Vegetative Roof Waterproofing for Long-term Performance This article reviews the general advantages—and challenges—of green roofs, including how they fail. It reviews strategies for overcoming those challenges and provides advice for achieving long-term performance from a construction perspective, with an emphasis on waterproofing. Several types of green roof systems and assemblies are discussed, including bituminous, rubberized asphalt, and liquid-applied resin membrane systems. |
Rethinking Cool Roofing: Evaluating effectiveness of white roofs in northern climates As more research and information is available on the impact of white versus black roofs based on geographic location, it is increasingly important that architects, specifiers, engineers and design professionals are educated on the effects of white roofing membranes in colder northern climates prior to selecting a roofing material. This article discusses issues often overlooked by those considering a white/cool roofing membrane installation. |
Controlling Stormwater at the Source: Exploring best management practices The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates stormwater runoff is responsible for 70 percent of all water pollution in lakes, rivers, and creeks. When developers use conventional methods such as impervious surfaces, stormwater is often left uncontrolled. The emergence of low-impact development (LID) and effective stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are changing designers’ perceptions of stormwater from a constraint into an opportunity for natural processes to return. |
To Vent or Not to Vent: Q&ADesigners have long used cross-ventilation to minimize the potential for moisture accumulation and condensation in attics and crawl spaces. However, unvented attics have become popular in both residential and commercial applications, pushed by emerging claims of energy savings and moisture control. While these ‘new-style’ attics can be successfully used in many circumstances, this author believes there are reasons to employ vented assemblies in many situations. |
To Vent or Not to Vent: Tips for insulating vented atticsDesigners have long used cross-ventilation to minimize the potential for moisture accumulation and condensation in attics and crawl spaces. However, unvented attics have become popular in both residential and commercial applications, pushed by emerging claims of energy savings and moisture control. While these ‘new-style’ attics can be successfully used in many circumstances, this author believes there are reasons to employ vented assemblies in many situations. |
To Vent or Not to Vent: Deciding what is best for attic applications Designers have long used cross-ventilation to minimize the potential for moisture accumulation and condensation in attics and crawl spaces. However, unvented attics have become popular in both residential and commercial applications, pushed by emerging claims of energy savings and moisture control. While these ‘new-style’ attics can be successfully used in many circumstances, this author believes there are reasons to employ vented assemblies in many situations. |