Using GPS Technology and Web Imagery In Roof Consulting May 15, 2010 In the late 1990s, this author watched an interview of a military satellite expert on television. The man stated that the government no longer needed to send people to observe gatherings of individuals; instead, they could use satellites to watch. He went on to say that he could not divulge the extent of the technology, […] Read More
Slab-Edge Insulation Completes The Line Of Defense Against Heat and Energy Loss In Homes and Buildings May 15, 2010 Inspired by current federal tax incentives for energy conservation, today’s home and building owners have a heightened interest in making their structures more energy efficient. As a result, there is a growing demand for greater amounts of insulation in both new construction and retrofit projects. Typically, this insulation is installed where the need for it […] Read More
Osmosis and the Blistering of Polyurethane Waterproofing Membranes May 15, 2010 ABSTRACT Cold-applied, asphalt-modified, elastomeric polyurethane waterproofing membranes (polyurethane membranes) have been popular for roofing and waterproofing applications in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia for at least the past 15 years. Relative low cost and easy application resulted in their widespread use in inverted roofing and waterproofing membrane assemblies (IRMA) applied to concrete decks. However, […] Read More
Better Design and Building Practices For Reducing Water and Moisture Problems in Wood-Framed Commercial and Multifamily Buildings May 15, 2010 Read More
Electronic Leak Detection: A Quality Assurance Tool May 15, 2010 Water penetration through roofing and waterproofing systems is a common problem to many buildings. In fact, industry studies show that over 50% of newly completed buildings are delivered with water intrusion problems of the building envelope. Low-slope roofs, commonly referred to as “flat roofs,” have a disproportionate share of leaks, due mostly to the fact […] Read More
Stone Wool Insulation: Europe’s Gift to The North American Roof Designer May 15, 2010 Today’s roof system designers rely on insulation for a variety of purposes: thermal protection, roof cover enhancement, wind-uplift protection, fire protection, sound attenuation assistance, rooftop drainage, and as appropriate surfaces upon which to place the roof cover. There are no insulation panaceas appropriate for all conditions, roof covers, and attachment methods. The North American roof […] Read More
New Life Cycle Data for EPDM: Outstanding Performance in Reducing Environmental Impact May 15, 2010 Thanks to a number of factors— the growing emphasis on environmentally responsible building practices, the employment of increasingly sophisticated criteria for financing of construction projects, and more government regulations of public construction—the concept of life cycle assessment (LCA) has grown in importance and use. LCA is a scientific approach to evaluating the environmental impact of […] Read More
Alternative Fastening System for Thermoplastic Roof Membranes May 15, 2010 Change is as inevitable in the roofing industry as it is in life. In fact, during the past decade or so, we’ve seen extraordinary change in the industry, particularly as it pertains to single-ply materials. Besides the acceptance of an entirely new generation of material called thermoplastic olefin (TPO), the thermoplastic segment has continued to […] Read More
