Durability: PVC is amongst the most durable roofing and waterproofing options as proven through more than 45 years of service on roofs all over the world. Products that serve their intended purpose for a longer period of time without need for replacement are naturally more sustainable.
Recycling: PVC is the only single ply roofing membrane with an established end-of-life roof recycling program that converts the old membrane back into roofing membrand products.
Fire Safety: PVC out performs all other single ply roofing materials regarding fire resistance. It is naturally fire retardant and will self extinguish with the removal of the flame source.
Energy Efficiency: Reflective vinyl roofs save energy by reducing the absorption of solar energy and its transfer to the building interior. Less heat transferred to the interior means less energy needed for air conditioning. Cooler roofs also minimize the degradation of insulation thermal efficiency that can occur at high roof envelope high temperatures. Vinyl roofing products were the first and only roofing products to be labeled under the EPA's EnergyStar® Roof Products Program that could also demonstrate 30 years (circa 1999) of demonstrated performance history. According to the EPA, white vinyl roofs may lower air conditioning utility expenses by as much as 50 % in some climates.
Resource Efficiency: Just 47% of the PVC resin's raw materials are derived from petroleum, less than any other single ply roofing membrane. The remaining 53% are derived from salt. Decreasing the United States dependence on foreign oil is universally accepted as a national Security and domestic policy prerogative. Vinyl roofing membranes are the most resource efficient roofing products because of their limited reliance on the hydrocarbon chain/petroleum.
Health & Safey: PVC roofing is inert and contains no dioxins. The plasticizers used by Sika Sarnafil are highly stable and an integral part of the membrane. They have never been shown by any government body to be harmful to humans.
Code Compliance: PVC meets all applicable UL, FM and ICC building codes. PVC roofing membranes also meet the cool roofing requirements of EnergyStar®, Green Globes™, LEED®, California Title 24, ASHRAE 90.1-2007 and the Chicago Energy Code.
Air Quality/Green House Gases: Reflective roofs help to reduce the ambient air temperature in urban areas by decreasing the square footage of dark surfaces. As a result, they in turn help to decrease the formation of smog related pollutants that form when carbon monoxide interacts with warmer ambient air temperatures. Each square foot of dark colored roof membrane replaced with a reflective PVC roof membrane reduces green house gas emissions. On average, a Sika Sarnafil vinyl membrane in North America is carbon neutral after 1.7 years.
Water Quality: PVC roofing membrane is inert and does not contribute any chemicals of concern to storm water runoff.
Source: Sika Sarnafil December 2009