[Greenbuilding] epdm vs. tar

[Gennaro Brooks-Church - Eco Brooklyn]

Michael,
That sounds like a bombproof roof. My thought would be that maybe you
could get away without doing the two layers of torchdown.
I have asked some other green roofers and they agree that EPDM is a
good first choice. It performs two functions - waterproofing and root
barrier. You can do torchdown but then you have to install a solid
root barrier, and we're not talking those cheap rolls of black felt
you buy in garden centers. It has to be the kind that is used to keep
tree roots and bamboo from spreading, which at that point you might as
well just do the one step EPDM.
I have seen torch down roofs laid with plastic and then the green
roof, but the roofers I've spoken to agree that you are not creating a
long term root barrier.
Gennaro Brooks-Church

Cell: 1 347 244 3016 USA
www.EcoBrooklyn.com
22 2nd St; Brooklyn, NY 11231




On Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 1:06 AM, Michael O'Brien <obrien at hevanet.com> wrote:
> Hi, Gennaro--
>
> We used two layers of asphalt torchdown over plywood to seal the roof, and then we laid EPDM over that, mainly to create a root barrier as plants can get through asphalt. Our roof is sloped so we installed perforated metal dividers horizontally to prevent our planting mix from sliding on the EPDM. Four years on, seems to be doing fine.
>
> Best,
>
> Mike O'Brien
>
>
>
> On Aug 28, 2011, at 8:13 PM, Gennaro Brooks-Church - Eco Brooklyn wrote:
>
>> Let me be more clear. I install EPDM roofs and green roofs on top of
>> that because I think it is better than a simple roll on tar roof. So I
>> get a lot of clients coming to me wanting me to explain why they
>> should do EPDM (and maybe a green roof) instead of roll on. I'm
>> looking for substance from you all to add to my explanation. I'm not
>> sure I have my facts right or maybe I'm leaving something out.
>>
>> Here is what I say more or less.
>> Tar roof - lasts 10 years, $10 to install (for argument sake)
>> EPDM - 20 years, $20 to install
>> Green roof - extends EPDM by 10 years, $20 to install
>>
>> Tar roof needs to be cleared off every three layers - $10 to clear off.
>>
>> So....over 30 years.
>> Tar roof - $40, more petro chemicals consumed, more waster created.
>> EPDM + green roof - $40, not including cooling savings (any guess on
>> this?), quality of life, no heat island effect, reduced water run
>> off...
>>
>> Your thoughts? How do my numbers look?
>>
>> Gennaro Brooks-Church
>>
>> Cell: 1 347 244 3016 USA
>> www.EcoBrooklyn.com
>> 22 2nd St; Brooklyn, NY 11231
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Aug 28, 2011 at 8:35 PM, Gennaro Brooks-Church - Eco Brooklyn
>> <info at ecobrooklyn.com> wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>> Does anyone have life span of EPDM vs. typical tar roll on roofs?
>>> Gennaro Brooks-Church
>>>
>>> Cell: 1 347 244 3016 USA
>>> www.EcoBrooklyn.com
>>> 22 2nd St; Brooklyn, NY 11231
>>>
>>
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>
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