ORN THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ONTARIO ROOFING NEWS – ISSUE 1 2026 19 As policy focus eventually shifts towards existing buildings, strategies like these will be central to meeting carbon targets. www.sparmarathon.ca Roofing & Sheet Metal Super Service Centres OAKVILLE, ON (905) 825-0034 WESTON, ON (Weston Road) (416) 745-4111 BARRIE, ON (705) 792-6683 EDMONTON, AB (780) 432-2786 HAMILTON, ON (905) 560-2858 PICKERING, ON (905) 426-4443 WESTON, ON (Signet Drive) (416) 744-2050 CALGARY, AB (403) 255-8236 TORONTO, ON (416) 534-8421 LONDON, ON (519) 668-3626 WINNIPEG, MB (204) 338-7613 FG-1000 Attachments Dump Tray 55-Gallon Hot Tank Gravel Bucket Designed for crews laying massive SQFT of flat roof, the Ultimate Mover is built to move materials faster, safer, and with less labour. • Move your TPO + EPDM rolls with ease. • Lift and transport up to 2 skids of ISO at a time. Get your jobs done faster and easier — every single day. • Lifting capacity = 800lbs Ultimate Mover FG-1000 IT’S NEW! WATCH THE VIDEO HERE! highlight the importance of considering both material and labour cost when mak- ing material substitutions related to embodied carbon or other reasons. Substitu- tions for lower-embodied- carbon results may result in a material cost increase; however, there may be la- bour cost savings that are not being recognized. The owner decided to proceed with Scenario 3 for the em- bodied carbon, schedule and cost savings with Phase 1 of construction wrapping up for November 2025 (Fig. 3). This experience underscores that including sustainability ob- jectives into design and procure- ment can deliver environmental benefits without increasing to- tal project costs. It challenges the perception that lower-em- bodied-carbon materials neces- sarily entail premium pricing, reaffirming roof re-cover as a practical and impactful strategy for embodied carbon reduction. The case for roof renewal is well-established and growing. The analysis shows that embod- ied carbon savings in retrofit roof re-covering can rival those promoted in new construction. This project/study provides a gateway for consultants to run carbon calculations on other roofing systems, explore how adding insulation may affect re- sults or expand the study to life- cycle assessment modules not included in this study. As policy focus eventually shifts towards existing buildings, strategies like these will be central to meeting carbon targets. The industry would do well to recognize that improving and restoring exist- ing roofs offers one of the most meaningful opportunities for sustainable progress. References 1. CSA Group. 2020. Stan- dard Test Method for the Dy- namic Wind Uplift Resistance of Membrane-Roofing Systems. CSA A123.21:20. Ottawa, ON: CSA Group. 2. National Research Coun- cil Canada (NRCC). 2024. National Whole-Building Life Cycle Assessment Practitioner’s Guide. Ottawa, ON: NRCC. About the Authors Milirsan Pugalendiran is a project manager and building envelope engineer with WSP Canada Inc. He specializes in the investigation, design and rehabilitation of building en- closure systems with a focus on sustainable renewal strategies that balance performance, du- rability and embodied carbon considerations. Pugalendiran is a licensed professional en- gineer in multiple Canadian provinces and a Registered Roof Observer. He is actively involved in industry develop- ment and currently serves on IIBEC’s Region VII Education Committee and Canadian Sub- Advocacy Committee, as well as on the Building Science As- sociation of Ontario’s Codes and Standards Committee. Michelle Christopherson is the national lead for embod- ied carbon at WSP Canada Inc. With a background in build- ing science and sustainable design and infrastructure, she leads initiatives that integrate embodied carbon reduction strategies across WSP’s build- ings and infrastructure projects nationwide. Christopherson is passionate about advancing low-carbon practices and dem- onstrating the long-term envi- ronmental and economic value of both new construction and restoration projects in the built environment. She currently serves on the Embodied Car- bon Technical Advisory Group for the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) and con- tributed to the development of CAGBC’s new Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard.
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