It would be obvious even to lay persons that rain water catchment would be higher with smoother surfaces. All types of metal roofing materials such as galvanized iron, corrugated steel, aluminum, various alloys, etc. provide not only smooth surfaces but they are also bacteria-resistant. Hence, the harvested rain water is highly potable. Metal roofing for rain water harvesting easily meets the major criteria required for using metals as the roofing materials in catchment of rain water. These criteria and the effectiveness of metal roofing against each criterion are listed hereunder.

Metal roof installation:

Durability

The roofing system should withstand the weight of the water even during heavy rains. It should not be affected by the accumulation of water on its surface and last for a longer period. Metal roofing for rain water harvesting is able to meet these conditions perfectly.

Functional Design

The roofing should be easy to fix and maintain. It should not leak during periods of heavy rain also and remain strong. The roofing should allow the accumulated water to flow to the rain water harvesting tank smoothly and easily. The metal roofing for rain water harvesting is better in this aspect, compared to many other types of roofing materials.

Purity of Water

Since metal roofing for rain water harvesting is resistant to bacteria, the water collected from rain is generally potable straightaway. Still, bugs, dust, dirt, and debris that accumulate on the metal roof are likely to contaminate the water to a certain extent. Hence, the rain water harvesting system should have adequate filters and other water purifying techniques to remove these materials from the rain harvested water. It is advisable to clean the metal roof before rains are expected to minimize these problems.

Aesthetics

Since the metal roofing for rain water harvesting could be made from various materials like galvanized iron, corrugated steel roofing, aluminum, and alloys, they could be manufactured in various designs, patterns, styles and colors. This would boost not only the functionality of the roof as a powerful rain water harvesting medium but also the aesthetics of the entire building. The variations in aesthetics that could be achieved with metal roofing materials could never be obtained by concrete roofing, the major alternative to metal roofing.

Cost Considerations

Metal roofing for rain water harvesting is among the cheapest roofing materials. In particular, compared to solid concrete roofing, the metal roofing is the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, concrete roofing needs to be reinforced and strengthened with water-proofing chemicals and treatments. This increases the cost of concrete roofs even further. The sturdiness and durability of metal roofing materials result in least maintenance cost over several years. Hence, metal roofs are highly cost effective.

Englert Inc is just one of the many metal roofing manufacturers offering integrated metal roofing and water harvesting systems.

From the above features, it is clear that metal roofing for rain water harvesting is the ideal solution.

Opting to build with environmentally friendly and sustainable materials may prove to be more cost effective in the long term, than building with initially cheaper, but less sustainable or environmentally friendly building materials, that never make effective use of natural resources.

Building in a sustainable way involves using the materials that are sustainable in their nature, and recyclable or easily replenished if needed be. An example of use of green building materials would be construction of modern building using metal for the building envelope. Metal is a sustainable building material that is fully recyclable at the end of its service life. Metal possesses rigidity and durability required to construct buildings that can withstand sun, wind, hail and years of abuse to prevail in harsh environments.

Building with Metal was known to result in a long lasting and durable building long time ago:

Although, the concept of green building was not prevalent in the 1930s, the metal such as steel was in wide use for the construction of great buildings such as Chrysler Building. Completed in 1930, this great building uses metal frame, and incorporates stainless steel cladding to attain longevity, sustainability and energy efficiency. It is not in the least surprising that this great building is still here standing the test of time.

Metal coated with solar reflective coatings can reduce energy consumption by drastically reducing the amount of energy required to cool the building as metal reflects solar heat requiring less energy to cool the building. This also helps mitigate the heat island effect associated with buildings attracting the solar heat, and then releasing the heat into the surrounding environment.

Thus, metal, a green building material, helps in the construction of an energy efficient building that is built to last while being safe for the environment, as well as its occupants is what green building design is all about.

The Environmental protection Agency (EPA) has been assigning energy star ratings to the buildings for many years. The energy star ratings for buildings’ energy efficiency sanctioned by EPA have helped prevent the release of nearly 120 million metric tons of C02 into the atmosphere.

Energy Star buildings typically use 35% less energy and emit 35% less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than average buildings.

The Chrysler building uses 40% less energy, generates 35% less Co2 then the average building. It underwent some systematic upgrades to replace old systems with green building compliant elevators, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, fire, electrical, and energy efficient lighting upgrades.

Bamboo – Natural Green building material

While metal is a sustainable, energy efficient and fully recyclable building material, there are other natural green building materials such as bamboo that grow fast and can be easily replenished. For instance bamboo flooring is considered a green building material.

Green Building means Health and Comfort for the building occupants.

Using green building materials offers many advantages over the traditional materials used for building and renovating, as green building materials are environmentally friendly, which leads to better health, while the construction of so called green buildings can be more attractive for perspective buyers. Green buildings are designed to last providing safe, healthy, and pleasant environment for the building occupants. They emphasize the efficient use of natural resources such as water, and energy. Examples of energy efficient use of resources include: water sinks with auto shut off, automatic doors, automatic lighting, and use of energy efficient and environmentally safe components such as LED lighting.

Another example showcasing the use of metal in modern green building is Cornell University’s new building outfitted with zinc and tin coated steel wall panels designed to provide superior protection against the elements and help make the building more energy efficient. The metal cladding is expected to last well over a 100 years offering durability, and energy efficiency.

Green Building design

Commercial buildings are not the only ones benefiting from green building design. In fact residential homes, even the ones that are already in place can be outfitted with energy efficient upgrades such as energy efficient metal roofs, metal wall panels, solar panels, geothermal energy, energy efficient windows, siding, LED lighting, and energy efficient appliances.

Green building is actively promoted by the US Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization, which was founded in 1993, with the mission to promote, the construction of green buildings, by promoting sustainable building. The US Green Building Counsel is best known for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system (LEED), which is used to certify so called green buildings.

The use of green building materials, and construction of green buildings, represents an important step forward to creating a sustainable environment, for generations to come. Sustainable buildings, use non polluting building materials that are eco-friendly, and are designed for energy conservation, which in turn leads to less waste and less energy consumption, which is not only cost effective, but also provides positive boost to lowering the amount of emissions produced while burning fossil fuels in order to produce energy.

Green building products are becoming more and more common in modern day construction, and are used for for new construction and renovation of the existing homes. With the increase in the usage of green building materials, the cost is rapidly decreasing, making green building products a realistic option even with the immediate budget in mind.

Overall, green building materials and sustainable buildings save money and energy in the long run. Green building practices help preserve the environment. They also create a type of living environment that is healthy, stable and sustainable for future generations. Investing in green building materials is therefore an option that is certainly worth considering for anyone, that is in the process of building or renovating their home.

Eco Resources:

Green Building Council

Alternative Energy Directory

Green Architecture

LED Lighting Manufacturers

Green Building Guide

Most homeowners have sloped roofs protecting their homes, but there are some homeowners who have a flat roof on protecting their residences. Many homeowners experience annoying roof leaks and roofing problems every now and then, but those with flat roofs experience major roof leaks and expensive roof replacements far more frequently. It’s unfortunate that flat roofs are more prone to leak than regular sloped roofs due to their design. Not only are the owners of flat roofs at a disadvantage due to roof design, but they can also become victims of contractors who are not qualified to install flat roofs. This situation often happens when homeowners shop for a new roof while putting a heavy emphasis onto aroof price. When the price becomes a major determining factor, the quality of the actual roof installation is often neglected, and as a results, the actual final product is less than adequate.

The common roofing industry practice shows that flat roofs that require a complete roof replacement due to their age, often get installed improperly. This often happens because the flat roof that requires specialized installation, gets installed by conventional asphalt shingle roofing contractors who rarely get to install a flat roof. This leads to installer errors due to lack of knowledge and inexperience with the flat roofing installation. Another problem with flat roofing installation, is that EPDM rubber, an inherently energy inefficient flat roofing system, tends to fail prematurely and the seams of the roof. The roof seams are held in place by glue that can fail due to standing water, age, and temperature fluctuations. Thus, EPDM flat roofing system is inherently impermanent and tends to fail rather soon. This is bad from the ecological, economical, and consumer perspective.

PVC based cool flat roofing membrane can provide an ecological, economical, and environmentally friendly long lasting roofing solution. IB roof systems, which stands for industry’s best, is just one of the many PVC flat roofing manufacturers that offer a residential flat roofing solution backed by a lifetime warranty. IB flat roofing membrane reflects 95% of solar radiant heat, which helps reduce energy costs and keeps the building and its occupants cool and comfortable. The cool-roof reduces air conditioning load, which is especially significant during peak hours, and it helps combat heat island affect. The seams of IB flat roofing system are hot air welded forming a permanent bond between the seams. The formed bond is so strong that it can never come apart even if there is standing / refreezing water on the roof. IB flat roofing system carries a lifetime residential warranty provided by the manufacturer. It fully solves the problems associated with premature flat roofing leaks, while providing energy savings, providing a long service life that outperforms any other flat roofing system, and helping preserve the environment.

Some of these areas are already abandoned or unkempt. For instance, park and recreational areas that were once highly visited have become urban wastelands. In an article from the Salt Lake Tribute, Lindsay Whitehurt discusses how area that was capped with tennis courts to replace an old reservoir had been empty for some time now. She further explains how the University of Utah received a loan to fill the old reservoir and turn the land into a conservation area.

Much larger metropolitan areas are also playing their role in promoting sustainability by implementing many Green Spaces within the city. In Meg Muckenhoupt’s new book Boston’s Gardens & Green Spaces, she discusses different green space within the city of Boston. With very low cost maintenance fees and little liability, these areas are perfect for protecting our wildlife and the environment. They also attract further tourism; which would in turn generate revenue from ticket/tour sales.

This aligns with the implications of “economic viability” and long term sustainability, posing the questions, “Would substituting golf courses and airports in the short term lead to an abrupt economic downfall? It’s true that this type of architecture provides undoubtedly high revenue. On the contrary, they both come with ridiculously high expenses and maintenance. Incorporating various elements of green architecture implies things like green roofing, which could in turn drive down electrical/gas costs dramatically.

Larger organizations are already taking a step in the right direction in Haiti. Machine behind the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) Doug Band has been working closely with organizations like AFH (Architecture for Humanity) to discuss potential means of green restoration. Combined with the additional efforts of many large collaborative units like the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), they plain to rebuild Haiti in a greener fashion.

Recent findings have driven people like McMahon and fellow conservationists to investigate further into upgrading and expanding green infrastructure efforts. As earth day 2010 slowly approaches, it’s important that we as individuals follow and support these ventures. It’s equally important that we adapt greener disciplines to support both our planet and our economy.

This is very significant from the economic, environmental, and ecological perspectives. So since the government has stepped forward to reward and encourage homeowners to take advantage of green building incentives, why not take advantage of the economic recovery act and make your home greener as well as make a positive environmental impact.

Top 10 green remodeling and home improvements:

Energy efficient insulation – installing energy efficient insulation can have the greatest environmental impact and increase energy efficiency of your home by as much as 50%. This is especially true of older homes that usually do not have sufficient insulation. I recommend using energy star rated insulation products to property insulate your walls, attic space, and ceilings. There are breathable insulation products that provide energy efficient insulation, and allow your home to breeze. This helps prevent rotting, and keeps your home cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter.

Energy efficient windows – by installing energy efficient windows you can further reduce your heating and cooling costs. Energy efficient windows are designed to allow sun warm up your room in the winter, and keep the warm air from escaping. In the summer, energy efficient windows help keep your room cooler and reduce air conditioning load.

Energy efficient vinyl siding and Metal Wall Panels – combined with energy efficient insulation energy efficient vinyl siding can further increase the degree of energy efficiency of your home, and provide aesthetics and beauty for your home. Another option is to install metal wall panels instead of siding. Metal wall panels provide excellent energy efficiency and style, as well as a touch of different to your home.

Energy efficient roof – installation of energy efficient roofing system can take your home’s energy efficiency to yet another level. I recommend installing cool-roof an energy star rated metal roof that reflects solar radiant heat, which keeps your home cooler, increases the value of your home, and can help with ice dam prevention in the winter. Modern metal roofs are our coated with solar reflective metal roofing colors designed specifically for attaining cool-roof properties, which translates into energy savings and greener environment. Metal offers many advantages over conventional roofing materials, you can learn a lot more about metal roofing pros and cons to see the whole specter of benefits metal roofs have to offer.

Solar roofing panels – you can really reach for the sky and integrate solar panels with your new energy efficient roof. There are options including solar roofing shingle, solar roofing panels that attach to the metal roofing panels, and peel and stick thin film photovoltaic solar panels that easily adhere to standing-seam metal roofs. Many solar roofing systems will pay for themselves in 7 to 10 years. Further, many states offer additional rebates to homeowners will choose to install solar panels.

Led lighting – by upgrading your conventional incandescent bulbs, and fluorescent lights, to ultra long lasting and energy efficient light emitting diodes, you can realize additional energy savings and get the LED lighting system that can last for a very long time without requiring replacements of the bulbs.

Energy star rated appliances – you can realize additional energy savings by upgrading your appliances such as refrigerator, dishwasher, dryers to energy star rated ones. By doing so, you can reduce your energy bills, and contribute towards cleaner environment.

Green flooring – this upgrade will not provide any additional energy savings, but if you consider replacing your floors; you can choose to install green floor and products such as Bomboo flooring, or you can opt for sustainable flooring products made locally.

Upgrading your home with energy efficient improvements, and remodeling in sustainable way shows your commitment to yourself, your home, your community, and the environment. Good luck with your remodeling projects and keep green in mind!

References:

Green building directory

Construction directory

Construction and remodeling costs

Home improvement directory

Roofs and common roofing materials information, buying guides, energy efficiency comparisons.

In 2007 Solar Decathlon, Boston was represented by a Solar Home built by MIT team and many volunteers interested in green technologies. This year it is Boston Architecture College and Tufts University that sponsor the solar home built by Team Boston. Why team Boston? Because many folks that participated in 2007 Solar Decathlon are doing it again.

We and IB Roof Systems (the manufacturer of Cool PVC flat roofing membrane) had our own humble involvement by sponsoring the roof installation on top of this amazing creation of latest architectural designs and green construction technologies. Now, with a new IB 50-mil PVC membrane, this solar home will be completely water-tight and the built in water collection system will provide it with as much H2O as it need. The roof is also very well insulated with over 5 inches if rigid ISO tapered insulation and additional 12 inches of insulation between the rafters. The cool roofing properties of IB Roofs will minimize its cooling needs, and will waterproof the entire building. Hopefully everyone will be eventually replacing their old black roof with a cool roof such as IB, and when roof removal is required by code, calling a skip hire to remove the old material, and then installing these new highly efficient roof is economical and sustainable way to deal with roof tear-off. In some cases the old asphalt roof can be recycled and used in synthetic roofing products.

About the Team Boston Solar Home:

By definition, a solar decathlon project will use different solar technologies available on the market. Team Boston has created such a design where virtually every solar system will be utilized. There will be a 4.6 KW Solar PV system consisting of 20 SunTech PV panels. There will be a large solar hot water installation using Viessmann Solar Thermal hot water panels and water storage unit. But aside from these common, roof mounted solar systems, there will be a new solar thermal system, that will provide up to 70% of FREE heating to this house. It is a so called “trombe wall”. I’ve discussed it in our previous article about solar thermal mass windows. But this time, the Boston Solar Home will have ne and improves solar thermal windows: these are not the old 2×2′ window blocks. It will be a full size 8×2 wall/window units, covering entire south side of this solar house, to provide it with all the heat it will need in the winter. To avoid overheating in the summer, the roof will overhang the southern side by 3 feet, and an additional retractable awning will roll out to provide the shade for these thermals walls / windows.

The walls of this solar house have 2 inches of ISO insulation on the outside and 6 inches of between studs insulation. In total there will be more than 30-r in the walls. Although this is a stick construction home, it can easily be labeled as super-insulated, and it will have minimal heat loss, while providing more than enough energy to be completely off the greed, and won’t need any outside energy sources for either heating or cooling.

Portable design of this Solar Home:

For the competition purpose, the house has to be transportable, therefore it is designed and built in 3 sections on a portable foundation blocks so that it can be put on that flat-bed trucks and transported to DC, for the competition, and then transported back.

The house is designed to be easily taken apart put back together: All the mechanical components, a bathroom, kitchen, heating and air-conditioning equipment and electrical panel ate located in one part, and special quick connect ports are used when two living sections are connected. Solar PV panels and solar thermal system are installed on removable racking systems that are mounted to the parapet walls on the roof, eliminating any roof penetrations and potential roof leaks. This also allows for easy removal and re-installation of both types of solar systems.

There will be a fold-able / removable deck / patio area with a handicapped access ramp, making this home a perfect choice for comfortable living in the summer and winter, and usable by anyone.

Final thoughts about the solar house:

Since this solar home is still in construction stage and many systems are not installed yet, it is difficult to get a complete picture of how it will perform. Still, this will be a true zero-energy home, and will actually produce a lot of excess electric power to be sent back into the grid. My biggest personal concern about this home is the cost: without having exact information and costs run down, the estimates are around $800,000. This amounts to about $1000 per square foot of living space (a maximum of 800 sq. ft. of living space is one of the guidelines of the Solar Decathlon competition), which is very expensive and is not very practical. However this is just  prototype and if it was a mass production home, the actual cost would be a lot less. This cost also includes the transportation to and from competition site in Washington DC, and nominal expenses such as marketing, promotion, creation of the website, etc. So actual construction costs are somewhere about $500,000-600,000.

This is just a firs report on this solar home, and there will be more, as construction goes on. Stay tuned for a complete report on the roof and solar PV system installation as well as overview of the new solar thermal window units.

Useful resources:

http://www.coolflatroof.com/flat-roofing-blog – Learn about the green cool PVC roofing systems, solar roof products and metal roof installation methods.

http://www.mbmcarpentry.com – Green construction and home improvement ins South-Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

MA Metal Roofing – Flat roofs will not always fit the design of a solar home, and that is where the greenest roofing technology – a Metal Roof – is perfect fit for any sloped roof design.

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