Roofing News and Services

Solar Panel Solution Invented for Metal Roofing

2009-07-21T16:44:00.001-06:00

Solar Panel Solution Invented for Metal Roofing

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El Niño Arrives; Expected to Persist through Winter 2009-10

2009-07-10T11:17:00.001-06:00

NOAA scientists today announced the arrival of El Niño, a climate phenomenon with a significant influence on global weather, ocean conditions and marine fisheries. El Niño, the periodic warming of central and eastern tropical Pacific waters, occurs on average every two to five years and typically lasts about 12 months.

El Niño's impacts depend on a variety of factors, such as intensity and extent of ocean warming, and the time of year. Contrary to popular belief, not all effects are negative. On the positive side, El Niño can help to suppress Atlantic hurricane activity. In the United States, it typically brings beneficial winter precipitation to the arid Southwest, less wintry weather across the North, and a reduced risk of Florida wildfires.

El Niño’s negative impacts have included damaging winter storms in California and increased storminess across the southern United States. Some past El Niños have also produced severe flooding and mudslides in Central and South America, and drought in Indonesia.

click here for the full article from the NOAA

Flexible Solar Power Shingles Transform Roofs From Wasted Space To Energy Source

2009-07-07T16:04:00.001-06:00

Flexible Solar Power Shingles Transform Roofs From Wasted Space To Energy Source

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Putting stimulus funds to work on roof repairs

2009-07-02T16:52:00.000-06:00

click here to read an informative article on your stimulus money hard at work!

EcoStar Roofing Tiles Offer 110-mph Wind Warranty

2009-07-02T16:34:00.000-06:00

Carlisle, Pa. - EcoStar, a leading manufacturer of recycled, synthetic slate and shake roofing tiles, offers a 110-mph wind warranty on its eco-friendly Majestic Slate and Seneca Cedar Shake Tiles. For residents of states that are regularly hit with damaging storms, high winds and hurricanes, EcoStar offers superior protection from a roofing tile with 20 years of proven performance.

"We continually test our roofing tiles to make sure they can withstand the harshest elements," explained Michael McAuley, general manager of EcoStar. "Making a 110-mph wind warranty available is just one more way we can stand behind our product’s performance."

The first line of defense against severe weather is the roof, and homeowners in wind-prone areas should understand the importance of choosing a roofing tile that will protect and defend their home from the harshest weather conditions. EcoStar tiles have undergone meticulous testing to determine their wind-resistance level and have received Miami-Dade County approval for their ability to withstand high winds.

EcoStar Majestic Slate and Seneca Cedar Shake Tiles not only provide enhanced strength and impact resistance but are also environmentally friendly, offering a lightweight yet durable alternative to traditional slate and shake roofing materials. Made from 80% post-industrial recycled rubber and plastic, the roofing tiles utilize millions of pounds of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. Because they are manufactured with minimal filler content, EcoStar tiles also feature long-term performance and enhanced durability backed by an available 50-year transferable labor and material warranty as well as the 110-mph wind warranty.

For more information about EcoStar and all of its products visit www.ecostar.carlisle.com or call 800.211.7170.

Thanks to Roofers Coffee Shop for this great article: click here

U.S. Green Roof Industry Grows By 35 Percent in 2008

2009-06-17T16:53:00.001-06:00

U.S. Green Roof Industry Grows By 35 Percent in 2008

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Green Energy Fulfills Old Promises for Native Americans

2009-06-08T16:44:00.000-06:00

Green Energy Fulfills Old Promises for Native Americans

Professor Steven Chu: paint the world white to fight global warming

2009-05-27T12:45:00.000-06:00

As a weapon against global warming, it sounds so simple and low-tech that it could not possibly work. But the idea of using millions of buckets of whitewash to avert climate catastrophe has won the backing of one of the world’s most influential scientists.

Steven Chu, the Nobel prize-winning physicist appointed by President Obama as Energy Secretary, wants to paint the world white. A global initiative to change the colour of roofs, roads and pavements so that they reflect more sunlight and heat could play a big part in containing global warming, he said yesterday.

Speaking at the opening of the St James’s Palace Nobel Laureate Symposium, for which The Times is media partner, Professor Chu said that this approach could have a vast impact. By lightening paved surfaces and roofs to the colour of cement, it would be possible to cut carbon emissions by as much as taking all the world’s cars off the roads for 11 years, he said.

Building regulations should insist that all flat roofs were painted white, and visible tilted roofs could be painted with “cool-coloured” paints that looked normal, but which absorbed much less heat than conventional dark surfaces. Roads could be lightened to a concrete colour so they would not dazzle drivers in bright sunlight. “I think with flat-type roofs you can’t even see, yes, I think you should regulate,” Professor Chu said.

Pale surfaces reflect up to 80 per cent of the sunlight that falls on them, compared with about 20 per cent for dark ones, which is why roofs and walls in hot countries are often whitewashed. An increase in pale surfaces would help to contain climate change both by reflecting more solar radiation into space and by reducing the amount of energy needed to keep buildings cool by air-conditioning.

Professor Chu said that his thinking had been influenced by Art Rosenfeld, a member of the California Energy Commission, who drove through tough new building rules in the state. Since 2005 California has required all flat roofs on commercial buildings to be white; the measure is being expanded to require cool colours on all residential and pitched roofs.

Dr Rosenfeld is also a physicist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, of which Professor Chu was director. Last year Dr Rosenfeld and two colleagues from the laboratory, Hashem Akbari and Surabi Menon, calculated that changing surface colours in 100 of the world’s largest cities could save the equivalent of 44 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide — about as much as global carbon emissions are expected to rise by over the next decade.

Professor Chu said: “There’s a friend of mine, a colleague of mine, Art Rosenfeld, who’s pushing very hard for a geo-engineering we all believe will be completely benign, and that’s when you have a flat-top roof building, make it white.

“Now, you smile, but he’s done a calculation, and if you take all the buildings and make their roofs white and if you make the pavement more of a concrete type of colour rather than a black type of colour, and you do this uniformly . . . it’s the equivalent of reducing the carbon emissions due to all the cars on the road for 11 years.”

The US needed to increase its investment in clean energy research, he said, citing high-tech industries that spent 10 to 20 per cent of their income on research. The US was spending $1 trillion on generating electricity, but “nothing like” the $100 billion to $200 billion on research that would meet that standard, he said.

Readers of The Times can make their own contributions at the Science Central blog.

Related article from Yahoo Green.

Decorative Metal Snow Guards - SnowCatcher Colors

2009-05-22T12:35:00.000-06:00

New in 2009. SnoBlox-Snojax Decorative Metal Snow Guards are based off of the SnowCatcher that resembles the popular SnoBlox and SnoJax models. The shapes currently available are a Maple Leaf, Sun Burst, Fleur-de-lis and the Mustang. Each decorative guard is made from 304 grade stainless steel, with 50 available TGIC Polyester powder coated colors. The large forward mounted 4.5” Wide face provides a generous holding field and the 1.9” wide base fits most 36” panels with 9” flats. The Professional test results show these snow guards hold up to 1866 pounds and the durable construction does not get brittle like cheap fabricated cast guards. Please visit their website click here for more details.

Commercial Buildings: Energy Efficient Building Practices

2009-05-15T15:48:00.000-06:00

The commercial building market encompasses a diverse mix of structures and purposes – from small retail establishments to corporate office parks, from neighborhood schools to regional hospitals, and from multi-family apartment buildings to universities.

Despite their differences, commercial buildings share a large and growing appetite for energy. They account for 18 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. In a typical office building, energy use accounts for 30 percent of operating costs, the largest single category of controllable costs.

The design and construction of energy-smart buildings offers tangible benefits to building owners and occupants and our nation as a whole.

•Building owners can lower their energy costs by 50 percent or more while lessening maintenance and capital costs.
•Building occupants realize increased comfort, health and productivity.
•Our nation conserves energy resources and enjoys cleaner air and a healthier environment.

Realizing energy savings requires knowledge of best practice guidelines, which are based on Department of Energy research, including collaborations with private-sector partners. The Department of Energy is committed to driving continuous improvements in energy efficient technologies and practices.

The guidelines summarized on this site address each step of the design and building process, giving an integrated, or whole building, approach to new construction and renovation. Whole building design integrates each building system so all the components work together for maximum efficiency.

The guidelines cover the planning and financing of new construction or renovation projects, the design and construction phase, and operations and maintenance. For building owners who want more dramatic reductions in purchased energy, there are opportunities for on-site energy production such as photovoltaic systems, geothermal, and other forms of renewable energy.

In addition to detailed best practice guidelines, this site discusses issues and opportunities for specific building types as well as considerations related to climate zones. The site offers an array of information including commercial building success stories, and energy related software and publications. It is aimed at building owners, facilities managers, architects, engineers, and builders who seek to incorporate energy efficient building practices into a new or existing commercial building.

Learn more about the Department of Energy's efforts to improve commercial building efficiency through research and partnerships. Visit the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative for resources, information, and tools

Are you in a Solar America City?

2009-05-11T15:31:00.000-06:00

Through the Solar America Cities partnership, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded financial and technical assistance to 25 cities pursuing city-wide solar energy initiatives. The 25 Solar America Cities are partnering with more than 180 organizations and have committed $11.9 million in funding to match $11.2 million in DOE assistance, for a combined investment of $23.1 million.

•Have a population of 100,000 or more
•Demonstrate a commitment to city-wide adoption of solar power.
The cities that received awards are geographically and demographically diverse, and they represent solar markets at varying levels of maturity.

Solar America Cities accelerate the adoption of solar energy nationwide by helping cities address a wide variety of market issues and build solar power capacity. They also facilitates peer-to-peer networking, so solar cities can benefit from each others' experiences as they develop solar infrastructures within their jurisdictions.

Solar America Cities Goals
Each of the Solar America Cities aims to:

•Integrate solar technology into city energy planning
•Streamline city-level regulations and practices
•Promote solar technology among residents and local businesses.
•Serve as a model for other cities interested in promoting the use of solar energy technologies.

Visit the Solar America Cities Web site to learn more about the program and its activities.

Solar America Cities
These are the 25 Solar America Cities selected by DOE:

Ann Arbor, Michigan
Austin, Texas
Berkeley, California
Boston, Massachusetts
Denver, Colorado
Houston, Texas
Knoxville, Tennessee
Madison, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota
New Orleans, Louisiana
New York, New York
Orlando, Florida
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Portland, Oregon
Sacramento, California
Salt Lake City, Utah
San Antonio, Texas
San Diego, California
San Francisco, California
San Jose, California
Santa Rosa, California
Seattle, Washington
Tucson, Arizona

ENERGY STAR FAQ

2009-04-27T13:57:00.000-06:00

What are the benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified roof products?Benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified roof products include:

Saves Money and Energy: According to EPA, about $40 billion is spent annually in the US to air condition buildings — one-sixth of all electricity generated in a year! ENERGY STAR qualified roof products reduce the amount of air conditioning needed in buildings, and can reduce energy bills by up to 50 percent.

Downsizes Cooling Equipment: A reflective roof can reduce peak cooling demand by 10-15%. As a result, the home or building owner may be able to purchase a smaller, more efficient, and less expensive cooling system.

Decreases Pollution in Urban Areas: Reduced energy demand means less burning of fossil fuels, which results in less pollution from power plants. Also, ENERGY STAR qualified roof products help to reduce the “heat island effect,” in which dark, heat-absorbing buildings and paved areas make the air in urban areas hotter, and more smoggy.

Increases Roof Product Life: ENERGY STAR qualified roof products maintain a more constant temperature and reduce thermal shock, which occurs when cool rain hits a hot roof, causing a sharp drop in temperature. During temperature changes, a roof expands and contracts, causing stress and degrading the roof.

How much can businesses expect to save by installing ENERGY STAR qualified roof products?

Energy savings from installing ENERGY STAR qualified roof products will depend on the geographic location and climate where it is installed, existing insulation levels in the building, the type of roof it replaces, the type of roof installed, and how well it is kept clean and maintained. In general, cooling energy savings can be as high as 50 percent. Additionally, a reflective roof can reduce peak cooling demand by 10 to 15 percent. As a result, building owners may be able to purchase smaller, less expensive HVAC systems.

How can I find ENERGY STAR qualified roof products?

The ENERGY STAR label will appear on roof product packaging and advertisements. If you are installing or replacing a roof on a commercial or residential building, be sure to ask your roofing contractor or manufacturer about ENERGY STAR. Find a list of ENERGY STAR qualified roof product manufacturers.

For answers to more questions, and more detailed information visit their website at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roof_prods.pr_roof_faqs#s6

Funny Roofing Pic: Wouldn't you call this hard access?

2009-04-14T16:25:00.000-06:00

View the whole post at http://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/community-links/photo-of-the-month.asp#archive (courtesy of rooferscoffeeshop.com)

"Cool Roof" from GAF

2009-04-13T17:03:00.000-06:00

The benefit of solar reflectance and thermal emittance is based on simple science. Dark materials absorb a greater amount of heat than lighter/white materials. A typical asphaltic black roof absorbs 70% or more solar energy than a "cool roof". On a sunny, summer day, a black roof can reach temperatures in excess of 170°F. On the same day, the highly reflective GAF Cool Roof can be as low as 110°F.
A typical asphaltic roof can absorb 70% or more of the sun’s damaging ultra violet rays – A GAF Cool Roof can reflect up to 85% of the sun’s damaging ultra violet rays and heat

http://www.gaf.com/Content/GAF/COMM/CULRUFCENTRAL/CoolRoofCentral_POP1.html

Our Favorite Testimonials:

2009-04-10T16:28:00.000-06:00

"We have been working with Clark's a long time and have full confidence in them... In fact, I would personally vouch for their integrity."

Mark Shaffer Architect / Construction Specialist

"The roof, now complete, looks beautiful, the dark gray material against the perpetual light gray sky of Taholah, is quite a sight!"

Alvin JosephyProject Manager from KMB Design Group

Solar Panel Roofs from Sika Sarnafil!!!

2009-04-10T13:40:00.000-06:00

Photovoltaics:

Sika Sarnafil Membrane Part of Flexible Solar Panel Array SystemTechnology advances in thefield of photovoltaic (solar) panels has recently made it more economical forbusiness to incorporate solar power into their roofing system. Solar Integrated Technologies, a subsidiary of Southern California Roofing, has found a way tointegrate the best of two industries – flexible solar panels and quality roofing systems. Their new SR-2001 roof system is comprised of Sarnafil’s 60-mil single-ply thermoplastic EnergySmart Roof® membrane and flexible photovoltaic panels manufactured by Uni-Solar.Frito-Lay chose the SR-2001 roof system to help turn its 67,000 square foot roof into an energy-generating asset.

Read a Project Profile about this exciting roofing project.

Contact Sika Sarnafil's Marketing Department to obtain high resolution photos.

Introduction

2009-04-09T16:15:00.000-06:00

The purpose of this blog is to introduce you to Clarks Quality Roofing and our products and services. Clarks Quality Roofing has over 25 years of roofing experience specializing in Leak Repair, Re-Roofing and Roof Management. We provide our clients with a full spectrum of professional roofing services to meet their roofing needs and protect the important assets located below their roofs.

Roof Installation Services:
Maintenance and Repairs
Emergency Leak Repair
Roof Replacement
Re-roofing

No matter the age of your roof, prevention is key. Periodic roof inspections & preventative roof maintenance are important to extend the life of your roof system. As of right now Clarks Quality Roofing is offering Roof Assessments at no charge, providing photos and a comprehensive report of the condition of your roofing system. This information is imperative for the future, and important for roof life extension.

Some examples of the Preventative Maintenance items we may discover are:

Cracks, cuts, punctures, and other types of openings in the roof membrane and flashings that allow moisture to enter & jeopardize the integrity of the roof.
Cracked sealant or caulking at walls and around penetrations should be checked to prevent moisture from entering.(Caulking only last 5 to 10 years)
Drains that can get clogged with debris as well as scuppers, gutters & downspouts causing leaks, should be inspected & debris removed.
Debris and sharp items can damage the roof system or clog the drain system and should be removed immediately.

2009-04-08T16:55:00.001-06:00