The Empire State building in New York City is a global icon. Built in the 1930s, it is a major tourist attraction with an estimated 4 million visitors a year. The building is undergoing a $550 million renovation, of which $120 million is earmarked for energy efficiency upgrades. ROXUL Inc., the ROCKWOOL Group’s operation in the US, is extremely proud to be part of this important renovation.

ROXUL MonoBoard Plus insulation is being used on the roof renovation. The re-roofing converts various tiers of asphaltic roof into an attractive vegetative green area. The re-roofing is being carried out in stages, with the first phase finished in 2011, and the second due for completion for 2012.

The best and safest choice

At every turn, fire safety is at the forefront of this project. “ROXUL products were chosen for their fire resistance and dimensional stability. Because the project had to be completed in the winter months, and was going to involve a torch-applied membrane, the non-combustible nature of ROXUL stone wool made it the best and safest choice for the high-rise sky scraper,” says Leslie McLaren, Government Affairs & Corporate Communications Manager for ROXUL Inc.

The membrane manufacturer supported the use of Roxul stone wool. Roof Consultant Rainer Gerbatsch explains: “ROXUL products are known to provide a stable durable substrate under the membrane – this is critical to ensure that the membrane performs properly, as designed, throughout its lifetime.”

Additionally, working on an occupied building in a highly dense urban environment brings its own set of challenges with project scheduling and product delivery, which the Roxul team has been readily accommodating.

The renovation of the Empire State Building has been a transformational project, converting a building from another era into an energy efficient and eco-friendly landmark. Receiving a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating by the US Green Building Council, the Empire State Building is the tallest LEED certified building in America.