Thursday, June 30, 2011

Annual Savings Potential for White Roof Coatings


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted studies that demonstrate that in sunny conditions, black roof surfaces can get up to 70 degrees hotter than white reflective roof surfaces - translating to an estimated $750 million annual savings potential nationwide from replacing existing black roofs with Energy Star rated white reflective coatings like those from Conklin.

Roof coatings are made from a variety of materials that comply with building code standards for cool roofs. Installers can roll-on or spray roof coatings over spray polyurethane foam (SPF), metal, concrete, weathered asphalt, composite, modified bitumen, EPDM, TPO, PVC, and built-up roof systems.

Please also see the September 2010 facilitiesnet.com article by Thomas A. Westerkamp titled "Roof Coatings: What is the Annual Savings Potential?"

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Tired of labor problems and low profit margins? Make more $$ spraying coatings with Conklin Roofing Systems! Patton Services | (309) 303-3128 | rpatton55@comcast.net | http://www.whiteroofingsystems.com

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Roof coatings improve energy efficiency as well as restore, protect & beautify low-slope roofs

Reflective roof coatings are the fastest-growing product segment in the fluid-applied roofing market. Cool roof coatings lower energy consumption as well as meet more stringent cool roof performance requirements in the building codes. They also do a lot more: they restore, protect and beautify most waterproofing systems and prolong the life of almost any low-slope roof (including metal).

As legislators, architects and property owners embrace the idea that building design has a large impact on energy consumption and sustainability, they are also recognizing that white coatings offer big benefits with few draw-backs. Energy efficiency initiatives are promoting the use of cool roofs, and some building codes are now requiring the use of reflective roofs.

Lowering energy use is not the only benefit that accrues from the use of cool roof coatings. White coatings can extend the life expectancy of many different types of commercial roofing systems simply by avoiding the high roof temperatures associated with exposure to the sun. The technical term for this exposure is “insulation,” and it is measured in terms of the rate of solar radiation received per unit area. Heavily insulated roof systems block this radiation from penetrating the building as heat; however, in summer months, convective heat transfer to the surrounding air and radiant heat transfer are inefficient. Consequently, the heat has nowhere to go and roofing membrane temperatures can soar.

Coatings aren't just for warm weather climates: the New York City Department of Buildings launched the volunteer-based NYC Cool Roofs Program in the spring of 2010 with the goal of installing reflective coating on one million square feet of roofing by October and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The website NYC.gov states that “a cool roof absorbs 80 percent less heat than traditional dark colored roofs and can lower roof temperatures by up to 60 degrees and indoor temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees on hot days.”

Enhanced roof longevity, especially in northern states, can be another major benefit that results in at least as much savings. Without white coatings, roof temperatures can soar in the summer months, especially for buildings in northern climates. This is primarily because these roof systems typically have a lot of insulation to retain the heat during the winter months. Coatings can also prevent premature roof deterioration by providing a “sacrificial” layer to take the punishment that the elements and the environment dole out.

Coatings can also waterproof and extend the lives of older roofs. Roof coatings can protect the integrity of a metal roof by reducing thermal-shock roof damage. A cool roof coating moderates the excessive thermal expansion and contraction that otherwise could lead to fastener and seal failures.

Roofing contractors who are considering adding roof coatings to their service offerings should know that the elastomeric coatings market accounted for $620 million in 2004 and has grown into the double digits over the last seven years. This is definitely an opportunity to increase revenues and profits.

For more information on this topic, please read the article titled "The Many Benefits of Roof Coatings Save More Than Energy" by Michael Russo (January 5, 2011).


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Tired of labor problems and low profit margins? Make more $$ spraying coatings with Conklin Roofing Systems! Patton Services | (309) 303-3128 | rpatton55@comcast.net | http://www.whiteroofingsystems.com

Important Tax Changes for Roofing Contractors

The recent introduction of the American Job Builders Tax Reform Act of 2011 (H.R. 1993) will provide much-needed changes to tax accounting methods used by many small and medium-sized roofing contractors.

The current IRS code states that contractors are forbidden from using the Completed Contract Method (CCM) of accounting if the overall average annual gross receipts exceed $10 million (this threshold has not been adjusted for inflation since the rule was created in 1986). Instead, contractors are required to use the Percentage-of-Completion method (which does not always accurately reflect profits because you have to use annual job completion estimates). The American Job Builders Tax Reform Act increases that threshold to $40 million, and is indexed for inflation. Contractors will also no longer be subject to "look-back" calculations for regular and alternative minimum tax purposes.

The Completed Contract Method (CCM) better reflects taxable income, as it is based on accurate final results. Because typical contractors do not realize profits on contracts until contract completion, the CCM is the optimal method for matching contractor profits with tax liability. This new reform will help small and medium-sized roofing contractors avoid cash-flow problems as they grow their business and create new jobs.

The National Roofing Contractors Association is working with other construction trade associations to educate members of Congress regarding the benefits of the CCM, as well as the importance of lowering the threshold for eligibility.


Tired of labor problems and low profit margins? Make more $$ spraying coatings with Conklin Roofing Systems!
Patton Services | (309) 303-3128 | rpatton55@comcast.net | http://www.whiteroofingsystems.com