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Vinyl Reflective Roofing Cools Hawaiian Beachfront Hotel
Radiant sunshine and warm ocean breezes are the lures a travel agent uses to draw vacationers to a tropical paradise.
But one man's paradise is another man's misery, and as any facilities manager would tell you, high winds, stifling humidity, pounding rain and penetrating sunshine can combine to cause the perfect storm of roofing headaches.
That's why the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii opted to replace its failing built-up roof with IB Roof Systems' 80 mil vinyl roof membrane. In the IB membrane, the Mauna Kea found everything it needed to protect the hotel's roof. "It stands up wonderfully to sea salt, humidity and the hot sun," said Tony Smith, an IB membrane tech specialist.
Another advantage to choosing the white membrane was that it has the ability to repel heat, and not attract it. "UV rays can be terribly damaging to a roof, but the solar reflectivity capabilities of the membrane are a terrific benefit to a building in a hot, sunny climate like this," Smith said. With so much of the solar power directed at the roof reflected, the hotel enjoys the lower costs of a heating and cooling system that runs more efficiently.
Vinyl also stands up to climate changes quite capably. Atmospheric cycles that shift from hot and humid to more chilly aren't a cause of concern. The membrane accommodates cyclical contraction and expansion without damage over many seasons.
Another advantage to the hotel was the ease of installing the lightweight membrane. It was applied in an adhered application atop the pre-existing roofing material, eliminating the need to dispose of construction debris in an environment that cannot afford the burden of unnecessary waste.
To get a strong attachment, poly-iso insulation board was laid over the existing insulation, secured by adhesive. The insulation achieved the necessary R value and isolated the new membrane from the built-up roof's tar and gravel components. With the insulation in place, strips of adhesive were applied to fit the 6-foot single-ply membrane rolls, and the seams hot-welded to create a permanent seal.
The vinyl membrane satisfied all of the factors the Mauna Kea took into consideration in its purchasing decision. The roof was aesthetically pleasing; it effectively lowered heating and cooling costs; and the installation was easy and did not put an undue burden on the environment. Perhaps most important, though, was a feature with an incalculable value: that of the peace of mind Mauna Kea management felt in knowing their guests would be safe and well-protected long into the future.
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