Key Benefits of TPO Roofing Systems

TPO roofing systems have also become a favorite among roofing contractors throughout the country, and for good reason. They are a cost-effective roofing system that can deliver the long-term protection buildings require while still being easy to install. A few other key benefits they provide are:

• Low Maintenance
• Energy Efficient
• Versatility & Strength
• Bacterial Resistant

Know The Drawbacks

First, TPO roofing systems require maintenance ahead of any winter season. While preventative maintenance is recommended for any roof, it is a critical piece to meet to ensure your TPO roof can last confidently throughout the entire winter season without concern. It’s also key to keep in mind that standing water can be detrimental to a TPO roof. If the roof does not properly divert the moisture, you could soon be dealing with a leak or a failing roof.

TPO roofing systems are well known for their energy efficiency, due to their reflective white topcoat that keeps buildings cooler during the summer. However, in colder climates, a darker roof may reduce heating costs in the cooler months by drawing heat into the building.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that these membrane systems are less fire-resistant than PVC. To learn more about PVC membranes and how they compare to TPO, visit our blog: TPO or PVC – What’s the Difference?

Application

TPO roofing systems can be applied in several ways. The three most common are fully adhered, mechanically attached, and ballasted. No matter the application, TPO roofs will always be heat-welded at the seams. This creates a monolithic bond.

Under the TPO material, you will need insulation foam, of which the depth will vary depending on the client’s roof and needs. TPO comes conveniently rolled and in assorted sizes. You will want to ensure you double check the measurements to be certain you have enough material for the entire project ahead of time. With fasteners and plates, which also come in varying sizes, you will be able to ensure proper securement of both the insulation foam and TPO material themselves.

Preparing your roof ahead of the TPO application is imperative to its success. A clean roof, free of any debris or damage, is necessary. Once the roof has been meticulously cleaned and prepped, you will be ready to install the insulation foam. Staggering the foam is best practice to ensure better insulation. Once you have installed the insulation foam, you will need to cut out any places where there are drains or pipes. With your insulation completely in place, you will be ready to roll out your TPO. Starting at the edge of the roof, in a straight line, you will unroll the TPO.

When you are certain the TPO is straight and free of any wrinkles, you can begin to secure it with your plates and fasteners. Overtightening of the plates and fasteners can damage your insulation foam and create water intrusion problems down the road. Be sure you have the proper drill for this application. Once all the TPO is secured, you can begin heat-welding the seams with an automatic heat welder. Hand welding any joints, or areas where drains or pipes lie, is recommended to provide the best seal.

A proper application of a TPO roofing system will help ensure your client has a roof that can last for decades with a proper maintenance program.  

TPO Offers Protection You Can Rely On

TPO roofing systems are continually being improved in many ways and can be heavily relied on for a trusted roofing system. While there are some disadvantages that effect some more than others, it offers superior performance in almost any climate when in the hands of the right roofing contractor.

This cost-effective, resilient roofing system has much to offer roofing contractors and building owners and is considered one of the leading options for roofs throughout the country.

With such a stalwart protector over our head, why should we be concerned about a little heat?  The answer may surprise you if you haven’t checked the status of your commercial roof for a while.

Heat and Your Commercial Roof

The sun, with its heat, can really do a number on your commercial roof. 

Chemical breakdown.  Depending on the roofing system installed, outdoor temperatures of a comfortable 90°F can quickly become a blistering 160° on the roofing surface!  Some roofing system materials absorb and retain that heat, rather than reflecting it away from the building.  With surface temperatures that extreme, the chemical compounds within the materials can begin to break down.  Over time, this leads to roofing system failure.  Unfortunately, this breakdown is almost impossible to see to the naked eye and you are only aware it has occurred when the next rainstorm advises you.

Thermal fluctuation.  The fluctuation in temperature between the heat of the day and the cool of the evening can cause your roof and roofing system to expand and contract in response.  Over time, that constant movement in the roof will cause damage within the structure itself.  Depending on the type of roofing system installed, it can also cause fault lines to develop within the protective system, leading directly to future system failure.

UV Radiation.  Though not specific to heat, UV levels do increase as the heat increases, so it seems appropriate to mention here.  Just like your skin, the chemical bonds within your roofing material are susceptible to UV radiation.  That radiation causes the bonds to weaken and eventually begin to break. As these microscopic breaks multiply, the overall system becomes weakened and the potential for failure increases.

How to Save that Commercial Roof

Now that the problem is better understood, the next step is addressing it.  Of course, there is the option to simply wait and hope, but that is potentially a pretty expensive “solution”.  A better idea is to be proactive. 

Inspection.  Have the roof inspected twice a year.  Once in spring, in preparation for the upcoming heat and again in the autumn, to prepare for those upcoming frigid temperatures.  A scheduled inspection program with a reputable commercial roofing contractor is worth its weight in gold. 

Ventilation.  Ensure attic or crawl spaces are well ventilated.  This can help improve airflow throughout the area and reduce the ability of the roofing materials to absorb and “hold on” to the heat.  Additionally, it does offer some minor levels of insulating properties to keep the building itself more comfortable.

If you’re ready to protect the roof that protects your business and livelihood, make an appointment today with a commercial roofing contractor.  Don’t have one yet?  Call the Choice Roof Contractor Group at (800) 670-5583 and we will put you in touch with a contractor in your area.

NO LONGER!  That’s right, our friends over at Conklin have re-formulated their popular Equinox® acrylic system to allow for a curing film development in the 36°F to 60°F range. 

This single modification has extended the sales window for countless commercial roofers across the United States.  The change has been so significant that Conklin reports between September and December 2020, sales “nearly doubled the best annual sales volume Equinox® had ever achieved in the previous 11 years in the Conklin product lineup”, according to an earlier article in Vision Magazine.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the Equinox® product, it is an elastomeric, acrylic, monolithic roof coating in a bright white finish. 

Equinox® is designed to waterproof a range of substrates, including metal, spray polyurethane foam, membrane roofs and Conklin’s Fabric Reinforced System.

Applied at 1.6 gallons per 100 square feet, in the proper temperature range Equinox® has a dry time of 2-4 hours and dries to a 13.5 mils depth per coat, according to Conklin’s product spec sheet.

Benefits of the Equinox® System

Some of the benefits of the Equinox® system are:

• Dark base coat for better heat absorption and improved moisture evaporation, even at lower temperatures.
• Highly reflective white top-coat provides for 85% solar reflectivity, with resulting cooling cost savings.
• Due to a high solids content, Equinox® requires about 20% less product per application than traditional acrylics.
• The fully-cured membrane is extremely flexible and durable, providing for a superior waterproofing system.
• Compatible with a wide arrange of substrates, including SPF, metal, and various single-ply membrane systems.
• 10-year, non-prorated and transferrable warranty programs are available for material only and material/labor options, upon approval by Conklin.

System Application

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Preparation – Prep the existing roofing system to specification and guidelines provided.  This is not a step to overlook or cut corners on.  Like the building itself, the Equinox® system must be built on a well prepared foundation.

Staging – Though the new Equinox® formulation is less temperature sensitive that other acrylics, weather conditions do still play a role.  Conklin’s Equinox® sales sheet notes that “Excessive air flow, low humidity situations, and surface temperatures above 60° F increase the risk of flash drying, which will cause shadowing and telegraphed spray patterns on the roof surface effecting overall aesthetics”.  It is imperative you stage your project to allow for completion during optimal weather conditions.

Verification & Documentation – To ensure an excellent application, you must verify appropriate weather conditions with a cell phone application, as well as a temperature gun.  This information may be crucial in your warranty application.

Application – Your base coat and top-coat should both be applied only when conditions are right.  In this case, that is an ambient air temperature between 36°F and 60°F, relative humidity greater than 20% and air flow adequate to prevent flash drying and allow for wet edge maintenance.

Storage – Store your remaining Equinox at temperatures less than 80°F.  Do not let it freeze and it will remain fully usable for your next happy customer within 6 months of manufacturing date.

To stay informed and current on all forms of relevant information, why not join Choice Roof Contractors Group?  In addition to educational information, we provide mentorship opportunities, training information and membership in a national coalition of well-respected roofing companies.  For more information, please call us today at (800) 670-5583.

What is Causing the Material Shortage?

You are probably as tired of these words as we are, but the primary answer is Covid-19. The pandemic, regardless of how you may personally stand politically, caused a widespread shut-down of our economy. Unfortunately, that shut-down included not only the manufacture of the materials we utilize daily in our industry, but also the production and distribution of the raw materials necessary to manufacture them. This double-whammy is the root of our existing situation.

Another side-effect of the pandemic is the pent-up demand. During the 2020 shutdown, many businesses, as well as citizens, chose to let their roof situation wait, rather than address it immediately. No doubt your bottom line reflected that decision. Now, with things getting back to a more normal level, there is a huge pent-up demand for roofing services. Again, we doubt this is any surprise to you. However, when you couple increased demand with decreased supply availability, we are seeing unprecedented price increases and wait times industry-wide.

A secondary issue is the unusual level of storms in certain regions of the country. Whether your region is facing more rain than usual or stronger storm intensity, usual weather patterns have increased roofing service demand beyond the norm.

Another, less recognized issue, is labor. We are all familiar with the shortage of applicants (qualified or not) we are facing for our own industry. However, we are not alone. Labor shortages are rampant in many of the industries we rely on. Distribution, for example, has been hard hit by a lack of laborers, truck drivers, delivery personnel and so forth. All of the labor shortage compounds an already bad situation.

What To Do?

Well, unless you have the ability to manufacture your own materials, your company is stuck with having the manage

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Management of Expectations. As Americans, we aren’t very good at waiting. Unfortunately, that is what we have to teach our customers to expect at this time. Clear communication of wait times, with an explanation that those are also subject to change, will at least keep your customer from feeling lied to or betrayed when that roof project takes longer than anticipated.

Research. Perhaps you don’t care for the concept but doing some research into alternative options may help reduce the wait. At the very least, knowing the available options and providing more information to your customers shows you are on top of the situation and underscores your level of professionalism in their eyes.

Plan Ahead. If you frequently use the same basic materials on jobs, such as specific fasteners or a preferred type of adhesive, order a little extra with each job and try to keep them on hand. We aren’t advocating hoarding but having a few extras could be the difference between finishing the job on-time or not.

Cooperation. Working together with your “competition” may be key to saving you both. Try to develop a team mentality with some of your colleagues and, should either of you be in a situation where material help is needed, perhaps the opportunity to share resources will arise.

This “team” mentality is what Choice Roof Contractor Group is all about. Sharing knowledge, experience, strengths and resources in an effort to improve our industry and provide building owners with noteworthy professionalism and quality.

If that is the sort of organization you want your company involved with, or if you would like more information on joining us, please call 800-670-5583 or reach out to us on the contact page.

With that thought in mind, it is imperative that roofing contractors have a firm grasp on the roofing options that are considered to be the most environmentally friendly. Here are 7 of the most environmentally friendly roofing options available on the market.

Cool Roof Coatings

You all know the value and demand intrinsic in cool roof systems. When applied by a professional roofing organization, cool roof coatings offer the following environmental benefits:

• Reduced waste. These coatings pro-long the life of the existing roof. Delaying tear off means less waste in our landfills.
• Energy efficient. The reflective nature of the bright-white formulation reduces electricity consumption to cool the building.
• Reduced electricity demand. Less demand from utility companies reduces their need to generate electricity, causing a reduction in carbon dioxide and other hothouse gases.
• Increased longevity. A coating can keep a roof leak-free for up to 20 years with regular maintenance, which again reduces waste by delaying tear off and replacement.

Solar Roofing

Unquestionably, this is the most cutting edge of the options discussed here. The most advanced solar roofing integrates the photovoltaic cells found in traditional solar panels directly into the roofing system.  The end result is a roof that is almost completely covered with photovoltaic cells. 

• Energy efficient. Seriously… this option generates its own electricity.
• Long lasting. Exactly how long in real-world conditions is still unknown as the technology is so new to market.
• Reduced electricity demand. Less demand from utility companies reduces their need to generate electricity, causing a reduction in carbon dioxide and other hothouse gases. Think of this as cool roofing on steroids.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing systems are a very popular choice in different geographical locations.  They are strong, durable, and aesthetically appealing.  Environmentally, they offer additional benefits to consider.

• Recyclable.  Whether using recycled materials for a new metal roof or recycling the materials from a tear off, metal roofing is 100% recyclable material.
• Reflective. The reflective nature of metal helps naturally cool the building by reflecting some of the solar heat away.
• Long Lasting. Metal roofing systems can last decades.  That longevity reduces landfill burden by extending the time before replacement is necessary.

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles are another roofing option considered by many as environmentally friendly.  Though lacking in some of the benefits of other choices, wood shingles do offer some specific benefits.

• Recyclable. At the end of use as a roofing system, wood shingles are fully recyclable and reusable in various capacities.
• All Natural. Though not directly an environmental issue, the natural, organic aspect of wood shingles appeals to many in the “green” culture.
• Long Life Span. Wood shingles have an average life span of 15 to 20 years, depending on environment, maintenance, and locale. 

Clay Tiles

Extremely popular in certain environments and locations, clay tiles are attractive, easy to repair or replace and have a lot of environmental benefit to offer their building owner.

• Energy efficient. Clay tiles are superb at reducing heat absorbed into the building as well as retaining warmth in cooler temperatures.
• Low maintenance. These tiles require no additional coatings, treatment, or other chemical modification to perform.
• Sustainable. Clay tiles are manufactured from highly sustainable materials and with only minimal environmental impact in the manufacturing process.

Slate Tiles

Slate tiles are the rich man’s upgrade to the clay tile option.  Incredibly sturdy and attractive, though very heavy and expensive to install, slate tiles also offer green benefits.

• Durability. Chief among the environmental benefit of slate tiles are their extreme durability and longevity.
• Abundant Materials. Like their cousin the clay tile, slate tiles are manufactured from materials not considered scarce.  However, it could be argued that the means to retrieve these materials is, in itself, damaging to the environment.
• All Natural. As previously noted, all natural is a valued feature for many environmentally focused individuals.

Green Roofs

Also known as “living roofs”, green roofs offer a different approach to improving the environment.  Green roofs transform an existing roofing system into a garden area.  Obviously, this is not appropriate for all roof styles (imagine this on your steep-slope structure), but can be an attractive option to consider.

• Increased oxygen. The presence of living plants increases oxygen in the surrounding areas.
• Birds & insects. Additional living areas for birds and insects, particularly bees, which have been shown to be highly beneficial.
• Moderately insulative. Though less reflective than some of the other options discussed, the presence of soil and greenery naturally reflect a portion of solar heat away from the building.  Additionally, heat is better retained during cooler seasons.

Want to Know More?

There’s no better time than now! The Choice Roof Contractor Group is here to help by:

• Offering mentorship to new contractors
• Providing information on current topics and trends
• Offering marketing tips to help you break into new territory
• Providing roofing contractors with shared ideas and support

With the help of our trusted members, your organization can become leaders in the environmentally friendly roofing options market. If you’re ready to learn more, call our team at (800) 670-5583.

While neither solar power nor roof coatings are new to the market, we have not seen much activity or marketing of combining the two together.  How would that work out?  Let’s look at what we know.

Solar Power

Solar power panels have come a long way over the years.  From the initial heavy clunky panels to the development of solar roofs, where the photovoltaic cells are built directly into roofing materials, solar keeps getting better.

In 1954, solar power efficiency was around 6%.  New technology has increased efficiency near 40% in some of the highest-efficient designs!

Cost is dropping phenomenally as well. In fact, the price of solar has dropped 70% just since 2010!  For the first time, solar power is reasonably priced for many residential or commercial buyers.

The U.S. has enough solar power installed to meet the electricity needs for over 12.3 million homes, yet solar energy only accounts for 1.6% of the electricity generated annually.  There is HUGE potential in this market, and the demand is there.

Residential roofing not your focus?  Then you might be interested in knowing that the SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) recently reported U.S. corporate solar investment increased more than 20-fold since 2010.  Corporate giants like Apple and Amazon are leading the charge, but good marketing, with sound data supporting it, can make a strong argument that solar is a good investment even for the smaller mom-and-pop owned commercial building.

Roof Coatings or Membranes

We all know (or should know) about the heat-reflecting properties of bright-white roof coatings.  Just in case there are a few out there that don’t, here are a few statistics that should interest you.

• Reflective roof coatings or membranes can reflect up to 85% of the heat from solar rays away from the roof of the building. Traditional roofing materials reflect 5% to 15%.
• Reflective roofing material can reduce the cost of cooling a building by 30% to 50%, depending on location.
• Depending on the system, these coatings or membranes may last 20 years or longer and can easily be renewed with another coating application to avoid tear off.
• Cool roof installation is anticipated to grow at over 5.7% annually over the next 5 years.
• Single-ply membranes and coatings account for almost 25% of the cool roof market.

Roof coatings/membranes are best installed on low-slope or flat roofing structures, as are solar power systems.

The Combination

Some industry leaders who have tried the cool roof/solar power combination report that the presence of a reflective roof coating increased the output of a solar power system as much as 10%!  As solar power systems work optimally at temperatures below 90°F, reducing the temperature of the roofing structure improves the overall efficiency of the solar panels and the entire system benefits.

Another benefit of this combination is that the interior of the building is kept cooler by the reflective coating.  This reduces the power load necessary to run the air conditioning, again increasing the efficiency of the combination overall.

Plus, maintenance couldn’t be easier if you go with a roof coating / solar panel combination. Essentially, you will never have to remove the racks that hold the solar panels since you can renew the roof repeatedly by putting on another coat. As long as maintenance is held up and nothing unexpected happens, you will never have to dismantle and reinstall the structure supporting your solar panels.

Consider offering your environmentally focused customers a truly climate-conscious option, by combining the thermal efficiency of a reflective coated structure with the energy producing power of a solar power system. 

For more information, feel free to reach out to our team. Call the Choice Roof Contractor Group at (800) 670-5583.

Unparalleled Excellence

We speak, of course, of Conklin. For more than 40+ years, the Conklin company has offered innovative products that have revolutionized the roofing industry. Among these are Conklin’s exceptional roof coatings—a technology the company helped pioneer back in the 1970s and has gone strong ever since.

Roof coatings are incredible, restorative solutions that revitalize old roofing systems and greatly extend their functional life. Anyone who has lived through (and paid for) a roof replacement knows just how expensive, time-consuming, business-disrupting and labor-intensive it is. If you could have your roof restored rather than replaced (and at a fraction of the cost), wouldn’t you do it? The answer, of course, is a resounding “Yes!” And that has been the answer from countless customers for decades.

Conklin Coating Benefits

Conklin roof coating systems are fully adhered, seamless membranes that are applied right over top of an existing roof. These coatings not only cost significantly less than replacing a roof, they fully restore an old roof to like-new condition and boast a host of other impressive benefits, as well. After perusing the list of assets these innovative systems offer, it’s easy to see why roof coatings have continued to sweep the roofing industry ever since Conklin was part of introducing them!

Some of the standout benefits of Conklin roof coating systems include:

• ENERGY STAR® certification
• Extends the life of an old roof
• Much less expensive and disruptive than roof replacement
• Elastic properties allow roof coatings to expand and contract with changing temperatures
• Heat and UV reflectivity helps reduce utility costs
• A coating system that helps pay for itself in terms of utility cost savings
• Industry-leading, non-prorated warranty options
• Roofs can be recoated for indefinite life extension
• Coatings help reinforce building structure
• Can be installed in any climate in the U.S.
• Major code approvals
• And more!

The question for every building owner is: “Why replace a roof when you can restore it?” And the obvious answer is: “You shouldn’t!”

A Nationwide Crew of Roof Coating Experts

Choice Roof Contractor Group is a nationwide professional roofers association comprised of commercial contractors throughout the United States. By linking arms with Conklin, our group members have access to exclusive training opportunities and a first-rate mentorship program. Our members also have the unique benefit of groupwide expertise and accountability. Contractors in the group work collaboratively with one another to help ensure customers throughout the United States receive the very highest quality workmanship and expertise!

Expert Services Are a Click or Call Away!

To find a Choice Roof Contractor Group member your area, give us a call at (800) 670-5583 or visit the contact page of our website. We’ll connect you up with a trusted, verified roofing expert you can count on!

The National Roofing Contractors Association reports that EPDM rubber roofing accounts for 25% of the roofing market. It is also estimated that over 1 billion square feet of EPDM rubber roofing is applied on new projects each year, making it a leading option in the roofing industry today.

Like all commercial roof systems, EPDM roofing can be susceptible to a number of problems, such as water seeping into a building through an exposed seam or other vulnerable area. A roof coating offers a solution to these problems, as it covers these vulnerabilities and builds on the natural strengths of the EPDM rubber roof system.

Here are a few ways in which a roof coating system can enhance this great-performing roof system’s value.

Benefits of an EPDM Roof Coating

• Seamless roofing protection. Many EPDM rubber roofs come with seams. While they are often sealed off with high-performance product such as strong seam tape, over time the sun’s powerful energy can cause the seams to come apart. Water can then infiltrate the building through these exposed areas and form leaks.

A roof coating system will take care of this potential trouble, though. When applied, the roof coating hardens and forms a seamless, monolithic barrier over the existing EPDM roof surface. With this new, seamless membrane covering it, the old EPDM roof will be sealed off from the elements. Notably, a highly reflective coating will dramatically reduce roof temperatures to prevent expansion and shrinking in hot/cold weather as well as cracking. Additionally, a Conklin roof coating membrane system can offer further value with the extra seam reinforcement it delivers. On top of durable roof coating products, a Conklin roof coating membrane system makes use of Spunflex, a high-performance fabric product with military-grade strength. Spunflex is applied over the seams, along with the coating products.

• Savings on expensive roof tear-off and replacement. When an EPDM rubber roof suffers damage, the default option is to have it replaced. But industry studies confirm that many commercial roofs in general are replaced prematurely. In fact, some studies have found that as many as 70-80% of commercial roofs are replaced before they need be. With tens of thousands of dollars in expenses involved with a complete roof replacement – notwithstanding the delay in business operations and the sunk costs that come with it – it is important to consider the full drawbacks on top of the merits of a replacement job.

In many cases, a roof coating is better than a roof replacement. On top of shoring up an EPDM roof’s trouble areas like seams, a coating membrane system extends the life of the old EPDM roof. Since the coating forms a new membrane over the existing EPDM roof, in effect the new coating membrane system is equivalent to a new commercial roof.

This means it will keep the old roof safe for years to come. And the cost of re-coating the coated EPDM roof in the future will be dramatically less than a replacement job. It has been estimated a building owner can save around 50% on avoided roof replacement costs with a Conklin roof coating application.

• Greatly enhanced potential for energy savings. With the emergence of energy-efficient roofing on the scene, there have been some great energy-efficient roofing products that have come-to-market. White roofing systems are one such innovation—a building’s energy consumption can now be reduced with the help of a reflective, white roof system installed on the building’s overhead. In the case of EPDM roofing, the vast majority of which are black in color, there is room for strong energy savings.

Here are a few things our Conklin white roof coating systems do for EPDM roofing:

• Reflect up to 85% of the sun’s rays off the building, which helps it stay cool without greater energy consumption
• Instantly takes care of dark EPDM roofing’s tendency to absorb most of the sun’s heat and then release it at night
• Reduces the consequences of the “Urban Heat Island Effect”
• Can save a building owner anywhere from 30-50% on annual cooling costs
• Reduces the strain put on the building’s HVAC equipment, which leads to reduced costs for HVAC equipment maintenance, repairs, or replacement
• Makes old EPDM roof ENERGY STAR® certified with all those associated benefits
• Can reduce a building’s electricity use during seasons of peak electricity demand
• Reduce the building’s reliance upon the electricity grid
• Lessen the building’s environmental footprint
• Room for saving on heating costs in wintertime with a white-colored Conklin spray polyurethane foam system

In short, there are many energy-saving possibilities that arise when an EPDM roof is coated so it has a white, reflective membrane over it.

Protect Your EPDM Roof with Conklin Roof Coatings

On top of the benefits above, Conklin roof coatings can offer you the following:

• Substantial savings on roof replacement and roof repairs over potentially decades
• Often Backed by non-prorated guarantees on 100% of labor and material costs for up to 18 years
• Easy and simple way to address current roof repair needs and lessen potential for future roofing trouble
• Non-disruptive and easily applied without having any need to close your building’s doors
• Strengthens your building’s envelope and structural support with little-to-no extra deadweight
• Fewer roof upkeep needs- typically requires only annual or bi-annual cleansing with its superior dirt and discoloration resistance
• Exceptional durability, lasting strength, and strong protection against leaks and other problems for decades

Should you be interested in learning more about our Conklin coating products or how we can benefit you, do not hesitate to contact us. We can arrange for you a free, local roof estimate when you call us at 800-670-5583. 

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, cities with one million people or more can be 1.8-5.4°F warmer than their surrounding areas. During the evening time, city landscapes can be warmer by as much as 12°F. What accounts for this difference?

Buildings and other man-made structures absorb lots of heat during the day. In particular, roadways made with asphalt or buildings with dark-colored commercial roofs tend to absorb solar radiation and retain lots of heat, and later emit it at nightfall. In the countryside, plants and vegetation store up much less heat than buildings do in the city. Ultimately, that means they release lesser amounts of heat at night than buildings and other structures do in a city landscape.

Consequences of the Urban Heat Island Effect

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are a few things that stem from this heating phenomenon, which are listed below:

• Increased peak energy demand in the summer season
• Bigger air conditioning bills
• Greater amounts of air pollution
• Increases in number of health cases related to overheating
• Affected water quality

The EPA reports the urban heat island effect can give way to heat-related deaths, but on the whole studies have been less-than-definitive or hardly conclusive about confirming that risk.

A research report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory puts a number value on the influence of the urban heat island effect on peak energy demand. In the report, it was found that the warmer air temperatures could account for 5-10% of urban peak energy demand for air conditioning.

White Roofs to the Rescue

One solution that has been adopted to reduce the impact of these effects is the white roof. Dr. Arthur Rosenfeld, a pioneer in the field of energy efficiency and Distinguished Scientist Emeritus at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, has advocated white roofs (and cool roofs in general) as a way to combat the effects of the urban heat island effect for over 40+ years. In an article on Grist.com, Rosenfeld reportedly once calculated people in the Los Angeles basin would save $170 million in energy costs and health-related expenses per year if white commercial roofs were installed throughout the area.

Others have confirmed white roofs’ energy saving potential as well. In 2010, then-Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu said if 85% of air-conditioned buildings in the United States had white roofs, the United States could see up to $735 million in energy savings per year.

Aside from their mitigating effects on the cost burdens of the urban heat island effect, white roofs help in other ways as well. A white roof reflects solar radiation back into the atmosphere instead of mostly absorbing it, which means the commercial roof’s surface stays cooler than usual. As a result, air around the white roofs remains much cooler, and the adverse environmental and health effects associated with the urban heat island effect are minimized.

White Roof Energy Savings with Conklin® Roofing Products

For white roofs that are formulated with roof coating products, Conklin® was the company that created and introduced the first white, reflective acrylic roof coating to the commercial roofing industry, in 1977. Since then, Conklin® has continued to play a leading role in the growing use of white roofs. At present, over 2 billion square feet of roofing in the United States has Conklin® roofing products on it.

There are many benefits associated with a Conklin® white, reflective roof coating membrane system. These numerous benefits include:

• Completely seamless and waterproof roofing protection
• Fully adhered roofing application
• Applicable to almost all commercial roofing types
• Extends an old commercial roof’s life for many years (some roofs have been known to last for 25-40+ years or longer)
• Requires less maintenance and roof cleansing than other systems available on market
• Carefully formulated to resist powerful winds, hail storms, and other outdoor hazards
• Resists deterioration caused by sun exposure over time
• Tremendous annual savings of up to 15% (or perhaps more) with products’ strong thermal reflectivity
• Non-prorated warranty coverage on all labor and material costs

Conklin® has been a leading choice for high-performance, energy-efficient roofing solutions for roofing contractors, building owners, facility managers, architects, property management firms, building engineers, and other professionals for over 40+ years.

Choice Roof Contractor Group uses these great roof systems because of their established success record. Should you be interested in learning more about how a Choice Roof Contractor can aptly meet your needs, call us at 800-670-5583 for a free roof estimate.

What sort of energy savings could someone see with a white roof? According to the Urban Green Council, white roofs on commercial buildings could produce 89 percent net energy savings. Likewise, the United States Department of Energy estimates a white roof on a commercial building could generate annual energy savings of up to $.20 per square foot. In 2010, an Inhabitat.com article noted if 85 percent of air-conditioned buildings in the United States had white roofs, there could annual energy savings of $735 million.

However, it should be noted energy cost savings will vary based on a building’s location as well as on local energy consumption rates. In areas with a warmer climate, energy savings could be more pronounced in the hotter seasons of the year. In one California-based study, “cool roofs” were found to generate annual net savings of almost $.50 per square foot, though other buildings than just commercial buildings were factored in.

On a national scale, the ENERGY STAR® program says if commercial and industrial buildings’ energy efficiency were improved by 10 percent, there could be $20 billion in collected savings. The ENERGY STAR® program also notes that with ENERGY STAR®-qualified cool roofs, commercial buildings have cumulative cost savings of $2.7 billion and industrial facilities over $200 million. At present, U.S. commercial and industrial buildings have combined annual energy costs of $202.2 billion, with 30 percent of energy being used inefficiently or unnecessarily.

With these studies and others in hand, it is clear white roof coatings are an attractive option because of their energy cost-saving potential. That becomes even more pronounced when considered in light of how the white roof became prominent in commercial roofing.

The White Roof, a Disruptive Force in Commercial Roofing

When the white roof coating appeared on the scene as a way to extend a roof’s life without having to do a complete roof replacement, though, the industry began to change. Because of their ability to reflect much of the sun’s heated rays off a roof surface, energy efficiency became another category for evaluating roof performance on top of protection value and service life.

Today, white roof coatings remain a hot-button topic in the commercial roofing industry. They have been accepted as a mainstream roofing product selection. For instance, since 2010 in New York City over 1 million square feet of roofing has been coated with white coating products.

These coating products have also been shown to be a great option for long-term energy savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s most recent Buildings Energy Data Book, the average annual energy expenditure per square foot of commercial floor space was $2.44 in 2010. In 2014, it is expected to be $2.27.

Studies on White Roofs’ Efficacy in Generating Energy Savings

In addition to a white roof study that spanned 50 years conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and more, here are a couple of other notable studies that capture the energy-saving potential of a white roof.

• In Tucson, Arizona, a 24,000-square foot building was topped by a white elastomeric roof coating. Energy consumption from one summer week before the coating was noted, along with one summer week after the coating with similar weather conditions. City personnel recorded a 50 percent reduction in energy usage as a result of the new white roof and estimated it could save $4,000 in energy costs annually. With those savings, the roof would pay for itself in just over 6 years (the roof coating cost almost $25,000 to apply) and have a 16 percent rate of return.
• In Austin, Texas, a 100,000-square foot retail store had its energy use, peak air conditioning demand, and service life compared before and after a white roof membrane was installed on it. The monitoring period of the study took place over 13 months and took note of several measures. Approximately in the eighth and ninth months of the study, the retail store’s black roof was replaced with a white roof. For the retail store’s black roof, the average daily roof surface temperature was 168°F. With the white roof, it was reduced to 126°F. Total air conditioning usage was reported to have dropped down 11 percent and peak air conditioning demand by 14 percent. The building was predicted to be capable of saving $65,000 over the roof’s service life.

Some Thoughts on the White Roof and Its Energy-Saving Potential

Some people have said white roof coatings may suffer from a “winter penalty”, or a period during the winter in which they reflect useful heat from a building and make the building use more energy for keeping its interior warm.

The Cool Roof Ratings Council offers the following answers to this notion:

• Cooling cost savings tend to greatly exceed any heating cost increases
• The sun shines on a roof at a more oblique angle in the summer than it does during the winter, meaning its energy will not come down on the roof as directly
• Snow often covers a roof during the winter, cutting down on opportunities for the sun to warm up a building anyway

For calculating one’s own energy-saving potential, the Department of Energy offers a useful calculator.

Conklin White Roof Coatings

With Choice Roof Contractor Group, building owners can get the great benefits of a white roof listed above and more. Conklin white roof coatings have excellent tensile strength and durability, and have been seen to last for 25 years or longer while other white roof coatings last 10-15 years.

They also have other attractive features:

• Great track record from being used for over 40+ years
• Exclusive non-prorated warranty coverage on all labor and material costs for up to 18 years
• Up to 15 percent annual energy savings or more
• Completely seamless and waterproof roofing protection
• Instantly ends leaks and other common roof problems when applied
• Can negate winter penalty with specialized Conklin spray polyurethane foam insulation system
• Can pay for themselves in 5-7 years with energy savings
• Formulated to resist hurricane-force winds and hail storms
• Resists dirt build-up and discoloration with greater effectiveness than other roof coatings on market

Should you be interested in learning how a Conklin white roof coating system can be good for your needs, give us a call at 800-670-5583.