With retrofit being one of the hottest topics in the commercial building industry today, the white paper addresses the reasons why building owners, developers and architects are and should be choosing metal.
GLENVIEW, Ill. – The Metal Initiative has produced a
white paper focusing on using metal in retrofit applications. With retrofit
being one of the hottest topics in the commercial building industry today, the
white paper addresses the reasons why building owners, developers and architects
are and should be choosing metal. Metal’s benefits are more than economical and
environmentally friendly; they’re also visually appealing and long lasting.
The Metal Initiative’s white paper outlines the financial
and environmental advantages of retrofitting with metal roof and wall systems.
For architects, contractors, and business owners the paper explains how to
increase business, improve building appearance, and reduce long-term energy
costs by using metal in retrofit projects.
The following benefits, versatility and applications of
using metal are highlighted in the report:
• Existing Building Solutions:For more than 25
years, retrofit has been a quick, cost effective solution for problematic
roof geometry, maintenance issues and outdated appearance. In more recent years,
thermal efficiency and energy savings are the hallmarks of a retrofit roof
application…
• Roofing Applications: The most common retrofit
applications are metal over existing flat roofs and metal over existing sloped
roofs. Both of these improve a building’s appearance and reduce maintenance, but
each can offer solutions to different problems…
• Existing Flat or Nearly Flat Roof Solutions:The two
common types of retrofit installations on existing structures are low slope and
steep slope roofs. During installation of either of these types of retrofit
systems the building interior is not exposed to outside elements or
contamination from construction…
• Rooftop Equipment: A key consideration in designing a
retrofit system for flat roofs is location of the rooftop equipment. Typically
this involves air handling and non-air handling equipment for heating and air
conditioning systems, as well as skylights, sanitary vents, exhaust fans, and
fresh air intakes. How this equipment fits into the
retrofit is up to the designer, but the location of existing equipment usually
dictates what can be done.
• Existing Sloped Roof Solutions: Designing retrofit systems for sloped roofs
requires attention to many of the same details in the design stage as for flat
roofs. These include analyzing the existing roof support system and using the
opportunity to improve ventilation systems and insulation levels, and
potentially adding renewable energy systems to the design.
• Energy Efficiency:The retrofit process offers some excellent ways to
improve a building’s energy efficiency and help reduce its carbon footprint. By
adding a few low cost elements to the retrofit system the designer can help the
building owner realize significant savings.
For more
information, visit www.themetalinitiative.com.
White Paper Focuses on Benefits of Building with Metal in Retrofits