Where Trust Is Money

Before you get a commercial roofing quote, ask your roofing contractor these 7 questions:

1. Is this the best roofing system for this roof deck, my building, our climate?

It is estimated that defective design & engineering is responsible for nearly 50% of all roofing failures. Critical consideration must be given to drainage, windage, insulation, fire resistance, thermal expansion, tensile strength, puncture resistance, and watertight performance. Your roofing system should be practical for your building type and location.

2. Is tearing off the entire roof necessary?

Minimizing the impact on the environment should be considered when re-roofing. Several types of roofing systems can be installed over your existing roof.

3. Does the roof system moderate temperatures in summer and winter?

Green and vegetative roofing systems as well as solar panels can help control inside temperatures and even make the roof last longer. Lower energy costs can help offset the costs of a new roof.

4. How long is the roofing system under warranty?

Ask your roofing contractor how long is the warranty. Find out if it covers the entire roof system, including installation defects. Be sure to ask if there are any exclusions and fees associated with the warranty for issues like incidental damages and ponding water.

5. Will this roofing system be Energy Star Complaint?

A client can find the minimum requirements for reflectance and emittance at the government’s Energy Star Website.A roofing system must show 65% reflectance initially and 50% reflectance with 3-years of exposure to the climate as minimum requirements. In addition to the Energy Star website, you can visit the Cool Roof Rating Council Website for ratings of various roofing systems for solar reflectance. Do you research and you’ll know if your selected roofing system is an energy-efficient one.

6. Is my roofing system eligible for Federal tax deductions?

If it meets the ASHRAE 90.1 standard it does! The minimum requirements for energy efficient building design (standard 90.1) were established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. This standard was adopted by the federal government in 1994. At a minimum, solar reflectance should be 70% and solar emittance should be 75% for government facilities.

7. Does the manufacturer of the roofing materials for my project have a recycling program?

Many manufacturers have recycling programs in place which gather the roofing materials and recycle them once their useful life has ended. It’s amazing the numbers and types of new creations are born from recycled roofing materials. Some examples include, but are not limited to: flooring, roadways, park benches, and yes - turned back into new roofing materials.