Green Roof Solutions that Promote Sustainability and Economy

Commercial Cool Roofs and Roof Coatings

Cool roofs and roof coatings are two ways to reduce the load on your HVAC system and cut your energy costs.

Roof coatings are a great way to save some ‘green’ while making your building cooler. White roof coatings will significantly lower the temperature of a roof’s surface during the summer by reflecting the sun’s rays instead of absorbing them like a traditional roof. Coatings also extend your roof life and keep re-roofing debris out of landfills. Our expert team will ensure you get the right coating for your current roofing system.

We were installing cool roof systems long before they were called “cool.” A cool roof is defined as any roof surface that keeps a building cooler by reflecting the sun’s heat or emitting the heat it absorbs so it doesn’t transfer to the building’s interior. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) maintains a rating system for different types of roofs. The highest-rated cool roofs are made from a variety of materials but are all typically light in color.

Energy-Saving Insulation

Many building owners may want to reduce their insulation thickness to save a few dollars when starting a roofing project. We understand that every dollar matters but spending a few extra roof insulation dollars now will ultimately deliver big savings over your roof’s lifetime.

An additional layer of roof insulation can help offset rising energy costs, create a thermal break, and provide a great return on investment. We’ll work within your budget to get you the right type and right amount of insulation to keep you compliant with current building codes.

Vegetative Roofs

Equipping a roof with plants delivers many benefits. It provides more usable space, helps with stormwater runoff, minimizes the urban heat island effect, and improves energy efficiency. Not to mention it also extends the life of your roofing system.

GSM Roofing’s Ephrata, PA headquarters features a 7,000 square foot green roof with a vegetative garden, outdoor seating, a grilling area, and custom-made rain barrels. Our roof received the 2013 RoofPoint Excellence in Design Award for Excellence in Water Management.

Rainwater Harvesting

Roof rainwater harvesting is a simple, effective way to capture rain and use it later. It reduces your freshwater consumption and reuses water that makes its way onto your property. If you’re considering a roof rainwater harvesting option, we can help.

The rainwater harvesting process is typically accomplished with rain barrels or cisterns. GSM Roofing will make sure the water is diverted correctly and filtered, so you can use the rain to water your plants, wash the car, or do many other things in an eco-friendly way.

Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Roofing

Money doesn’t grow on trees—but it can grow on your roof. The solar (PV) market has been thriving thanks to federal tax credits, clean energy production, improved solar panel efficiencies, and rising energy prices. We are at the forefront of the latest PV roofing options (as demonstrated by the PV roof at GSM Industrial) and we can help determine if a solar roofing solution is right for you.

WARNING: Do not install solar panels on a roof—especially an older roof—without first consulting with a roofing professional and planning properly. You’ll avoid lots of headaches and financial worry down the road.

Daylighting

The sun is the most effective, affordable way to light your building. It’s also a simple and natural way to energize your employees’ work environment. With rising energy prices and a focus on reducing their carbon footprint, more companies invest in roof daylighting today. If your business wants to learn more about the benefits, get in touch so we can help.

A new skylight or sun tube can result in significant energy savings for your business. And new technologies can deliver even more substantial cost savings if installed correctly. Choosing an experienced contractor will keep the rain out and the sun shining in.

LEED

We have extensive experience with LEED, a green-build rating system. We will work with you to ensure you’re getting the maximum number of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Our commercial roofing specialists will design and install a vegetative, cool, or solar roof to add to your LEED credits. And to help your project go more smoothly, we will complete LEED paperwork, keep material travel to a minimum, and perform on-site recycling.