TIME TO REFLECT: Sika Sarnafil's G410 and S327 EnergySmart Roof membranes help reduce the heat island effect for buildings with flat roofs. The thermoplastic PVC-polymer membranes are highly reflective and minimize heat gain. The membranes are appropriate for adhered systems and are formulated for long-term, direct exposure to the elements, making them decay- and weather-resistant. For more information, call Sika Sarnafil at 800-451-2504 or visit www.sarnafilus.com. Not only are roofs one of the most expensive investments that multifamily owners and developers can make to their properties, but they also can have the biggest impact on the property's look and performance. From traditional asphalt shingles and synthetic shingles that mimic the look of slate for apartment and condo buildings are wide and varied. “There is no one single best roofing system because that depends on individual preference,” says Sam Latona, pre-construction manager with Dallas-based Turner Construction Co., who advises owners and developers to think of roofs the way they think of cars—they come in various styles, designs, and colors, but they are best distinguished by engineering, cost, warranty, and maintenance issues. For example, metal roofing can cost up to three times more than traditional roofing materials but lasts over 50 years, is considered a green product, and requires little more than occasional cleaning. Pittsburgh-based CENTRIA offers a structural standing seam roof panel system that contains an average post-consumer recycled content of 23.5 percent and an average pre-consumer recycled content of 6.4 percent. The panels have earned Cradle-to-Cradle Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Flat roofs—mid-rise and high-rise buildings—require thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheeting or sprayed polyurethane foam, Latona says. Turner Construction used thermoplastic PVC from Canton, Mass.-based Sika Sarnafil on the roof of The Metropolitan, a 283-unit high-rise condominium property at 1200 Main Street in downtown Dallas. Thermoplastic PVC is available in highly reflective colors to reduce the heat island effect. Property owners can install vegetative green roofs on properties with flat roofs, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the properties. However, installing a green roof can cost from $10 to $12 per square foot more than a standard roof and requires waterproof membranes to protect against mold and rot, according to John Francis, owner of Washington, D.C.-based commercial and residential roofing company NV Roofing. Depending on the roof material and quality, along with environmental factors such as climate as well as location, roofs need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years. Owners can expect to spend from $6 per square foot to $20 per square foot, again, depending on roof material. Asphalt shingles are the least expensive, averaging $6 per square foot, while slate and copper roofs are the most expensive at more than $20 per square foot.
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