Ice Dams or Shingle Degradation a Concern? A New Tool to Predict the Ventilation Performance of Insulated Steep Roofs May 15, 2009 INTRODUCTION This paper addresses two issues that are common to steep-sloped roofs: ice dams and excessive heat buildup that can lead to roof cover deterioration. Ice dams occur in U.S. climate zones 5-8 and are caused by melting snow or ice that refreezes at the lower edge or eave of steep roofs. Excessive heat buildup […] Read More
The Basics of Metal Roofing May 15, 2009 Like any other factors that make up a building exterior envelope, a metal roof has several basic elements that, when designed and installed properly, will provide a building with a roof surface that will yield decades of satisfactory service. These basics hold true for both new and retrofit metal roofs. On the other hand, if […] Read More
Condensation Problems In Cool Roofs May 15, 2009 ABSTRACT In some regions of the United States, socalled “cool roofs” have become mandatory in order to save cooling energy in summer, and it is expected that these roofs will also become more widespread in other parts of the world. A cool roof uses a bright surface to reflect incident solar radiation, which significantly lowers […] Read More
Metal Roof and Wall Panel Components In Contact With Preservative-Treated Lumber May 15, 2009 Copper-containing, preservative- treated lumber is corrosive toward certain types of metal roof or wall panels and most of the recommended fasteners. With the exception of copper or copper alloys, where metal roof or wall panels and accessory materials must be installed in contact with coppercontaining, preservative-treated lumber, the Metal Construction Association (MCA) suggests the use […] Read More
The Hidden Risks of Green Buildings: Why Building Problems are Likely in Hot, Humid Climates May 15, 2009 The great irony of building green is that the very concepts intended to enhance a building’s performance over its entire lifetime are many of the same things that make a building highly susceptible to moisture and mold problems during its first few years of operation. While green buildings have many positive benefits, there is also […] Read More
Commercial Roof Ventilation: A Careful Balancing Act May 15, 2009 Common wisdom states, “Prevention is better than cure.” This is certainly the case regarding roof ventilation. It is much easier to design a roof from the beginning that provides the needed amount of ventilation in order to avoid the various issues associated with poor airflow. Among those issues are ice dams, moisture buildup, leaks, premature […] Read More
Engineering Performance of Garden Roofs in North (Canadian) Climates – Five Years of Field Data May 15, 2009 Read More
