panels on residential flat rubber roof (row house built in the 1800s)

[mm1]

I'd love to hear anyone's experience with panels held in place by ballasts on residential flat rubber roofs.

In particular, we're looking at this product: http://www.aerocompact.com/us/aeroco...compact-s.html .

I know these types of installations are used quite extensively on commercial roofs, but I have yet to find anyone who has done it on a residence. We live in downtown Albany, NY, in an row house built in the 1800s. It has an with an EPDM rubber roof with layers of rigid insulation directly under it. A group of us neighbors are all looking into whether or not this would work without creating long-term problems with our roofs.

An earlier generation of installs on roofs in the neighborhood, that involved penetrating the rubber for the panel supports, has resulted in lots of reports of leakage and other problems. Are these ballasted systems the solution, or are we just looking at a different set of problems down the road?

Any experiences/insights/suggestions welcome! Thanks!

[ButchDeal]

I'd love to hear anyone's experience with panels held in place by ballasts on residential flat rubber roofs.

In particular, we're looking at this product: http://www.aerocompact.com/us/aeroco...compact-s.html .

I know these types of installations are used quite extensively on commercial roofs, but I have yet to find anyone who has done it on a residence. We live in downtown Albany, NY, in an row house built in the 1800s. It has an with an EPDM rubber roof with layers of rigid insulation directly under it. A group of us neighbors are all looking into whether or not this would work without creating long-term problems with our roofs.

An earlier generation of installs on roofs in the neighborhood, that involved penetrating the rubber for the panel supports, has resulted in lots of reports of leakage and other problems. Are these ballasted systems the solution, or are we just looking at a different set of problems down the road?

Any experiences/insights/suggestions welcome! Thanks!

there are lots of Ballasted systems like this. If the structure is that old and in many location regardless of age you are likely going to have to get structural analysis to insure that the structure can handle the added weight.

[mm1]

there are lots of Ballasted systems like this. If the structure is that old and in many location regardless of age you are likely going to have to get structural analysis to insure that the structure can handle the added weight.

Thanks, yes, there are a lot ballasted systems, but I can't find a single person (yet) who has ever installed on on an historic residential roof-- only commercial applications. I'm optimistic it can be done, but it would be great to find someone who has already blazed that path.

Let's say the engineer comes and says, "Structure looks great-- they don't make 'em like they used to." Is there anything else you'd be thinking about/concerned about?

[inetdog]

Let's say the engineer comes and says, "Structure looks great-- they don't make 'em like they used to." Is there anything else you'd be thinking about/concerned about?

Two things:
1. Make sure that the ballasted mounting feet will not shift and damage the roof.
2. Make sure that you have good engineering calculations on wind loading and the resulting rail structure and ballast requirements.

[J.P.M.]

Ballasted systems on flat roofs in the presence of added and probably unanticipated wind loads on structures designed (?) and built before relatively sophisticated design methods evolved can be a challenge, particularly when those structures are for human occupancy.

FWIW, I've found that what was sometimes adequate design might not pass muster when new and at the time of original design unanticipated operating conditions imposed loadings never thought of back in the day. Heavier, "fatter" design does not always translate to good design, or larger factors of safety.

[Spektre]

Hi mm1,

I started a similar thread here: http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...t-roof-install

Doesn't seem to be too popular for residential applications. My roof is slightly different than yours, and after having walked it a few times I'm starting to doubt the use of a ballasted system. I do hate the idea of penetrations through the roof though...

[mm1]

Hi mm1,

I started a similar thread here: http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...t-roof-install

Doesn't seem to be too popular for residential applications. My roof is slightly different than yours, and after having walked it a few times I'm starting to doubt the use of a ballasted system. I do hate the idea of penetrations through the roof though...

Interesting -- thanks!

My sense from asking around, confirms what people are saying in this thread and yours -- get a structural engineer to come in and take a look at the roof (from the underside) and see what they think. If the roof can support the weight, then all should be well. Not sure about foam, though. Although keep in mind, if I understand this right, that ballasted solar seems to be somewhere between 5 to 10 pounds per square foot, where a person walking around weighs much more than that.

The biggest risk of damage may be during the installation itself: http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com...amaging-roofs/