The zero waste roofing system that is being used by Target has become a big part of the company?s efforts to work with sustainable efforts. Target has been active in the world of environmental support for years and has been responsible for recycling cardboard in its stores for decades and with working hard to get all its locations to meet Energy Star standards with regards to the appliances, lighting and HVAC systems being used here.

One of the greatest efforts that Target has been working on is commerical roofing in Houston, TX and beyond. This includes understanding how Target selects its materials for getting its roofing surfaces ready.

It?s been found that Target has been using PVC roofing materials for the last twenty years. Much of this was done to keep the heat from the sun from getting in the way of the property and making it harder for the HVAC system in the workplace to operate.

However, all roofing materials are analyzed carefully to make sure that they will continue to operate properly. Thermal insulation and cover board will still be intact and capable of working properly even after a PVC membrane wears out and has to be replaced. Therefore, more than 25,000 cubic feet of waste will be saved every time Target replaces a PVC membrane without replacing insulation.

Sustainable commercial roofing is used by cutting the old PVC roof into strips and rolled and tossed with secure fasteners to keep the strips from coming apart as they are rolled. The manufacturer of the membrane will then take control of it as it is shipped off to the manufacturer to recycle everything.

Target is also using recycling confirmation plans through a partnership with Underwriters Laboratories Environment. ULE has created a system that analyzes the individual steps utilized in the process of getting a roof set up and ready for use.

The process has been utilized by Target on a few dozens of its stores and about a million pounds of PVC membrane has been recycled in the process, thus reducing the amount of landfill space that would have to be used when getting a new roofing surface ready. The benefit of PVC roofing to keep excess heat from getting onto the building and impacting it certainly adds to the value.

Overall, this should help to improve the ways how Target will stick onto its plans to recycle at least 80% of its waste materials in their roofing plans. It may not be the ?zero waste? goal that Target is looking for but this does get the company one step closer to reaching its ultimate goal for achieving its goals for sustainable roofing.a If you have questions about sustainable roofing for your Houston commercial roof, contact Schulte Roofing for more information.

Reference: Fenner, M., & Graveline, S. P. (2011). Zero Waste Roofing. Proceedings of the 2011 International Roofing Symposium. Retrieved from http://staticcontent.nrca.net/masterpages/technical/symposium/pdf/06_graveline_paper.pdf.

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Choose the Material

One of the first roof replacement tips to consider involves the material that is best for your needs. Depending on your type of building, weather exposure, and other factors, you can choose from among the most popular roofing materials:

• Asphalt shingles
• Raised seam metal
• Composite shingles
• Slate or tile
• Architectural shingles

Beyond choosing the style and look of the roofing materials, roof replacement calls for some key decisions about the means and methods of the construction and framing materials. The roof professionals will guide you through these decisions as you consider roof replacement ideas.

Design and Function

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Technology has already dramatically changed many things. Many jobs can now be done virtually, communication is instantaneous, and life is becoming more automated every day. So it?s no surprise that the roofing industry will soon be getting a technology upgrade as well.

Here are a few ways you can expect technology to influence roofing.

Aerial imagery. While aerial imaging is already used as an estimating tool, its use is expected to expand into new services not just for roofers, but other contractors. With clearer images a roof installation ? or any rooftop construction ? can easily be monitored. Damage to the roof can also be easily assessed, which means the industry can expect aerial imaging to be more commonplace in roofing inspections.

Virtual education. As online education is one of the fastest growing industries today, and as demand continues to increase for virtually accessible ways to educate and train those who work in many service industries including roofing, the roofing industry can expect to see more installation, product demos, and even sales training offered through webinar, podcast, conference call, and online courses.

Drones. While the use of drones may have initially been slow to catch on, their use has expanded in many unique ways. They have been used in airports, military services, schools, and even elite sporting events like the Spartathlon, a race run from Athens to Sparta every year. So what do they offer the roofing industry? A very quick, efficient way to inspect, and offer an estimate on a roof. They also can make inspections and estimates safer as instead of climbing on a roof, a skilled contractor can simply send a drone up.

These are just a few of the many innovative ways roofing contractors have utilized technology to make their work, safer, more efficient, and more exacting. Surely many more exist, and many more are soon to be developed.

Contact Us today for Guidance on roof restoration from hail damage.

The roof is the part of the house that gets the most exposure to extreme elements such as UV rays, hail, snow, and rain water. Although roofs are designed to withstand constant exposure to such elements, years of exposure will eventually take their toll on the roofing material. After living for a decade or two under the same roof, homeowners will eventually have to call a roofing Houston specialist to do the replacement.

Factors Affecting Roof Durability

Type of Material ? One of the factors that affect the durability of a roof is the type of material from which the roof is constructed. Some roofing materials such as slate, metal and clay have very long life spans and can last up to 50 years or more, while wood shakes and asphalt have a life span of 20-30 years. If the home has synthetic roofing such as PVC or synthetic rubber, it may face replacement relatively sooner since this material only lasts 10 to15 years.

Climate Condition ? Another factor that would affect the life span of a roof is the climate. In most cases, roof manufacturers test their products and come up with the life expectancy under normal climate conditions, however, extreme weather conditions such as drastic temperature changes from warm to cold and constant exposure to UV rays can speed up the roof?s deterioration faster than expected. If a homeowner lives in areas with such climate conditions, they should expect to replace the roof sooner than expected.

A roof may already require major repairs or replacement by a roofing Houston contractor when the roof is having the following problems:

• Missing Shingles ? A loose or missing shingle or roof tile is a sign of roof damage. Without shingles, water can easily seep through and damage the underlying roof structure. Shingles, like ones made from asphalt, also tend to curl as they age, making them even less effective. When such problems are present, the homeowners should be urged to replace the roof.
• Sagging ? Normally, the roof?s slope and ridges are well aligned; however, if a homeowner observes the roof sagging, that is a clear indicator of long-term damage to the underlying structure. The wooden structure supporting the roof may have already begun deteriorating causing the entire roofing structure to sag. The eventual consequence of ignoring this problem is the collapse of the roof!
• Interior Water Damage ? If a homeowner has noticed water stains on ceilings or any surrounding wood, this is an indication that the roof is allowing water to leak into the home. If not repaired, the leak could increase in size, causing damage not only to the roofing structure but to the ceiling and walls as well.
• Inefficient Heating or Cooling ? If a homeowner notices an increase in their energy bill, the culprit could be the roof. The roof is equipped with insulation to keep the temperature inside neutral. Insulation can become wet from moisture coming from inside the home or from water leaking through the roof. When this happens, the insulation becomes ineffective and it will make a difference in the energy bill.

Obvious signs of roof damage such as multiple roof leaks or falling roof shingles would get the attention of most homeowners to seek roof repair or total roof replacement. It would be much smarter not wait for such serious damage to occur before calling in a roofing Houston specialist. A roof may look fine to the untrained eye even when it is past its life expectancy. It is more likely that it is beginning to deteriorate in ways that cannot readily be seen except to a professional roofing Houston specialist. Don?t wait for the roof to fall apart before deciding it is time for a new roof ? get professional roof inspections yearly and save that roof!

Tax time is here again, and for most people, that means deductions ? and hopefully lots of them. So if you are thinking about those taxes, take a look at these five tax deductions, you just might have overlooked.a

Babysitting Expenses. Many people are aware that they can deduct babysitting expenses that are needed when they are working, but what about if you are a stay at home mom who likes to help out at an elderly home? According to the Child and Dependent Care Credit, you can also deduct the expenses of hiring a sitter not just when you work, but also, when you volunteer.

Plugging-In That New Electric Ride. While this credit currently only applies to businesses, if you use your car for a personal business, it can still be claimed. So just how much can you claim? As of this writing, up to $7,500 per vehicle can be deducted. So considering new electric ride? With a deduction like this, it just might make sense.

Work- Related Physical Enhancements. What is a work-related physical enhancement? Presumably anything that you claim you need to improve about your appearance that will also improve your career. While few know about this deduction, bodybuilders have used it for years to deduct body oils, skin treatments (such as tanning), and personal grooming (such as manicures). However, let?s say you give presentations, sell real estate, or make teaching webinars, any physical enhancements that you can argue will help you find greater success in your profession can be claimed.

Rescuing Pets. Most people don?t need an extra reason to take home a furry bundle of joy, but did you also know that the expenses associated with adopting a foster pet can be tax deductible? That?s right, all the mileage, vet bills, cages, food, leash, play pen, litter box, and even cleaning supplies associated with your new friend can be tax deductible. Not ready to adopt a pet? That?s okay too. If you volunteer or work for a shelter, your mileage and expenses associated with that work can also be deducted.

Alternative Medicine. You probably already know that if you need medical treatment, surgery, or prescription medication this can be deductible, but you probably didn?t know that say, acupuncture, massage, or even homeopathic medicine can also be deductible. And with more people turning to alternative medicine ? the most recent number suggests one in five people now consistently use some form of alternative medicine ? you can expect to see more tax deductions used for exactly that. But here?s another way that this little loophole might also help you deduct some home improvement expenses. Let?s say that you need a pool because swimming has been recommended to you by a medical professional, or that that hot tub you?ve been wanting can be built primarily for therapeutic purposes. As long as the purpose of the home improvement is therapeutic in nature ? and intended to be used primarily for that purpose ? it can be claimed.