How? Well, first you need a basic understanding of GPS.

The Global Positioning System is a navigation system made up of satellites that were placed into orbit 12,000 miles above the Earth by the US Department of Defense. Originally intended for military applications, the government decided to make GPS available for civilian use in the 1980’s. Currently about 24 satellites circle the earth twice a day, traveling roughly 7,000 mph, and transmit signal information to Earth. GPS receivers collect this information and are able to calculate a user’s exact location and display it on the unit’s electronic map. As you are probably aware, GPS units in vehicles are replacing our familiar, well-worn fold out road maps. GPS works in any weather condition, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. This technology has not only become a worldwide aid to navigation but also a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, tracking, surveillance and yes, roofing. Roofers are now using state-of-the-art GPS equipment to inspect and diagnose your roof.

Recent patented GPS technology now allows for digital data to be collected, accurately documented, and stored off-site with a web-based program. Roof data can be organized and useful reports generated sometimes not back at the office but while the inspector is still on the roof. A roofer with a mobile GPS sensor and a hand-held computer can document and present what a roof looks like in the beginning of a service contract, keep electronic records of every inspection and repair and combine this information with photos, scale roof maps and infrared images to create a comprehensive survey of the roof. All this information can then be stored on a website for easy access, 24-7, for both the roofer and the customer.

Because data is collected as part of the task of performing roof inspections and maintenance, it requires no additional work to keep the database current. This is a feature that was critical to the structural engineers at the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command. By the time traditional roof inspections and resulting data were completed and compiled for the over 18 million square feet of roofing on 1,600 facilities at ACC, some of the information in their database was already obsolete. That’s when ACC looked to a firm employing GPS technology. All of ACC’s roof information was now easily accessible to all levels of personnel, the database could be kept current without ongoing, additional effort, and ACC was now able to get comprehensive roof surveys and data management in time to allow for optimal decision making and immediate implementation of critical projects. Timely information was needed — and delivered.

In the Louisville area, Commonwealth Roofing Corp. has been utilizing GPS technology for some years now. Owner Michael Sasse uses this technology as the cornerstone of Commonwealth’s 1-2-3 Inspection and Maintenance Program. GPS allows our customers to get the most from their roofing investment. The information we gather on a roof lets us take our clients on a ‘virtual tour’ of their roof — but — from the comfort of their office. It helps them pinpoint, document, and address problems in their roofing system and adequately maintain that roof.

The GPS product we use is Roof Express. It permanently documents and stores a scale map of the roof or section with all features and rooftop equipment precisely located and inventoried. All potential or real problems (defects) are also located and a dated record of all corrective actions creates a historical timeline of work on the roof and its costs. Another nice feature is its Roof Condition Scoring. For each section of roof we inspect, we answer a bank of yes/no questions on our PDA and a score is automatically generated. The score then appears on the website and is “color coded” in green, yellow, or red to give a quick visual assessment of each roof’s condition. Roof sections in good shape are green; sections needing attention in order to avoid an emergency down the road are yellow; and sections needing to be replaced or refurbished immediately are red. This makes planning and allocating roof expenses quick and accurate. Understandable and timely information is vital to get the most out of a roof system. It’s all about minimizing costly repairs & maintenance, and of course, staying dry.

For more information contact Michael Sasse, (502) 459-2216

Commonwealth Roofing Corp.

“Thatch does a natural breathing,” Joseph explained. “During the day heat literally stays ‘on top’ of the thatch and at night the thatch releases what small amount of heat it did absorb during sunlight hours. Thatch has been shown to have the highest R-value of any roofing material.”

One might think that because thatch roofing is made from naturally grown products that it would decompose in a short amount of time. Just the opposite is true. Thatch roofs can last up to fifty years or more. “The oldest thatched roof I ever worked on was in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was 80 years old.” And thatched roofs can effectively keep a building cool in hot summer months and warm in the coldest of winters. “The typical thatch roof is 12″ thick and has amazing natural heating and cooling abilities,” Joe explained, “but just exactly how long a thatch roof will last depends on where the materials come from and where they’re being used.”

Joseph Sasse spent two years apprenticing in England with master thatcher, Peter Brugge. Joe then returned to the U.S. and for the past ten years has been applying his knowledge and perfecting his skills as a thatcher all across the nation. “Thatch roofs are most widely seen in this country on pool houses, gazebos, and on buildings where an authentic look is desired, like a winery. One of the biggest calls for thatch roofs is at theme parks and zoos.” Joe has worked on thatch roofs in places like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and the Oakland and Bronx Zoos.

As you might guess, Joe is one of a rather elite group. “In the U.S., thatchers are a very small community and we’re all acquainted. When we have a large project to do, we sometimes bring in thatchers from England and Africa to help.” One of Joe’s ambitions is to educate the private residential market in not only the aesthetics of a thatch roof, but also its durability, thermal quality and green roof benefits. “Even after a thatch roof has been used for over 50 years, the water reed can be recycled into paper.”

So what would be the number one reason an individual might choose a thatch roof? We put the question to Joe. “Aesthetics” was his answer. “Thatch roof buildings bring the romance and charm of the old world to today’s century. It reminds us of the magical tradition of thatching that is still prevalent in England, Ireland and Europe.” Today there are around 24,000 listed thatched buildings in the United Kingdom, some 5% are new buildings and 1,500 individuals are still engaged in this ancient craft. “Those looking for authenticity can have a beautiful, problem-free roof. It will cost a bit more than a traditional slated roof, but most homeowners with a thatch roof feel it is definitely worth the investment.”

With today’s emphasis on “green”, it might be impossible to imagine a roof any “greener” than thatch. It’s 100% natural, affords the best insulation value from the heat and cold, it’s impermeable to precipitation, by “breathing” it keeps the structure below it cool in summer and warm in winter, it can last up to 50 years or more and it has a charm and beauty that no other roof can boast. With all that said it might be safe to say, “Thatch is back.”

For more information contact Joseph Sasse (502) 459-2216

Commonwealth Roofing Corp.

Our challenge is clear. We have to change our habits. And while it’s going to take real commitment to reduce our “carbon footprint” and work toward sustainability, fortunately there are many things we can do as individuals. The choices we make in our daily travel, the food we eat, what we buy and throw away, and especially the kinds of buildings and homes we construct can help ensure sustainability for future generations. There is already “sustainable architecture” out there, and you may be surprised to learn that the roof over your head can do a lot more than just shelter you from the rain and sun.

Most big cities, when seen from above, are black or dark gray roads and rooftops, which turn the area into a heat absorbing environmental hazard, instead of what was once trees and grass taking sunlight and CO2 and converting them into oxygen. Today’s “green” roofing materials can actually reduce a building’s carbon footprint. Many roofs around the world are literally “growing” by being planted with trees, grass, drought resistant plants and ground cover. These “live roofs” can reduce the temperature on a rooftop from 190 degree to 90 degree. And when it rains on a live roof, precipitation is captured and used by the ecosystem living on the roof, or it is safely and systematically run off.

Another of today’s green roofs is actually white! By changing a black roof to a white roof, you can reduce the temperature of your roof by 100 degrees, saving you not just air conditioning costs, but also maintenance on your roof because a cooler roof will not degrade as fast as a roof that is always scorching hot. One such product is the Cool Zone® Roof by the Duro-Last Corporation.

Cool Zone® is a highly reflective PVC membrane that is white through and through. And of all roofing choices, it is one of the best for sustainability. Not only does it reflect sunlight to save building owners up to 40% in annual electricity costs, it provides significant waste reduction throughout its entire life cycle. Sustainably speaking . . .

- Only 43 percent of PVC membrane composition is derived from nonrenewable fossil fuel feedstocks, compared with other single-ply and built-up systems that contain a much higher percentage.

- PVC requires less energy to produce than competitive products.

- PVC roofs last for 20 to 30 years.

- There is virtually no scrap in PVC roof manufacturing or installation.

- PVC roofs can often be installed directly over old roofs, eliminating landfilling tear-offs.

- PVC roofing membranes are the only roofing material that can be recycled back into roofing products.

- PVC roofing has an extremely low contribution to greenhouse gases and hazardous emissions due to closed-loop manufacturing.

From cradle to grave, a Cool Zone® Roof requires less energy to produce, less energy to ship due to its lighter weight, less time to install due to its flexible nature, and instead of ending up in a landfill, it’s recyclable. The Duro-Last Cool Zone® roofing system is a leading sustainable building product. It has earned the ENERGY STAR® label for its reflective ability; it can help buildings obtain credits under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design); and its “carbon footprint” has less of an impact on our environment and improves what we all are working toward . . . sustainability.

Studies have calculated that if every commercial building in the world — which is an amazing 37% of the world’s square footage and uses 60% of the world’s energy consumption — had a cool roof, it would lower the overall temperature of Earth by one degree.

Can one degree change the world?

At a 1 degree rise in temperature, scientists predict the plains of the western US would become hyper arid, wiping out grazing and dry land farming in the region.

With just a 1 degree increase in temperature, reefs and corals would be severely threatened, and when corals and reefs die, this would threaten food security globally.

A 2 degree temperature rise would be a death sentence for small islands like Jamaica and others in the Caribbean.

If global warming reaches 2 degree or 3 degree Celsius, we would likely see changes that would make Earth a different planet than the one we know now. The last time it was that warm was about three million years ago, when sea level was estimated to have been about 80 feet higher than today.

And should the earth’s temperature change as much as 6 degree as it did during the age of dinosaurs, it caused their extinction. From then it took hundreds of millions of years for Earth to sequester the increased amount of carbon from its atmosphere to create the environment with which we humans are familiar today.

To sustain is “to make something continue to exist”. Where’s one place to start? Just look up. Up on the roof.

For more information contact Michael Sasse, (502) 459-2216

Commonwealth Roofing Corp.

www.commonwealthroofing.com

Note of local importance:

In 2008, a Brookings Institution report ranked Louisville as fifth-worst among the 100 largest U.S. metro areas in per-person carbon emissions for residential and highway energy use. A committee working through the Partnership for a Green City is expected to recommend nearly 200 steps to help tackle global warming and shrink Louisville’s “carbon footprint”. One of the steps to be taken will be to lobby for more stringent local efficiency standards in building codes.

“Hot town, summer in the city, doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city.

All around people lookin’ half dead, walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match-head.”

Today we know that there is a substantial temperature difference that exists between urban and rural areas. Known as the heat island effect, urban areas tend to be 3 degrees to 8 degrees hotter due to the concentration of heat-absorbing buildings, pavement, auto exhaust and hot air from cooling systems. And because traditional rooftops are usually covered with tar, black membrane or shingles, they absorb sunlight. On sunny days with an air temperature of 95 degrees F, city roofs can reach temperatures of 175 degrees or more. Studies have also shown that lack of vegetation in urban areas contributes more than 50% to these higher temperatures.

LiveRoof^® is proving to be a champion in the fight against global warming. LiveRoof^® is a roofing system that uses pre-vegetated modules filled with live, growing plants that act like an umbrella to shade and insulate buildings. Once installed, LiveRoof^® transforms a heat absorbing flat rooftop into a beautiful expanse of succulent ground cover, water conserving accent plants, hardy bulbs and drought tolerant perennials and grasses. And because plants release oxygen and evaporate water, a LiveRoof^® actually makes the surrounding air cooler. This evapotranspirative effect of plants on a roof can reduce indoor temperatures 6 degrees to 8 degrees during hot weather and reduce air-conditioning costs up to 50% in single story buildings.

In urban areas, impermeable surfaces such as streets and sidewalks dominate the landscape and prevent rainwater from following a natural cycle of absorption. As much as 75% of rainwater runs into sewer systems carrying contaminants from the air and roadways. The soil and plants in every LiveRoof^® act like a sponge and can reduce runoff by up to 90+% annually, lessening the risk of sewer overflows and flooding.

Plants and soil are great acoustic insulators, too. Studies have shown that green roofs can reduce indoor sound by as much as 40 decibels. And every roof beneath a LiveRoof® is shielded from the elements. Typical estimates are that a green roof potentially extends roof lifetime between 200% and 300%, one of its biggest financial advantages.

” . . . Runnin’ upstairs, gonna meet you on the roof top.”

Of course there’s the aesthetic benefits. Green roofs are better looking than asphalt, gravel or tar; they’re a natural habitat for butterflies, insects and songbirds; and they create a more pleasing landscape, which means more productive, healthy, happy, creative and relaxed people. You can even walk on your LiveRoof^® plants a couple times a week without causing permanent harm.

In Louisville, Commonwealth Roofing Corp. is an approved LiveRoof^® installer. Owner Michael Sasse is proud to bring this new and exciting concept to his hometown. “Modules arrive with full-grown plants inside each container ready to be set in place and fit snugly together for a seamless, instantly green rooftop. Because they’re pre-vegetated, they discourage weeds and save the time and money traditionally required to develop and maintain a green roof grown from plugs, seeds or cuttings. Each module also has positive draining for healthy roots. There are no water reservoirs that can cause root rot. And if a roof ever needs service or modification, every module can be easily lifted to access the roof. Another important benefit of LiveRoof^® is its specially formulated soil which is designed to last indefinitely.”

“There are three LiveRoof^® systems with for all kinds of rooftops. The Standard LiveRoof^® module weighs approximately 27-29 lbs/sq. ft. and Live Roof Lite, which is often the best choice for retrofit applications, weighs 15-17lbs/sq. ft. LiveRoof is earth friendly, an energy saver and aesthetically pleasing. It can also help building owners achieve their LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) that in turn promotes human and environmental health.”

“And babe, don’t you know it’s a pity, the days can’t be like the nights, in the summer in the city.”

LiveRoof^® It’s one step toward making “summer in the city” better in every way.

For more information contact Michael Sasse, (502) 459-2216

Commonwealth Roofing Corp.

As a building owner or manager you really are dependent upon your roofing system to deliver safe and secure shelter. With inspection, maintenance and repair, you can extend the life and performance of your roofing system to maximize the return on your investment. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, preventive maintenance adds 30%-100% service life to a commercial roofing system. Yes, you read the number right — 30% to 100%. Low-cost but well-planned preventative maintenance can double the life of a roof. And still another factor to consider is your energy management. Proper roof design and regular maintenance can also result in the most energy-efficient roof.

So where do you start? Have a professional inspect your commercial rooftop systems on a regular basis. Michael Sasse, owner of Commonwealth Roofing Corporation has this to say about inspection and maintenance: “At Commonwealth Roofing we are keenly aware of the value of roof maintenance. We’ve developed a 1-2-3 Maintenance Program that assures our customers that small roof problems don’t become major expenses. We schedule regular roof inspections and perform routine maintenance usually twice a year. And for the last few years we have been using GPS (the global positioning system) to help us compile and analyze information on our clients’ roof systems. From it we can develop a detailed record for each building or major section of roof with photos and notes keyed to scale roof drawings. GPS also allows us to gather, enter and send the information to a website while we’re on the roof. It’s more accurate and a real time saver.”

For your commercial roofing system, Sasse recommends you have a professional perform these steps at least once a year:

1. Have your entire roofing system inspected. That includes flashings, drains, gutters, etc.
2. Document each inspection. Techs should carry a digital camera to document suspect roof conditions.
3. Remove debris, clean gutters, leaders and drain grates.
4. Make minor repairs at the time of inspection – touch up flashings and caulking.
5. Mark or replace missing, defective, or dislodged shrouds, HVAC components, and pipe covers.
6. Provide estimates for roof repairs, maintenance, and/or replacement, especially for coating smooth asphalt roofing and painting metal.
7. Comply with and document compliance with the maintenance requirements of the manufacturer’s warranties in effect. Most manufacturers require regular maintenance to keep their roof warranties valid.
8. Add all documentation to your roof’s history file. With this kind of information, you can know years in advance when your roofing system will have to be replaced and what the projected costs will be.

The cost for a documented inspection can range from less than $200 for a simple visual inspection of a small to medium-sized building to several thousand dollars for a GPS-generated detailed report of a large or complicated facility. Either way, a well-executed inspection is money well-spent.

The causes for the differences in temperatures from rural to urban areas breakout something like this: 56% is attributable to less vegetation; 38% is caused by dark roofing; and 6% is the result of dark paving. Black rooftops and pavement create “hot spots” that absorb far more heat than their surrounding areas. And as these hot spots increase the temperature of the air around them, they also increase the probability of smog.

Today’s “green” builders know the importance of using “cool roof” products that can combat global warming and the “heat island” effect. One such product is the Duro-Last® single-ply roofing system made for flat and low-sloped, commercial and industrial roofs. The highly reflective white membrane is the real defender in this fight. It reflects more of the sun’s rays and delivers real savings in monthly energy bills. And like its name suggests, Duro-Last® is exceptionally durable, as well as leak-proof, resistant to high winds and virtually maintenance free.

Michael Sasse, owner of Commonwealth Roofing Corp. in Louisville, partnered with Duro-Last® in 1987 and is now one of their Elite Contractors. “Duro-Last® is a roofing system we’re proud to represent. As a charter partner in the EPA’s Energy Star® Roof Products program, Duro-Last® has made an enormous contribution to rooftop sustainability and energy efficiency. Duro-Last® membranes are watertight, resist ponding and are extremely effective at reflecting sunlight and heat away from buildings. And building owners especially like the Duro-Last® comprehensive 15-year full warranty; it’s the best in the industry.”

As a KRCA Certified Contractor (Kentucky Roofing Contractor’s Association) with 28 years of experience, Michael feels it’s important that customers know where he stands. “At Commonwealth it’s our goal to always have up-to-date knowledge of what’s out there, what’s ‘green’ and what’s not. And because Kentucky has no licensing requirements for roofers, it’s up to each of us to deal fairly and honestly with customers. That’s what I’ve always done and will always do.”

Today, climate change is recognized by many as one of the greatest possible dangers facing humanity. With the urban “heat island” effect, people who live and work in overheated buildings must endure not only discomfort but also possible danger; and owners of hot buildings face escalating energy costs and potential energy shortages. As an approved Energy Star product, Duro-Last® roofing can lower roof surface temperatures and decrease the amount of heat transferred into a building, reducing peak cooling demands by 10% to 15%.

Over half the people in the US live in a “heat island” . . . and it’s no vacation spot! It’s sweltering summer temperatures, scorching pavement and ever increasing energy use which leads to higher energy costs, increased pollution and environmental degradation. Americans spend one-sixth of all electricity generated in this country on air conditioning, so it’s critical that we take advantage of every means possible to reduce energy usage. The good news is one solution is already out there . . . up on the roof.

For more information contact Michael Sasse, (502) 459-2216

Commonwealth Roofing Corp.

What do you look for? First, if tree branches are touching your roof, this isn’t good. As much as we love having trees to shade our home, we still have to be aware that too much contact with the roof can cause problems. Branches can scratch and gouge roofing materials when winds toss them around. Branches that have fallen from overhanging trees can damage and puncture shingles. And then there are those pesky leaves that can clog your gutters causing water to backup into your attic or upstairs bedrooms. Overflowing gutters can also cause water to run behind the fascia. (The fascia is the vertical board that caps the end of the rafters on the outside of your home.) Bottom line for tree limbs? Trim them back away from your roof.

Next thing to look for is black or discolored streaks. This is generally a sign that you have a problem with algae. While algae will generally not harm shingles, the discoloration can make the roof look old and worn out prematurely. The stains can be treated by a professional cleaning company for immediate results, or you can use a roof cleaning solution specified for that purpose. You can also install zinc strips along the ridge of the roof. How does this help? When it rains, the zinc strips release harmless zinc oxide that is a mild algaecide. Pretty clever, huh? This does take time to be effective, though. We don’t advise trying to clean algae stains off shingles with bleach or other harsh chemicals, or by using a power washer. Most non-proprietary chemical solutions can harm your lawn and landscaping and power washing can damage the shingles.

Third, look for damaged or missing shingles. Even if your roof is only a few years old you need to do this. When shingles are missing or torn, your roof and your home interior are vulnerable to water damage and rot. Loose shingles can easily get blown off, torn or lifted by wind gusts. The moment you see a problem like this, get it fixed or fix it yourself. By acting immediately, you could save yourself thousands of dollars.

Replacing a shingle here or there yourself is not that difficult. Start by using a pry bar to pop loose the shingle tabs from the sealant below them. Then pull out the nails of the damaged shingle and the nails of the shingle directly above the damaged one. Gently rock the damaged shingle back and forth to remove it. Then replace it with a new shingle. Be sure to get four nails into the new shingle and to reinstall all the nails in the row above it. If your roof is steep or the damage is more extensive, or you have a tile or slate roof that’s damaged, the best advice is to call a professional roofing company.

These are the top ten things to do and look for to keep a shingled roof in good working condition.

1. Clean all debris from the surface of the roof including debris that has gathered behind HVAC units, pipes and pitch pans and any other roof penetrations.

2. Clean moss and fungus off roof; install zinc or lead control strips along the ridges and hips to prevent algae stains.

3. Check all flashings for deterioration, holes or caulk deterioration.

4. Replace damaged and missing shingles. Dab roof cement under any loose shingles.

5. Keep all gutters and downspouts free of debris. Make sure they’re draining properly by running water through them from the garden hose.

6. Trim back any overhanging tree branches.

7. Check the open valley and flashing metal for rust. Wire brush the rust, then prime and paint the metal.

8. Check all caulking and sealants. Scrape and remove any caulking that is weather cracked and damaged. Clean the area thoroughly and use a wire brush if necessary. Reapply polyurethane caulking.

9. Check the mortar on chimneys and parapet walls, both in between the brick and on top. If it’s damaged or deteriorated have it tuck-pointed. Any mason can perform this work.

10. When the time comes for major repair or replacement, choose a professional roofing contractor who is certified by the Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association. There is no government licensing of roofing contractors in Kentucky or Indiana, so how can you tell if a roofing contractor is lying to you? If he tells you he’s “licensed” to do roofing. Even though there is no licensing, a KRCA Certified Contractor is certified to be properly insured and bonded, meets ongoing educational requirements and agrees to the KRCA Code of Ethics. (www.krca.org/join/code.aspx)

For more information contact Michael Sasse, (502) 459-2216

Commonwealth Roofing Corp.

Yes, buildings, like your kid’s school or your office building. Even when there’s no smokestack spitting out black soot, buildings are still a large contributor to climate change. And if you go up on top of the building you’ll see the reason why. It’s that black roof.

Imagine how you’d feel if you spent a sweltering summer day in the sun wearing nothing but black. You’d roast. That’s why people wear white clothing to stay cooler in hot climates because white reflects light while black absorbs it. Similarly, black rooftops absorb heat and at the same time increase the temperature of the air around them.

The Energy Star Roof Products Program, sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency, has a list of qualified roofing products that reflect more of the sun’s rays. Solar reflectance is the most important characteristic of a roof product for yielding the highest energy savings during warmer months. These products can lower roof surface temperatures, decreasing the amount of heat transferred into the building and thus the amount of air conditioning needed. One of the most effective products tested by the EPA is the Duro-Last Cool Zone® Roofing System.

Duro-Last Cool Zone® is a highly reflective PVC membrane that is white through and through. And in Energy Star tests only Cool Zone® had an initial reflectivity of 87.5% and retained most of that reflectivity (85%) after three years of weathering. Made for flat or low sloped roofs, Cool Zone® is durable, virtually maintenance-free, inherently recyclable, and can dramatically reduce roof surface temperatures, lowering cooling costs and keeping non-conditioned space more comfortable and productive for workers. Cool Zone® calls itself “The World’s Coolest Roof”, and tests have proven that to be true.

In Louisville, Commonwealth Roofing Corp. is a Duro-Last® Elite Contractor and a KRCA Certified Contractor (Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association) with 28 years of experience. Commonwealth owner, Michael Sasse, along with his sons Nathan and Joe have consistently been ranked among the top roofing contractors in the region. “At CRC, we’re bringing what’s new, smart and ‘green’ in roofing to business owners. That’s why we chose to represent Duro-Last® products. Buildings covered in Duro-Last Cool Zone® roofing have seen up to a 40% reduction in energy consumption during peak times. It’s one of the fastest and least expensive ways to reduce energy costs.”

As President Barack Obama has stated, “Few challenges facing America, and the world, are more urgent than combating climate change.” Duro-Last Cool Zone® roofing is a huge step in the right direction. It’s effective in virtually all climates and has an excellent environmental reputation.

Black roofs are pass©. These days the smart and energy-efficient roof is wearing white . . . and going green!

For more information contact Michael Sasse, (502) 459-2216

Commonwealth Roofing Corp.

Now, research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California has revealed what effect millions of white rooftops could have on the environment. A 1,000 square foot area of rooftop painted white or covered in white roofing material has about the same one-time environmental impact as cutting 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Impressive!

So with that in mind, if the estimated 360,000 square miles of urban rooftops and pavement we have covering the planet were white or light colored, that would result in a one-time reduction of 44 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) entering the atmosphere. Or it would be about the same as taking all the earth’s automobiles off the road for 11 years. Now that’s really impressive!

This spring Energy Secretary Steven Chu took part in the climate change symposium in London and said that the U.S. administration is ready to do some global whitewashing and would like to make every roof an energy-reflecting white. A Nobel laureate in physics, Chu says this simple idea is “completely benign” and yet it will help to keep buildings cooler and reduce energy use from air conditioning while it reflects sunlight back away from Earth — something that can have benefits individually, locally, and globally.

Michael Sasse, owner of Commonwealth Roofing Corporation, tells us that the cost of going with a “cool roof” usually isn’t much more (if any) than a typical darker roof. Asphalt shingles with a white or light tint are roughly the same cost as other shades. And for covering flat commercial roofs, Michael is a big fan of the white PVC roof system by Duro-Last®. “We’ve represented Duro-Last® for years and they have an excellent environmental reputation. It is an Energy Star product that will reduce the electricity load for air-conditioning and is one of the most effective products tested by the EPA.”

Michael reports that buildings covered in Duro-Last Cool Zone® roofing have seen up to a 40% reduction in energy consumption. That has obvious benefits for the individual building owner, but by reflecting solar gain away from the building, it also helps reduce the local “heat island” effect. This is the phenomenon where temperatures can be several degrees higher in urban areas because of so much heat-absorbing dark roof material and road pavement.

Finally, besides the direct global benefit of reducing buildings’ cooling costs, an efficient system like Duro-Last® compounds this global benefit with reduced energy consumption in its manufacturing process, transportation burden, and installation costs. A longer service life than competitive dark roofs means the roof will need to be replaced less often, plus, when it does come to the end of its useful life, it’s recyclable.

So is it time to start thinking about making our roofs white? According to our Secretary of Energy, yes! Chu says we need a “new revolution” in energy generation to cut fuel consumption and emissions. And Michael Sasse adds, “Many ‘Green’ ideas come with substantial costs or changes of lifestyle. With roofing’s ‘White = Green’ principles, though, doing the right thing really comes quite easily and can be a lot less expensive.”

For more information contact Michael Sasse, (502) 459-2216

Commonwealth Roofing Corp.