops and the like, along with leaks caused by these commonly installed accessories, are not usually covered under the warranty. One exception to this is that some metal roofing manufacturers make their own metal accessories and cover all their own products in the warranty.

Notification Procedures

Notification requirements can also cause a warranty to be null and void. Most warranties require notification in writing to the manufacturer within 30 days of discovering a leak. The reality is that most leaks go unreported for months until a serious problem occurs. Occupants typically fail to report a leak until wallpaper is peeling or a ceiling tile falls, and even then the facility executive often does not report the problem to the manufacturer as required in the warranty. When this happens, the manufacturer is legally able to avoid major repairs. Their position is quite understandable. What could have been an inexpensive small annoyance six months before is now a costly tear off and replacement.

In most cases, it is the sole judgment of the manufacturer what action will be taken. In some cases, it also means that if the manufacturer decides that it is not liable for a leak, the owner will have to pay for the cost of the inspection. Fortunately, most manufacturers are reputable and realize that if they don’t honor their warranties, their products will no longer be used.

Warranty Costs and Benefits

A roofing contractor’s labor warranty and materials-only warranties are generally provided free of charge. The charge for a full warranty, which includes materials and labor, is generally based on the size of the roof plus an inspection fee.

If the issuer will transfer the warranty, they generally require a transfer fee and most require an inspection of the roof. After the inspection, the roof has to be repaired to the manufacturer’s specifications. In some cases, the manufacturer requires that the roof be brought up to the original standards for the warranty to be transferable. The costs to do this on an older building may be more than the warranty is worth.

Despite the extra effort it takes, getting and understanding a good warranty is beneficial. One benefit is that, before committing to a long-term warranty, the manufacturer generally requires that the installing contractor conform to the manufacturer’s recommended installation techniques. Passing the warranty inspection is a tacit acceptance by the manufacturer that its recommendations have been fulfilled.

The warranty also benefits the facility executive because, in many cases, long-term labor and materials warranties require the use of a roofing contractor approved by the manufacturer to install the system. The approved applicator list weeds out unqualified roofing contractors.

Although this is self-defense by the manufacturer, it also benefits the owner. Contractors that have applied several poor roofs cost the manufacturer money from warranty claims. If a contractor racks up several warranty claims, it will get dropped from the list. This doesn’t mean that mediocre roofers are not on the list, especially if they install very large amounts of the manufacturer’s products. But it does help keep the ratio of good roofers to poor roofers in the facility executive’s favor.

If the facility executive adheres to the terms of the warranty, it can provide repairs for leaks at no cost. The terms of the warranty dictate the manufacturer’s obligation. This ranges from simply fixing the leak, to providing new materials, to removing and replacing the entire roof. The manufacturer may pay for the entire cost of the roof replacement or a pro-rated amount depending on how long the roof has been on.

Finally, if the warranty is transferable, it can be used as a selling point in marketing the building. If the roof is still under warranty, the implication is that it is in good condition and therefore not likely to need replacing in the near future.

Although a warranty can offer benefits, the best option is simply to have a properly designed and installed roof to begin with and then maintain it like any other asset in the building. If that is done, the roof will outlast any warranty.