When you serve as a building owner or as a facility manager, you need to know a little bit about many different things. One of the most critical things you should learn about is your roof. But, what makes a commercial rooftop unique and what do you need to know about this vital part of your building’s structure? Let us share a bit of knowledge about the anatomy of a commercial rooftop.
Whether you manage your own facility or work for others as a roofer or builder, you have seen the term “resilient design” somewhere. Resilience is the new black when it comes to sustainability. As the climate patterns shift, the need for resilient architecture becomes even more pronounced. Modern building design relies heavily on this concept and The Resilient Design Institute is at the forefront of its advocacy. What is resilience, though, and what is its role in roofing?
Topics: Roof Architecture
In urban areas, space is at a premium. Especially large lots that could house gardens or green spaces, since such spots are likely to attract buyers who will build on them. So what’s a garden-lover in the city to do?
Topics: Roofing Management, Roof Architecture
Unlike gabled, hip, gambrial or dormer roofs – as well as their similarly pitched counterparts – flat roofs do not automatically slough off water due to the force of gravity. Instead, without a proper drainage system in place, they will collect water. If you don’t take care of optimizing the flow of water and snow melt off of a flat commercial rooftop, you’re going to find yourself in some trouble.
Topics: Roof Architecture
In today's world of environmental concerns and a focus on conservation, the installation of solar panels to produce electricity has become a common alternative to relying exclusively on the traditional power grid. With the cost of harnessing solar energy dropping rapidly, added with the tax and publicity benefits, it has not just become a common alternative, is has become a legitimately cost efficient alternative for homes and businesses. Below, we’ll take a look at the primary components and vocabulary associated with solar, or photovoltaic, systems.
Topics: Roof Architecture
LEED Pilot credits Review: Integrative Project Planning And Design
The role of architect, engineer, developer, and contractor is changing in the world of building construction. The Design-Build Institute of America estimates that 50 percent of all buildings built in the U.S. were completed using a team-based approach. Professionals today understand the need for individual sustainability in their projects to maximize energy, water, and savings while lowering the impact on the surrounding environment with integrative project planning and design.
Topics: Roof Architecture
Are you as big of a fan of TED talks as we are? Innovative experts from around the world come to sound off on their ideas in short talks given at TED, which you may remember stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design.
Topics: Roof Architecture
With the arrival of summer weather – and with many parts of the country experiencing record-breaking heat waves – it’s hard to ignore the power of the sun. It can make walking across the street seem like a marathon, it sends energy bills soaring, and it can make a parked car feel like a furnace. No wonder the sun gets a bad rap this time of year!
As an architect, there is a lot of study that goes into earning your license. However, it is important to realize that you will have to renew it periodically. Many states have Continuing Education requirements in place as a term of that renewal. Even if your state doesn’t require further education, the AIA does.
Topics: Roof Architecture
When it comes to harsh weather, most people think of cold, snow, and ice. But, if you manage a building in a warmer climate, you probably define harsh weather a little differently: blistering sun and heat punctuated by occasional rain and wind. And, since a roof’s main job is to protect the building and everything inside it, choosing the right low-slope roofing system for your climate is a business imperative.
Topics: Roofing Management, Roof Architecture



