What’s The “Best” Roof System

Posted by Dustin Lentz on

Technology continues to evolve exponentially every year. 100 years ago when Cole Roofing was installing roofs, choices for roof systems were limited. Now, it’s A La Carte with so many different acronyms (EPDM, TPO, PVC, SBS, PUMA, FP are just a few) that create more questions than answers. So, which one’s the best, and what to use?!?

Each system has its extensive list of pros and cons, which is the best advice I can give without a lengthy discussion. It all depends on various factors, and Cole Roofing is the solution to define those factors.

Tis the (Maintenance) Season!

Posted by Dustin Lentz on

We are well into the hurricane season, and Hurricane Ian reminded us how much rain could come with a hurricane. Let us not forget…with rain comes water weight.

Hurricane Ian is a strong example of a 100-year storm, and commercial building codes consider those storms. However, the building may be structurally stressed without your knowledge if the roof system doesn’t allow proper drainage. Specifically, when was the last time someone was on your roof to remove debris? This time of year, leaves are falling and will quickly accumulate and easily block your roof drains and gutters. Without those drain components working properly, you may quickly have a pool on your roof, and most commercial buildings aren’t built to accommodate tat pool. Time to think about some simple maintenance that may prevent a future headache!

We’re Going to Need Cleanup in Aisle…Roof

Posted by Dustin Lentz on

Have you ever driven past a restaurant and become hungry because the smell of fried chicken is in the air? Well, that smell from the restaurant is likely coming from the roof. Ventilation and exhaust for the building are typically provided by HVAC equipment on the roof.  That exhaust vent for the kitchen is probably providing the source of that delicious smell. However,  that smell comes with some dangers for your roof. Many roofing membranes do not like animal fats, oils, or greases; unfortunately, that fried chicken comes with many greases. There are grease traps that catch the fats and oils, but often, they are not well-maintained. When the grease trap is full or damaged (or non-existent), the fats and oils have nowhere to go but on the roof. When that happens, the fats and oils may wear down the membrane. Regular cleaning and maintenance of exhaust vents are important to preserve the life of your roof.

Bust Out Your Sunglasses

Posted by Dustin Lentz on

Reflective roofs are definitely en vogue nowadays, but do you know why? Lighter color roofs, typically white, are often called reflective roofs and offer more than just squinty eyes when walking across the roof on a sunny day. In the Mid-Atlantic, we typically see more cooling days than heating days, and a reflective roof will actually keep the roof cooler which helps the HVAC units to run more efficiently. But why is the roof cooler with a reflective roof? It all comes down to the sun and solar radiation. Lighter colors reflect the radiation, whereas darker colors absorb the radiation. During hot summer months, it is not uncommon to see a 20-degree difference between white and black roofs. Something to keep in mind is darker roofs contribute to urban heat island effects, which, simply put, means a warmer roof contributes to hotter temperatures within the city. So, next time you have a roofing project, consider a reflective roof!

Contact Cole Roofing today to assist you with designing your next roofing project, and if we install a reflective roof on your building, don’t forget the sunglasses!