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Here is our list of the Top 10 Questions (okay, perhaps a few more than 10, in no particular order) every client should ask their commercial, industrial, and institutional roofing contractor:

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.  Some systems may not be practical for certain building types and locations. As an example, a “cool” roof may not afford the types of benefits we’ve spoken about in primarily cooler climates. A commercial building in Florida will stand to see substantial energy savings versus a similar building in North Dakota.

2. Is a complete roof tear-off required?

One of the top considerations in re-roofing projects is minimizing the environmental impact by reducing or eliminating waste.   Several types of roofing systems can be installed over your existing roof.  If we discover that option is a possibility for you, this will reduce construction time, lower your overall costs, and minimize trips to the landfill.

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. What type of ventilation does my roofing system offer?

Ventilation systems can be either 1-way or 2-way, assuming it has a ventilation system at all.  In order to help reduce moisture and the appearance of mold - ventilated roofing systems are very desirable.  Ventilation allows the building to breathe and reduces the build-up of energy-sapping heat.  Either option is good for a building, but for more effective moisture evaporation, an Army Corps of Engineers study concludes that the 2-way ventilation is the way to go.

5. What is the roofing manufacturer’s reputation?

This “question” actually has a subset of very important questions regarding the manufacturer of your roofing system option:

• Does the manufacturer do a post-installation inspection?
• Does the manufacturer train, monitor, and grade/rate contractors?
• What is the range of life-expectancy (in years) for this type of roof system in this area?
• How much maintenance can I expect will be required and how often?
• What have been the primary failure modes with this type of roof? How are they resolved?

6. How long is the warranty?

Be certain to find out the length of the warranty.  Find out if it covers the entire roof system, including installation defects.  Find out if there are any exclusions and/or fees in the warranty for issues such as ponding water and collateral damages.

7. Is the roofing system Energy Star Compliant?

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. Initial reflectance must be at least 65%. After 3-years of exposure to weathering, it must have a minimum reflectance of 50%.  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.  With this information, you’ll know whether or not your roofing system options are energy efficient.

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

If it meets the ASHRAE 90.1 standard it does!  The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers established standard 90.1 to set the minimum requirements for energy efficient building design.   This standard was adopted by the federal government in 1994.  The minimum solar reflectance requirement is 70% and the minimum solar emittance level is 75% for government facilities.

9. Is a system Life Cycle Assessment available for my roofing system options?

A life cycle assessment (LCA), is a science-based measurement of the environmental impact of a roofing system through its entire life cycle.  The parameters include material extraction costs, manufacturing waste, embedded energy, and recycling & reuse potential.  Additionally, you may want to follow up by asking if the materials manufacturer can provide a Life Cycle Costing analysis, which we posted about earlier in our White TPO Roofing System article.  Many building owners consider life cycle costs one of the most important aspects of a roofing system.  And if they don’t, they should!  Just ask us!

10. 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.  The number of different types of products that much of this waste can be turned into continues to amaze us each day.  Some examples include, but are not limited to:  flooring, roadways, park benches, and yes - turned back into new roofing materials.

V.A. Morelli Construction, Inc., your roofing contractor in Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, Bucks and Montgomery County, and surrounding regions will work with you every step of the way to determine which roofing option is best for your investment.  Call us today!