Future proof your roof
What will your roof need to support?
Watch the video to find out some of the biggest rooftop concerns building owners should take into consideration.Today vs. tomorrow
Before you recommend a roofing system, you need to think about what a commercial rooftop will look like 10 to 15 years from now … and the pummeling it may have to endure over its lifetime.
Rooftops are often used to house HVAC equipment, solar panels, green roofs and other installations that require adequate compressive and flexural strength from the roofing system.
How frequently traveled paths wear down over time
Rooftop equipment and its routine maintenance means crews will make multiple trips across the roof carrying tools and other gear. This can wear down the water-proofing membrane in frequently traveled paths. Hot spots, like around the access door, become high-risk areas for puncture damage.
Small punctures may not look like much, but they can grow quickly, allowing water to seep into the assembly. If moisture spreads unchecked, mold can grow and weaken the structure.
This is a problem you won’t often see until it’s too late. You can help mitigate the risk of puncture damage by adding a rigid substrate to support and provide impact protection to both the membrane and insulation of your roofing system.
The winning bid might not be the best option ...
Find out why roofing contractors may submit two different bids for their roofing systems—and why their best intentions may cause future trouble.The shift to renewable energy
Photovoltaic panel installation is part of the U.S. clean energy deployment to drive 100% carbon-pollution-free electricity by 2035, along with wind, nuclear, geothermal and hydropower.1The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) projects the commercial solar sector to grow an average of 8% from 2024 through 2028.2
If your building owner is considering putting solar panels on their commercial roof, let them know the risks. Then, explain how the right cover board can help to mitigate damage.
The risk solar panels bring to your roofing system
Rooftop equipment increases foot traffic and the threat of puncture damage during installation and maintenance.
Solar panels add weight to the roof. This damages roofing systems that don’t have the compressive strength to handle the load.
All electrical systems come with a fire risk. Problems can cause arcs between conductors or the ground, which can ignite nearby flammable material.3
If your newly installed roof and the solar panels don’t have the same life span they may require removal and reinstallation for a reroof. This can cost your clients more in the long run and lower their trust in the durability of your roofing systems.
1 https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-05/DOE%20-%20100%25%20Clean%20Electricity%20-%20Final.pdf
2 https://seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-q4-2023/
3 https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/consumers-guide-fire-safety-solar-systems
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