From green roofs to hybrid shingle and membrane roofs, there are many new trends when it comes to multi-family roofing systems. Here we will discuss a few you should be aware of as a property manager. To make them a reality, the key is to work in concert with an experienced multi-family exterior maintenance contractor to ensure you’re staying on top of the latest trends in roofing.
Green Roofs
With an increased focus on energy efficiency, more and more multi-family homes and housing complexes are featuring green roofs. Aside from being environmentally-friendly, green roofs provide comfortable and usable amenity space that is marketable to potential residents, points out Multi-Family Executive. Many times, tax incentives and rebates are offered to building owners and managers who decide to upgrade their roofs to green roofs.
Green roofs, also known as living roofs or eco-roofs, feature a vegetation layer planted over a water-proof system installed on a slightly-sloped or flat roof, according to the National Park Service. Green roofs are desirable, especially in urban areas, because they help slow down the flow of rain water as it runs from rooftops to sidewalks to storm drains. This is a better way to manage rain flow due to storms while preventing flooding at the same time, says Wealth Management.com.
Because the vegetation shields the rooftop from the harsh rays of the sun, green roofs can save owners between $6 and $8 in the cost of energy per square foot over the 50-year lifespan of the roof.
Shingle/Membrane Hybrids
Recent roofing improvements for multi-family complexes incorporate both shingles and membranes on new roofs. The shingles are used on the perimeter to add a residential, homey feel, while membrane roofing covers the mechanical wells that are the most prone to leaking. Thus, you will be seeing more contemporary, flat plane roofs that sparingly use shingles, combing the benefits of both residential and commercial roofing components.
Cool Roofs
These have been around for a while, but they are rising in popularity due to the energy savings they offer property managers. Cool roofs reflect more sunlight than a traditional roof, and thus absorb less solar energy, according to Energy.gov. This in turn lowers the building’s temperature in the same way that donning light-colored clothing keeps people cooler on hot days.
Conventional roofs can reach up to 150°F or more on a sunny afternoon in the summer. But a reflective roof can stay more than 50°F (28 °C) cooler. Not only does this save energy and money, it also improves the comfort and safety of tenants because it reduces heat flow from the roof.
Solar and Metal Roofing
Metal and solar roofing are both on the rise. Metal roofing has been gaining in popularity due to its long lifespan (50+ years or more), durability, visual appeal, and functionality. Solar roofing is also more popular due to an increased interest in photovoltaic shingles that can utilize solar energy for the complex while looking like traditional roof shingles.
Contact Allstar Construction
Allstar Construction stays on top of trends in the roofing industry to ensure you get the highest quality materials and innovative services. To learn more about our multi-family roofing services, such as leak repair, missing shingle replacement, and snow and ice dams, contact us at (701) 315-8150 .
