Page 12 - CooperatorNews New York Expo 2021

12 COOPERATORNEWS — OCTOBER 2021 COOPERATORNEWS.COM On August 9, 2021, the United Na- tions Intergovernmental Panel on Climate and intense, buildings must perform more opt for what is known as a “cool roof”—a Change (IPCC) released a scathing report frequent and intense inspections, repairs, reflective surface that can be 50ºF less than detailing the indisputable impacts that hu- man activity have made on the planet— many of them reaching the point of irrevers- ibility within the next generation or two. buildings alike have great options and op- The most consequential effects come from portunities for addressing their climate im- greenhouse gas emissions, which are re- sponsible for approximately 1.1°C of warm- ing since the latter half of the 19th century, ple and inexpensive as applying a coating of days over 65ºF. In areas with more cooling according to the report. Considering that a reflective white paint, or as complex (and degree days, a cool roof is a no-brainer. But 1.5ºC warming is projected to occur over costly) as creating a communal roof deck even in a state like New Jersey, where heat- the next two decades, and a 2ºC warming or vegetable garden—but all are considered ing degree days are more common, a cool puts the planet in danger of heat extremes “green” for environmental purposes. Each roof can still be a benefit, because the heat beyond tolerance thresholds for agriculture project comes with its own potential for en- and human health, according to the IPCC, ergy savings, grants and incentives, quality home, causing a need for greater amounts the time for immediate, rapid, large-scale of life enhancements, revenue generation, of air conditioning.” A cool roof can reflect change is now—right now, in fact. The World Green Building Council’s These must be weighed against engineering American Home Contractors, and is as easy 2017 Global Status Report estimates that and structural concerns (e.g., how much as installing lighter colored or reflective buildings alone are responsible for nearly weight can the roof support?), the desires of shingles, or having a cool roof coating ap- 40% of carbon emissions—putting much the residents (perhaps especially those on plied to existing shingles. The Department of the onus for mitigation and remedia- tion of this climate catastrophe on the real estate sector. In fact, there is a certain sym- biosis between buildings and the environ- ment: as hotter times get hotter and colder you’re working with. For example, low-rises tween 20¢ and $1 per square foot, depend- times colder, more energy is needed to keep or individual HOA units with sloped roofs ing on the type of application. buildings and their residents comfortable. have different options than high-rises with As weather events become more frequent flat roofs. A sloped-roof community might and replacements to keep up and keep safe. a typical asphalt roof, according to Ameri- All of this contributes to the climate crisis. Fortunately, residential and commercial Park, New Jersey. pact—and many have to do with upgrades tant to factor in heating degree days—days to their roofs. Such upgrades can be as sim- community-building, and property value. up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays, according to the top floor), and of course, cost. Know Your Roof In embarking on any roof project, the installing a traditional roof, while applying first thing to know is what kind of roof coatings to an existing roof surface costs be- can Home Contractors, based in Florham “When making the decision for a cool roof,” says the company’s rep, “it is impor- under 65ºF—and cooling degree days— absorbed by your roof can transfer into your of Energy estimates that the cost of install- ing a cool roof is comparable to the cost of The Addison On The Ocean Condomin- ium in Boca Raton, Florida, installed a cool roof in 2010, when it replaced its original roof that was then 25 years old. According to Best Roofing, the Fort Lauderdale-based company that did the installation, the proj- ect took 70 days, and was completed on time and on budget. The company explains that the cool roof’s 15-year warranty means that “The Addison is still saving money on its monthly energy bills due to the cool roof’s highly reflective surface that reflects heat away rather than being absorbed into the building. Lower building temperatures mean less energy spent on air conditioning. In fact, the cool roof system is so effective in lowering rooftop temperatures that it radi- cally reduces energy costs and even extends the life expectancy of the roof.” Go Green A vegetation-covered roof is what many people think of as “green,” and will be re- ferred to as such in the remainder of this story. In situations where it can be applied, a plant-covered green roof can be expected to prolong the life of a conventional roof by at least 20 years, according to the experts. This is because the vegetation prevents the roof surface from being exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and the deteriorating effects of precipitation and cold winds. There are two basic types of green roofs: extensive and intensive. Extensive systems are the types with short, shallow-rooted plants that require 2 to 4 inches of soil, 12 to 40 pounds per square foot of roof area, and minimal maintenance. An intensive system, more akin to a rooftop garden, re- quires a minimum of 6 to 12 inches of soil and a load-bearing capacity of 80 to 150 pounds per square foot. This type of roof can include shrubs and trees, in addition to other materials and installations that make the roof suitable for active use. Both pro- vide stormwater benefits, including insula- tion, water filtration, storage, and habitat opportunities; intensive systems have more potential for these benefits. “Green roofs are a great way to cool down your roof during the summer, retain some of the rainwater from going straight into the storm sewer system, and provide an ecological oasis in a dense urban environ- ment,” says Giulia Alimonti, AIA, LEED AP, senior architect with the recently-opened ENERGY CONSERVATION Green Options to Maximize Your Roof From a Coat of Paint to a Community Garden BY DARCEY GERSTEIN continued on page 28