Is thermal mass a lost art form after centuries of use in temperate regions?In building design, the thermal mass of a building enables it to store heat, providing "inertia" against temperature fluctuations. It reduces the impact of external daily temperature swings on internal heating and cooling requirements. This thermal inertia has been an on-off again topic of discussion for some time. Proponents of adding thermal inertia point to Mediterranean area buildings constructed with thick stone walls and ceramic tile floors etc. Such buildings have kept occupants cooler than lighter weight buildings in many temperate areas of the world for centuries. In the quest to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, further gains are becoming increasingly harder to come by.

The variety of single-ply roofing membrane adhesives available gives contractors some flexibility in their choice of material. But how do you know which choice is best for your project? Environment, weather, and even the use of the building can affect which adhesive is right for the job.

There are many roof membrane types to choose from, so how do you know which one is the right solution for your roofing project? The best way to start is by understanding the different types of membranes available. Here's an overview of the single-ply membranes you can choose from and the features of each system.

In part 1, Retrofit Single Ply Roof Systems: An Assessment of Wind Resistance, we provided information about the following: Four (4) methods to re-cover a metal panel roof The many options for attaching a single-ply system to a metal panel roof An example calculation for wind uplift design pressures and appropriate fastener patterns that provide the necessary resistance capacity Industry concerns about wind uplift when not attaching the retrofit single-ply system into every purlin