As the roofing industry continues its march toward creating and installing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly roofing products and roof systems, it's important to realize much of the efforts are in response to increased demand from the building owner and design communities.
For example, The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) have launched extensive outreach programs centered on energy efficiency and environmental issues. And these outreach programs directly can affect what consumers and building owners demand from roofing products.
AIA
AIA is perhaps one of the more dedicated organizations to the green movement. The group of more than 80,000 members has committed itself so thoroughly to the green building movement that this year's theme for its national convention, to be held next month in San Antonio, is sustainability.
But AIA's efforts to promote sustainable building began long before this year. For instance, during December 2005, AIA adopted its High Performance Building Position Statement promoting integrated/high-performance design, which includes reducing by at least 50 percent the amount of fossil fuels used to construct, operate and renovate buildings by 2010.
The statement was adopted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June 2006, and AIA has developed a toolkit to help mayors implement the goals. The toolkit provides guidelines and resources regarding green buildings, communities and infrastructure.
AIA also has teamed with various other groups and government bodies to develop and publish Advanced Energy Design Guides, which list minimum standards for green buildings and help coordinate education and sustainability research into sustainable infrastructure.
For homeowners, AIA has made available its Affordable Housing Design Advisor and Green Housing Network, which help homeowners determine what green building practices are appropriate for their homes.
In addition, AIA is in the process of compiling a list of 50 best practices to help architects design buildings that meet the goals of the statement.
BOMA
Architects aren't the only ones educating or being educated about energy-efficient building practices. BOMA's Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP) teaches commercial real estate professionals how to reduce energy consumption and costs.
Partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), BOMA offers through its BEEP program a six-course educational series focused on energy reduction.
In addition, BOMA recently launched the Green Resource Energy and Environment Network (G.R.E.E.N.) Web site at www.boma.org. The site offers information about sustainability, legislative initiatives, best practices, trends, educational offerings and code development.
NAHB
On the homeowner front, NAHB offers an online diagram of a complete green house—from foundation to roof. NAHB also has a special council for contractors who perform light commercial construction work. For that group, NAHB provides information about green roof systems, how to become a green contractor, and general information about the environmental and energy movements.
The roofing industry
Partly in response to demand from building owners, homeowners and designers, the roofing industry has made a concerted effort to improve the energy efficiencies of its products, as well as address environmental implications.
NRCA embarked on a major effort to educate contractors, consultants, building owners and designers about the energy efficiency of roof systems through its SpecRight Program (for more information, see "Saving energy with the right roofs," February 2006 issue, page 34). In addition, NRCA energy offerings include the soon to be launched online EnergyWise Roof Calculator, Guidelines for the Design of Energy-efficient Roof Systems and upcoming The NRCA Green Roofs Manual.
EnergyWise helps evaluate thermal efficiency and approximate annual energy costs for roof assemblies, and Guidelines for the Design of Energy-efficient Roof Systems is intended to assist design professionals who want to specify energy-efficient roof systems, as well as those who need to meet the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-1999, "Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential."
To be released in July, The NRCA Green Roofs Manual will address the construction of green roof systems, including climate and geographic location, code requirements, slope and drainage, and the importance of carefully considering a structural system before designing a green roof system.
The Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA) also has made significant headway into the energy and environmental arenas. In addition to partnering with NRCA to release EnergyWise, PIMA is co-sponsor of some of BEEP's educational seminars and provides information about energy-efficient roofing. PIMA also has developed relationships with The Construction Specifications Institute and AIA to provide education through the groups' local chapters. In addition, PIMA is working to increase the minimum required roof and wall insulation levels in ASHRAE 90.1. The above-deck roof insulation requirement, which currently is R-15, would increase to R-20. Similar increases are proposed for walls.
The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) is one of the few organizations looking at recycling roofing materials on a grand scale. In 2006, ERA began a research project to determine the viability of recycling and reusing EPDM materials. In "Waste not," page 32, you'll find more information about the project.
The metal sector of the roofing industry also is involved with promoting energy savings. The Cool Metal Roofing Coalition seeks to educate architects, building owners, specifiers, codes and standards officials, and others about the energy-related properties of metal roof systems. On its Web site, the group offers links to articles and research related to the topic. It also offers information about energy rebates consumers can earn, as well as a frequently asked questions section.
A broad approach
It's clear the green building movement is more than a fad. There now is a definitive demand for products that meet higher standards of energy efficiency, and the roofing industry is poised to meet that demand. As the issues evolve and progress is made, Professional Roofing will keep you informed.
Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA's director of communications.
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