By Yvonne Andiva
Energy efficient roofing systems, sometimes called “cool roofs” transfer less heat to buildings, decreasing the need for air-conditioning, which reduces utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Cool metal roofing materials reflect a high percentage of the sun’s rays and quickly release heat as it is absorbed. Though the initial price of an energy-efficient roof can be slightly higher, the investment is made up for in reduced utility bills over the life of the building.
The life span of a roofing systemcan be extended with proper maintenance. It is important to make sure all membranes, sealant, flashings, and penetrations are in good condition and to fix any problem before they begin to leak.
Cool metal roofs are one of several energy-efficient roofing systems on the market. Metal roofs offer advantages, including durability and long-life. Additionally, they are compatible with other environmentally friendly home upgrades, including solar panels and rainwater collection systems. Many types of metals are recyclable or reusable at the end of their life.
Preventative maintenance programs can put a stop to small deficiencies from growing into costly leaks, interior damage, and early replacement. Proactive annual or semi-annual inspections can cut small defaults, control a roofing budget and lower overall roofing costs while extending your roof systems life.
ESPAI SISTEMAS roof systems
With a multitude of applications from creating a beautiful courtyard, enclosing a pool or making full use of a restaurant’s terrace ESPAI SISTEMAS could be the ideal solution you are looking for. The system is made in aluminium & glass mainly, any kind of finished is available for the aluminium profiles.
To offer the best energy saving efficiency, the roof can be supplied with different glazing options, such as 16 mm thickness cellular polycarbonate panels, 16 mm sandwich panels or glass panels. The composition of double-glazed panels is 3+3 laminate on the interior, a 15 mm gap and a toughened 4 mm glass panel on the outside. 4+4 glass laminates can also be ordered. The glass also has the option to be low-e, in order to reduce the uV of the sun protecting the skin and reducing the heat inside the covered area.
As the weather outside allows, the panels slide effortlessly to open the space and, at the push of a button, the panels close smoothly allowing you to totally utilize your feature. Whether at home or making the most of your restaurant or private club, ESPAI SISTEMAS will allow full use of your property in all weathers.
T5000 Motorized, opening ESPAIS SISTEMAS roofs, consisting of three, four or five panels, allowing for openings of 2/3, 3/4 or 4/5 of the entire roof surface. In this case it is always the top panel that must remain fixed in place. These roofs are supplied direct from the factory with the panels fully assembled; the tracks and the attachment supports, with the motor fitted, and the rest of the sections cut to length and ready to be installed on site.
A key advantage of their systems is the amount of clear opening- when fully retracted at least 75%, of your space, will be uncovered. The system has been developed so you can be as comfortable as possible with in your space. Even when the worst weather is outside you are protected against it, and the natural light fills the space.
As with each of their products, they are able to provide their customers with one of the largest range of glazing solution available in the industry The ESPAI SISTEMAS retractable roofs are water and air tight and provide a high degree of insulation against the elements, which guarantee an efficient energy saving system.
At the same time the detailed designs of the profiles that make up the system ensure that they are extremely strong as well as lightweight. They can also be installed with rainwater gutters and downpipes ESPAI SISTEMAS retractable roofs, the ultimate roof system.
Decra’s energy efficient roofs
AHI roofing are the manufacturers of the Decra™ Roofing brand and are the world leaders in steel roof tile production and technology. Their product range includes a variety of roof profiles to complement many different home styles. Recognition of market needs and demands has been the hallmark of their success.
Allowing natural light to flood into your home, the Decra Roof window opens at the bottom to provide extra ventilation, additional headroom and uninterrupted views. The window is manufactured from polycarbonate with a filter of arcyclic. The combination has a supreme durability and UV resivance, and is impact-proof against all types of rough weather including monsoon rains.
It is easy to install, the Decra Roof Window is available in any Genuine Decra Roof Tile profile to ensure complete weather security after installation. Measuring 510 x 466mm these windows come with a fully re-enforced timber frame and are offered as an escape window for use in the event of fire.
The Decra® Sun Tunnel brings natural light into the home, providing a healthier environment, while reducing electricity costs. Mounted in a genuine Decra® profile base, it seamlessly matches your roofs. The lightweight dome captures the suns natural light from any angle and directs it into even the darkest areas of your home.
A double glazed diffuser reflects the light through the ceiling fitting which looking like any ordinary light. The energy efficiency of the Decra® Sun Tunnel could see your lighting and energy bills tumbling. The Decra® Sun Tunnel is easy to install and comes in 3 ready assembled parts: Roof Section, Attic Section and ceiling Section.
While stone coated roof tiles offer the best insulation from heat, some companies will go the extra mile to reduce your energy costs and consumption even further. Decra offer a foil underlay with their roof tiles which reflects 95% of the sun’s heat and can reduce air conditioning by up to 25%. Not only does this save electricity, but it extends the lifetime of your air-conditioning unit. Now add roof ventilation to that and it’s easy to see why more and more people are turning to this type of roofing for energy efficiency savings.
Roof ventilation is hugely important, not only for helping to reduce the internal temperature naturally, but by circulating cool fresh air and creating a healthier living environment.
Decra roofing tiles are coated with an alloy of zinc and aluminium to give it maximum durability and finished in natural stone chip.
The flat roof system
Creotecc GmbH is a German manufacturer of mounting systems for photovoltaic systems. Its products are based on more than 25 years of experience in the solar industry.
Together with trade, industry and independent institutes, the mounting systems and services are continuously optimised and adapted to growing needs. The aim of the development work is to design safe products with long service lives and high quality at a favourable price.
With CREOFLEX, Creotecc offers a mounting system that supports solar modules on flat roofs and hall roofs. No matter which module configuration and angle you choose, CREOFLEX can be installed on roofs of all kinds. In combination with their proven insertion systems ALUTEC and ALUTEC FL, the system is suitable both for framed and unframed modules. Furthermore CREOFLEX is suitable for all kind of clamping systems.
The Creotecc VENTECC system for every flat roof: VENTECC³ is ideally designed for every challenge posed by a flat roof thanks to its versatility. The aerodynamic design of the system, patent pending, uses the powerof the wind to secure the PV system onto the roof by creating negative pressure– without requiring roof penetration. The VENTECC family comprises VENTECC-BASIC, VENTECC-BINUS and VENTECC-PREMIUM.
These kinds of roofing have several benefits; using the proven and fast ALUTEC insertion technology, Robust pre-mounted frames, Suitable for all common roof types and they are German quality seal for certified Creotecc quality.
The Starlight roof
Uni-Systems, LLC (Uni-Systems), established in 1968, is a highly regarded design and construction firm that specializes in kinetic architecture, transformative structures that change with climate need or purpose.
Uni-Systems provides mechanization systems for a wide range of applications ranging from residential scale retractable roofs, massive retractable stadium roofs and walls to wide body aircraft maintenance facilities. Examples of smaller scale projects Uni-Systems have successfully delivered to its clients include The Starlight.
Uni-Systems created a six-panel roof that, from the perspective of the audience, rotates up and open in concert with live, orchestral music. When the roof is fully open, the panels form a six-point star through which Mother Nature regains her view of the stage.
The technology was relatively inexpensive, yet the results are no less than revolutionary. The faceted roof consists of six triangular, stainless-steel-clad panels. Once completely engaged, the star-shaped opening allows for some celestial drama to unfold prior to, and throughout, every act performed upon the stage.
Although seated relatively close to the roof, performance-goers neither see nor hear any of the jackscrews, gearmotors or the redundant hydraulic safety mechanisms. In the case of rain, the sophisticated roof seal system provides complete protection from the weather and, amusingly, resembles the underside of an umbrella.
For the last 40 years, Uni-Systems have been engineering a wide range of complex and unique, transformative structures.
List of contributors
AHI Roofing Ltd
Fletcher Building Roof Tile Group
Joe Collins
[email protected]
www.decraafrica.com
Creotecc GmbH
Zisgen, Carolin
[email protected]
www.creotecc.com
UNI-SYSTEMS
Peter Fervoy
[email protected]
www.uni-systems.com
ESPAI SISTEMAS
Fernando Palomares
[email protected]
www.espaisistemas.com
