Archive for October, 2012
Residents Evacuated Before Roof Collapses
Summersville Manor in Nicholas County West Virginia was home to 72 senior and special needs residents when the roof at the apartment complex collapsed early Wednesday morning due to heavy snow. The staff at the facility became concerned over the storm late Tuesday and evacuated the residents before the roof fell in.
No one was injured in the roof collapse. 75 residents were taken to the Family Life Center Church on Main Street where those with special needs could be cared for.
Snow totals ranged from 1 to 2 ½ feet of snow during the overnight hours of Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Other buildings that had the roof collapse were a grocery store, two convenience stores, 3 residential homes and a hardwood plant.
Roof Crashed Down Under Weight of Snow
While talking about the roof, Summersville Mayor Robert Shafer said “we had an evacuation and parts of it did collapse. It affected the second and third floor of the apartment complex.” Other reports indicated the second floor of the apartment complex collapsed onto the first floor.
Shafer also said “What we were worried about was the safety and security of those who were staying there, getting them to a shelter where they could be cared for. Some of them had special needs and we fulfilled that, so we march forward to our next mission.”
The state Office of Emergency Services came out to Summersville Wednesday to inspect the damages. It is unknown when the complex can rebuild, get the roof repair and allow the residents to move back home.
Church to Cover Dome Roofs with Copper
In Benicia California, St. Dominic’s Catholic Church is getting a remodel. The roofing material on the two dome towers will be replaced with copper. The copper roof was approved on Thursday by the Benicia Historical Preservation Review Commission for the city landmark. The copper roofing will be consistent with the city’s historic conservation plan and federal historic preservation standards.
Built in 1890, the Catholic Church was built to be part of a larger monastery founded in 1854. Father Vilarrasa moved the Dominican community from Monterey to the new state capital of Benicia in March 1854. A new church was built at the end of the block from the old church and the first Mass was held in the new/current church on March 1890.The building was listed as a city landmark in 1990.
Unsure of Original Roofing Material
Photographs and postcards show different roofing materials through the years. Hand drawn surveys from 1891 said the church roof had a covering of metal, slate, tile or asbestos shingles at the front. In 1942 the roofing material was changed to composition shingles. Some pictures show layers of material with horizontal ridges, other pictures show a smooth finish.
Project architect Joseph Garcia of Richard Avelar & Associates said “this is really a way to enhance a building that is already an incredible structure in the city of Benicia. It will stand out and be more bold and give the community something they can be excited about for many years to come.”
Re-Roofing the domes began in June with hopes to be completed by the end of the year. The cost of the new roof is $490,000.
Kitchener Auditorium Roof Remodel
The Kitchener Auditorium in Southern Ontario has raised the roof as part of the remodel. The auditorium commonly known as “the Aud” to residents received a $12 million retrofit.
The construction was going on while the auditorium was still being used making for some difficult challenges. The structural steel addition was built over the top of the auditorium. The old roof was not able to come down until the new roof was weather tight; problem was the cranes were too big to fit inside the building for the demo job.
Crane Lines Lowered into Holes in Roof
They made holes in the new roof for the crane lines to pass to demolish the old roof, including the roof membrane and deck. The old roof materials were taken apart from one end and then rolled across the roof on carts to be hoisted down the exterior wall. The steel beams had to be lowered and then cut up and removed.
Structal of Quebec fabricated the new steel structure and roof. And ES Fox Ltd. Of St. Catharine’s erected the steel. About a dozen carpenters were on hand to complete millwork, concrete formwork and other elements.
The demolition was completed in 3 weeks and the 60 year old building was remodeled in time for the Rangers first home game on October 19th.
Kitchener Auditorium was officially opened in May 1951; the building had state of the art flooring which allowed the conversion from a hockey arena to a concert hall in 24 hours. It was the 4th largest of its kind in Ontario.
Largest Transparent Solar Roof in Country
Pharmaceutical company Novartis, in East Hanover New Jersey is installing the largest transparent solar roof in the country. The transparent solar cells will cover the corporate headquarters roof. The cells will allow natural sunlight to come in and at the same time be delivering Novartis with clean and free energy.
New York architecture firm Rafael Vinoly designed the building and German Company Sunways will be making the integrated photovoltaic transparent cells that will cover the roof.
Unique Solar Designs
Sunways cuts small square holes in solar cells with a special laser and then integrates them into traditional building materials. Incorporating solar into glass panels or tiles allows roofing contractors to be creative with solar installations. The solar cells can be put in places not ordinarily utilized by traditional solar installations.
Sunways will be providing 161,000 5 x 5 inch semi-transparent solar cells for a roof area approximately 2,547 square meters. The building will have a glazed roof and a curtain wall that will be suspended from built up box beams at her roof level.
Other Novartis buildings have interesting roofs. Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Research lab in Cambridge MA has a green roof system on a deck overlooking the facilities campus park.
The Novartis campus in Basel Switzerland has a wing shaped roof that appears to be floating over the reception area. The 400 square meter roof is made from glass fiber reinforced plastic, thermal insulation and waterproofing in a single seamless component.
Improving Roofs Through Upgrades
Homeowners are always looking for ways to make home improvements that boost the look and quality of the home. One area often overlooked for upgrades is the roof. New roof products are available in a variety of styles and materials that can make enhancing the feel of a home quick and easy.
Moving Up
Most people ignore their roof until it is time for roof repair or replacement. Even if you don’t need any work to be done for the integrity of your roof, you can still make some changes that will improve the look and the quality.
Consider adding metal accents to certain parts of the roof. Adding a small accent piece to portions of the home is both cost effective and aesthetically interesting. A popular area for a metal accent is the portico, or small front porch of a home. Homes with various roof lines may choose to install metal roof pieces along certain sections only, one example is the gable. A mansard roof is a unique roof shape often found in historic or more traditionally styled homes. Their shape, paired with a metal or slate tile accent, can really make a home stand out from the rest.
Another way to upgrade a home is by choosing a higher quality product. Slate tiles are more expensive than a traditional asphalt shingle, but offers a higher caliber look. Also, slate tiles are more durable and longer lasting that a traditional asphalt roof, saving money in the long run. If price is a concern, there are upgraded options available that can work with just about any budget. Even traditional asphalt shingles now come in a variety of qualities, even offering recycled materials. Although the aesthetic appeal may be the same, a higher quality product or one made from recycled materials can offer more benefits than the bottom of the line model.
Slate Roof for Historic Train Station
The Millington Train Station in Long Hill New Jersey will be getting a new roof to replace the current shingled one. The new roofing materials will be a synthetic slate, although the roof repair will cost more initially, the slate roof comes with a lifetime guarantee.
The station is located at the corner of Oaks Road and Division Avenue in Millington. The station has one low level side platform serving one track and does not have any bus service.
Historic Building
The original station opened in 1870 and was rebuilt in 1901. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Committeman Guy Roshto said “Because it is a historical property, we had to work with the state. It was requested by them and the New Jersey Transit that we come up with a solution that would fit the historic character of the property.”
The Long Hill Township Committee has put the project out for bid since they are responsible to make necessary repairs to the building per an agreement with New Jersey Transit. The existing roof is in very poor condition and the committee members are eager to get the repairs finished before the cost of the project go up.
The township plans to pay for the roof with rent it gets from Sterling Station Café which occupies a small space inside the building. Also revenues from parking fees for passengers on the train.
Hose Company Gets New Roof
A fire department in Kittanning Pennsylvania, Kittanning Hose Company #4 on Orr Avenue will soon be getting their leaking roof replaced. The building will get new shingles, bricking, a power vent and fascia. The new roof will be paid for using 2008 Community Development Block Grant Funding.
According to Hose Company #4 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Swartz a 10 foot by 10 foot square needs to be replaced. “The rafters and all that stuff are in good shape and the rest of the roofing is good.”
Bid includes alternate options
Jennifer Bellas, Armstrong County Community Development Director said “should be fine money wise, we know that section is going to need to be replaced, we just don’t know how much, so we just asked for a price per square foot because we couldn’t tell him he needs to replace, no one’s going to know until you take the shingles off.”
The bid included removing and replacing all shingles, roof repair, re-bricking in an area where the old siren tower was removed, ground aluminum socket and fascia, a power vent for better ventilation and uninterrupted gutters.
Armstrong County Planning and Development officials received 3 bids for the job on the second round of bidding. Faul Construction from Warren County, Sheffield in Northeast Pennsylvania had the lowest bid and was awarded the job. Faul Construction bid $8,000 less than the second lowest bid.
Sonoma’s First Green Roof
California is full of cities known for taking part in innovation and advocating for environmental improvement. Many of the cities in California have become examples for green living and are working towards a more environmentally friendly future. Sonoma is one such city, which now has its first “living roof”, or green roof, system.
Residential Living
A local Sonoma resident, Jim Callahan, is known around town for his bronze sculpting. He even owns a local art center at 148 E. Napa St. The art center is located inside a near 100-year-old building, which is home to many of Callahan’s sculptures and other local art pieces. In efforts to make local history, Callahan decided to install a new roof; and one that would the first of its kind in Sonoma.
After a long three years of planning and nine months of construction, the La Haye Art Center is populated by native plants, grasses and flowers. The living roof was designed by Callahan to feature drought tolerant plants. “We also wanted continuously flowering plants, so there is something in bloom throughout the year,” said Callahan.
Both local residents and Callahan are pleased with the completed green roof project. Callahan says, “We’re in a very urban setting here in downtown Sonoma, but from up on the roof you tend to see more as you look around—the treetops and the hills, rather than the sides of buildings,” he said. “For us it’s a living roof, but also a living room. It’s space to be lived in.”
Arkansas Jail to End 20 Years of Roof Leaks
Hempstead County Detention Center will be getting a new pitched metal roof to replace the existing leaky roof. The roof replacement is almost finished as part of the $500,000 renovation project for the jail.
According to Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton the 20 year old building roof has leaked since the building was opened and has had the roof repaired three times. Ceiling tiles were getting wet and falling into offices.
“We’ve had problems ever since it opened with cracks, roof leaks, seams all throughout. We tried three times, we went back over it and had it recoated, and that was costing us about $40,000 a time.” Singleton said.
Replacing the Roof and Heating/AC Units
A Texarkana Company, JDL Construction Co. got the bid to put on a pitched metal roof and a Hope Arkansas Company Greenlee Sheet Metal Co. will install the HVAC equipment.
Sheriff Singleton also said “All this is being done without cost to the taxpayers because, as part of the lawsuit that was filed several years ago by the county over the construction of the facility here, the county received a settlement. And we’re using $140,000 of that money to put the roof on. So it’s of no expense to the taxpayers.”
Once the new roof is complete, the building will also be expanded to include new offices, a conference and training room, and an interview room. Bobo and Bain Construction from Hope Arkansas is the contractor for that part of the project.
Global Green Roof Efforts
The population growth has once again began to accelerate and, with it, comes additional challenges for the environment. More people means more crowding and, as a result, more demand for clean air. With the population of urban areas expected to double by 2030, the UN has proposed an approach to build healthier cities.
Planning For The Future
The need for cleaner urban environments to sustain living organisms is going to come to a head very soon. Known for toxic smog and lack of green space, urban areas are one of the unhealthiest environments on earth. With the expected leap in population growth predicted to occur over the next 15 to 20 years, measures are being taken to reduce pollution and improve air quality among some of the largest cities, worldwide.
One of the simplest solutions is the addition of more parks, sustaining more trees and plant life. New roof gardens are also in the words, which would boast gardens, plants and grasses along the rooftops. Green roof solutions are well known for their ability to filter pollution and soak up heat-trapping carbon dioxide, releasing clean oxygen back into the environment. Further, installing green roof systems along rooftops in urban areas can help create a cooling effect, reducing the need use of heating and cooling systems inside buildings.
The improvement in urban areas boasting green roof systems has been proven over time, as they have been a part of rural living for hundreds of years. If even a fraction of the earth’s major cities installed a handful of these systems, the effects for the living organisms that inhabit these areas can be monumental.
