Green Roof Benefits - Energy Savings by reducing surface temperature!
July 2, 2008
Because green roofs reduce the surface temperature of a roof by minimizing heat-absorbing surfaces, a green roof helps to reduce energy costs inside the building as well, for businesses in South Florida. For example, on a 90-degree day, while a blacktop roof surface can be as hot as 160 degrees, a typical green roof temperature will only be 95 degrees.
A green roof helps to protect roof membranes from extreme temperature fluctuations and the negative impact of ultraviolet radiation. A TectaGreen™ green roof can double the life span of a conventional roof. With proper maintenance you can protect your businesses in South Florida and prolonging the life of your roof.
The urban heat island is the overheating of urban and suburban areas, relative to the surrounding countryside, due to increased paved, built-over, and hard surface areas. Aver-age summer temperatures in major cities across North America have been on the rise over the past decade. These artificially high summer temperatures have a range of direct and indirect negative impacts on our quality of life. The urban heat island effect increases the use of more electricity for air conditioners and it increases the rate at which chemical processes generate pollutants such as ground level ozone. It also exacerbates heat-related illnesses. Green Roofs intercept the solar radiation that would strike dark roof surfaces and be converted into heat thereby improving energy conservation. Like urban forests and reflective roofing surfaces they absorb and/or deflect solar radiation so that it does not produce heat. An ASHRAE simulation conducted by the City of Chicago of their City Hall Green Roof showed that every one degree Fahrenheit decrease in ambient air temperature results in a 1.2% drop in cooling energy use. The study suggests that if, over a period of ten years or more, all of the buildings in Chicago were retrofitted with Green Roofs, (30% of the total land area), this would yield savings of $ 100,000,000 annually from reduced cooling load requirements in all of the buildings in Chicago. The cooling would also slow the chemical processes that produce ground level ozone, nitrous oxides and smog, and help offset the production of sulphur dioxides from coal fired utilities.
The Environmental Protection Agency defines an urban heat island (UHI) as a metropolitan area which is significantly warmer than its surroundings. On hot summer days, urban air can be 2-10°F [2-6°C] hotter than the surrounding countryside. Green roofs for businesses in South Florida, can work to reduce urban heat islands, minimize heat-absorbing surfaces, provide improved air quality, as wellhelp with storm water retention and filtration.
Green Roofs can be designed for exceptional storm water retention capability. The plants capture and hold rainwater. Water stored in the growing media is released through evaporation and evapo-transpiration. Storm water retention rates are determined by saturated infiltration capacity, thickness of the growing media, field capacity, porosity, under-drainage layer water retention and flow, and relief drain spacing. Where jurisdictions demand lot-level storm water charges, zero runoff policies, or a requirement for storm water management ponds, this ability to retain storm water may result in direct and indirect financial incentives.
Green Roofs also filter out fine, airborne particulate matter as the air passes over the plants. Airborne particulates tend to get trapped in the surface areas of the greenery. Rains wash it into the growing medium below. Plants also absorb gaseous pollutants through photosynthesis and sequester them in their leaves. Studies show that tree-lined urban streets have 10 - 15% fewer dust particles than found than similar streets without trees.
By creating a functional and aesthetic environment, all TectaGreen green roofs provide visual appeal for businesses in Palm Beach County, Broward and Dade County - South Florida. However, an intensive green roof system, trees and shrubs can be included as well as other larger plants in a wider variety. This green space is often an inviting and well-utilized area providing a green respite in an urban setting.
By protecting roof membranes from extreme temperature fluctuations and ultraviolet radiation, a TectaGreen™ green roof can double the life span of a conventional roof, and provide energy savings by reducing heating and cooling costs. TectaGreen can also improve site utilization by reducing the impervious surface area of a building to increase potential square footage for construction. And, because TectaGreen conforms to the rigorous Green Building Rating System standards created by the U.S. Green Building Council there are inherent savings including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for tax benefits. The LEED program was created to provide a national standard for the building industry. The TectaGreen system contributes directly towards a maximum of 3 points. These points generate tax credit in many states, including Florida.
Crucial Commercial Roofing Tips in Boca Raton, Florida
June 30, 2008
Commercial roofing is extremely important to the business owner as they want to make certain they get the best type they can to ensure the safety of their customers and meet all the building standards that are in force everyone’s safety in Boca Raton, Florida as well.
One of the main concerns for your commercial roofing job in Boca Raton, Florida is to get a reliable contractor who can do the job right. It’s imperative to find someone that is reliable, and that can really meet your expectations and the roofing deadline in an imperative manner. A great way to find someone to do a good job for you is by word of mouth. Contact some of your friends or business associates and they may be able to tell you of someone they’ve used in the past that did a great job without delay.
Yet another main concern for your commercial roofing job in Boca Raton, Florida is find the most attractive type of commercial roofing for your business. This may require some research because you certainly want to make certain you have the most attractive roofing that can be offered to you. You want to get roofing that will give you durability as well as attractiveness as well.
The following options of commercial roofing are available in Boca Raton, Florida for your roofing needs:
1. Sheet metal roofing is often a favorite choice for commercial business owners because it can be attractive as well as one of the most durable that you will be able to purchase. This really makes it one of the favorite choices because metal roofing can last from 30 – 50 years.
2. Asphalt shingles are most likely the least inexpensive to purchase and are used by many business owners, but they aren’t nearly as durable as sheet metal roofing. You also can have a wide variety of choices that can make any exterior look attractive but they usually only last around 20 years.
3. Tile roofing is a great choice for roofing and can offer you the most attractive of roofing but can be very expensive. It is indeed durable though and can last up to 50 years, which makes it a viable choice.
So, as you can see, you have many great options to meet your commercial roofing needs in Boca Raton, Florida, depending on what type of look you wish to achieve.
Benefits of a Metal Roof in South Florida
June 25, 2008
A house’s roof is a major part of any construction plan and one of the most important structural aspects. Homeowners who are concerned with getting the most for their money and who are looking for long-term roofing alternatives which are both beautiful and practical are gravitating more and more to metal panel roofing. Copious research has shown that this option has become enormously popular in the last ten years.
Metal roof paneling has been proven to withstand all sort of weather, lasts a long time, and requires little to maintain. What is more, its makers have extended our choice of finishes, styles and colors to coordinate with and beautify our structures. Technological developments in coatings and finishes have made it possible to develop cool metal roofing which provides greater economy by decreasing energy use and therefore reduces the money we spend to cool or heat our buildings that are located in West Palm Beach, South Florida.
There are many questions that come up when you are talking about metal residential roofing. There are numerous choices available, so it is very important that you know about the difference between roofing systems. You will get the maximum benefit from your metal roof only when you are sure that it has the right underlayment, substrate, and finish for your building.
Metal panel roofing has two primary categories which are designated according to how the roof withstands water and the slope of the roof. The first kind is used on roofs that have a low slope that would need water-resistant panels. The other variety, architectural or non-structural roofing, can be used on roofs with steeper slopes and is intended to get rid of the water as quickly as possible.
Normally, in a structural roof, panels are capable of spanning between structural supports, and are joined by clips to the building structure, The floating clip system that fastens the structural panels to the roof allows for thermal expansion and contraction. Since thermal expansion and contraction influences all materials to some extent, structural panels and flashing must be designed in such a way to accommodate that same expansion.
If your roof is compiled of structural metal framework and purlins then it is likely that a structural metal panel roof system would work for you. You want to be able to support the structural load that will be placed on the roof so if you live in an area prone to high winds or heavy snow then it is easy to install the panels over the existing material such as metal, plywood or an oriented-strand board combination.
Roofs are very important structural features. Value aware house owners are looking for long-term roofing solutions which contain aesthetics and performance together. Everyday, more consumers are choosing metal panel roofing technology. Metal roof paneling has been proven to withstand all sort of weather, lasts a long time, and requires little to maintain. There are many questions that come up when you are talking about metal residential roofing. Structural roofing is useful on roofs with a lower pitch as the panels themselves are water resistant. Non structural roofing, which is also called architectural roofing, can only be used on steeper slopes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_McCall
Commercial Roofing in West Palm Beach
June 25, 2008
The fact is that commercial roofing differs from residential roofing in many ways and understanding just how commercial roofing in West Palm Beach is bid and installed is crucial if you are gong to have a commercial building roofed. To start with, just because a building is used for commercial purposes does not mean that it will qualify as a commercial roofing job because in short, it is the size of the roof and type of roofing that is used that defines a commercial roof.
ETM Roofing is a professional commerical Roofing company located in West Palm Beach Florida.
For one thing a large commercial roof will tend to have large air conditioning units on it that have to be contended with and if it is, for instance, a restaurant this can also make a difference, because they will tend to have more mechanical features on the roof. These can drive the cost up significantly, because they often have to be lifted by a crane to be roofed under and around.
However; if it is a warehouse roof with no mechanical features on it, it will make a big difference in the price. New roofing products are now being used that were specifically designed for commercial roofing, such as torch down rubberized roofing that are fast replacing conventional layered hot roofing, so there are now more choices in roofing materials to choose from when having a commercial building in West Palm Beach re roofed.
What type of products you choose can make a huge difference in the cost of a commercial roofing job, so it is important to bear this in mind. Also, it is important that you choose a roofing contractor that does roofing on a regular basis, as they will tend to have the manpower and the equipment that is required for a commercial roofing job.
What will ultimately determine the total cost on a commercial roofing job is the square footage, so it helps to pre-measure the roof so you know the amount of roof that you are dealing with when you are in the process of taking bids.
Written by Chuck Sarte. Find the latest information on Commercial Roofing Kentucky.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chuck_Sarte
Welcome to ETM Roofing…
May 21, 2008
We are a full service roofing company located in West Palm Beach, Florida offering residential, commercial and industrial roofing services. At ETM Roofing, we pride ourselves on providing quality workmanship and a courteous team of experienced professionals. All of our work is guaranteed and customer service is our top priority.
Whether you are seeking a new roof or roof repairs, our highly skilled staff is equipped to handle your specific concerns. Proudly serving the Lake Worth, Florida and West Palm Beach areas.
If you are in need of a reliable and trustworthy roofing contractor, contact ETM Roofing to handle all of your roofing needs. As an experienced roofing contractor company, we have acquired a great level of experience and knowledge in the roofing industry and because of that, we are able to offer you outstanding services and value.
Green Roofs help alleviate:
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Storm Water Management
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Air and Water Purification
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Provides Sound Insulation
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Extends Roof Life
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Adds Value Aesthetics
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Reduces Urban Heat Island Effects
Distinct advantages: Simplicity in Design, Pre-Planted Modules and Movable Modular Features.
