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Many of us remember the big building boom that occurred in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. What this boom means to us now is that today these roofs are reaching the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. With every roof replaced, more and more waste winds up in the landfill—or does it? There has actually been a push in recent years to recycle roofing materials. This comes as part of a larger green strategy that many firms are embracing. Recycling any material possible is certainly a good thing; after all, anything that can be kept out of the landfills and turned into something usable will help our earth stay greener and may even save money.  With the likelihood that roof replacements may be at a high over the next few years, what does your firm need to know about recycling some of the most common materials in the business? Let's discuss the basics. EPDM The ERA (EPDM Roofing Association) has determined that recycling material that goes into EPDM roofs is not only possible, ...

The leaves are turning, you’re still picking up stray candy wrappers from trick-or-treaters, and travel plans for Thanksgiving are underway. This can only mean one thing: Fall is in full swing, and winter is right around the corner. For facility managers and building owners in northern regions, this means it’s time to start prepping your buildings for the cold and snow. One of the most important aspects of this preparation is ensuring your rooftop is ready to handle the imminent winter weather. Without further ado, here are seven tips to keep in mind during preparation. Clear Your Drains and Gutters Once a layer of snow comes in, it could bury your access points making them difficult to reach. Debris blocking downspouts can slow drainage of melting snow and ice which can extend the length of time your roof is carrying an additional load. Perform a full rooftop inspection. For some parts of the country, this could be the last time you’ll have a clear view of the entire roof, so take adv...

If treated correctly, your roof could last anywhere from twenty to fifty years. Simply lasting is not a measure of roofing success, however—instead, you’ll want to look at lifetime costs. Picking the right commercial roofing materials up front, treating them properly, and investing in the correct infrastructure and maintenance programs will make your roof more efficient and more likely to last its full lifetime without incurring significant costs. Defining and Creating an Efficient Roof As far as the efficiency of your commercial roof is concerned, there are three main considerations you should take into account. First, you want it to have a low up-front cost Second, you want it to have a low energy cost Third, you want it to have a low maintenance cost In other words, a good roof will be relatively inexpensive up front and relatively easy to maintain. In addition, it will provide a good seal for your building envelope, prevented cooled or heated air from escaping. What does this roof ...

If you’re not paying attention to the way people access your roof, you might find that problems with your rooftop safety culture can develop quickly. Left unchecked, people could start to use your roof as an informal meeting site or a place to take lunch breaks or cigarette breaks. Unbeknownst to the people casually using your roof, however, these individuals are putting both the roof and themselves in danger. The fact of the matter is that roof access should be limited to the smallest number of people you can afford. Although providing roof access is necessary, only trained maintenance and repair workers should be allowed on top of the roof, and they should only be allowed up a few times per year. Make sure both your roof and your maintenance and repair workers are safe with a strategic plan and reliable rooftop support systems. What Are the Safety Risks from Foot Traffic? Uncontrolled foot traffic has the potential to severely damage a roof. Here are a few things that may occur. ...

It’s the bane of construction experts and architects alike: fitting as much as you can into a space that’s much smaller than what you really need. When your available space is non-negotiable, your only option is triage. In other words, you have to make decisions between the “nice” and the “necessary,” which means prioritizing things like roof supports, roof walkways, and other types of equipment and piping.  There’s no single magic layout that will work for all rooftops, but there are some standard things you need to consider. Here are some of the most important factors: 1. Equipment Specifications Start by thoroughly reviewing the specs for all of the equipment planned for the rooftop you’re designing. Some types of equipment specs are extremely picky when it comes to ventilation, for example. If you put them too close to a wall or another piece of equipment, the resulting heat buildup could cause damage to either that piece or one in close proximity. 2. Serviceability When you’re...

Sticking a few pipes on a rooftop sounds pretty simple. But, as any good architect or building engineer can tell you, there’s a lot more to it than that. Inadequate supports can result in sagging, vibration, excess movement, and even pipe collapse. That, in turn, can cause extensive damage, incurring both repair costs and, depending on the severity of the damage, work stoppage. That’s why the design of rooftop supports is such an important part of any commercial building plan. There are a number of things to consider, each of which could change your final specifications. These are a few of the most important factors: 1. Roof Slope While both flat and sloped roofs can handle rooftop supports, the two require different calculations and, therefore, result in different specifications, especially when it comes to things like drainage, weight distribution, and wind resistance. Wind resistance is an especially critical factor: A sloped roof disrupts the wind’s airflow much more than a flat ro...

Whether you manage your own facility or work for others as a roofer or builder, you have seen the term “resilient design” somewhere. Resilience is the new black when it comes to sustainability. As the climate patterns shift, the need for resilient architecture becomes even more pronounced. Modern building design relies heavily on this concept and The Resilient Design Institute is at the forefront of its advocacy. What is resilience, though, and what is its role in roofing? What is Resilience? Put simply, resilience is about adaptation. The world is changing and superstorms like Hurricane Sandy are becoming the norm. The shift in weather patterns and other environmental disturbances are changing the building industry, as well. Structures of all sizes – warehouses, office buildings and homes – and the infrastructures around them must able to adapt to these shifts. Resilience is about adapting to both local and regional changes in respect to things like the warming planet. Through resilie...