New roof improves insulation performance at Radford University athletic center

Energy efficiency, moisture resistance, and sound dampening were at the top of Roy Sayville’s list for retrofitting the roof of the 52,000-sf Dedmon Athletic Center roof at Radford (Va.) University, where Sayville is director of facilities planning and construction. A Tensotherm roof with Nanogel, developed by Birdair, Cabot Corp., and Geiger Engineers, more than quadrupled the original roof’s thermal insulation performance with a value of R-12, afforded a natural light transmission value of 3.5%, and allowed Sayville to install air-conditioning in the center, known to Radford students as “The Bubble.” Sayville’s analysis: “From the outside, the roof is very similar to what was there before. On the interior, the trusses now create a nice aesthetic with a unique focus. Students, faculty, coaches, and fans have all been very impressed.”