Archives

Roofs

• Should You Replace Your Low-Slope Roof? Understanding Recover and Replacement Options

  2022, Vol 39 N 1

  New! Web-based version available. Recovering a low-slope roof tends to be less expensive than full replacement and, for some owners, is a logical starting point when the roof nears the end of its lifespan. But buyer beware: recover projects have many potential pitfalls. And while it may seem straightforward to replace the roof in kind, new technologies, new code requirements, and new needs may make other options a better fit. (Download PDF 7.8 MB)

• Choosing the Right Paver System for Rooftop Amenity Spaces

  2021, Vol 38 N 2

  New! Web-based version available. COVID-19 laid bare shortcomings that many city-dwellers face, as stay-at-home guidelines confined people to apartments, often without access to safe outdoor spaces. A priority that will outlast the pandemic, converting rooftops into tenant amenities has become top-of-mind for building owners seeking cost-effective, desirable building upgrades. (Download PDF 4.2 MB)

• Design Guide for Parapets: Safety, Continuity, and the Building Code

  2020, Vol 37 N 4

  New! Web-based version available. Often overlooked in the design of new structures and the maintenance of existing ones, parapet walls pose compound design challenges, as they bring together a wide range of materials in a relatively small space. (Download PDF 1.0 MB)

• Roof Condition Surveys: What They Are and Why They Matter

  2020, Vol 37 N 1

  Implementing a program of regular roof inspection can identify emerging problems, guide maintenance and repair efforts that maximize roof lifespan, and aid in planning for eventual replacement. (Download PDF 1.7 MB)

• Myths and Misconceptions About Roofs

  2019, Vol 36 N 1

  Identifying oft-repeated roofing maxims that are doing more harm than good is the first step to improving the outcomes of reroofing projects. (Download PDF 1.6 MB)

• Design Strategies for Metal Wall and Roof Systems

  2018, Vol 35 N 4

  Given the complexities of building enclosure assemblies and increasingly stringent code requirements governing their performance, selecting the right materials, finishes, and type of system demands familiarity with a variety of metal cladding options. (Download PDF 1.5 MB)

• Preventing Winter Damage

  2018, Vol 35 N 3

  Managing the impact of winter storms on the building enclosure begins long before the weather turns cold. Problems from ice dams to deicing chemical damage demand consideration of not only symptoms, but also possible causes. (Download PDF 1.8 MB)

• Roof Drainage Systems

  2018, Vol 35 N 2

  Often an afterthought in a reroofing or new construction project, roof drainage tends to be given little attention – until it fails. Resolving problems proactively keeps storm water under control and extends the life of the roof. (Download PDF 1.6 MB)

• Accommodating Movement in Building Envelope Materials

  2017, Vol 34 N 4

  The building enclosure must provide for differing, and often opposing, movement of adjoining elements. By anticipating materials’ tendency to expand or shrink, as well as environmental factors that contribute to dimensional changes, designers can allow for movement without compromising building integrity. (Download PDF 1.4 MB)

• Balcony and Roof Railings and the Code: Maintain, Repair, or Replace?

  2017, Vol 34 N 1

  While the combination of building and occupational safety codes has the effect of making roofs and balconies more secure, those lacking familiarity with current regulations may find their exterior envelope project bogged down in a confusing tangle of railing stipulations. (Download PDF 1.3 MB)

• Green Options in Roof Replacement

  2015, Vol 32 N 3

  With new technologies driven by more stringent energy codes, reroofing presents the opportunity for increased efficiency, reduced heating and cooling demands, improved durability, and enhanced appearance. (Download PDF 993.7 kB)

• What Went Wrong? Diagnosing Building Envelope Distress

  2015, Vol 32 N 2

  With so many components contributing to facade, roof, plaza, and parking garage assemblies, it can be challenging to determine the likely cause of a failure. (Download PDF 1.1 MB)

• Copper Roofing: The Original Green Roof

  2013, Vol 30 N 2

  In the modern climate of green design, it can be easy to forget that one of the most environmentally sound roofing options is also one of the oldest. Where sustainability, durability, and longevity are priorities, copper emerges as a top contender. (Download PDF 584.4 kB)

• A Reroofing Primer

  2011, Vol 28 N 4

  No one wants to be caught unprepared by sudden roof failure. Advance planning permits building owners to reflect on reroofing options and make the best choice for the available budget and for the building’s needs. (Download PDF 483.5 kB)

• Care and Preservation of Slate Roofs

  2008, Vol 25 N 4

  Properly designed and maintained slate roofs can last upwards of a century.  Learn about inspecting, repairing, and replacing these historic assets, as well as about integrating new technologies into traditional roofing systems. (Download PDF 1.2 MB)

• New Options in Reroofing

  2008, Vol 25 N 1

  Facing a reroofing project can be a daunting prospect.  But with improved outcomes afforded by new technologies, roof rehabilitation need not be the headache it once was. (Download PDF 3.1 MB)

• Reroofing Green

  2007, Vol 24 N 2

  No longer just for the super-wealthy or super-environmental, green roofs are sprouting up across America’s cities.  This article discusses the benefits, design options, and concerns of installing a landscaped roof on your building. (Download PDF 750.8 kB)

• Roof Maintenance Master Plan

  2002, Vol 20 N 1

  An effective roof maintenance master plan provides a cost-effective and time-efficient strategy for extending the life of a building’s roofing systems, and budgeting for their eventual replacement. (Download PDF 571.9 kB)

• Re-Roofing: Options and Limitations

  1998, Vol 16 N 1

  New technologies, constraints, and building codes have created more choices — and limitations — when it is time to resolve the problem of a deteriorating roof. (Download PDF 398.2 kB)

• Copper Roofing: An Enduring Link Between Past and Future

  1997, Vol 15 N 1

  With proper detailing and carefully supervised installation, new and replacement copper roofs can provide a handsome return to building owners in both endurance and beauty. (Download PDF 816.3 kB)

• Knowing Your Reroofing Options: Making Decisions for Economy and Endurance

  1994, Vol 12 N 3

  Long-term value is best achieved by selecting a re-roofing system with endurance and cost criteria that fit with the building's life cycle costs, owner expectations, and specific roofing needs. (Download PDF 802.2 kB)

• Avoiding Added Wear and Tear to Roofing

  1992, Vol 10 N 2

  The rooftop can be an ideal site for such secondary uses as equipment location and tenant access, and these uses should not be avoided out of fear of roof damage. The key is to plan ahead. (Download PDF 809.2 kB)

• Reroofing Options / A Guide to Selecting the Right System

  1990, Vol 8 N 3

  Building owners and managers who need to replace an old roof have a wide range of systems from which to choose, from bituminous built-up assemblies to polymer-based thermoplastics. (Download PDF 728.4 kB)

• Why Roofs Fail *pdf only

  1989, Vol 7 N 2

  Complaints about roofing rank number one on most building owners' lists, according to several studies. A lack of practical information may be the culprit. (Download PDF 654.6 kB)

• Fundamentals of Roof Inspections *pdf only

  1988, Vol 6 N 1

  The economic burden of neglecting the roofing system is generally many times the cost of an ongoing roof maintenance program, especially if the program includes regular inspections. (Download PDF 1.5 MB)

• Built-Up Roofing: Inspection and Repair *pdf only

  1984, Vol 2 N 2

  With a regularly executed inspection and maintenance program, one can expect a well-designed and properly installed roof to last its anticipated lifespan with few problems. (Download PDF 1.5 MB)