Canonical Hour

Ask your commercial roofing contractor these 7 questions before you get a quote:

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. Certain roofing systems might not work for your building type or location.

2. Is tearing off the entire roof necessary?

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. Will the roofing system help lower energy costs by moderating temperatures?

Green and vegetative roofing systems as well as solar panels can help control inside temperatures and even make the roof last longer. Lower energy costs can help offset the costs of a new roof.

4. What is the length of the warranty?Do you know how long your warranty is?

Ask! Clarify what the warranty covers, up to and including installation defects.. Sometimes warranties have exclusions and fees for things like ponding water and additional damage that may have been caused.

5. Will this roofing system be Energy Star Complaint?

A client can find the minimum requirements for reflectance and emittance at the government’s Energy Star Website.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. For what Federal tax deductions might my roofing system afford me?

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. Government facilities require a minimum solar reflectance and 75% solar emittance respectively.

7. What kind of recycling program does the manufacturer of the roofing materials offer?

Many manufacturers have recycling programs in place which gather the roofing materials and recycle them once their useful life has ended. It’s amazing the numbers and types of new creations are born from recycled roofing materials. Some examples include, but are not limited to: flooring, roadways, park benches, and yes - turned back into new roofing materials.