The year 2020 may well be remembered as a year of extremes. From a historic hurricane and wildfire season to unprecedented social distancing efforts in commercial buildings, extreme conditions pose challenges when it comes to designing resilient, high-performing commercial enclosures—particularly commercial rooftops.
While extraordinary weather events present challenges for the building enclosure, a shift toward reducing carbon in the atmosphere is also affecting the building materials used in commercial roofs. New regulations going into effect on January 1, 2021 in several U.S. states and Canada, are mandating more sustainable building materials. Meanwhile, building owners and facility executives are seeking material solutions that support access to nature and outdoor air, protect critical assets and help achieve points toward transparency certifications while going beyond meeting baseline codes.