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More Than a New Roof: How Strategic Building Upgrades Support Long-Term Performance 

By Hannah Arthur, RA, RID, LEED Green Associate, WELL AP

October 13, 2026
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Eventually, every building needs a little attention.

For buildings that have been around for 20 years or more, replacing a roof or updating building systems is simply part of their lifecycle. But these necessary improvements can also create an opportunity to think bigger. What else could be accomplished while you are already investing in the building?

At the Grand Wayne Convention Center, a needed roof project opened the door to a larger conversation about solar energy, sustainability, and the long-term performance of the facility. Rather than treating the roof and solar panels as separate projects, the team looked at how they could work together.
Aerial view of the Grand Wayne Center's new roof upgrades and solar power system.
Aerial view of the Grand Wayne Center's new roof upgrades and solar power system.

Sustainability Is Increasingly a Business Decision

Sustainability used to be thought of primarily in terms of reducing energy consumption. That is certainly still important, but today there can be a larger business case for investing in sustainable improvements.

For the Grand Wayne, sustainability had become part of staying competitive. Convention organizers are considering environmental initiatives when making booking decisions, meaning building performance can influence business decisions beyond monthly utility costs.

And that conversation is not unique to convention centers. Sustainability can play a role across industries:

  • Higher education: Meeting the expectations of environmentally conscious students
  • Healthcare: Supporting sustainability and operational efficiency goals
  • Industrial: Managing energy costs and improving resiliency
  • Financial and corporate: Demonstrating a commitment to communities, employees, and customers

In other words, sometimes a roof is more than a roof.

Is a Roof Replacement the Right Time to Consider Solar?

If a roof is approaching the end of its useful life and solar is somewhere in your organization’s future, it makes sense to talk about the two together.

Installing solar panels today only to remove them for a roof replacement later creates additional disruption. Planning both projects together allows the design team to consider the roof structure, roofing membrane, and solar strategy as one coordinated system.

At the Grand Wayne, a complete roof recover was paired with the solar installation, with future phases planned around the same integrated approach.

But that does not mean panels simply start going up as soon as the new roof is in place.

What Happens Before the Panels Go Up?

Solar starts with understanding the building.

Before determining the right solar solution, there are several things to consider:

  • Structural capacity: Can the existing roof support the additional load?
  • Energy usage: How much electricity is the building actually using?
  • Solar orientation: Where will panels receive the best solar exposure?
  • Roof conditions: Is reinforcement needed, and could roof reflectivity affect performance?

The key is to start with information rather than equipment. The goal shouldn’t be to fit as many panels on the roof as possible. It should be to develop a system that makes sense for the building and how it operates.

Protect the Building First

Adding solar should never come at the expense of the roof protecting everything underneath it.

Before construction at the Grand Wayne, thermal and moisture scans helped identify hidden areas that needed repair. Those scans were repeated during and after construction to verify the roof’s integrity and reduce concerns about potential leaks.

There were project-specific considerations, too. Because of the Grand Wayne’s proximity to Parkview Field, the roofing material was selected to better withstand exposure from nearby fireworks displays.

It is a good reminder that no two roofs are exactly alike. Every facility comes with its own conditions and risks that need to be understood before a solution is chosen.
Hand Holding Tablet over Floor Plan Design Collaborative architects and engineers in Charlotte North Carolina talk informally around work desk.
Hand Holding Tablet over Floor Plan Design Collaborative architects and engineers in Charlotte North Carolina talk informally around work desk.

How the Solar is Installed Matters, Too

Solar panels can be mechanically fastened through the roof or installed using a ballasted system that relies on weight instead of roof penetrations. Each approach comes with different structural, code, warranty, and maintenance considerations.

For the Grand Wayne, the team obtained a variance for a ballasted system, helping reduce penetrations through the new roof and protect that investment.

These may sound like small technical decisions, but they can have a big impact on how well the building performs over time.

And Yes, the Building Can Stay Open

One of the biggest concerns owners may have about a major renovation is disruption. Hospitals still have patients. Manufacturers still need to produce. Schools still need to teach. And convention centers still have events on the calendar.

The Grand Wayne remained occupied throughout construction, with work coordinated around events and conventions to minimize disruptions for occupants and visitors.

That kind of coordination is just as important as the technical design. A great solution still has to work in the real world.

Make Sustainability Something People Can See

The value of sustainable improvements does not have to stay hidden on the roof.

At the Grand Wayne, a lobby monitor will display information about energy generation and savings, helping visitors see what the solar investment is accomplishing.

Making performance visible can educate visitors and stakeholders, create engagement, and reinforce an organization’s commitment to sustainability.

A roof replacement might begin as a maintenance need, but with the right planning, it can become an opportunity to improve performance, support sustainability goals, and prepare a facility for what comes next.
Aerial view of the Grand Wayne Center's new roof upgrades and solar power system with the skyline of Fort Wayne Indiana in the background.
Aerial view of the Grand Wayne Center's new roof upgrades and solar power system with the skyline of Fort Wayne Indiana in the background.

Is your facility approaching a major roof or building-system upgrade? Talk with our team early in the process. We can help you look beyond the immediate need and explore opportunities to improve your building’s long-term performance, resiliency, and value.

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