Environmental issues continue to be at the forefront of the roofing industry. These issues and regulations are having an impact on the design and application of roof systems and materials that we will be using well into the 21st Century. 

Environmental issues continue to be at the forefront of the roofing industry. These issues and regulations are having an impact on the design and application of roof systems and materials that we will be using well into the 21st Century. Groups such as the U.S. Green Building Council, the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency are forming regulations that will eventually become part of the building codes. Building designers should be aware of these regulations and have an understanding of them and of the impact that they will have on the facility.

The most prominent environmental issue involving roofing is energy performance. The continual increase in energy costs, coupled with the depletion of natural resources, has propelled these issues to the forefront of the roof design debate. States and municipalities are increasingly requiring energy efficient roof designs that meet prescribed thermal R-values, cool roof or reflective standards.

Proper roof design should include proper emissivity and reflectivity rates for the facility. ARW has become a source for designers to gather information on the latest regulations. In the past five years we have published a number of articles that provide the required information. In addition, we have several AIA-credited webinars a year that focus on these regulations. Both ARW and the webinars are provided at no cost.

If you are interested in further information, you can contact me at jdannunzio@paragonroofingtech.com