Showing posts with label San Antonio Cool Roofs. Show all posts

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Roof Talk-101 How Rainwater Catchment Can Help in Drought Areas

Roof Talk-101

How Rainwater Catchment Can Help in Drought Areas

Did you know that one inch of rain falling on 1,000 square feet of a roof amounts to 640 gallons of water? That’s a significant amount of water—more than most households use in a day—and evidence of the fact that in a typical year (and in a temperate climate), thousands and thousands of gallons of available water are running off your roof.

The most common term for collecting water for household use these days is “rainwater catchment.” While still rare in the United States, it is quite common in other parts of the world, notably in the Caribbean. However, partly out of necessity and partly for reasons of conservation and sustainability, rainwater catchment is becoming more common in the United States.

Consider the fact that you’re watering your lawn and flushing your toilets with drinking water, and think about using rainwater for those times instead.

Rainwater catchment doesn’t have to be complex: you can start with a rain barrel and catch water for the lawn. More advanced systems incorporate a device called a first flush diverter. This diverts the rain that falls for the first few minutes away from your catchment system or barrels in order to “wash” the roof of pollen and other buildup that has accumulated since the last rain. From there, additional advances include filtration, treatment, and underground storage cisterns.

To really get where we need to be with rainwater catchment, significant plumbing work is required. That’s because separate systems for drinking water and rainwater would be needed for most homes. However, there has been some progress in this area, including the development of a standardized piping color (purple) for irrigation water.

Industrial users can benefit from rainwater catchment systems as well. A common use of rainwater is for cooling tower systems, which rely on evaporative cooling and thus require large amounts of makeup water to replace that which has evaporated. A rainwater catchment system on a large commercial roof paired with storage tanks—often mounted directly on the roof or sometimes buried under a parking lot—can easily supply this makeup water. And again, why use drinking water for this?

Have you experienced a water shortage in your area? Have you looked into rainwater catchment or other methods to use the roof as a water-savings asset? The day may come for more of the country as Net Zero homes also try to achieve Net Zero water.

ROOFGUARD-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. ROOFGUARD-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.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Roof Talk-101 10 Reasons to Coat a Commercial Roof

Liza Barth

When assessing the condition of a commercial roof, it’s important to keep in mind that there are other options besides the typical repair or replace. In fact, coating may be the best choice. Here are some reasons to choose to coat a commercial roof instead of replacing or repairing it:

The roof is sound, but needs reflectivity. As long as the current roof is sound with no wet insulation or active leaks, then coating can help. Coating extends the life of the roof membrane by protecting it from harmful UV rays that can cause “alligatoring,” as well as reducing heat that causes thermal expansion and contraction. Excessive thermal expansion and contraction can prematurely age the membrane, causing cracks, split seams, and blisters.
To provide energy savings by reducing heat transfer into the building and therefore reducing air-conditioning costs. A dark roof can reach temperatures of over 150°F. A cool roof could drop that temperature by 50°F or more.
To help improve the inside comfort of the building especially with un-air- conditioned spaces.
To improve the appearance of the existing roof by changing it to white or adding a color.
To avoid inconveniencing tenants if the building is occupied. With a tear-off, tenants may need to relocate for a period of time or deal with noise, dust, and other issues that can affect their business productivity.
To reduce the risk of exposing the roof. Coating does not require a tear-off and therefore does not expose the roof to the elements. If the roof already has up-to-code insulation, it’s not necessary to tear it off to bring the roof up to code.
There is a tight budget. Coating can be a lower-cost choice while still giving the roof the proper protection it needs.
There are many penetrations or equipment on the roof that would be difficult and costly to change, such as air-conditioning systems.
There is a plan to sell the building in a few years. Coating is a good choice if an owner doesn’t want to invest much in the building, but still wants it to look better and extend the life of the roof until they sell.
To simply add an additional level of protection from leaks.

Coating is a cost-effective solution to extend the life of the roof. Plus, there may be rebates and potential tax advantages since coatings are often considered a maintenance item. If you decide coating is right for your building, check with a certified contractor to properly evaluate your roof before doing any work.

ROOFGUARD-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. ROOFGUARD-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.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Roof Talk-101 How Rising Demand Charges Make the Case for White Roofing

Thomas J Taylor, PhD

There has been much trade press the past year arguing how far south a black roof will yield energy savings. Their main point is that black roofing has a winter warming benefit. However, the winter sun in Chicago is not very warm, and many of the calculations assume that commercial buildings are heated with electricity, which is usually not the case.

So, what is the right roof color to help lower energy costs? Much of the modeling understates the case for white roofing, but electric demand charges are changing that perception, since they can increase an electric bill by three times. Whether you’re designing a building or managing a facility, it’s important to understand demand charges—and white roofing is one way to keep costs under control.

Utility companies have to worry about two things when supplying a region—how much power they have to supply each month or quarter, and how to manage peak demands. Think brownouts in California during a summer afternoon, when everyone’s air conditioning is cranked up. If a lot of power is used one hot afternoon in July, the electric company will charge at a higher rate all month long. They focus on the high demand charges that occur in a short period of time and will penalize a building owner for it.

I spoke to Andre Desjarlais, Building Science Research Group Leader, at Oak Ridge National Labs to see what this means for an actual electric bill. He described two customers—both with the same monthly power usage of 2,500 kWh, except one of them paid over three times more than the other. How is this possible? Let’s take a look at the math:

(Credit: Department of Energy)

Even though both customers used the same total power, Customer A used it within a short window of time and was charged $1,775. Customer B spread out their demand and paid just $515—a third as much.

Sounds convincing, but all bills aren’t that simple. In fact, they’re actually very complicated to figure out, since they often don’t even mention demand charges. Desjarlais provided an example of how this looks on a typical utility bill:

(Credit: Department of Energy)

Look closely at the “Time of Use Detail” section. There are three charges based on actual usage: peak, partial-peak, and off-peak times of the day. Below that is a similar set of charges based on the actual rate of use, where demand charges account for 45% of the total bill! This shows the importance of checking these charges, especially since they rise faster than base charges.

A Californian example by Desjarlais shows demand charges climbing up by 30% over three years:

(Credit: Department of Energy)

Demand charges are an electrical phenomenon, and will be largest during the summer months when AC usage is at its peak. However, there are ways an architect or building manager can combat these extra costs:

Add additional insulation. Since insulation saves on both summer and winter charges, it always generates an improvement, regardless of geography.
White roofing can have its biggest impact in lowering peak demand and, therefore, in lowering demand charges. This is true even for well-insulated buildings.
Time the start-up of load-intensive equipment (such as refrigerators and air conditioners) to prevent spikes, and of building energy management software to avoid simultaneous operation of HVAC units.
Use a professionally installed cool, reflective roofs or roof coating to reduce a building’s cooling needs and demand charges.
For the building designer: by lowering AC demand with white roofs, the unit can be downsized. This will lower demand charges even further and reduce upfront capital costs—a true win-win.

ROOFGUARD-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. ROOFGUARD-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.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Roof Talk-101 How a Roof Can Help Save Homeowners Money

Liza Barth

The cost of heating and cooling a home has literally gone through the roof, but the right roof can promote energy efficiency in your home.

Cool roofs are designed to have greater reflectance than traditional shingles, which helps reduce the temperature in your attic. According to the Cool Roof Rating Council, cool roofs may save homeowners an average of 7-15% of their total cooling costs.[1] Cool Roofs also help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. When helping homeowners choose a cool roof, look for shingles rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council and Energy Star®.

You should also consider a home’s insulation. If a home’s roof is poorly insulated, the heat and air conditioning need to work harder to regulate the temperature inside the house. The more they work, the more money is spent each month on the utility bill.

ROOFGUARD-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. ROOFGUARD-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.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Roof Talk-101 3 Types of Moisture in Low-Slope Roofing Systems

Thomas J Taylor, PhD

Roofing systems must be designed and installed to address the many sources of moisture that can affect a building. Roofing manufacturers can provide the materials with a range of properties and options for the roofing system designer, but because each building is unique the final responsibility for ensuring that moisture and condensation don’t cause problems lies with the architect, system designer, project engineer, and/or roofing system professional.

Several years ago, SPRI issued an advisory bulletin on moisture and its effect on roofing systems. Their classification of the types of situations leading to moisture build-up is a good way to think about the main scenarios. I’ve listed them here, along with some general roofing system guidelines that may be useful. Of course, these guidelines should be superseded by those of a professional roof system designer.

1. Buildings with Small Amounts of Occupancy-Generated Moisture

These are the most common situations, covering office, retail, and warehouse spaces, for example. Warm air migrates upward and carries moisture with it. In northern climates, regardless of the membrane type, condensation can occur between the membrane and the insulation. Here is what to do in this situation.

Try to always use two layers of insulation with staggered joints. This helps prevent migration of warm, moist air up to the underside of the roof membrane. Warm air and moisture generally move upward, so drying out the roof system during warmer/sunnier days is a slow and difficult process. The goal should be to minimize or prevent condensation in the first place.
If a single layer of insulation is used, install cover boards, especially a high-density polyiso board, and use staggered joints.
If the membrane is to be fully adhered with a water-based adhesive, special care is needed to select the right one. Some have been shown to re-liquify in the presence of moisture.

2. Buildings with Large Amounts of Occupancy-Generated Moisture

This category includes paper mills, laundries, buildings with indoor swimming pools, and the like. The building’s air handling and ventilation systems should be carefully specified to take into account the moisture loading. Also, the entire building envelope needs to be designed and constructed in such a way that damaging condensation and moisture build-up doesn’t occur. It is critical that a building science professional experienced in these types of building occupancy and designs be involved.

Some approaches used by building design professionals for these buildings involve the use of air and vapor barriers. Care is needed to make sure these are applied properly and without any damage to their integrity. Pay particular attention to how they are terminated around the perimeters and at penetrations.
Remember that roof membranes are essentially impermeable. An air and vapor barrier placed lower in the roof system can prevent any water that has managed to leak in from going elsewhere.

3. Construction–Related Moisture

Most construction practices release some amount of moisture into the building space. These can be as straightforward as drywall installation and painting although these are typically relatively short term. However, some practices can release large amounts of water over a considerable time frame into the building. Concrete slab floors have been a challenge to use with some flooring materials, and building design professionals have methods to cope with the moisture release.

Concrete roof decks can present a challenge for roof system designers especially in new construction. Regardless of the type of concrete, significant amounts of water remain after curing is completed.

There is very little correlation between cure time and the amount of water remaining. Guidelines such as not closing up the system until a minimum of 30 days after pouring and forming are not particularly effective at reducing or eliminating issues.
Concrete in new construction that appears to be dry rarely is. Water takes a long time to diffuse out of a four inch-thick slab. In fact, the NRCA no longer considers the “plastic sheet test” to be a viable indicator of concrete’s surface dryness. That test involved taping a plastic sheet to the surface and monitoring moisture under it.
Many roof system designers require concrete decks be covered with a vapor barrier. As with buildings that have occupancy-generated moisture, care must be taken to ensure that these are specified and installed correctly. Roof membranes are essentially impermeable and any moisture that does get into the roof system will not have a path out.
Adopt a “belt and suspenders” approach to the roofing system and make sure any vapor barrier is terminated around the perimeter and penetrations properly. To do this, use two layers of insulation with staggered joints. When installing a fully adhered membrane with a water-based adhesive, make sure the adhesive will not re-liquify in the presence of moisture.
Make sure professionals who have experience with this type of construction are involved. These could include structural engineers, building science experts, and concrete suppliers.

The vast majority of roof systems give trouble-free performance for many years. When problems do occur within a few years of installation, it could be due to installation defects or moisture build-up. Roofing manufacturers try to provide a wide range of material choices so that the design professional can configure the optimum system for each building. The guidance offered here might help you to ask the right questions. However, to lower the risk of issues, make sure design professionals experienced with moisture and humidity in your region are involved.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Roof Talk-101 Fall Roof Maintenance Check

Lisa Barth

Here are the checks a business or homeowner should perform on a home twice a year. Use this list to help with the maintenance of your roof which will save you money and help your roof last:

Gutters: Gutters are one of the most important parts of a home, and blocked gutters are a big source of leaks. If gutters are clogged with leaves, shingle granules, branches, and other debris, then water can’t funnel off the roof and away from the house. That can cause severe damage to the roof, walls, and gutters, and can be quite pricey to fix.

Shingles: An inspection will uncover any shingle tabs that have come loose or have broken, curled, or warped. Another possibility is that a branch could’ve fallen on the roof and caused damage. These simple repairs will help avoid costly water issues down the road.

Vents: Neoprene or rubber can crack with age, while critters can cause damage to any vented area on the roof. Resealing will fix these vent problems and help keep animals and water out.

Flashings: Chimneys have three potential issues: flashing, siding, and the cap that can contribute to leaks. An inspection will ensure the area is properly flashed and sealed. Flashing on skylights can easily get water trapped behind them as well.

Attic: Many times it’s the attic that is the source of the problem rather than the roof. Issues such as improper ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning, fans, or animal or bug infestation can cause mold, algae, or moisture condensation in the attic space.

With the potential for a strong El Niño, proper inspection and maintenance of your roof will go along way in preventing damaging roof leak when winter hits hard.

ROOFGUARD-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. ROOFGUARD-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.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguard Facebook Page .

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Roof Talk 101 Benefits of Proper Attic

by Liz Barth, GAF

Properly installing a roof involves much more than putting on the shingles. Whether it’s in warm or cold climates, proper attic ventilation plays a key role in helping to make the roof system last longer and prevent many expensive issues from occurring inside and out of a building. Contractors should explain to homeowners why proper attic ventilation is so important with the benefits below. It serves two key functions:

Allows cool, fresh air to enter the attic at the eave or soffit areas of the roof
Exhausts hot, moist air from the attic by way of the ridge or other exhaust vents. This hot, moist air can cause a whole host of issues.

In cold climates, ventilation helps maintain a “cold” roof system by mixing cool outside air with attic air to allow for less snow melting on the roof, therefore avoiding damaging ice damming. In warm climates, proper attic ventilation helps expel hot air, which can contributes to moisture problems.

Here are some benefits of proper ventilation:

It helps reduce damaging moisture. Excessive moisture can build up in the attic, potentially damaging the structure and degrading the roof system. It can also lead to mold.
It can help save energy. Heat build-up in that attic comes at a cost—a home’s air conditioning has to work harder to cool down the house, especially the living space below the attic.
It helps prevent damage to the roof shingles. High attic heat can bake the shingle and cause them to prematurely age. In fact, most major shingle manufacturers strongly recommend proper attic ventilation on asphalt shingle installations.

Unfortunately, most homes in North America are improperly ventilated, which can result in mold, wasted energy, ice dams, premature roof system degradation, rotting decks, peeling paint, and ceiling stains.

The best way to keep a roof system working well and to help avoid the issues mentioned above is to install proper attic ventilation. Proper attic ventilation creates a balanced system using ridge vents or other exhaust vent in conjunction with intake vents installed at the eave, soffit, or fascia area of the roof. Intake ventilation is critical in ensuring the exhaust vents function properly. Without intake ventilation, most ridge or other exhaust vents can be rendered virtually useless.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Roof Talk-101 10 Things to Do at Key Leak Areas

by Liza Barth

It’s important to make sure a roof is protected at critical areas to avoid coverage problems and not all roofing manufacturer warranties are the same. In order for the homeowner—and the roof—to get the most out of a warranty, it’s important that the contractor ensures a home is well protected from leaks. The right materials can make the difference. Here are 10 things a contractor should do to ensure warranty coverage for a homeowner:

Install waterproof leak barriers at critical areas that are prone to leaks including valleys, side walls, penetrations, chimneys, dormers, and eaves.
Use edge metal at rakes and eaves to help protect from water infiltration at the roof’s edges. This is especially critical in high wind areas and colder climates.
Install premanufactured flashing at all pipe penetrations to help prevent water entry.
Install roof deck protection, also known as underlayment, to ensure shingles will lie flat and to protect against wind-driven rain that can blow under the shingles.
Install proper attic ventilation to help manage the attic temperature and prevent moisture from being trapped in the attic space. Shingle roofs last longer when attics are properly ventilated.
Install hip and ridge cap shingles to help protect those areas since they get more wind pressure than other parts of the roof. The finished look of hip & ridge cap shingles can also help increase curb appeal.
Check skylight conditions. Old skylights should be replaced to better match the new roof’s age; also, new skylights will probably have better energy ratings.
Install a single roofing system. When installing components from different manufacturers, mismatches in warranty coverage can occur. A complete system with shingles, leak barriers, hip and ridge cap shingles, roof deck protection, starter strips, and attic ventilation from the same manufacturer will allow all these components to be covered by one warranty and help to avoid finger-pointing in the event of an issue.
Take advantage of problem-prevention inspections by factory-certified roof inspectors, when available. These inspectors are technical experts who also provide feedback on the installation.
Install systems that have transferable warranties. This is a valuable feature to have if you ever sell your property in the future.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Roof Talk-101 How Puncture Resistant Are Commercial Roofing Membranes?

How Puncture Resistant Are Commercial Roofing Membranes?

Liza Barth

Contractors are careful on the roof, but accidents can happen. Heavy, sharp tools can get dropped. Stones, loose screws, or gravel can get stepped on and driven into the membrane. These things can happen during roof installation or when air-handling equipment, etc., gets installed or is worked on during routine maintenance. Some of these accidents can result in a puncture of the roof membrane. GAF set out to compare the two popular heat-weldable membranes, TPO and PVC, together with a range of substrates. So, which roofing materials will give you less worry about punctures? GAF’s research uncovered the answers.

Puncture resistance can happen in a few basic ways. Objects can impact at slow or fast speeds and be sharp or blunt. Single-ply membranes do not have the hard exterior surface or redundant layer, which are normally part of multi-ply systems, so they are sometimes perceived as less resistant to punctures. In an effort to shed some light on puncture resistance, GAF took a look at various TPO membranes from the major roofing manufacturers in 45-, 60-, and 80-mil thicknesses and 36- and 50-mil PVC samples.

GAF tested both low- and high-speed impacts and failure was defined as the force required to penetrate the top membrane layer to expose the scrim. In the low-speed test, thicker TPO was better, and fleece-back was also an improvement. No notable difference between manufacturers was found. PVC appears equivalent, except for the 36mil material. Being reinforced with a heavier weight fabric, it showed better performance, highlighting the importance of scrim in this low-speed test.

In the high-speed test, the TPO membranes again indicate that thicker is more puncture resistant with little differences between membranes of the same thickness from all manufacturers. The 50-mil PVC samples were slightly less puncture resistant than 45-mil TPO. One surprise was the poor result of the 36-mil PVC sample (even though it did well in the low-speed test), suggesting that the dense scrim in that membrane does not help resist a falling sharp object compared to a standard scrim. As with TPO, supported PVC is more puncture resistant.

It’s important to note that low-speed manual demonstrations done by slowly pushing a pointed object into a membrane are misleading. It’s best to look at approved test methods (rather than relying on a marketing gimmick) to show how roofing membranes hold up to punctures.

ROOFGUARD-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. ROOFGUARD-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.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguard Facebook Page .

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Roof Talk-101 9 Steps To Hiring A Residential Roofing Contractor

When it comes to choosing a residential roofing contractor, it's important to select an experienced contractor who can give your roof the quality it needs to keep your family and personal belongings safe from the outside elements. When choosing a roofing contractor for your home, you must seek out candidates with the proper licensing and a great business reputation in your area. Continue reading to learn how you can choose a residential roofing contractor for your home.

1.Verify that the roofing contractor you hire has the required applicable business licenses for your state or local area.

If you are unsure of the business licenses required for roofing contractors in your area, contact the licensing board or Department of Professional Regulation for your area or state.You may also visit the Contractor's Licensing website featured in the Sources section of this article to determine the licenses required by specific states.

2.Verify that the roofing contractor or business is legitimate by asking for their tax identification number, a business address, business website or email address, and contact phone number.

3.Ask the roofing contractor to provide you with proof of insurance, including worker's compensation and liability coverage.Not all areas or states require roofing contractors to have insurance, but you may want to hire a person with insurance to protect yourself from lawsuits if the contractor is injured while working on your property.Check with the contractor to verify that the insurance covers the entire time-span during which the roofing project takes place.

4.Ask the roofing contractor for a list of references and past clients you can call to find out if they were satisfied with the work done on their roof.You can also research the roofing contractor's reputation by contacting your state's Department of Professional Regulation or a local Better Business Bureau (BBB). Visit the BBB website listed in the Sources section of this article or call them at 703-276-0100 in the United States and at 514-905-3893 in Canada.

5.Ask your roofing contractor for proof that shows they have been approved by the roofing manufacturer to install or work on the roof you have chosen.Some types of roofing may require contractors to have special training, certifications, or licenses to ensure proper installation.

6.Ask the roofing contractor how many people will be working on the roofing project for your home so you can determine how the work will be supervised and how long it will take to complete.

7.Read the warranty information for your project in full and check for understanding with the roofing contractor regarding any actions or exceptions that may possibly void the warranty.

8.Obtain a contract or detailed proposal in writing from the roofing contractor that will provide explicit information regarding the project. Information to ask for should include the length of the project, daily start and end times, roofing materials to be used, safety procedures, the amount of payment and payment schedule, and clean-up methods.

9.Research and obtain the services, fees, and warranties provided by several different roofing contractors before making the final hiring decision. Do not hire roofing contractors based solely on the lowest pricing bids because they may not provide the same value as contractors with slightly higher pricing.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Roof Talk-101 Thinking of Having Your Own Roof Top Garden

Roof Talk-101 Thinking Of Having Your Own Roof Talk Garden

The thought of building a natural oasis on top of a building may seem a little odd, but the fact is that rooftop gardens have been around for centuries. Roof Gardens began in Europe a long time ago and since then have become the latest trend in gardening. Not only are rooftop gardens beautiful and unique, they are also efficient in many unique ways.

Hidden Hideaways (and Benefits)
Of course, one advantages of the roof garden is its secrecy. No more kids, vermin, and strangers tromping through your flowerbeds. Not only does their "secret" location keep them safe, but it adds a concealed privacy to your outdoor habitat. And this uniqueness can actually add economic value to your home due to its aesthetic appeal.

Here are some other ways rooftop gardens benefit you and your environment:

Energy Efficiency: Roof gardens absorb a lot of energy by being on top of a structure. They provide natural noise and thermal heat insulation, thereby cutting down on utility bills. Plus, since the foliage itself needs water and sun, they actually retain twice as much rainfall and sun. What this means for you is less water runoff, and therefore less flooding; and in bigger cities this decreases the excess heat caused by urban heat islands. Roof gardens actually cool places off to a certain degree.

Creates Space: By utilizing the space on top of a structure or building, you then have more room in your own backyard for other projects. Also, if you live in a city, roof gardens are one of your only chances to grow plant life away from the noise and pollution of city streets.

Provides for Nature: Not only do rooftop gardens add to your own peace and tranquility through their special beauty, they also improve the natural environment by providing wildlife habitats (something people in the city may lack). Plus, due to the extra foliage these gardens also re-oxygenate the air and retain harmful toxins, allowing your home and neighborhood to reap the natural benefits.

ROOFTEC-LLC and ROOFGUARD-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, December 31, 2014

Roof Talk-101 With The New Year Comes A New Beginning.

The slate is wiped clean and we have an opportunity for a fresh start...a "do over." If resolutions sound "too final" call them "tips" for a better 2015.

1. Stay Positive. You can listen to the cynics and doubters and believe that success is impossible or you can trust that with faith and an optimistic attitude all things are possible.

2. Take a morning walk of gratitude. I call it a "Thank You Walk." It will create a fertile mind ready for success.

3. Make your first meal the biggest and your last meal the smallest. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

4. Zoom Focus. Each day when you wake up in the morning ask: "What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?" Then tune out all the distractions and focus on these actions.

5. Talk to yourself instead of listen to yourself. Instead of listening to your complaints, fears and doubts, talk to yourself and feed your mind with the words and encouragement you need to keep moving forward.

6. Choose faith instead of fear. Faith turns adversities and dead-ends into detours to a better outcome than you thought possible.

7. Don't chase dollars or success. Decide to make a difference and build meaningful relationships and success will find you.

8. Get more sleep. You can't replace sleep with a double latte.

9. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in your purpose, people and the positive present moment.

10. Build your life and career with the 3 greatest success strategies of all...love, serve & care.

11. Every day focus on your purpose. Remember why you do what you do. We don't get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it.

12. Remember there's no such thing as an overnight success. There's no substitute for hard work.

13. Believe that everything happens for a reason and expect good things to come out of challenging experiences.

14. Implement the No Complaining Rule. If you are complaining, you're not leading.

15. Read more books than you did in 2014.

16. Don't seek happiness. Instead decide to live with passion and purpose and happiness will find you.

17. Focus on "Get to" vs "Have to." Each day focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift not an obligation.

18. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

I am thankful for __________.

Today I accomplished____________.

19. Smile and laugh more. They are natural anti-depressants.

20. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Roof Talk-101 Picking A Cool Roof: SRI Index Is Key

Most roofing industry experts agree that a cool roof is one that exhibits a combination of high reflectivity and high emissivity. But the questions have always been how high is high and what combination of the two yields the most benefit?

One way to make a decision is to use the Solar Roof Index (SRI) to evaluate a cool roof. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED 2.2 uses SRI as a way to evaluate a cool roof. LEED version 2.2 is the first national specification to use a relatively new measure of reporting a cool roof’s properties. LEED 2.2 sustainable sites credit 7.2 states that to receive one point, building owners should use a roof with a Solar Reflective Index (SRI) of 78 over at least 75 percent of the roof’s surface for roofs with slopes less than 2:12.

SRI is a unit developed by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. SRI incorporates reflectivity and emissivity properties into one, easy-to-read, standardized measure so that roof buyers won’t have to scratch their heads and try to figure out if a high reflectivity and low emissivity is better or worse than a medium reflectivity and high emissivity.

SRI is calculated with a complex formula spelled out in ASTM E 1980 and is a scale of 1 to 100 that is a measure of a roof’s combined thermal properties. It is defined so that a standard black (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100. But some hot roofs can have negative values, and some white thermoplastics and white roof coatings have scored as high as 104 to 110.

SRI as a method for reporting cool roof data will probably take a little while to catch on. Most manufacturers still report separate emissivity and reflectivity data in their literature, but the Cool Roof Rating Council, an organization that verifies and labels cool roofing products has begun using the measure, while retaining reflectivity and emissivity measurements.

Different roofing technologies have different SRI values. Asphalt coatings for example have aluminum pigments added to asphalt cutbacks and emulsions to give coatings solar reflectance index (SRI) values of 21-30 on a scale of 0-100.

Acrylic elastometers on the other hand, a new-generation coatings, have a highly reflective surface, often with an SRI greater than 100. Most highly reflective acrylic elastomers are white, and workers can install them over existing bituminous or non-bituminous roofing. Acrylic elastomers typically are specified at 12 mils for five-year warranties and at 20 mils for 10-year warranties. Some manufacturers specify up to 40 mil applications.