Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/331457
Above: Firestone UltraPly TPO InvisiWeld System on Cawthra Mansions on College Street, Toronto, ON. Below: The ISO clip from Northern Facades and Flynn. Top Down Software simulations, online resources and new research improve roofing and cladding systems by Godfrey Budd horizontal installations. "It can be used for masonry or stud construction. This versatility is truly unique," Delaney says. The patented roof system from Tri Thermal Roofing (TTR), the parent company of Cox Roofing Systems, is geared to increase a roof's R-factor and improve its waterproofing. The system came about partly as a result of problems with the foam insulation coatings when hit by harsh weather cycles. "Our system had not been done before" says John Justice, VP sales and technical director at TTR. "We were seeing coating failures in the field. In some cases, we installed EPDM (rubber) directly on top of the coating." The TTR concept involves two different roof systems, which, in combination, are designed to produce a solution that is better than either system on its own. It consists of a spray-applied polyurethane foam roof with a single-ply membrane that is adhered to the foam with a pro- prietary spray-applied, slow-rise urethane-based adhesive. It is often used for repairing existing roofs. A high-density waterproof polyurethane foam is applied to the surface of an existing roof. Once the foam is ready, an adhesive, then an EPDM membrane, are applied. "It allows for easy installation. There are no compatibility issues. It takes the best of both worlds." E nergy efficiency and durability are increasingly priorities for building owners and operators, espe- cially for those in the institutional sector with long- term responsibility for their facilities. Besides the perennial quest for attractive roofing and cladding designs, and systems that come with trade-friendly installation poten- tial, durability and energy efficiency are likely to remain key drivers of innovation and development of quality products and systems. For buyers and tenants alike, in many instances, the curb appeal of a building can surely only increase as durabil- ity and energy efficiency improve – and annual repairs and HVAC costs drop. Besides the obvious benefits of reduced HVAC costs, building codes are expected to grow increasingly more stringent, reflecting environmental concerns. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that energy used by the country's commercial and industrial buildings accounts for nearly 50 per cent of U.S greenhouse gas emissions. Backed by today's more precise and comprehensive com- puter-based simulations, building envelope science and tech- nology continue to improve. In both the Canadian and the U.S., government agencies, trade associations, research and academic institutions, as well as other non-profit building specialists have a range of resources to help experts develop better design and product solutions. A few years back, for example, research showed that the impacts of thermal bridging had been underestimated. Design professionals and manufacturers have responded accord- ingly. "The issue is effective R-value. Industry has in the past assumed that continuous support elements like Z-bars and shelf angles have had only a minor effect on the R-value. Now, with better modelling and testing, it's been found that even small elements like brick ties can have serious impacts on thermal performance, sometimes by as much as 30 per cent or more," says Don Delaney, an engineer and business develop- ment specialist at Flynn Canada Ltd. Northern Facades, a subsidiary of Flynn, has introduced the ISO Clip. It is a non-combustible thermal break device, part of a sub-frame system, which is suited for many clad- ding types, and works cost-effectively for both vertical and In new construction or a complete removal installation an Iso Board is installed on deck either adhered or mechanically fastened. In either case, the polyurethane foam sprayed in place over the Iso Board removes thermal bridging from the equation. The poly- urethane foam creates a complete seal negating the screws and gaps or joints in the insulation boards. "The TTR system is slightly more expensive, but there are big savings on energy costs – 25 to 30 per cent savings, typically," says John Justice, VP sales and techni- cal director at TTR. Firestone Building Product's UltraPly TPO InvisiWeld is another system that addresses a prob- lem, in this case, an almost uniquely Canadian one, namely some of the lon- gest, coldest winters in the world. Its non-penetrating TPO membrane fasten- ing system is mechanically based. The June 2014 /21 Roofing/Cladding Materials p.20-27Roofing.indd 21 14-06-03 9:42 AM