Ballasted Roofs SRI?

Cara Weber

LEEDuser Basic Member

12 thumbs up

May 21, 2010

Post a reply

Tristan Roberts

Representative

Vermont House of Representatives

LEEDuser Expert

7780 thumbs up

Sat, 05/29/2010 - 01:36

Cara, I don't have definite answers to any of your very good questions, but I did find some interesting resources. A fairly recent note in the Cool Roofs Rating Council newsletter that makes it sound like ballasted roofs are gaining acceptance as "cool" roofs. Also, a study from ORNL that may be behind some of this recognition.I'm not sure where this leaves you, except perhaps with some encouragement that you're on a reasonable path.

Jennifer Preston

BKSK Architects

LEEDuser Basic Member

44 thumbs up

Tue, 06/01/2010 - 14:22

Just to clarify a bit further, while white ballasted roofs are showing evidence of performing as well as other "cool roof" systems, the USGBC does not recognize any flat roof material under a 78 SRI for the SScr7.2 LEED credit. This is because the intention of the credit for micro-climate development is not met by materials that do not meet this threshold.

Jonathan Weiss

Jacobs Buildings & Infrastructure

LEEDuser Premium Member

140 thumbs up

Mon, 08/16/2010 - 14:32

Just to echo what is stated above - we submitted a CIR about a ballasted roof referencing the ORNL study and the CRRC information, and the response to the CIR confirmed that although the ballasted roof performs as well or better than a white roof for energy purposes, it does not meet LEED's requirements, because of the micro-climate issues listed above. It still may be better to use a ballasted roof in some situations, and forgo this particular LEED point.