Greetings and welcome to the first issue of Off the Top for 2011. This newsletter was created to keep you up-to-date on the trends, technologies and topics impacting the design of superior commercial roofs. We have a lot of great information to share and hope you enjoy spending a few minutes with us.

There are many complex factors to consider when deciding between re-roof or roof replacement options. At a time when retrofit applications are more prevalent than ever, Firestone's Rick Ruppert provides leadership on this topic in the June 2010 issue of The Construction Specifier.

The Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) published the Seven-Year Report for the TPO Weathering Farm Project in the May/June 2010 issue of Western Roofing. Read the report to learn about the positive findings regarding the long-term performance of TPO, including Firestone UltraPly TPO.

Polymer-modified bitumen roof systems are viable options in the green building movement. Firestone Building Products' Asphalt Marketing Manager Ruben Garcia discusses a number of ways to make traditional mod bit roof systems more energy efficient in the November 2010 issue of Professional Roofing.

SkyScape Vegetative Roof System is a high-quality and sustainable roofing system featuring patented, double interlocking trays that are easy to install and maintain. Available in an extensive modular tray system or an intensive multi-layered system, SkyScape provides a host of environmental benefits. SkyPaver Composite Roof Pavers and SkyDrain Drainage Mats are also available to complement the system.

ISOGARD HD Cover Board combines impact resistance, energy savings and ease of installation in a single durable product. The product features a closed-cell polyiso core utilizing IsoGard foam technology, is resistant to extreme weather conditions and has the highest thermal performance of any 1/2” insulation cover board product on the market.

SunWave Daylighting System is a premium daylighting product for the commercial roofing industry. Featuring a double-glazed, acrylic, prismatic layered dome, SunWave is an environmentally friendly solution that can replace indoor electrical lighting by up to 70 percent during daylight hours.

The trend toward being "green" is becoming a way of life for more and more people, and architects and their clients are no exception. Firestone's commitment to offering quality, sustainable commercial roofing systems and accessories makes it easy to fulfill your clients' desire to incorporate sustainable building solutions in their project designs. To assist your environmentally responsible efforts, here are a few links to industry organizations that provide valuable information to help your clients save energy and money.

• Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing
• Cool Roof Rating Council
• U.S. Green Building Council

Whether you are looking for product information, technical information, educational seminars, nearby Red Shield licensed contractors or local sales reps, look no further than the Firestone Building Products website. There you will find a host of information to help you address your commercial roofing needs.

We also encourage you to visit our Project Portfolio, which showcases many innovative projects featuring Firestone's EPDM, TPO, asphalt and metal roofing solutions.