The Garland Company, Inc., the Cleveland-based roofing and building envelope manufacturer, has introduced a smog-reducing cool roofing granule called StressPly Legacy FR Mineral. 

“We are ecstatic to lead the industry, yet again, in innovation and sustainability,” said Matt McDermott, president of Garland’s U.S. roofing division. “It is crucial that any addition to our StressPly product line upholds the Garland standard for durability, waterproofing, and performance.” 

In a Sept. 24 news release, Garland said StressPly Legacy FR Mineral includes a“higher reflectance cool gray smog-reducing granule in its mineral surface. The granules are activated by sunlight, causing the minerals to bond with nearby smog molecules, converting them into water-soluble salt, which washes away with precipitation. 

From there, the granules are “rejuvenated” and ready to be used again, while the salt (nitrate) is returned to the natural nitrogen cycle, allowing plants to use it. 

Garland said a typical 20,000-square-foot commercial roof covered in StressPly Legacy FR Mineral cool gray has an estimated smog-reducing benefit equivalent to 216 trees or 14,000 miles of car emissions, the average American's annual driving miles.

“Garland is always looking for ways to improve upon our membrane to achieve new levels of durability and sustainability, and our new product StressPly Legacy FR Mineral is a prime example,” said Julie Geyer, director of research and development. 

“The compound consists of six different environmentally-conscious raw materials, including a high-strength ASTM D6162 Type III puncture-resistant reinforcement that contains yarns from recycled plastic bottles,” she added.

StressPly Legacy was developed with sustainability as a core focus. StressPly Legacy consists of repurposed polymers that divert materials like Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene, plastics, crumb-rubber from tires and recycled materials away from landfills. 

StressPly Legacy is a smooth surfaced membrane that uses up to 27% pre-consumer recycled content, 12% post-consumer recycled content, and 1% bio-based content. The packaging consists of corrugated sheets crafted with 100% recycled materials and continues to incorporate sustainability aspects into the pallet bag, roll tape, and stretch film. 

“Garland’s StressPly Legacy line’s sustainable benefits go above and beyond the roof, the watertight performance lasting longer than the average commercial roof, and improving the outdoor air quality,” said McDermott. “This is why at Garland, we say, ‘There’s nothing greener than a roof that lasts.’"

For more information, visit garlandco.com.