RoofPoint is a sustainability guideline developed exclusively for roofing systems. It is similar to other familiar building rating systems such as the U.S. Green Build Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, but it embraces important differences that offer unique value to building owners and the green-building community.

RoofPoint evaluates a roof system in five categories: energy management, materials management, water management, durability/life cycle management, and innovation.

Since the beginning of 2011, RoofPoint projects have been certified in over 30 U.S. states as well as Canada and Mexico.

The January 2012 issue of Interface provides a complete overview of the program as well as the RoofPoint guideline, which is a comprehensive checklist of all critical environmental aspects of modern roofing systems.

Have you used RoofPoint on a project? Leave us a comment about the projects you have worked on that incorporate RoofPoint.

CSP requires very clear skies to work most effectively, and steam generation requires a fair amount of water which can be an issue in hot, dry climates. Compared to PV, more maintenance may be necessary due to the moving parts in trackers and generators. But focusing the sun in this way also has several advantages.

First, less space is required for the collection units; so less land or rooftop space is required. The cost per watt for CSP is currently par with PV, but has the potential to be half that of PV. CSP steam generators produce AC power so they can integrate directly into existing infrastructure without power inverters. With natural gas back-up or molten salt heat storage systems, CSP has the potential to operate continuously in the event of extended periods of cloudiness or shading of part of the array. CSP is projected to have a larger share of solar power generation within 10 to 15 years due to its efficiencies and potential reduction in cost (and by extension – the ability to generate power more cost effectively) due to technological advancements.

The conference was attended by over 1200 restaurant facility managers and vendors. The many educational sessions covered a diverse variety of informative topics. The trade show portion of the event provided Duro-Last the opportunity to meet and discuss with facility managers the latest approaches to maintaining and repairing restaurant roofs. This is always a great event to see many of our customers in one location.

Duro-Last has a well-established corporate accounts program that includes several features. Some of which are: a single Duro-Last point of contact, approved roof specifications, budget development, tapered insulation design, pre-construction document review, regional personnel coordination, contractor referrals, and job-site inspections. The program was discussed with every new contact and reviewed with our current customers. Duro-Last also introduced our new Duro-Guard™ insulation product line and re-vamped warranty program – both were introduced to our network of authorized Duro-Last installers at our National Sales Seminar in January.

To spice things up this year, Duro-Last held a drawing for an iPod 4G Touch for one lucky winner that visited the booth to learn more about Duro-Last and the new products we introduced for 2012. Peggy Fromholz, Senior Regional Facility Manager at Red Robin International was that lucky winner.

Congratulations Peggy!

Peggy Fromholz (pictured left) with Duro-Last Corporate Accounts Coordinator Anna Hernandez.

RFMA was formed in 2004 when a group of facility directors met and determined that an organization just for restaurant facility directors would help to guide their own individual chains in keeping overhead down as new restaurants were added. Today, RFMA has an active Board of Directors, an Executive Director, an Education & Membership Manager, a Member Services Coordinator, and three committees. In the fall of 2010, RFMA launched its own official publication, “The Facilitator.”

John Deal, National Sales Manager for Duro-Last is the Co-chairman of RFMA’s Education Committee. Duro-Last has found RFMA to be a great organization through which to meet and network with facility managers in the restaurant industry.

Thank you to all who attended RFMA this year and stopped by the Duro-Last booth. See you next year in Orlando!

The invasion Orson Wells described so vividly on the radio October 30, 1938, was only sensational because of its time and place in history. What did Wells know about future events that we don’t know? Maybe he foresaw last year’s supernova or exploding star (it was best seen between the big and little dippers September 7-9, 2011), or the growth of solar power generation (photovoltaics = PV) or the implosion of Solyndra. Maybe he foresaw the green movement (little “green” men).

Now that I’ve got your attention, what does this have to do with today’s topic? Other than to introduce a discussion on the power of the sun, not much. Over the next two posts I will discuss photovoltaics (PV), a.k.a. solar power, its history, and the types available.

The most common type of solar module utilized today, crystalline silicon panels, are encapsulated in glass. They make up about 95% of all PV systems installed. Monocrystalline cells invented by Bell Labs in 1954 were cut as wafers from specially grown cylindrical silicon crystals. They are still among the most efficient PV systems, but they have poor tolerance for low light, are fragile and, very expensive, and require very heavy frames for rooftop mounting.

Polycrystalline cells are made from multiple sources and are not as dependent on perfect crystal growth. They are less expensive than monocrystallines, extremely fragile, and less efficient at converting sunlight to electricity.

While some crystalline manufacturers claim higher levels, typical silicone-based PVs have power production between 12 and 18 watts per square foot and operate with 14-20% efficiency. High temperature and shade reduce their output.

Thin-film PV systems don’t use crystalline silicon, but very thin layers of materials such as amorphous silicon, a mixture of copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS), or cadmium telluride. They can be flexible or rigid and can be adhered to a roof covering or rigid material.

First generation thin-films are mounted on a glass substrate and are relatively inexpensive to produce, but they are about 50% less efficient than monocrystallines. A heavy support frame is required and there have been issues with longevity and durability.

Second generation thin-films are mounted on a flexible substrate. They also do not require crystalline silicon and are easier to manufacture than first generation thin-films at the same cost. There is no requirement for special framing or support structures because they are much lighter than other PV systems. These thin-films are rugged and can often be integrated with modern roofing membranes after they are installed.

Because thin-films are typically surface-mounted, heat gain is an issue and these systems can compromise the benefits of reflective roof systems. Thin-film systems have power production of 5 to 10 watts per square foot and operate with 6-12% efficiency. Compared to crystalline silicon systems, thin-films are more effective in low light situations and are less affected by high temperatures.

In the concluding post I will introduce another type of rooftop power generation that produces electricity from the sun: Concentrated Solar Power, or CSP.

If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to start an annual maintenance program. The importance is obvious – to extend the service life of the existing roof system. You want to catch problems early or even before they occur. Comprehensive repairs not only make the roof last longer, but also provide cost savings to the facility’s owner.

Perimeter

Walk the perimeter of the building to ensure that any unsecured objects, such as trash cans, signs, tree limbs, and loose building materials cannot become airborne projectiles during high winds. Trees should have all dead or broken branches removed and should be trimmed away from the building to prevent possible fires or damage to the roof.

Edges

Roof edge details should be checked to ensure that they are tight fitting and properly sealed. Corners of the building are the most susceptible to wind and rain damage. Immediately fix anything that lacks integrity.

Drainage

All debris and loose materials should be removed from the roof. Leaf grates, if part of the roofing system, should be cleaned and secured in a manner that keeps them in place. Make sure there is no blockage of any kind in drainage areas. Look for cracks or leaking on all areas of the roof and repair as needed.

Rooftop

Check all sealants on penetrations and terminations. All roof mounted equipment (HVAC units, satellite dishes, antennas, duct work, etc.) should be secured in a manner which will not allow movement. If it can be moved by hand it will become displaced in a storm or with wind. All service panel doors should be inspected to ensure that they are properly fastened. Any missing fasteners should be replaced.

A thorough maintenance program will address problems at their initial stage, minimizing or eliminating damage to interior furnishings, equipment, building materials and finishes. In this way, building owners avoid expenditures and preserve their investment, from top to bottom.

The Roofer’s Challenge in our booth was a hit again this year, where the winning time to weld a 3” Duro-Last custom-fabricated stack was 39 seconds. Anyone who welded the stack in less than 90 seconds won a Duro-Last t-shirt. Looks like this challenge is becoming too easy and we may need to think of something different for next year!

Duro-Last once again had several new products to introduce and we presented them in a new booth display that was a hit with attendees. Several EXCEPTIONAL Metals products were also on display.

Duro-Guard™ Insulation Products

We showed eight different “hands-on” roof assemblies that incorporate our new Duro-Guard insulation product line. Duro-Guard ISO and EPS Insulation panels provide high Long-Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) values. Duro-Guard insulation panels contain no CFCs or HCFCs; have Zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP); are EPA compliant; and have virtually no Global Warming Potential (GWP).

EXCEPTIONAL Metals

Booth visitors appreciated the opportunity to handle many of the unique metal details of the EXCEPTIONAL Metals’ products that were on display as part of our exhibit. EXCEPTIONAL Metals manufactures high-quality metal components designed for use with any single-ply roof, including edge details, drainage systems, and vinyl-coated metal products. Standing seam roof panels are also available from EXCEPTIONAL Metals, and they were shown in the booth as well.

Warranties

In addition to product displays, Duro-Last introduced our re-vamped warranty program. We now offer 16 warranties in all – a wide range of 15 and 20 year options that provide unparalleled security for virtually all commercial roofing applications, including those in high-wind and hail areas. Our standard comprehensive 15 Year No Dollar Limit (NDL) Warranty is still the best in the industry. It’s transferable, has no exclusions for ponding water, and provides coverage against consequential damages that result from defects in the Duro-Last material and/or installation workmanship.

Did you attend IRE 2012? What were some interesting products you saw or educational sessions you attended?

White is the New Green

While in London in 2009, President Obama’s Energy Secretary Steven Chu, told his former colleagues at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that painting roofs white to reflect sunlight can make a huge difference to global warming.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu

“There’s a friend of mine, a colleague of mine, Art Rosenfeld, who’s pushing very hard for a geo-engineering we all believe will be completely benign, and that’s when you have a flat-top roof building, make it white. “Now, you smile, but he’s done a calculation, and if you take all the buildings and make their roofs white and if you make the pavement more of a concrete type of color rather than a black type of color, and you do this uniformly . . . it’s the equivalent of reducing the carbon emissions due to all the cars on the road for 11 years.”

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) argues that “Secretary Chu actually understated the potential benefits of global whitewashing. The Lawrence Berkeley research he refers to (which we wrote about last fall) says that white roofs and pavements could mean a one-time reduction of 44 billion tons of carbon dioxide. That, Art Rosenfeld said, translates to removing all the cars in the world for 18 years.”

Highly reflective Duro-Last roofing system

WSJ goes on to talk about the potential benefits of such a movement. “Reflective surfaces also reduce temperatures in urban “heat islands,” and reduce the need for air-conditioning, which in turn reduces the demand for electricity, which generates its own greenhouse-gas emissions.”

Gardens in the Sky

Putting gardens on rooftops is a fast growing trend. Vegetative rooftops mitigate urban heat by cooling and humidifying the surrounding air, creating a microclimate which has beneficial effects within the immediate area.

They create biodiversity, encouraging wildlife, such as birds, butterflies and insects to remain within urban areas. Plants and shrubs also filter out dust and smog particles. Just about any plant imaginable can be grown on a rooftop garden, including fruits, vegetables and flowers. Green rooftops also reduce noise levels and are most effective on buildings near airports, factories or busy freeways.

The Secret is in the Membrane

A Protected Membrane Roof (PMR), much like a garden rooftop, protects the roof membrane from climatic extremes and physical abuse, thereby greatly increasing the life expectancy of the roof. Often referred to as an “upside down roof,” a PMR’s temperature range is drastically reduced. In fact, the PMR system provides a thermally protected environment with conditions far superior to those endured by membranes before insulation was used between decking and waterproofing. By simply reversing the insulation and the membrane – insulation on top of the membrane rather than beneath – the cause of many roofing problems can be eliminated. Development of better roofing systems is ongoing, but PMR solutions are only getting more effective.

Make it Useful

Converting or designing normally unused roof areas into green roofs combined with usable spaces simply makes sense. Almost anything can be integrated into a rooftop, from walkways to benches to volleyball courts.

Most green designs include a park-like setting and there are many benefits beyond just environmental. Personal well-being is a significant factor in the design of the usable rooftop and people tailor these to their individual wants and needs.

A simple outcome of reclaiming the roof of a building and making it an amenity for buildings occupants is the increase in property value. And besides having a great looking roof, you feel good because of the positive environmental impact. These are just a few of the many ways roofing research and development is moving into the future.

Most people don’t know that there are really two types of standing seam metal roofs: architectural and structural. Architectural are those you can see from the ground. They are aesthetic in design and intended to look good on the building.

Architectural Standing Seam Roof

Structural standing seam roofs are flat/low-sloped roof decks that are intended to be more functional than aesthetic.

Structural Standing Seam Roof, Before and After Duro-Shield Metal Retrofit Installation

Modern metal roofs are among some of the most practical and long lasting available. They offer great security and protection to the building, and they are usually a reliable and worry free long-term choice. However time catches up with everything and rusted roof decks and leaks may start to compromise the building’s integrity.

With over 60 billion square feet of metal roofing in place in the United States and two billion more installed each year, that adds up to a lot of leaks – and a lot of money spent fighting them. When the integrity of the structural metal roof deteriorates, membrane retrofit solutions can provide a better option than replacing the metal roof or continuing to repair it. Membrane retrofits are a cost-effective, single-ply roofing solution that can usually be installed directly over existing metal roofs.

Duro-Shield Metal Retrofit Roofing System

We offer the Duro-Shield Metal Retrofit Roofing System to protect the building against rain, temperature changes, interior drips, ice build-up, as well as rust and corrosion. Our prefabricated membrane is custom designed to fit the metal roof exactly, and is assembled in our factory, eliminating 80-85% of rooftop installation labor. This solution keeps Mother Nature outside, while your inventory, equipment, and workers stay safe and dry inside.

Our jam-packed agenda included general session presentations on our new Duro-Guard™ insulation product line, our re-vamped warranty program (we now offer 16), and updates to our marketing and sales activities. We were pleased to welcome featured speakers Robert Stevenson and Larry Winget to our general sessions as well.

Breakout sessions covered a variety of topics, ranging from business growth, to rooftop solar installations, to new EXCEPTIONAL® Metals product developments.

At our awards banquet, we were honored to present Parsons Commercial Roofing of Waco, Texas, with their sixth consecutive Contractor of the Year award. Congratulations Stuart Parsons and company!

In between, we managed to squeeze in some recreational activities, including our annual golf outing, beach olympics, a fishing trip in the Gulf, and our closing night, pirate-themed farewell extravaganza.

We chose our theme – “Beyond Boundaries” – because we’re proud of our history of breaking the barriers set by others in the roofing industry. Innovation, product portfolio, warranties – plus the roofing contractors that install Duro-Last products. Put them all together, and it’s not just good, not just great, it’s the best combination in the business!

We thank all our contractors for making the 2012 National Sales Seminar a terrific event, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at next year’s Seminar at the Manchester Hyatt in San Diego, January 27-29.

Closing Down the 2012 National Sales Seminar On Stage with the Pink Flamingos! (Click to enlarge.)

Bill has joined the JRB family of companies as the Vice President of Manufacturing and is based in the Saginaw, Michigan office. He is responsible for overseeing the plant operations of all four Duro-Last locations as well as, Plastatech Engineering®, Ltd.; Oscoda Plastics®, Inc.; EXCEPTIONAL® Metals;, and TIP-TOP® Screw Manufacturing. Bill’s responsibilities include oversight of production, quality, inventory, and safety, with the overall objectives of meeting customer delivery requirements and company sales and profitability goals.

Bill has over 25 years in leadership positions in multi-plant manufacturing environments, most recently as Plant Manager for Gardner Denver Thomas, a manufacturer of industrial pumps for the medical and environmental industries.

Bill is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he received both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering.

VP of Manufacturing, Bill Carroll

Cory will be responsible for all accounting activities including financial analysis, strategic planning, policy development and implementation, compliance and reporting in support of corporate objectives for Duro-Last and its sister companies; Plastatech® Engineering, Ltd., EXCEPTIONAL^® Metals, Creative Impressions^®, Oscoda Plastics®, Inc., and TIP-TOP® Screw Manufacturing, Inc.

With extensive experience in financial management, budgeting, coordination between multiple departments, costing systems, and continuous improvement processes, Cory will be a strong contributor to the achievement of the financial goals of all companies.

Cory is a graduate of Michigan State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. He received his Master of Science in Finance degree from Walsh College, School of Accountancy and Business Administration.

Cory will be based in Duro-Last’s Saginaw Michigan office.

Chief Financial Officer