The #1 Energy Efficiency Tip You Should Consider Before Replacing or Restoring Your Roof

In this article I will share with you the #1 most critical thing you need to consider before replacing or restoring your roof. You will learn that your roof can become an energy asset, keep you cool in summer and reduce the costs of cooling your home.

Firstly, some back ground.

We are all aware of global warming and the need for us to reduce CO2 emissions, and that the power used in our homes is a major contributing factor to the problem. Our homes consume large amounts of energy generated from burning fossil fuels, with a large proportion of that energy use being contributed to the operation of air conditioners to keep our homes cool.

It never ceases to amaze me, that with the increased cost of energy, and with a population that is suffering with ever increasing summer heat, that, for the most part people ignore one of the most basic principals in keeping their homes cool.

THE BUILDINGS ROOF, THAT SHOULD BE HIGHLY REFLECTIVE TO SUNLIGHT…….

So with that said, what is a reflective roof?

In simple, a reflective roof can be any roof cladding (substrate) that reflects solar heat away from the surface of the home and keeps the surface of the cladding cool. The cladding is usually a sheet material where heat reflective coatings are applied on new or existing metal cladding or a concrete or asbestos roof that has been restored using heat reflective paint as the final protective coating. I note, the cost of restoring a roof using reflective paint as apposed to normal paint, should be no more expensive. So do not let the contractor say otherwise.

If you are replacing your metal roof (i.e. cladding is that is beyond restoration), then ensure that heat reflective paints are applied to the new cladding. A galvanised metal roof sheet may be the first port of call, with heat reflective paints then being applied to the galvanised metal cladding. If you are about to restore your roof (be it metal, concrete or asbestos), the # 1 thing you can do is to ensure that your roofing contractor uses heat reflective paint as part of their restoration system, and that the products they use are supplied by a reputable supplier and carry the correct testing, third party accreditation and comply with all national building codes.

There are a number of key points that you can ask your contractor to ensure your new reflective roof provides you maximum reflectivity with optimum comfort and thereby provides you energy savings.

To ensure you are truly getting a heat reflective roof, you should ask the following questions;

1. Do you use heat reflective paint as part of the restoration system? In the event they do not offer heat reflective paint, look for another roofing contractor or ask them if they can find a supplier of suitable reflective coatings to substitute their normal acrylic coating.

2. Can you provide me with the test data on the heat reflective paint that you use?

It is important that the heat reflective paint proposed has all of the required test data that demonstrates its compliance and performance to heat reflective and thermal standards. The heat reflective product must have absorbance values, total solar absorbance values, solar reflectance index values and emittance values. 3. Check that the test data they give you is credible and from a reputable external test laboratory?

The heat reflective coatings test values must be prepared by reputable external test laboratory. Do not accept reports from the reflective paint manufacturer themselves or the manufacturer’s own laboratories that claim the heat reflective performance, as they can be biased. Definitely do not accept products that have no proof of test data at all.

4. Do the products have independent third party accreditation?

Independent third party accreditation for products is very important, as it provides further assurance that the products will perform as stated, their respective heat reflective values are credible and provides compliance to relevant building codes.

5. Do the products have documentary evidence that they comply with the relevant insulation standards?

Insulation standards are national or international standards that specify the required test procedures for insulation materials and boundaries that must be met by the heat reflective products, in order for them to comply to the respective standard, e.g., AS/NZS 4859.1 Materials for the Thermal Insulation of Buildings. If the heat reflective products do not comply with the relevant standard, they should not be used.

6. Do the products comply with an Environmental Certification Scheme?

Environmental certification schemes are very important when considering heat reflective paint. There is no point in using a product that ticks all the heat reflective boxes but is toxic to use or can further damage the environment or your health. Check whether toxic ingredients exist in the heat reflective paint or see whether an Environmental Certification scheme is provided to the product to cover issues such as the levels of Volatile Organic Content (VOC) and other ingredients used in the production of the reflective paint to ensure that it is free from banned chemicals such as Antimony, Barium, Cadmium, Lead, Chromium, Mercury and Arsenic.

If you are about to restore, paint or replace your roof, it is important that you consider the multiple benefits that a heat reflective roof will provide. Use the six point above to make sure you select a roof that is guaranteed to be highly reflective to sunlight, that it is compliant to all standards and is safe to use, and above all, see this selection process as the perfect opportunity to make a positive difference to our environment. Environmental leadership is everyone’s responsibility.

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Posted by admin on February 11th, 2011 :: Filed under Roofing Cladding
Tags :: Before, Consider, Efficiency, Energy, Replacing, Restoring, Roof, should

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Wall cladding – How to refurbish well

Wall cladding is often the answer to problems that appear with walls – whether they are weak due to their design, damaged due to old age, or worse, there’s only one solution that doesn’t involve knocking down walls, or the whole building.

Wall cladding provides an elegant, affordable solution, to these problems; it’s also lightweight, attractive and can be fabricated in a number of finishes, colours and textures.

Wall cladding at its best

Wall cladding is at its best when installed with some forethought to its surroundings. It’s often good to couple wall cladding with roof cladding.  Making them match, or designing them to contemporise and stand out is the choice of the end user.  At its best, wall cladding can create an impression of space, or to create partitions and more – making it ideal to repurpose an industrial space into office space.

Wall cladding with coated steel is often a great choice for modern developments. Exterior wall cladding can be designed with more functional needs in mind for example it can form the ideal base for rainscreens to be fixed to. The cladding provides the high-end aesthetic appeal, combined with the insulation, and the rainscreen to protect the development to last its lifetime.

Building envelopes

Cladding envelopes rely on one thing – the ability to stay solid, under the pressure of weather – to do so, the metal cladding has to be of top quality, and installed to correct procedures.

Most companies test and warranty their product for up to 25 years or more – so it’s important to examine these certificates, plus any other warranties that would relate to compliance before the end user makes a choice on final materials.  There can be a sustainable warranty on metal cladding, as companies are taking sustainability – in both design and materials more seriously, creating cladding that remains attractive, and environmentally friendly for a lifetime.

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Posted by admin on January 23rd, 2011 :: Filed under Roofing Cladding
Tags :: cladding, refurbish, wall, well

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Inspection and maintenance of steel roof and wall cladding systems

How often should inspections take place?

They should be carried out periodically through the building’s lifetime. It is difficult to quantify how often as different building locations and designs will demand different levels of maintenance. It is suggested that the building be inspected after the first year of occupation to assess future maintenance requirements and the duration required between inspections.

In line with Health & Safety Executive (HSE) latest Working at Height Regulations, every effort must be made to avoid having to go on to the roof to facilitate inspections. It may be possible to inspect the roof from a cherry picker, an access hatch or with binoculars from ground level or adjacent buildings.
Build up of dirt and debris

A build-up of dirt and debris can occur on all surfaces, on all elevations and on roof cladding. Such build-up will be particularly profound at any irregularity, such as at corners, penetrations and gutters. In some environments such as industrial estates and areas close to busy roads, dirt will build up more quickly than elsewhere.

Rainfall will have a degree of washing effect. However, any area of the building sheltered from rain, for example the top of roller doors or overhanging eaves, will not benefit from this natural cleaning effect.

Cleaning

Large quantities of debris can also lead to the overflowing or ponding of water, particularly in guttering, which may also lead to corrosion. To avoid this, debris should be swept into a pile, using a stiff, soft-bristled brush and removed. Shovels or hard tools should be avoided. All dirty areas should then be washed down using clean water. Do not use salt water or high pressure jets with a hose. If necessary use a recommended cleaning product, or a 10% solution of a good household or industrial detergent, before applying a final hose down with clean water. A soft-bristled brush can be used for particularly stubborn deposits.

Oil can be removed by wiping the area with white spirit before cleaning and rinsing as for general dirt and debris.

In some areas birds can be a nuisance. A build-up of bird droppings can occur on roofs and this may significantly alter the pH of the surface water run-off. Buildings used as communal roosts, where an excessive build-up of bird droppings is possible, should be regularly monitored and cleaned down.

This old farm cottage is being renovated back to its original condition, as far as is possible anyway. The slates used so far came off of the roof before the wall was rebuilt.

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Posted by admin on January 13th, 2011 :: Filed under Roofing Cladding
Tags :: cladding, Inspection, Maintenance, Roof, steel, Systems, wall

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Roof cladding – an alternative to roofing tiles

Roof cladding is often used in industrial and commercial projects, as it’s tough, lightweight design and low maintenance needs give it solid refurbishment and new build qualities. But increasingly in ultra-modern designs, roof cladding can be used to give a well-rounded look that can’t be created with more ‘traditional’ materials. From traditional corrugated roofing, to faux tile looks, there’s a roof cladding ‘look’ for everyone.

From traditional to cutting edge

Traditional roof cladding is often designed to blend in with the ‘look’ of the material as it’s been manufactured over the last couple of decades of more. Traditional corrugated or flat panels have been used in prefab builds, schooling, and industrial builds, creating a recognisable profile for roof cladding – unfortunately, it’s also become the ‘synonymous’ look of roof cladding.

Coated steel panels, fabricated into other shapes are slowly becoming more popular and are a sustainable and often better choice than tiles and other shorter life products. Tiles may loosen and fall off, but in most cases, roof cladding remains in situ until its end of life replacement schedule. Metal roof cladding is also a good alternative because it’s fully sustainable and recyclable, making it the ideal choice for environmentally conscious redevelopments, refurbishments or new builds.

The coated steel solution

Coated steel is becoming the gold standard in commercial and industrial constructions, creating a synergy between design flexibility and low maintenance, but is also one of the most cost effective (over lifetime) materials available at present.  It and aluminium make great roof cladding materials, and are easy to replace, sustain, repair and recycle, making them the ideal choice for refurbishment or regeneration projects.

Coated steel is available with extensive guarantees, making it one of the most rigorously tested materials on the market, and it can be coloured or cut into various designs and shapes, making it one of the most flexible products available. It’s strong too, allowing for developments that may otherwise have not been possible. And with its low maintenance profile, it’s also the ideal choice for barely accessible or inaccessible areas, and can be coloured to specifications, without any run off or water pollution concerns.

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Posted by admin on December 14th, 2010 :: Filed under Roofing Cladding
Tags :: Alternative, cladding, Roof, Roofing, tiles

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