Its advantages over other roofing materials advance sustainability efforts
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, construction and demolition waste from buildings totals more than 300 billion pounds annually. Reroofing projects can generate a tremendous amount of material that can be—and should be—diverted from the waste stream. PVC (vinyl) roofing membranes, in particular, are highly recyclable and have many other environmental benefits that make them an ideal match for sustainable building practices.
The Chemical Fabrics and Film Association says there is a proven track record of PVC roofing being recycled, at the end of life for well over 20 years, back into feedstock to make new roofing membranes or nonroofing products such as flooring and landscape expansion joints. It comprises renewable raw materials and can readily be heated and reprocessed without loss of key physical properties. For this reason, it has long been an industry best practice to reintroduce production trimmings and scrap as raw materials into vinyl roofing membrane manufacturing processes.
PVC roofing membranes have a long service life, making for a clean, quick, safe, and affordable option to alternative roofing systems. It’s a technology that has delivered reliable service for decades in every conceivable temperature and weather condition.
There are benefits to PVC roofing that reduce energy consumption as well. Cities can be 7 to 22 degrees hotter than surrounding areas due to lack of greenspace, a phenomenon known as Urban Heat Islands. A white PVC roof can reflect 80% or more of the sun’s rays and emit at least 70% of the solar radiation a building absorbs, helping to keep things cooler. For roofing, the higher the reflection rate, the better. Lowering the surrounding air temperature also helps reduce smog formation.
PVC roofing membranes can improve the energy efficiency of buildings while positively impacting the quality of the urban environment. In full sun, a black roof may experience a temperature rise of as much as 90 degrees Fahrenheit, reaching midday temperatures of 150-190 degrees. A white reflective PVC roof typically increases only 10-25 degrees above ambient temperature under the same conditions.
To find out more about the environmental benefits of PVC roofing membranes, visit https://vinylroofs.org/sustainability/.
