Top Questions to Ask Your Industrial Roofing Contractor
Here is our list of the Top 7 Questions every client should ask their commercial, industrial, and institutional roofing contractor:
1. Which roofing system is best for our climate and building needs? Defective design is responsible for almost 50% of roofing failures. It’s important to consider insulation, drainage, fire resistance, water tightness, thermal expansion and puncture resistance. Certain roofing systems might not work for your building type or location.
2. Is it necessary to tear off the entire roof? Minimizing the impact on the environment should be considered when re-roofing. There are roofing systems that can actually be put on right over your current roof.
3. Will the roofing system help lower energy costs by moderating temperatures? Looking into eco friendly roofing options such as a vegetative roof can help control temperatures in the building and extend the life of the roof. Lower energy costs can help offset the costs of a new roof.
4. How long is the warranty? Be certain to find out the length of the warranty. Clarify what the warranty covers, up to and including installation defects.. Sometimes warranties have exclusions and fees for things like ponding water and additional damage that may have been caused.
5. Is the roofing system Energy Star Compliant? Visit the Energy Star Website to discover the detailed requirements for minimum solar reflectance during the roofing system’s life-expectancy. 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. Armed with this information, you’ll understand the energy efficiency expectations of your roofing system.
6. Can the right roofing system choice make me eligible for Federal tax breaks? It may if it meets the standard ASHRAE 90.1. The standard 90.1 was established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers – the minimum requirements for energy efficient buildings. The federal government adopted this standard in 1994. The minimum solar reflectance requirement is 70% and the minimum solar emittance level is 75% for government facilities.
7. Does the manufacturer of the roofing materials for my project have a recycling program? Several manufacturers have created recycling programs to collect materials once the roofing system and reached the end of its useful life. You would be surprised at the types of products that are created from old, worn-out roofing materials. As an example, you find creations like park benches, roadways, flooring, and even new roofing systems come from recycled roofs.
