Canton, Mass. — Sarnafil Inc., manufacturer of thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing systems, has announced the winner of its 2004 Sarnafil Sustainable Roofing Performance Award. Charrette, a long-respected retailer in the Boston area, is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, demonstrated by its selection of a high quality, long lasting roofing system.

Installed in 1977 — more than 27 years ago — Charrette's Sarnafil thermoplastic membrane roof system provides watertight and energy-saving protection to the company's headquarters in Woburn, Mass. With a 2004 appearance that belies its age, the roof is expected to last for years to come, Sarnafil reports.

The details surrounding the Charrette roof surfaced in 2001 when Sarnafil launched a comprehensive study of its oldest roofs in North America. The study's purpose: to document precisely the condition of these veteran roofs. Sarnafil and independent roofing experts collected membrane samples from 25 roofs installed between 1977 (25 years old at the time of testing) and 1986 (16 years old) that represent the full range of climate conditions in the U.S. and Canada. The average roof age was 20 years and all 25 roofs were still providing leak-free protection for their building owners.

The samples, sent to the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) Institute for Research in Construction, were tested according to the requirements of AS D-4434, Standard Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride Sheet Roofing. The properties of the samples were compared to the AS standards for new membrane.

Ninety-four percent of the samples met the minimum thickness standards, 97 percent met the requirement for linear dimension change and 100 percent of the seams remained intact following the seam-strength tests.

“By selecting a durable roof that has performed exceptionally well, Charrette demonstrated its commitment to sustainability decades ago,” said Sarnafil President Brian Whelan. “When a long lasting, energy efficient roofing system is chosen, less energy is used, fewer raw materials are consumed, and less waste is generated.”