PHP Roofing Blog

 Thanks to the rise of new cost-effective “cool” materials and “cool” techniques (cool = reflects more sunlight), the building industry finally has some scientifically sound ways proven to moderate energy use over the course of a new or even an existing building’s lifetime. Energy savings mean cost savings. According to the EPA, the costs of choosing a cool roof coating or membrane can be somewhat comparable to the upfront cost to a non-cool roof, but cool materials provide better payback through substantial net energy cost savings and longer life expectancy.

No longer are construction projects top-driven by a single person directing the activities of all. Instead, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) strategies integrate the interests and risks of the owner, architect and contractor into a collaborative team effort to more fully harness the talents and productivity of each separate project element.

If you’re a business or homeowner in a state like Arizona, you probably understand the power of the cool roof, but what about along the east coast where the winters are fierce? Historically, cool roofs – roofs that reflect the heat of the sun to naturally cool a structure down – are appreciated more in regions where thermal energy is a concern. There is a science behind cool roof technology that makes it a practical choice for even the northern states, though. Consider some ways your business might benefit from a cool roof no matter what the weather patterns.

 The roof is one of the most important structures of a building, keeping the elements out and ensuring that all systems are carefully protected so they can function as they’re supposed to. When it comes to roofs, you don’t want to mess around.

That’s where a roofing consultant comes in. Registered Roof Consultants are extremely useful when it comes to ensuring the correct installation of your commercial rooftop and closing the gap between architect and contractor. If you’re an architect, building owner, facilities manager, design engineer or maintenance professional, you may be wondering why hiring a roofing consultant is a good idea … or even whether you should become one yourself.

A lot of thought must go into choosing and installing cable trays in order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the cables that run through them. Those systems ensure the effectiveness of the cables they protect, reduce wear and tear to rooftop installations, and help ensure safety for people, as well as, property.

If you’ve worked in commercial roofing for a while, you know there are many variables that go into sound decision-making. It often comes down to a balancing act of trade-offs: what you get vs. what you give up. That’s no less true for roof pipe supports than for anything else. The fewer roof pipe supports you use, the lower your costs – and the less weight you add to the roof. On the other hand, if you don’t use enough supports, they’ll be spaced too far apart, putting your pipes and supports, as well as the roof itself, at risk. So how do you decide what’s right for your roof? 

In 2012, Roofing Contractor magazine reported that more than four billion square feet of TPO single-ply roofing had been sold in North America over the previous five years alone. Today, single-ply roofs, whether TPO or PVC, continue to be a popular choice for both contractors and building owners. That popularity has led to a wealth of “best practices” compiled by contractors with years of experience in the field. Here are just a few of their tips:

Not only is there more than one type of rooftop pipe support, there is also more than one way of attaching those pipe supports to the roof surface. But they all break down into one of two categories: penetrating vs. non-penetrating. Penetrating pipe supports attach mechanically through the roof membrane, while non-penetrating pipe supports sit on the surface of the roof and are anchored with ballast. And there are a number of benefits to that.

It’s the bane of construction experts and architects alike: fitting as much as you can into a space that’s much smaller than what you really need. When your available space is non-negotiable, your only option is triage. In other words, you have to make decisions between the “nice” and the “necessary,” which means prioritizing things like roof supports, roof walkways, and other types of equipment and piping. 

Properly installed and maintained rooftop equipment can be a great way to optimize otherwise unusable space – but the “properly installed and maintained” part is critical. Every component – the equipment, the roof supports, and the bases – has to work together the way it’s supposed to. Here’s what you need to know to make your roof supports an asset rather than a liability.