In 1997, 38 industrialized countries signed the Protocol and committed themselves to reduce their green house gas emissions from 2008 to 2012. The goal of the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce the emission to levels that are 5.2 % lower than the emission levels recorded in 1990 in each respective country. Since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, green house gas emissions have been on the rise each year, in most countries significant increases have been recorded.
Typical tar & gravel roofs over their life cycle emit about 50 % loss of mass through V.O.C’s (Volatile Organic Components) which contribute to green house gas effects. In the first 5 to 7 years a tar & gravel roof (dependant on geo-position and climatic conditions) loses about 28 % of its mass not to mention loss of performance. Other products are not much better as they typically have a high content of bitumen or oil to manufacture their product. So the loss of mass rate on the roof is lower but when a cradle to grave analysis is made they become quite similar to tar & gravel.
If you would like to make an impact and do your part to reduce green house gas emissions, to protect your investment as well as future generations, one choice stands above the rest; VIREO™
Covering your building with VIREO™ can translate in significant energy savings. Since our membrane’s basic finish is a pale whitish gray (bright / reflective white optional), our membrane has very good reflectivity. This can translate into significant energy savings for air-conditioning and air-exchange rates inside the building. Our membrane is between 80 to 90 % reflective, meaning that 80 to 90 % of the suns rays that hit your roof surface are reflected back into the atmosphere.
It has been scientifically proven that a white reflective surface such as VIREO™ can allow you to maintain your roof top temperature at about 40 º C, when compared to about 90 º C with conventional black or dark grey finish.
Additionally, some of the energy that is not reflected is either transmitted or absorbed into the building by conduction or convection so if the roof space is open or the attic is not ventilated, this can make a significant difference in your energy bills. Since most of the sun’s energy is reflected into the atmosphere, the VIREO™ membrane also helps to diminish the “heat island” effect obtained in crowded urban development. The “heat island” effect is a simple phenomenon. In large urban centers, there are many buildings which tend to absorb lots of the suns energy through walls, windows, roofs. This generates a noticeably warmer temperature in urban cores, rather than the surrounding suburbs, by as much as 10 º C in some cases.
Most tire manufacturers consider their formulation, or recipe, to be a well guarded secret. Much like Coke-Cola or Pepsi, they rival each other and claim that one has superior properties over the other. Once fact is clear however, tire manufacturers spend millions of dollars each year in research and development to improve their product, so it can be the best possible polymer to offer to the general public.
If tire manufacturers put so much effort into making this consumer item into the best possible product that performs in all kinds of extreme conditions, such as sleet, snow, rain and intense heat, not to mention putting up with pot holes, inadequate suspension and bad driver profile conditions, why can’t we reuse this phenomenal material in an application that needs these types of performance characteristics. Bramal has achieved this objective with VIREO™.
Once tires are sold and installed on your vehicle, the tread ware, (from the base of the crack between the tread to the top of the tread) according to government legislation (in Canada) cannot be below 3 mm or lower than the wear indicator band on the tire. From initial purchase to replacement (passenger car tire) your tires have lost about 4 lbs of rubber on the road and are left with about 20 lbs of perfectly usable material that is discarded. Simply put, this is equivalent to ordering a steak dinner, eating the baked potato, and throwing the rest in the garbage. In this day and age, this type of waste holds no future for anyone.
Studies show that in summer, the temperature in urban cores is higher than the surrounding suburbs by 4 to 10 º C due to the heat island effect. Green roofs (actual plants & trees on the roofs surface) have shown that they can absorb some of the heat energy from the sun and use it in the photosynthesis process. Some independent studies have also shown that green roofs can reduce the air conditioning costs in the summer time due to its ability to absorb energy from the sun. Another benefit although quite obvious is that the trees use pollutants in the air (mainly C02) in the photosynthesis process which helps to eliminate some of the man made content in air as well as filter suspended particles trapped in the air or rain.
There have been some drawbacks noted in terms of reduced roof life span and performance with regards to green roofs. In fact it has been shown, especially in northern climates that the absorption of precipitation (when in the freeze / thaw cycle) reduces the life span of a typical membrane significantly. Additionally, if leaks occur the cost incurred in repairing the leak can be quite substantial due to the fact that dirt must be removed and contained and trees and plans must be de-rooted and protected and then the leak can be attended to. There has also been some criticism on the increased weight loading on the roof structure and additional cost of construction for OEM or retro-fitting a green roof onto an existing building, not to mention the fact that this type of roof requires constant maintenance as much for the plants and trees as the drains and vent so as to assure that they are always free and clear of obstructions.
The VIREO™ membrane allows impermeability and resistance to the growth of root balls and root systems which typically end up transpiercing a conventional membrane and eventually leaks occur inside the building.
