Few businesses appreciate the value of maximizing profitability better than financial institutions. A key component of turning a profit, of course, is containing expenses, which was precisely what a Sacramento-based credit union had in mind when it contacted Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing about reroofing its Sacramento corporate headquarters.

The reroof presented no staging problems and the TPO membrane easily accommodated sheet metal and mechanical work and the addition of vents, drains/sumps, curbs and pipe penetrations.

Energy Crisis Prompts Conservation
As California's energy costs soar to record highs, a renewed conservation mindedness has emerged. Building owners throughout the state are seeking creative ways to reign in their expenditures. One of the main areas they are exploring for energy savings is the roof.

Light surfaces reflect the sun's rays, keeping buildings cooler, lowering energy costs and helping to improve the local air quality and environment. Building owners are looking to roofing contractors and manufacturers to offer energy-saving options.

Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing has been one of the first roofing companies to work with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) in promoting an energy saving program initiated by the California Energy Commission. The Cool Roof Program, as it is known, is an aggressive rebate initiative designed to encourage the installation of light colored roofing surfaces.

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Long an environmentally conscious company, the California credit union wanted to do its part to curtail power consumption and preserve the nation's energy resources and environment. A financial cooperative considered to be one of the largest credit unions in the U.S., the institution knew it had to replace its old roofing system — actually two systems on top of one another — with today's increasingly energy efficient choice, white TPO single-ply roofing. A Cool Savings rebate of $.20 per square foot, administered by (SMUD), made the investment even more attractive.

Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing evaluated its client's options and recommended a white TPO product from Stevens Roofing Systems, Holyoke, MA.

"We have done a considerable amount of work with Stevens and find the product really delivers when it comes to reflectivity and quality," said Christian Madsen, vice president of Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing.

Madsen went on to approach an independent company, The Micro Group, also based in Sacramento, which specializes in environmentally advanced roofing systems. Madsen asked The Micro Group to help provide an energy analysis to demonstrate the potential benefits of using a white TPO roofing system.

Analysis Shows White is 'Greener'
Using the DOE-2 Energy Model Program, a recognized U.S. Department of Energy tool, the companies analyzed the current energy usage of the client's buildings in therms, kilowatt hours and dollars spent, then extrapolated the expenditures after the planned installation of a cool, reflective white roof membrane from Stevens and the addition of new roof vents and insulation.

The analysis showed that such changes would reduce energy consumption associated with heating, cooling and ventilating the building, enabling Madsen's client to realize savings of between 27% (for its larger one-story building) and 34% (for the smaller two-story building).

"When reroofing is performed in conjunction with other conservation measures, the cost containment can be dramatic," said Madsen, who noted that an increased R-value greatly compounds the intrinsic energy efficiency of the reflective white TPO membrane. "Many building owners know that installing a white roof is the ?right' thing to do, but not many understand how large an energy savings they may experience."

White TPO's Myriad Advantages
Madsen began the project with the tear off and reroof of the smaller two-story structure.

"We have been tearing off and immediately reroofing as we go," said Glenn Dietrich, estimator for Madsen Roofing. "The old roofing systems had a total of 25% reflectivity. By replacing it with two inches of polyisocyanurate insulation, a layer of Densdeck cover board from GP Gypsum, and a durable 60 mm white Stevens EP single-ply membrane, we increased the reflectivity from about 25% to nearly 80%."

"The entire job is 1,548 squares of roofing and Madsen has done outstanding work, providing an exemplary installation of the Stevens product," noted Paul Piscoran, a Stevens regional manager. "Madsen has been responsible for promoting the energy efficiency of the white TPO on this project from the beginning. The energy savings will be impressive."

"We completed a majority of the project at night," added Dietrich. "We make it a point to accommodate building owners and their tenants, which often entails working odd hours so as not to inconvenience employees."

Madsen replaced the existing roofing systems, which weighed upwards of 700 pounds per square, with the much lighter TPO system. The Stevens EP membrane affords a significant dead-weight load reduction, removing a structural strain and facilitating the seismic retrofit that was performed simultaneously on the credit union's buildings.

Using the DOE-2 Energy Model Program, contractor Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing analyzed current — and future - energy usage after installation of a new TPO roof. It found that the reroof could realize energy savings of between 27-34%.

Yet, while the benefits relating to energy and seismic activity are abundant and clear, there are many other reasons why white TPO made perfect sense. The white roof makes a strong aesthetic statement, topping off a headquarters that is seen by tens of thousands of motorists along Highway 50 every day. Being asphalt-compatible, the TPO was a good choice to cover the expansive surface of the building due to the extent of the old system's residual asphalt.

The process presented no staging problems and easily accommodated sheet metal and mechanical work and the addition of vents, drains/sumps, curbs and pipe penetrations. In addition, Stevens EP TPO provides superb resistance to UV, ozone and other chemicals, as well as strong, heat-welded seams.

Not All 'Cool' Roofs are Created Equal
As in any business, there is a range of quality available in the 'cool' roof market segment. Mike Roteik, president of The Micro Group, believes it's critically important for customers to choose roofing systems and contractors wisely.

"As cool roofing has caught on in the last decade, many companies have rushed forward with offerings that don't quite measure up," concluded Roteik. "Customers need to realize that in roofing, a simple mistake can have enormous repercussions. Stevens and Madsen, with proven track records in the manufacture and installation of environmental roofing solutions, made this a smooth and successful project from start to finish."