Single Ply Roof Systems Are Becoming More Sustainable
New flat roofing systems, each with their own specific application purposes, are heading in an environmentally friendly direction, especially since President Obama instituted, “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance,” an executive order (No. 13514) released back in October of 2009. Since then, federal, state, and local governments have been pushing for companies to procure building products with higher, “greener” standards. They are now picking and choosing systems from manufacturers that meet the Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) purchase requirements set out by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Flat roof products are now being “graded” by durability, manufacturing processes, and overall design (product innovation and corporate governance are the other assessments but they don’t hold as much dominance). Contractors and architects alike are doing their best to fit in with all of this “green” hype and, we can take into account, that residential and commercial flat roofs with noticeably better sustainability are going to appeal more to agencies and building owners.
A recent May article from Professional Roofing states that, “sustainability-related information could prompt a manufacturer’s decisions about supply chain modifications, product content changes, manufacturing adjustments, performance improvements, end-of-life options and corporate governance with the goal of producing more sustainable products.”
NSF International, the forefront in product certification, official regulation, and public health standards for food and water formed a joint committee with ANSI in May of 2009 to develop NSF/ANSI 347 calling it the Sustainability Assessment for Single Ply Roofing Membranes. Their members have spent the last few years collecting data and developing product rankings dependent upon material recyclability into new and usable products, energy conservation during the manufacturing process with a close eye on air and material resources, and material field performance measurements.
With this new set of standards, other construction trades will soon follow in its footsteps to influence new standards across the whole board. You can read up on a few of the guidelines and rankings by visiting NSF International’s website, http://www.nsf.org. To purchase a full copy of NSF/ANSI 347, visit http://www.techstreet.com/nsfgate.html.
As a local certified Tacoma roofing contractor, we’re all about sustainability and keeping up with our community, and that’s why were a Certified Green Roofer with GAF Materials Corporation. We specialize in not only flat roofing systems, but residential and commercial asphalt as well. Call us at (253) 445-8950 for a free estimate or drop by our website: http://www.chasenw.com.
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2 thoughts on “Single Ply Roof Systems Are Becoming More Sustainable”
Great post and I guess this is very true. Thanks for sharing this post and keep it up!
There is a lot more “Green Roof” applications that I have seen today than there has been in the past. Energy sufficient roofs is the new future of roofs. Interestingly enough there are actual green roof applications now. The roof will be prepped for dirt and grass to be planted on top of the roofs. It is to give great insulation and keep the cold out during the winter and keep the heat out during the summer. Due to a lot of prep work before the dirt and grass is planted, the cost of this type of roof is generally high in comparison. Is it worth it. We will see. In my opinion, it is still too early to tell. I’m sure there will be savings every month on electricity, but I wonder how many months need to pass before it evens out.