Sustainability and green design are the largest emerging trends driving change in the roofing industry today. Frequently you will find the terms used separately or synonymously, indicating confusion in true meaning.

Green Construction: “An organized effort to design and build buildings using a process and materials which promote environmental sustainability.”
— The Boldt Company, a consulting, construction and maintenance solutions company

Sustainability: “The ability to provide for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out over and over without negative environmental effects or impossibly high costs to anyone involved.”
— Sustainabletable.org

Enlarge this picture Figure 1. Importance of Green Roofing Systems

• Higher R-value insulation.
• Cool roofing materials.
• Garden roofing systems.
• Integrated solar roofing systems.

4. However, in order for green roofing systems to gain meaningful penetration, further education and awareness about green products and systems is critical, as the understanding of what green/sustainability is still remains scattered.

Enlarge this picture Figure 2. Growth of Green Roofing Systems

Sustainability and Green Design

The use of green roofing systems has become increasingly important since 2002, particularly for roofing contractors and end users. (See Figure 1.) In 2008, it was estimated that less than 10 percent of roofing projects were constructed with green materials/systems. By 2013, this number is expected to triple, though economic conditions could inhibit this growth. (See Figure 2.) Over three-quarters of respondents have seen growth in green roofing practices in the past five years and 100 percent believe growth will continue through the next five years. Nearly 40 percent of Ducker’s sample report that the green movement has affected their business. The majority of respondents (81 percent) are specifying/using different systems now, but other comments included companies that market themselves differently (23 percent), receive more business now (11 percent), and are more profitable (8 percent).

Energy Efficiency

The move toward more energy efficient systems is real, and energy efficiency is the single most important element of green according to the roofing value chain. In addition, it is interesting that this perception does not seem to vary whether you are speaking to an architect, general contractor/builder or roofing contractor. (See Figure 3.) Though the use of recycled content sits lower on the relative importance scale, this seems to be one of the primary focal points of manufacturers’ communication/messaging.

Enlarge this picture Figure 3. Components That Define a Green Roof

Design and Materials

In order to obtain greater energy efficiency, roofing constituents are adapting their design and product portfolio offering to include alternative materials and systems ranging from higher R-value insulation to cool roofing materials to garden roofing or integrated solar roofing systems. For example, when assessing the “core” nonresidential low slope roofing materials (such as BUR, modified bitumen, metal, EPDM and specialty single ply) between 2002 and 2007, the bituminous product segment experienced a 5 percent decline (compounded annual growth rate), metal increased 6 percent and the EPDM segment remained fairly flat. In the same time frame, specialty single ply had double digit growth at 11 percent (primarily TPO) driven by heat welded seams, but also the importance of energy efficiency. Architects and contractors have also noticed the same trend on the nonresidential side. Within the residential sector, metal, tile and composite materials have been most impacted by green building.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, an industry association, reported that in North America, total garden roof square footage grew 30 percent alone in 2007. Though garden roofs and integrated solar roofing systems are still in their infancy, Ducker expects continued momentum, particularly as system costs become more competitive.

The Next Steps

However, in order for green roofing systems to gain meaningful penetration, a push to further educate building owners, contractors, architects and specifiers about green is critical. Education should incorporate the following:

Enlarge this picture Figure 4. Extending the Life Cycle of the Roofing System

Between 2002 and 2007, the use of metal roofing in nonresidential low-slope roofing materials increased 6 percent. (Photo courtesy of Metl-Span.)

• Why? Why is it important (beyond the environmental perspective – how is it going to financially benefit the manufacturer, architect/specifier, general contractor/builder, roofer and building owner/consumer)? In other words, clear communication and proof statements regarding the benefits of the life-cycle cost because, at the end of the day, this is what will resonate change.

• How? Which products and systems will provide the optimal performance and value in regard to energy efficiency and sustainability given various project parameters (for example, building design, region, harsh environmental conditions, etc.)? What codes, mandates and tax incentives are put in place for public/government facilities as well as the private sector?

As green/sustainability becomes increasingly important, the roofing value chain must adapt their product and service offerings to remain competitive. We are already starting to see this happen today. As Figure 4 shows, the shift to more environmentally friendly, energy efficient roofing systems will continue to upgrade the quality of the materials and systems used, as well as the contractors installing them and ultimately, the longevity of the roof, likely leading to an increase in the volume and value of reroofing projects.