It’s great fun to think that we are in a business where we not only make our living, but one in which we deliver warmth, comfort and dry spaces to our customers all while making the world a better place.

I do believe we cover all of those bases.

To begin with, the roofing business is just that: a business. We market, sell and deliver our product in exchange for the opportunity to make a profit. Our product is shelter from the elements and in many cases, we deliver beauty. And in addition to making the world a more beautiful place, we can, by way of sustainable and green roofing systems, make the world a better place.

Sustainability and recycling are the key themes of this month’s issue of Roofing Contractor. These are two of my favorite topics because the demand for more sustainable and energy-efficient building envelope systems has been one of the key drivers for the roofing industry’s growth over the past decade. I would suggest that these are the top drivers for making our industry and products better.

And we have a long way to go to bring our most sustainable and energy-efficient products into the mainstream. It’s a fantastic opportunity when you stop to think about it. What are some of the things you can do to move your customers in the direction of more sustainable roofing systems? You’ll find lots of great information to help you do just that in this issue. As always, you’ll find even more great information online or via your mobile device at www.roofingcontractor.com.

Speaking of sustainable, in conjunction with our own 35th anniversary serving the roofing industry, this month we’re also introducing our Century Club. This web-exclusive landing page will feature roofing companies that have withstood the test of time and remain in business after 100 years or more. Pay close attention to this feature to learn how a singular enterprise can sustain all of the ups and downs over a century in the rough and tumble world of roof contracting.

In my view, sustainability in our built spaces or in our businesses is all about intentional planning and keeping an eye on the future — an eye beyond the challenges of this week, this year, or even this decade. Delayed gratification is not something our culture values, which is one of the reasons the struggle to sell sustainable roofing systems continues. They’re more expensive today but less costly, by far in some cases, in the long run. 

So, you work in a business that keeps a roof over your own head while moving the planet forward for generations to come. And if you play your cards right, the things you do with your team today may carry on to be reported in the April 2116 issue of Roofing Contractor.