Roof Topics

Apr 26 2023

What Is Urban Heat Island Effect What Is Urban Heat Island Effect

Hotter days, hotter nights, and higher air pollution. You don't want more of these things, but your building could be contributing to all three if it has an old or aging roof. Learn how a building's roof could be contributing to widespread discomfort and environmental damage in your city, and what you can potentially do better. What Is the Urban Heat Island Effect The urban heat island effect is responsible for higher temperatur...

Apr 26 2023

PVC vs. TPO Roofing PVC vs. TPO Roofing

PVC and TPO have long been quality options for flat and low-slope roofs that experience high amounts of moisture. The two share many similarities and often look similar, but both have prominent features that set them apart. Learn the key differences between PVC and TPO to understand these single-ply membranes better and choose the best roofing solution for your next project. TPO And PVC Composition PVC and TPO are thermoplastics — t...

Mar 30 2023

How to Choose a Skylight for Commercial Building How to Choose a Skylight for Commercial Building

9 Things to Consider When Selecting High-Performance Skylights High-performance skylights can be a functional and valuable addition to a commercial or industrial space, creating a well-lit, productive, energy-efficient environment by harnessing the sun's power. But skylights aren't a one-size-fits-all building component. Skylights must be tailored to each commercial or industrial space. How to Choose a Skylight Various ...

Mar 29 2023

The Commercial Roofing Safety Checklist Every Contractor Needs The Commercial Roofing Safety Checklist Every Contractor Needs

Mar 01 2023

EPDM Ballasted vs. Adhered vs. Mechanically Attached EPDM Ballasted vs. Adhered vs. Mechanically Attached

EPDM roofing membranes are among the most popular in the low-slope commercial roofing industry. EPDM offers building owners excellent durability, warranty, and energy savings regardless of installation method. However, the best installation method for the job can offer building owners even more benefits. Learn about the different advantages of EPDM system attachment methods so you can make an informed decision when partnering with an Ele...

Feb 09 2023

How to get LEED certified How to get LEED certified

When you choose to certify your building with LEED®, you're choosing to build a healthier and more sustainable future. LEED projects prioritize more efficient, low impact building design and construction, over traditional construction practices, in an effort to reduce material waste, reuse materials where possible, and incorporate resources used. Beyond taking greater environmental responsibility, owners of LEED-certified buildings also benefit f...

Nov 02 2022

New Name: Elevate New Name: Elevate

In June, we announced that our Firestone brand of roofing, wall, and lining system products are adopting a new brand name—Elevate. We also shared that our company will adopt the Holcim name and brand, and our new division will be called Holcim Building Envelope. Rest assured, roofing, wall, and lining products manufactured and sold by Holcim under the Elevate brand name are the same as those previously manufactured and sold under the Fir...

Sep 07 2022

Extensive vs Intensive Vegetative Roofs Extensive vs Intensive Vegetative Roofs

Whether you're working with commercial, industrial, or residential buildings, vegetative roofs are an attractive option for those with sustainability in mind. Vegetative roofs are thin layers of living vegetation installed on top of conventional flat or sloping roofs. The vegetation could consist of grass, flowers, or shrubs planted over a waterproof roofing membrane, such as EPDM. Although some people call thi...

Aug 17 2022

Overcoming Labor Shortages Roofing Overcoming Labor Shortages Roofing

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index found that at the close of 2021, a majority (62%) of contractors reported high difficulty finding skilled workers, up from 55% who said the same the previous quarter. To work around the talent shortage, contractors are asking their skilled workers to do more, turning down work, and submitting higher bids. But are these your only options? What can you do to avoid losing rev...

Jul 19 2022

Resilient Roofing Resilient Roofing

The year 2021 saw the most extreme heat wave in modern history and four $20 billion-plus weather mega-disasters worldwide: Hurricane Ida, monsoon flooding in China, severe winter weather in the southern and central U.S., and flooding in Germany and Belgium. How can we protect ourselves and our communities from these disasters? One answer is through resilient building practices, such as resilient roofing.