Sustainable Commercial Roofing

Start with the Roof You Already Have

A more sustainable roofing plan starts with getting more life from the roof you already have.

When an existing roof can be restored instead of replaced, Simon Roofing can protect the roof while leaving most of the current system in place. That means less tear-off, less material sent to landfill and less disruption around the facility.

For facility teams balancing roof performance, capital budgets and sustainability goals, commercial roof restoration can provide a long-term alternative to replacing a serviceable roof before its time is up.

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Reduce Roof Tear-Off and Landfill Waste

A full roof tear-off and replacement can remove thousands of pounds of existing roofing material before the new system is installed. That material becomes part of the construction and demolition waste stream.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes roofing among construction and demolition materials and recommends reducing waste by preserving and reusing existing materials when possible.

When a commercial roof can be restored, much of the existing system stays in place. That can mean:

Less roofing material removed
Fewer dumpsters
Fewer hauling trips
Less material sent to landfill
Less disruption around the facility

For organizations managing multiple buildings, those reductions can add up across an entire portfolio.

What Can Roof Tear-Off Mean for Waste?

Here is one example based on a 12,000-square-foot commercial roof with two existing roof systems.

12,000

Square Feet

Commercial roof area

~10

30-Yard Dumpsters

Required for tear-off waste

~100K

Pounds of Waste

Generated by the tear-off

Restoring a serviceable roof can avoid much of that tear-off by keeping the existing roofing materials in place.

Actual waste varies based on roof size, construction and the number of existing roof systems.

Extend Roof Life Before Replacing It

One of the simplest ways to reduce roofing waste is to avoid replacing a roof before it is necessary.

Simon Roofing evaluates the existing roof before recommending repair, restoration or replacement. When conditions support restoration, the roof can gain another 15 or 30 years of service life without immediately moving to tear-off and replacement.

72% of the work Simon Roofing performed last year was repairs and restorations rather than replacement.

Our goal is to keep a serviceable roof performing when it makes sense to do so.

For organizations managing multiple facilities, restoring viable roofs can help extend replacement cycles and spread major capital projects over a longer period. When deeper condition data is needed, SR PreVision can support repair, restoration and replacement planning across multiple locations.

Simon Roofing crew performing a commercial roof restoration on a large white low-slope roof.

Long-Term Protection Without Starting Over

Simon Roofing’s 30-Year Reinforced Restoration installs a reinforced waterproofing system over the entire existing roof. The system provides long-term protection while reducing the material removal and disruption associated with a full replacement.

30 Years

Long-term reinforced protection

Up to 50%

Savings compared with typical replacement

11% Lower

Average lifetime cost compared with new TPO

For facility teams, that means sustainability and lifecycle cost do not have to be separate decisions.

See the Results: Extending Roof Life While Reducing Landfill Waste

At two hospitality properties in Orlando, more than 40 roof sections needed a long-term solution. Full replacement would have meant major tear-off, disruption and significant landfill waste.

Simon Roofing restored 288,410 square feet of existing roof, helping the properties extend roof life while avoiding most of the material removal associated with replacement.

Commercial roof before restoration at an Orlando hospitality property, showing visible membrane wear and surface deterioration.

Completed commercial roof restoration at an Orlando hospitality property, showing a white restored roof system after Simon Roofing restoration.

If the roofs had been fully torn off, the project would have generated approximately 1.23 million pounds of roofing waste and required an estimated 154 dumpsters. Simon Roofing used just 5 dumpsters for project-related waste.

A Restored Roof May Be Restored Again

The sustainability benefit does not necessarily end with the first restoration.

As a restored roof approaches the end of its warranty term, Simon Roofing can evaluate the system again. In many situations, the roof can be restored again instead of moving directly to tear-off and replacement. This is especially true when the proper care and maintenance has been performed on the roof throughout its warranty period.

Commercial roof restoration lifecycle showing an existing roof, restoration, extended roof life, evaluation and potential re-restoration.

That helps extend the replacement cycle and keeps more existing roofing material in service longer.

Whether a roof can be restored depends on the condition of the existing system, including moisture, membrane condition and overall roof performance. Learn more about whether your commercial roof can be restored.

Reflective white commercial roof restored by Simon Roofing to help reduce heat absorption and roof surface temperatures.

Reflective Roofing Can Reduce Heat Gain

Sustainable commercial roofing can also help reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the roof.

The U.S. Department of Energy explains that cool roofs reflect more sunlight and absorb less solar energy than conventional roofing surfaces.

Many Simon Roofing restoration systems use reflective coatings. Depending on roof and weather conditions, these coatings can reduce roof surface temperatures by 50 to 100°F.

Lower roof temperatures can help:

Reduce heat transferred into the building
Lower demand on cooling systems
Reduce thermal stress on the roof surface
Support broader facility energy-efficiency goals

Sustainable Commercial Roofing FAQs

How does commercial roof restoration reduce roofing waste?

Commercial roof restoration keeps much of the existing roof system in place instead of removing it during a full tear-off. This can reduce roofing waste, dumpsters, hauling and the amount of material sent to landfill. In addition, the materials used in a roof restoration are much less to manufacture compared to entirely new membranes, insulation, fastening or securement materials, etc.

Is commercial roof restoration more sustainable than replacement?

It can be when the existing roof is suitable for restoration. Keeping a serviceable roof in place longer can reduce tear-off, material disposal and the need for a completely new roof system.

Can a commercial roof be restored more than once?

In many applications, yes. Simon Roofing can evaluate a restored roof as it approaches the end of its warranty term. If conditions remain suitable, another restoration may extend roof life further.

What is a cool roof?

A cool roof reflects more sunlight and absorbs less solar energy than a conventional roof. This can lower roof temperatures and reduce the amount of heat transferred into the building. Simon Roofing’s restorations utilize cool roof coatings for most facilities.

Evaluate a More Sustainable Roofing Option

If your existing roof still has useful life, restoration may help reduce tear-off, landfill waste and disruption while providing long-term protection. Simon Roofing can evaluate the roof and determine the best path forward.

Request a Roof Evaluation