[Greenbuilding] EcoStar roofing tiles - LCA?

[Kirsten A Flynn]

Kat

If asphalt shingles are the only other option offered in this  
project, would they be that better than Eco star?

Asphalt would have more churn, it is not even close to 50 year roof
it has no recycled content
Asphalt shingle is a petroleum product, as is Eco Star.

I am not saying either product is good, but I am curious why the  
Asphalt shingle is so much better in your evaluation.  I hate  
plastics too, but asphalt is not that much better in my mind.I would  
think on longevity Eco Star might come out ahead.

  I would ask the vendor what kind of plastic is in the virgin and  
recycled stock.  I believe it is made of the mould trimmings from  
Auto body and interior parts.  Find out if there is a PVC component.   
Also is it a mixed plastic stream, is it recyclable at end of life?   
The rep I met said that it was, although I was irritated to see that  
the individual tiles did not have the symbol with the plastic #.  We  
know that asphalt shingle is landfill at end of life.

Find out if there is any contamination of runoff water... how inert  
is the plastic?  Asphalt shingle runoff is not recommended for grey  
water reuse, which tells you something about that product.

I have talked to the rep about testing done on offgassing, and they  
HAVE had sealed chamber testing done, find out what test was done,  
and what the results were.  Again, I know that asphalt shingle has an  
odor after installation, does that manufacturer have any testing as  
to effect on air quality.  Is it the same test that Eco Star had  
done.  Are there any independent certifications on either product?

I am open to information on this one, this is a valuable case study  
of how we all have to use many sources of info to evaluate products.   
If I had more time I would do some calling myself, I love quizzing  
reps. about their claims.

Kirsten A Flynn
Sustainable Home
www.sustainablehome.com
650-855-9476




On Oct 26, 2007, at 10:23 AM, Kat wrote:

> The issue is not how well the EcoStar product will hold up (they've  
> had
> the same formula for 15 years and guarantee their roofs for 50  
> years) or
> whether or not I can recommend a different roofing material (I'm  
> just a
> drafter and have absolutely no say in the matter).  All I have the
> possibility of doing is showing the principal of my firm that this  
> is a
> good or bad product in terms of environmental impact as compared to 30
> or 40-yr asphalt shingles (which is the only other material this  
> product
> is up against, in this particular case).  There's got to be some  
> way of
> making a comparison, yes?  A life-cycle cost analysis?  Can ordinary
> people like me do this?  If so, how?
>
> If I can do this and show the results to my principal, he may (or may
> not) pass that info along to the developer when he tells the developer
> about this EcoStar product.  Then the developer will make up his own
> mind.  Frustratingly indirect - but I have to do what I can.
>
> -Kat
>
> PS
> Just a word of warning for anyone considering an EcoStar product - all
> over the web you will find claims of this much recycled content or  
> that
> much recycled content in their product (on Oikos it says both 100% and
> 80%) - but nowhere in their literature (that I can find) do they state
> the recycled content.  I have already heard one number from the rep
> yesterday (80%) and a different number from the Technical & Warranty
> Services manager at Ecostar (70%).  I have the funny feeling that they
> state the number nowhere because it changes regularly - and could  
> become
> 0%, if they so desired.
>
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