search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
      • Enter Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
      • Enter the Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

The Green Movement Sweeps Eastward

By Stacey Richardson
April 2, 2008
What began on the West Coast with the passing of California’s Revised Title 24 Code in October 2005 has quickly spread throughout the entire country. Today, most major cities across the United States have adopted some form of energy efficiency standards for new construction and existing buildings.

Tremco’s Rock-It Surfacing System at Riverside Community College, Riverside, Calif. Rock-It is comprised of a combination of a white surfacing adhesive and white gravel, which enables this system to achieve ENERGY STAR and Title 24 compliance.


What began on the West Coast with the passing of California’s Revised Title 24 Code in October 2005 has quickly spread throughout the entire country. Today, most major cities across the United States have adopted some form of energy efficiency standards for new construction and existing buildings.

In May 2006, Seattle approved a plan to offer incentives and encourage site-appropriate packages of greening possibilities including green roofs, interior green walls, exterior vertical landscaping, and rain gardens, which can help with building insulation, shading, air filtration, and stormwater runoff management. Seattle was also the first municipality in the nation to adopt the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating for its own major construction projects.

New York City Local Law 86 (also known as “The LEED Law”) became effective in January 2007 and requires that many of New York City’s new municipal buildings, as well as additions and renovations to existing municipal buildings, achieve exacting standards of sustainability that satisfy various LEED criteria.

Washington, D.C.’s Green Building Act of 2006 went into effect in March 2007, and requires compliance with the LEED rating system for both private and public projects within the nation’s capital. Washington, D.C., is the first major U.S. city to require LEED compliance for private projects. These new green building standards will be mandatory in the District by 2009 for privately owned, non-residential construction projects with 50,000 square feet or more; however, public projects may have to comply with these new standards as early as this year.

Pennsylvania is currently second to California for the number of LEED-certified buildings at 83, and currently has four state funds, including the $20-million Sustainable Energy Fund that provides grants and loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia recently enacted a “Green Roofs Tax Credit” for costs incurred by installing a roof that supports living vegetation. Additionally, a “Sustainable Zoning” ordinance has also been proposed in Philadelphia to mandate green roofs for buildings occupying a minimum of 90,000 square feet.

In Maryland, the Baltimore City Planning Commission voted in April 2007 to require developers to incorporate green building standards into projects by 2010. Boston has gone even further, amending its zoning code to mandate green building for all public and private development projects greater than 50,000 square feet.

Tremco’s POWERply T24 and WOW Adhesive is an all-white modified bitumen system, which facilitated Cal State L.A.’s compliance with Title 24 requirements as well as ENERGY STAR.

The list goes on and on. In the near future, green or sustainable building will no longer be an option to participate in, but a requirement to follow. It is the way of the future, and industry developments in new green technology will provide building owners increasing access to energy-saving, environmentally-friendly systems and materials. Everything from bio-based adhesives and sealants, low-VOC or recycled-content building products, to the far-reaching capabilities of nanotechnology - the movement of building “renewable” and “energy-efficient” will only continue to strengthen.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Stacey Richardson is a product specialist with the Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance division. For more information, visit www.tremcoroofing.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Editor's Note
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Steep Slope Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

QXO closed its acquisition of Beacon Building Supply on April 29, 2025.

QXO Closes Beacon Acquisition, Rebrands Immediately; Jacobs to Ring NYSE Bell

New executive orders signed by President Trump will likely further constrict an already tight labor market for the construction industry.

New Executive Orders Will Further Squeeze Labor Force

A bill under consideration in the Louisiana State House would bar roofing contractors from helping homeowners file or negotiate insurance claims.

La. Weighs Banning Roofers from Assisting with Insurance Claims

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

May 22, 2025

Remote Teams 101: The New Way to Hire

Our industry experts will guide you through what remote hiring and outsourcing should look like, how it can help you grow, and why it’s easier (and less scary) than you might think. If you want to save time, find great talent, and grow your business, this is one session you don’t want to miss!

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing