The future for roofing By Ronald Rovers – Novem
Time will tell if we ever reach the stage where roof tiles are just a reminder of the past. But hermetically sealing out the elements will definitely come to an end.
For centuries, man only used roofs and facades as a way to shut out the elements. Only occasionally was this train of thought broken, for example when glass was invented and used on a large scale. Glass enabled man to use the available daylight, and later on to let in solar heat. For other energy supplies from the outside world, such as electricity and heat, man preferred using pipes and cables.
This development is illustrated by Figure 1. The lower left corner illustrates how house owners' needs are met through the so-called "regulated supply".
The line that is usually drawn in Figure 1 goes from the lower left to the upper right corner. However, it would be much more logical, e.g. more sustainable or ecological, to use the large energy supplies that are available in the free space around the roof: heat, light, radiation and air. Air is traditionally the only free source that man uses inside the house. It is more efficient to try and use as much of the free supply as possible to meet the demand from within the house. There are many applications for free supply, but we use them only sparsely: hot air provided through conservatories and power provided thorough small windmills alongside the house.
Technologies have been developed to utilise the free energy supply: rainwater collectors to provide water, solar collectors to provide hot water, solar cells to provide electricity. Collectors for hot air, such as conservatories or translucent insulating materials, can also be integrated into the house.
The roof itself will change: sloping with eaves to follow the sun optimally, to conduct rainwater and to enlarge the collecting surface. The appearance of roofs will become smoother, more blue and black in colour, with a different surface division. As for the details, new elements will be integrated, replacing the traditional roofing materials.
This development will not only take place in the Netherlands. All over the world, the word "sheltering" will have a different meaning. It will no longer imply that the elements are completely excluded. Instead, it will emphasise the receiving element: the house as a safe haven, but also as a place to collect new energy.
Sustainable energy is becoming increasingly important. Instead of hermetically sealing out the elements, man will utilise them in the house. A new era is on its way, summarised in a Dutch campaign slogan: "The age of the sun starts in the year 2000". It will be visible on the roofs.
FREE OFFER FREE EXHAUST
* Heat * Air
* Light * Heat
*
Air *
Radiation
* Water * Light
*
Radiation * Noise
* Wind
DEMAND
* Heat
* Light
* Air
* Water
* Noise
BOND OFFER * Power BOUND EXHAUST
* Electricity * Water
* Gas
* Water
* Radiation
(cable TV etc)
THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY JOURNAL, September 2003
Questions for text:
How did man use roofs facades for centuries?
Comment on the illustration №1.
Tell about the roof itself.
How can you explain a Dutch campaign slogan?