Why Conklin
Why Conklin? Our Founder’s Perspective
How East Coast Renewable came to support Conklin roofing systems, in our founder’s own words.
My introduction to Conklin roofing systems came through a friend who was exploring an opportunity to become an independent contractor. At the time, I knew very little about Conklin or the commercial roofing restoration industry. In fact, my initial understanding was somewhat inaccurate. I thought I was being introduced to another rubber roofing system, similar to traditional EPDM.
As I began studying the products and the different commercial roofing systems available, I quickly realized there was much more to the story. What started as curiosity developed into genuine conviction.
The more I learned about Conklin’s roofing systems, the more I began asking myself a simple question:
“If I owned a commercial building and needed to address its roofing system, what would I want for my own property?”
Increasingly, the answer pointed toward the solutions I was discovering through Conklin.
A Different Way of Thinking About Commercial Roofing
One of the first things that caught my attention was the concept of restoration rather than replacement. Until then, I hadn’t fully appreciated the distinction.
The traditional approach to an aging commercial roof often involves removing the existing system and installing something new. But what if the existing roof still has a useful foundation? What if modern technology could allow us to preserve that foundation, improve upon it, and extend its service life? That made sense to me.
I also appreciated the potential to reduce unnecessary roofing waste. I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who built a company around environmental activism. That’s simply not who I am. But I do believe in responsible stewardship and avoiding waste when there’s a practical alternative.
If we can extend the life of an existing roof without unnecessarily sending roofing materials to a landfill, why wouldn’t we consider that option? It’s a practical decision that can benefit both the property owner and the environment.
The Financial Benefits Were Equally Compelling
As I continued learning, I became increasingly interested in the financial advantages restoration could offer commercial property owners. The potential tax treatment of qualifying restoration expenses, the possibility of improved building energy efficiency, and the reduced disruption associated with avoiding a complete tear-off all deserved serious consideration.
I began to recognize that a roofing decision wasn’t simply about fixing a leak or installing a new surface.
“It was an asset management decision.”
For a business owner, that distinction can be meaningful.
I was also impressed by Conklin’s warranty programs, including eligible systems offering manufacturer-backed warranty options extending from 10 years to 20 years or longer, depending on the system and applicable requirements.
For me, these weren’t isolated selling points. Together, they represented a different way of approaching commercial roofing.
The People Made the Difference
Eventually, I had the opportunity to visit Conklin and become better acquainted with the company and the people involved. That experience reinforced much of what I had already begun to believe about the products.
I was genuinely impressed by the people I met. They were everyday people, but what stood out to me was their conscientiousness, their professionalism, and the way they approached their work and relationships.
At this stage of my life, I’ve become increasingly mindful of the people and influences I surround myself with. I believe the people we spend time with, the information we consume, and the environments we participate in all shape who we become.
The relationships I began developing through Conklin reflected many of the values I wanted to build into East Coast Renewable. That mattered to me just as much as the technology.
Why We Support Conklin Today
Today, East Coast Renewable is a Conklin Independent Approved Vendor.
Our relationship with Conklin is rooted in something more meaningful than simply offering another roofing product. It began with curiosity, grew through education, and developed into confidence in the technology, the restoration philosophy, and the people associated with the company.
We believe commercial property owners deserve to understand all their options before making significant roofing investments. Sometimes the right answer is a repair. Sometimes it’s preventive maintenance. Sometimes restoration provides an opportunity to extend the life of an existing roofing system for many additional years. And sometimes replacement is necessary.
“Our commitment is to recommend the solution that makes the most sense for the property, not simply the solution that creates the largest project.”
That philosophy is central to what we call The Three R’s of East Coast Renewable: Repair, Relationship, and Restoration. Conklin’s roofing technologies have become an important part of how we bring that philosophy to life.
We are proud of the relationship we are building, the contractors we are helping develop, and the opportunities we see ahead for commercial roof restoration.
Our goal isn’t to sell every property owner a new roofing system. It’s to build relationships, solve problems, and help people make better decisions about the properties they’ve worked hard to build.
Our Founder, East Coast Renewable
Repair. Relationship. Restoration.
Request an inspection
One short form, and we will call you to schedule. There is no upfront charge to inspect.
Active leak? Calling is fastest.