Before you get a commercial roofing quote, ask your roofing contractor these 7 questions:
1. Which roofing system is best for our climate and building needs?
It is estimated that defective design & engineering is responsible for nearly 50% of all roofing failures. It’s important to consider insulation, drainage, fire resistance, water tightness, thermal expansion and puncture resistance. Your roofing system should be practical for your building type and location.
2. Is it necessary to tear off the entire roof?
Eliminating waste can help the environment and your budget when re-roofing. Ask about roofing systems that can be installed over your current roof.
3. Does the roof system moderate temperatures in summer and winter?
Cool roofing systems, green roofing systems, and solar-integrated roof systems can help moderate indoor air temperatures, even if your building doesn’t have air conditioning. The end result would be reduced energy costs and may even improve employee health, well-being, and morale.
4. How long is the warranty?
Do you know how long your warranty is? Ask!. Does the warranty cover the entire roofing system, including installation defect?. Be sure to ask if there are any exclusions and fees associated with the warranty for issues like incidental damages and ponding water.
5. Does the roofing system comply with Energy Star requirements?
At the government’s Energy Star Website, you will find details regarding the minimum standards for the minimum reflectance during specific periods in the roofing system’s life.A roofing system must show 65% reflectance initially and 50% reflectance with 3-years of exposure to the climate as minimum requirements. Another resource for finding out ratings for solar reflectance is the website for the Cool Roof Rating Council. 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. At a minimum, solar reflectance should be 70% and solar emittance should be 75% for government facilities.
7. Does the roofing materials manufacturer 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. The number of different types of products that much of this waste can be turned into continues to amaze us each day. You will discover that they will include flooring, park benches, roadway materials, even new roofing materials.
