Companies searching for energy-saving solutions to their commercial flat roofing challenges sometimes hear bad things about polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a roofing material. Look past the rumors, though, and you find a great roofing product for Naples businesses. Thanks to our nearly tropical climate, the advantages of PVC for commercial flat roofing become obvious, once the myths are exploded.
Environmentally UNFriendly?
For companies encouraging you to convert your factory roof into a vegetable garden, of course they want you to think a PVC (sometimes called vinyl) roof is bad for the environment. Consider, though, that when properly applied for commercial flat roofing, PVC is:
- Completely recyclable
- Made of very common, abundant materials (salt to yield chlorine and natural gas to yield ethylene)
- Amazingly long-lasting, reducing embedded energy costs and stretching natural resources far longer than a high-maintenance planted roof or material-intensive built-up roof (BUR).
Not a Cool Roof Product?
PVC is an ideal “cool roof” material in commercial flat roofing applications, especially in the Naples area. By reflecting enormous amounts of radiant energy (up to 80 percent), PVC lowers building cooling costs, so the larger the expanse of roof, the greater your savings. PVC single-ply is:
- Cost-effective
- Quickly installed
- Long-lasting
Your company will spend less money and energy in the life of the PVC roof than you would for other materials. PVC also contributes to preventing heat islands in heavily industrialized areas, since a PVC roof is only about 25 degrees warmer than the surrounding air. Dark roofs of other materials can be as much as 90 degrees hotter.
Too Expensive?
The U.S. Department of Energy points out that PVC roofing has no “price premium,” or additional cost, to gain the advantages of a cool roof for commercial flat roofing. It is no more expensive than an option that may be more polluting, less energy-efficient, or less durable than PVC.
Fire Hazard?
The polymer that makes up vinyl simply does not burn well; it is self-extinguishing. In addition, the plasticizers added to make PVC roofing flexible also include fire retardants. PVC roofs are hard to ignite, slow to burn, and stop burning when the heat source is removed.
As you consider your choices for better materials in commercial flat roofing for your Naples industrial or corporate building, we at Kelly Roofing are ready to help answer all your questions. To learn more about PVC’s many advantages, contact Kelly Roofing today.
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