A roof system developed in the ‘90s counteracts the current concerns with wood blocking, meets challenges brought on by labor shortages and depletion of natural resources, and provides long-term waterproofing protection. The system is also environmentally friendly and Energy Star-approved.
Environmental regulations are changing the way that building components will be designed and constructed throughout the 21st century.
For example, wood blocking has long been used as an anchoring substrate for metal edge and flashing components, such as expansion joints, curbs and accessories. Traditional wood blocking consists of pressure-treated lumber to prevent against wood rot, insects and deterioration from moisture. In January 2004, federal regulators halted production of lumber that was treated with arsenic as a preservative. The EPA has classified the arsenic used in the pressure treatment process-chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-as a potential cancer risk. EPA studies concluded that CCA was linked to bladder, liver and lung cancer. It has been estimated that CCA was used on approximately 90 percent of all pressure-treated lumber in the United States.