Construction Today - Vol 21 Issue 6 | Page 28

Each of these sectors presents distinct challenges when designing roofing systems , particularly when it comes to balancing local building code requirements , construction budgets , durability , and long-term cost savings . For construction professionals , choosing the right roofing and insulation materials is a key component of optimizing the use of these high-demand facilities .
Data centers
The high demand for data storage presents a lucrative opportunity for builders of data centers . In this fast-paced sector , speed of installation is critical to keep up with development timelines . Properly designed and insulated roofing systems must be installed quickly while delivering superior quality and reliable performance .
Self-adhered TPO systems streamline the installation process and can be installed up to four times faster than conventionally adhered systems . Third-party testing * has shown that Elevate™ UltraPly TPO™ SA reduces labor hours by up to 77 percent per ‘ square ’ ( equal to 100 square feet in roofing terms ) for the membrane installation , helping contractors meet the growing demand and keep up with the pressure to complete jobs quickly .
Cold storage facilities
Cold storage facilities are a specialized segment within the commercial construction sector , driven by the growing demand for refrigerated storage to support food delivery services and pharmaceutical needs . The unique challenge these buildings face stems from the need for precise temperature control , with internal temperatures often ranging from -50 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit .
Thus , the top consideration for cold storage facility construction is the need for high-performance roofing insulation . Polyiso roofing insulation , known for its high thermal resistance capabilities , offers an R-value of approximately 5.7 per inch at a mean temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit , which is ideal for climate-controlled buildings like data centers . This makes polyiso a top choice , where temperature regulation is key to maintaining the functionality of the equipment inside . Elevate ISOGARD™ polyiso insulation performed up to 40 percent better than major competitors when tested by an independent third party at 40 degrees Fahrenheit according to ASTM C1289 standards **. This means its performance improves the colder it gets .
Because these facilities often experience extreme temperature differences between
28