At River Vine, achieving Zero Net Energy starts at the top—with a cool roof. Our high performance cool roofing system was custom-prefabricated to River Vine’s precise measurements and design, then installed on each module at our AMS factory in Manteca. After the final West Wing modules are set at the building site in Lodi, seams will be hot-air welded together to form a weathertight seal.
River Vine’s high-emissivity, reflective roofing system not only meets our design aesthetic and sustainability goals, it meets the long-term environmental standards demanded by today’s high performance buildings. The single-ply PVC roof membrane comes in large deck sheets manufactured from an innovative thermoplastic formulation that is flame-retardant and U.V.-absorbent. Custom-made flashings protect critical roof transitions, ensuring a reliable leak-proof installation.
An integral part of our whole building design, River Vine’s cool roofing system works with the home’s walls, windows and floor to form an airtight building envelope. A cool roof is a smart, sustainable choice that has many benefits—for homeowners and the environment.
REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION
A cool roof reflects the sun’s rays, transferring less heat to a building’s interior and reducing the need for air conditioning, especially during peak periods when energy demand is high. River Vine’s low-slope roof is well-insulated to reduce winter heat loss and summer heat gain—a strategy that is expected to decrease energy consumption up to 40 percent. Using less energy not only makes River Vine a more efficient building, it makes it a more responsible one, relieving pressure on the power grid and helping prevent energy shortages and brownouts.
LOWER LIFECYCLE COSTS
River Vine’s high performance roofing system will have a favorable cost impact over time. Reduced energy demand translates to lower utility bills—a real benefit during hot summer months when air conditioning can be a home’s largest expense. The roof membrane is an exceptionally strong, long-lasting material that resists leaks and requires virtually no maintenance, saving homeowners time and money on repairs and replacement. Even after factoring in higher material costs, studies show a cool roof nets California homeowners an annual savings of almost 50 cents a square foot.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Single-ply roofing prefabrication is an efficient process that dramatically reduces waste, both in the factory and at the building site. Only the exact amount of roof membrane is ordered and installed, and the material is fully recyclable at the end of its useful life. Sending less roofing waste to landfills, combined with a cool roof’s lower energy usage, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, reducing River Vine’s carbon footprint and lessening the home’s environmental impact.
IMPROVED HEALTH AND COMFORT
How people feel inside is just as important as how a roof looks outside. A cool roof leads to a cooler building that is more comfortable to occupants, helping prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths. A cool roof also reduces the amount of heat transferred from the building to the air, lowering urban air temperatures and helping reduce the urban heat island effect that causes cities to have unhealthy air quality—a serious health risk that can lead to breathing difficulties in people and pets.
INCREASED DURABILITY AND LONGEVITY
A cool roof like River Vine’s has a 50-year lifecycle—three to four times longer than an asphalt shingle roof, with a higher fire, wind and weather resistance. Reinforced for exceptional strength and durability, River Vine’s roofing system holds up to all types of weather, including high winds and extreme hot and cold temperatures. It maintains consistent, watertight integrity, keeping moisture out while reflecting ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, protecting all roofing components from deterioration. Lower expenses and greater comfort over a longer life add up to significant value for homeowners, making one of a home’s largest investments one of its smartest.