Sustainability is a paramount tenant of construction to minimize the environmental impact of carbon emissions. Commercial Roofing is no exception, as commercial roofs suffer some of the worst wear and tear from environmental impacts, and thereby need to be replaced more often than other elements of buildings. New materials are required for both roof replacement and repair, creating an environmental impact from the materials themselves and the carbon emissions from their transport to the site.
The most sustainable action a property owner can take with their roof plan is to prolong the life span of their existing roof with regular maintenance. By implementing a proactive maintenance and inspection initiative, properties require fewer re-roofs, thereby minimizing the materials, energy, and carbon footprint required for a full roof replacement.
A proactive and planned roof maintenance program prevents premature replacement of commercial roofing systems. In addition, at the end of its service life, a well-maintained commercial roof has more sustainable options for its membrane replacement, such as a re-skin, re-cover, or fluid-applied restoration, none of which are full tear-offs.
When a commercial roof requires a full tear-off when replaced, non-recyclable materials are hauled to landfills, while new materials are transported from their factories to the property. Consider the insulation, which, when replaced, requires high freight costs as numerous truckloads are required to transport the new material, thus creating a larger carbon footprint from the vehicles’ emissions. However, when the commercial roof system is well maintained, the building’s deck and insulation are protected and do not require costly replacement; economically or ecologically.
Although insulation is not typically recycled, some of the common membranes, including PVC and EPDM, are. One of the most eco-friendly roofing membranes is SOPREMA’s ECO3 smog-reducing granules. These membranes absorb nitrogen oxide gases in their environment before being naturally cleaned and washed away by rainwater. This process drastically reduces ground-level pollutants and greenhouse gases in the environment.
In summary, by proactively maintaining a building’s commercial roof system through regular inspection and maintenance, a company can significantly reduce its carbon footprint while being financially conscious and dedicated to sustainability.