Vegetative Roof Case Study: St. Clair Community College
The Acheson Technology Center
at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) in Port Huron, Mich.,
was in desperate need of a replacement for the building’s 70,000-square-foot,
20-year-old EPDM membrane roof.
The Acheson Technology Center at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) in Port Huron, Mich., was in desperate need of a replacement for the building’s 70,000-square-foot, 20-year-old EPDM membrane roof.
Concerned about sustainability, SC4 wanted a roof system that would support a vegetative roof as well as solar and wind energy generation.
David Chwalibog of the Avrie Group, a Milford building envelope and roofing engineering firm, specified the vegetative roof system. Because he wanted a roof durable enough to withstand the replacement of vegetative roof trays, he specified IB Roof Systems’ 80 mil roof membrane, which comes with a 25-year warranty. The 80 mil is also puncture-resistant and tough enough to withstand the rugged environment needed for a successful, long-term vegetative roof project.
The Energy Star-approved IB Roof System membrane reflects thermal waves from the sun to increase the energy efficiency of the building, lowering the building’s overall energy costs and reducing its carbon footprint.
Newton Crane Roofing, an IB Roof System certified roofing contractor, designed and installed the roof, which included a walkway with pavers that incorporated irrigation. Once the vegetative roof was complete, Newton returned to finish the project with the installation of the solar panels.
Perhaps the most innovative feature of the SC4
project is the 8,000 square feet of green space. A vegetative roof usually
needs extra layers of special membranes as a buffer between the membrane and
the organic matter, but IB’s membrane met all the specifications for a loose
laid membrane application.
Building owners reap many benefits from a vegetative IB Roof Systems roof. Vegetative roofs extend the life of a roof by minimizing thermal expansion and contraction and by blocking harmful ultraviolet light. They also help reduce conditions that cause the urban heat island effect.
Green roofs also provide storm water management benefits by retaining anywhere from 60 percent to 100 percent of rainfall. This reduces sewer system overflow events and runoff of contaminants. Vegetative roofs also offer acoustical buffering, provide wildlife habitat and beautify the community.
When the PVC roofing membrane has met the end of its service life, IB will recycle and replace it, reducing the amount of waste that enters the landfill. LEED Innovation and Design credits are available for project teams working with carbon neutral products like IB Roof Systems.
“IB Roof Systems’ product met all the client’s sustainable parameters and reduced the cost of adding extra materials for the green roof installation,” explained Chwalibog.
St. Clair County Community College officials are pleased with their new roof, the timeliness of its delivery, and the environmental benefits it provides. The roof will prove to be durable and economical over time and will demonstrate the college’s commitment to environmental stewardship for generations to come.
For more information, visit www.thebetterroof.com.
The Acheson Technology Center at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) in Port Huron, Mich., was in desperate need of a replacement for the building’s 70,000-square-foot, 20-year-old EPDM membrane roof.
Concerned about sustainability, SC4 wanted a roof system that would support a vegetative roof as well as solar and wind energy generation.
David Chwalibog of the Avrie Group, a Milford building envelope and roofing engineering firm, specified the vegetative roof system. Because he wanted a roof durable enough to withstand the replacement of vegetative roof trays, he specified IB Roof Systems’ 80 mil roof membrane, which comes with a 25-year warranty. The 80 mil is also puncture-resistant and tough enough to withstand the rugged environment needed for a successful, long-term vegetative roof project.
The Energy Star-approved IB Roof System membrane reflects thermal waves from the sun to increase the energy efficiency of the building, lowering the building’s overall energy costs and reducing its carbon footprint.
Newton Crane Roofing, an IB Roof System certified roofing contractor, designed and installed the roof, which included a walkway with pavers that incorporated irrigation. Once the vegetative roof was complete, Newton returned to finish the project with the installation of the solar panels.
Building owners reap many benefits from a vegetative IB Roof Systems roof. Vegetative roofs extend the life of a roof by minimizing thermal expansion and contraction and by blocking harmful ultraviolet light. They also help reduce conditions that cause the urban heat island effect.
Green roofs also provide storm water management benefits by retaining anywhere from 60 percent to 100 percent of rainfall. This reduces sewer system overflow events and runoff of contaminants. Vegetative roofs also offer acoustical buffering, provide wildlife habitat and beautify the community.
When the PVC roofing membrane has met the end of its service life, IB will recycle and replace it, reducing the amount of waste that enters the landfill. LEED Innovation and Design credits are available for project teams working with carbon neutral products like IB Roof Systems.
“IB Roof Systems’ product met all the client’s sustainable parameters and reduced the cost of adding extra materials for the green roof installation,” explained Chwalibog.
St. Clair County Community College officials are pleased with their new roof, the timeliness of its delivery, and the environmental benefits it provides. The roof will prove to be durable and economical over time and will demonstrate the college’s commitment to environmental stewardship for generations to come.
For more information, visit www.thebetterroof.com.
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