As architects, we continually strive to create buildings that are not only aesthetically pleasing and functional but also resilient and sustainable. One area that often poses challenges is the design of low-slope roofs because requirements set by building codes, energy-conservation… Read More
- Cool Roofing & Energy Efficiency
- Design & Manufacturing
- Durability & Weathering
- Environmental Impact & Sustainability
- Installation & Restoration
- Longevity & Long Term Performance
- Overview & Summary Articles
- Regulations, Codes & Standards
- Resilience
- Solar
Environmental Impact & Sustainability
Holistic Roof System Design and Sustainable Roofing Assemblies (formerly known as black roofs vs white roofs)
Although the discussion over roof color has shifted toward holistic roof system design and sustainable assemblies, the older “black vs. white” framing still shapes policy and perception. Revisiting these simplistic arguments helps explain why some stakeholders maintain this view, despite… Read More
Emerging Trends in EPDM Roofing
Sustainability was a pervasive theme in 2024, leading to significant progress in research dissemination, advocacy, media engagement, and sustainability initiatives—all of which continue to point EPDM as the gold standard for roofing. “While new technologies emerge in the roofing industry,… Read More
An Updated Holistic Look at Old Assumptions: Insights from Three New Studies on Roof Albedo
THE GROWING AWARENESS of climate change, as well as the related issues of urban heat islands and steadily increasing energy costs, has led to a growing interest in the effectiveness of reflective, or “cool” roofs (i.e., roofs that are designed… Read More
From an afterthought to essential: Proper care and maintenance of roofs can help extend the life of an education facility
The average school building in the United States is expected to last about 60 years, sheltering at least two generations of students that pass through its doors. Structures built from brick, stone, high-quality masonry and other durable materials, maintained with… Read More
Building A Sustainable Future
So far, the winter of 2023/2024 has followed a well-established pattern of extreme weather events that have become the norm during the past decades. Hurricane-force winds and powerful waves have eroded beaches on both coasts, and torrential rains are flooding… Read More
ERA Publishes Guide to Sustainable Roofing Systems
Report Details Impact of Roof Albedo on Urban Heat Islands and Energy Efficiency Washington, D.C., March 8, 2024 – The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) is publishing “The View From the Roof: Building a Sustainable Future”, a comprehensive guide to… Read More
The Building Industry Is Working to Reduce Long-term Costs and Limit Disruptions of Extreme Events
ERA Executive Director Jared Blum has written an article published by Roofing magazine that discusses the importance of resiliency – the ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and to withstand and recover rapidly from deliberate attacks, accidents,… Read More
Green Buildings That Make Sense
While there are numerous areas in which the LEED program has contributed to the USGBC’s stated purpose, the LEED point for installing a reflective roof to address urban heat islands should be changed. The author suggests limiting the LEED point… Read More
EPDM vs TPO Debate
“Roofs are based on a variety of factors,” said Ellen Thorp, associate executive director of the ERA. “To dictate one of those variables without an intimate understanding of that building’s location, usage or number of occupants is short-sighted. All of… Read More