How You Can Make Your Industrial Roofing More Sustainable

Given today’s environmental landscape and rising social and commercial pressures to be more environmentally conscious, many businesses are increasingly looking for ways to make their operations more sustainable. One area that often goes overlooked is industrial roofing. However, with several sustainable roofing solutions available, commercial facilities can significantly reduce their environmental impact and even save money in the long run.

In this article, we’ll explore the various ways to make industrial roofing more sustainable. We will discuss energy-saving upgrades, green roofs and solar panel installations, along with the industries that can benefit most from such sustainable roofing solutions. By implementing these solutions, businesses can take a proactive approach to environmental stewardship while enhancing their overall efficiency. Read on to learn more about how your business can benefit.

Sustainable Industrial Roofing Solutions

Cool Roofing

Also known as white roofing, cool roofing technology utilises reflective materials and/or coatings in order to lower a roof’s surface temperature and reduce heat transfer into the building envelope - the weathertight barrier separating a building’s internal and external environments. 

This is achieved through the use of light-coloured membranes that reflect the sunlight and are designed to absorb less heat than traditional roofing materials. Any heat that it does absorb, it effectively radiates back into the atmosphere. This higher solar reflectance and thermal emittance that cool roofs provide helps to keep buildings cooler inside, reducing the need for air conditioning, especially in the summer months.

As for the benefits this can offer your business, it can help to keep your energy usage lower, since you won’t be as reliant on internal cooling systems (such as air conditioning) to maintain a comfortable and optimum working environment. This subsequently reduces your energy bills, also, resulting in both environmental and financial gains.

Green Roofs

A green roof is a sustainable living space on your roof that is made up of durable, climate-appropriate plants and materials. It is an environmentally friendly option that is well-suited for commercial properties and industrial buildings with flat roofs.

Green roofs offer a plethora of environmental benefits, including:

• Improved air quality

• Improved water quality

• Better drainage

• Enhanced biodiversity

• Moderation of the urban island heat effect

• Reduction of noise pollution

• Reduced risk of fire and electromagnetic radiation

As well as these benefits, they are also an energy efficient solution, offering natural insulation. Not only does this reduce your reliance on heating and cooling solutions inside your building, but it also makes these systems more efficient - further reducing the amount you need to use them to achieve the same effect.

Of course, green roofs are also visually appealing - a handsome benefit when considering that many industrial buildings can be seen as an eyesore.

Solar Panel Installations

Whilst not a specific roofing installation, solar panels can easily be integrated with your existing roof and with other sustainable roofing solutions. Industrial roofs are especially ideal for installing solar panels, thanks to their flat surface and large surface area.

Solar panels are increasingly common nowadays, renowned for their ability to generate electricity that can then be stored for emergency use in the event of a powercut and/or used actively to reduce your reliance on the mains power supply. Whilst there are many factors at play, solar panels can significantly offset the energy use of your building, subsequently lowering your energy bills and your carbon footprint.

If you’re planning on having a roof replacement or restoration and a solar installation at the same time, then it’s important to ensure there is coordination between both the roofing team and solar installers. They can work together to ensure the most effective outcome.

Roof Recovery vs Roof Replacement

When a roof is recovered, a new roof membrane is installed over the existing one. Roof renovation or replacement, on the other hand, involves removing the old roof before a new one is installed.

As such, roof recovery is the more environmentally friendly option. It can delay the need to remove and dispose of materials in a landfill for up to 15 years. As sustainability practices become more established in the industry, roof recovery may become the preferred option to keep the waste generated by your business to a minimum.

An alternative roof recovery method involves removing and disposing of the original roof membrane, but leaving the original insulation layers in place. Only damaged or soiled panels are then replaced before a new coverboard and roof membrane are installed. Whilst some waste is unavoidable as part of this, the amount of waste that is likely to go to landfill is still significantly less than there would be with a traditional roof replacement.

Industries That Can Benefit from Sustainable Roofing

Industrial Facilities

Most industrial facilities feature large, flat roof areas, which are ideal for integrating all of the aforementioned roofing solutions. There is also high pressure on many industrial facilities to take on more environmental responsibility, especially considering that many industrial processes are the opposite of environmentally friendly and are highly energy consuming.

Improving their environmental footprint in other ways, then, such as through sustainable roofing, is a great way for industrial facilities to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their social reputation.

Schools

Schools can benefit from sustainable roofing solutions in several ways. Firstly, sustainable roofing can help schools save energy on heating and cooling, which can in turn reduce their energy costs. This is especially beneficial considering funding for many schools is limited. Any funding that the school does receive can instead be reinvested into the school and used towards improvements for students, their learning and the school environment, rather than on heating and cooling costs.

Another benefit of sustainable roofing for schools, specifically green roofs, is that they can help to reduce noise pollution from traffic and other sources. This can help to create a more conducive learning environment for students.

Lastly, integrating sustainable solutions throughout a school, such as the roofing, can be effective for marketing purposes. This is because this can help to attract environmentally conscious parents and their pupils, potentially aiding in their decision between choosing one school over another.

Healthcare Facilities

Sustainable roofing solutions, specifically green roofs, can help to improve the air quality both inside and outside of a building, as they help to filter pollutants and produce oxygen. At healthcare facilities, this can help to create a healthier environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Patient experience and employee morale can also be improved through sustainable roofing solutions. This is because they can help to create a more comfortable and inviting indoor environment thanks to their energy efficiency. Such energy efficiency can also help to reduce energy costs, which is especially important considering healthcare facilities often have high energy needs due to 24/7 operations and the need to maintain a comfortable environment for patients and staff.

Industrial Roofing Services from B & D Roofing

Are you ready to make your industrial roofing more sustainable? Here at B & D Roofing & Building, we understand the importance of sustainability and are dedicated to providing our clients with eco-friendly roofing solutions.

With a focus on quality and expertise, our team of skilled industrial roofing contractors can help you choose the best sustainable roofing option for your industrial facility or any other commercial property. Whether you require a green roof installation or roof recovery services, contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a more sustainable future.