GE Silicones Enduris* Roof Coating Helps University Plan a “Greener” Future

A cooler roof for a sustainable future

When a class at Georgia Tech University was tasked with identifying ways to reduce carbon emissions on campus, GE Enduris roof coating helped make one team’s solution a reality. In their research, the students found that applying the 100% silicone, high-solids roof coating on the O. Lamar Allen Sustainable Education Building would give it a “cool roof”: absorbing less heat, and in turn, lowering HVAC use and helping to minimize its energy footprint.

The building was originally constructed in 1998 using the most up-to-date sustainable materials and practices available at the time. Nearly two decades later, the Georgia Tech students were ready to bring the building into the future by leading a roof restoration project with GE Enduris coating

Lasting durability for long-term savings

“At first, we imagined [the restoration] would only require a few buckets of white paint and applying it ourselves,” said Lindsey Ploussard, the team leader. “But as we researched, we realized that so much more goes into creating a cool roof—and for good reason.” The students discovered that for the project to be a worthwhile investment, they would need a coating that would absorb less heat, provide UV resistance, and offer water protection.

“We knew we could trust GE Silicones,” said Ploussard. “Our research showed that GE Enduris roof coating would [help] deliver the results and savings we wanted.”

The team presented a plan to the University with the GE Enduris coating spec—and it was funded. “GE Enduris coating was a perfect material choice for this project,” said Tom Portaro of NTEC Systems, the installing applicator. “The system is fast and simple to install. We have complete confidence that the finished product will exceed the [restoration] requirements.”

Exponential energy savings

Completed in 2017, the project is expected to result in a 4% building energy cost reduction ($4,600 in annual savings) and the offset of more than a million pounds of carbon over 20 years. In addition, the durable protection of GE Enduris coating is projected to extend the roof’s serviceable life by 10 years.

The project earned the University media attention, and the students were invited to Washington, D.C., to discuss their work and the importance of scalability with Georgia Congressman John Lewis.

“This solution could help retrofit older buildings on campus and make them more ‘eco-friendly,’ which can preserve our history while helping Georgia Tech move toward a [more sustainable] future,” said Ploussard.

Note:Performance results are those of reported accounts, and are not to be relied upon as typical or expected under any other circumstances. Performance results will vary depending upon a number of factors. Prospective customers should rely solely upon their own evaluative techniques to determine what results are attainable and optimal to their specific needs. Further note that GE Silicones are not endorsed by or affiliated with the owner(s) of the O. Lamar Allen Sustainable Education Building.

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Georgia Tech – Cool Roof Sustainability Project

Project Overview

Georgia Tech students identified roof restoration as a key carbon reduction strategy for the O. Lamar Allen Sustainable Education Building. The solution: a cool roof using GE EndurisTM 100% silicone coating to reflect heat and reduce HVAC use.

Application Highlights

Roof originally built in 1998; restored in 2017 with GE Enduris coating
Applied by NTEC Systems, using a simple one-coat process
Durable, seamless finish delivered fast installation and lasting protection

Measured Benefits

4% annual energy savings (~$4,600) from reduced cooling demand
Over 1 million lbs of CO■ offset projected over 20 years
Expected to extend roof service life by another decade

Recognition

Earned attention from media and political figures including Rep. John Lewis
Showcased the scalability of silicone coatings for campus-wide retrofits

Conclusion

The GE EndurisTM system proved ideal for educational and institutional sustainability upgrades, balancing energy savings with proven durability.