Roof maintenance should be at the top of any commercial property owner’s to-do list. Because lack of proper maintenance leads to faster wear, and replacing an entire roof can be very expensive.
But, even if issues have begun to arise, sometimes there are repairs that can prevent having to replace your entire roof.
Reach out to a trusted professional to see if commercial roof restoration is a possibility before you consider full roof replacement. This guide will help you get started!
What is Commercial Roof Restoration?
Roof restoration is redoing your entire roof without replacing it. During the restoration process, your roof will be cleaned and have a waterproof coating applied. Any broken tiles or shingles will be replaced and your whole roof is restored to look like new.
Roof restoration leaves your roof intact and addresses minor issues to help prolong its life. Restoring your roof is a less invasive and less expensive option than a complete roof replacement, and the steps to restore your roof will depend on the type of roof you have.
If you have a metal roof, a roof restoration will seal any leaks and replace the metal sheet roofing.
A tiled roof restoration includes replacing and re-aligning the roof tiles, replacing tiles, replacing damaged tiles that are cracked or broken, and repointing the ridge edges.
Roof restoration is also possible for flat roofing systems, including rubber/EPDM, PVC, TPO and built-up roofs (BUR).
Not only is roof restoration more affordable but it is also environmentally friendly. Instead of buying and using new materials, you are reusing parts of your existing roof, and roof repair/restoration can extend the lifespan of your roof up to 15 years.
When To Restore Your Roof
Roofing restoration should be done after a detailed roof inspection has been completed. Overall, the roof needs to be in fairly good condition with no excess moisture or obvious decay, because a roof restoration will involve re-using much of the existing roof.
Some major damages that benefit from restoration versus roof replacement are fire damage, water damage, hail damage, and high-wind damage. These types of damage will often affect parts of your roof such as shingles, felt underlay, and even the decking of your roof.
Remember, roof restoration is not the same as roof repair. Roof repair is only needed if there are smaller and more specific parts of the roof that need fixing. Minor issues such as leaks and damaged tiles are fixed with a roof repair.
Roof restoration, by comparison, does a complete makeover of your entire roof and is a much more affordable option compared to a complete roof replacement.
What Is A Commercial Roof Replacement?
Roof replacement occurs when your roof is not in good enough condition for a roof restoration. Roof restoration is the process of restoring your roof to its original state, but when the damage is so severe that your roof might collapse or have a large amount of leaking, you will need a complete roof replacement.
Generally, commercial roof systems have a roughly 20 year life cycle (depending on the type of system). So when a commercial roof hits two decades, a roof replacement should be in the planning stages. If you mold or moss, bald spots, curled/cracked shingles or moisture in the deck/ insulation is present, roof replacement may be on the horizon.
If you have a flat roof, look for bulging or bubbling of the roofing material, or dips in the roof surface where water could collect. Rips or tears in the roof coating could already be causing leaks that you aren’t aware of, which could mean more serious problems under the surface.
Pay attention to your neighbors’ buildings that are around the same age as yours when deciding between roof restoration vs. replacement. If other building owners are replacing their roofs, you might need to consider replacing yours, as well.
A complete roof replacement strips all of the shingles/roofing material from the roof and replaces your roof with a new set of shingles, rubber, etc.
Roof Replacement Costs
Depending on the size of the roof, the location of the building, removal fees, and the supplies needed, the cost for a new roof can vary. Commercial roofing can be more complex compared to residential homes, and factors such as the type of roof, whether it’s flat or sloped, and the materials needed will affect the cost.
Flat Roof
A flat roof and a sloped roof are the two main types of roofing systems for commercial buildings. Depending on the type of roof you own, it can affect how easy or hard it is to access the roof and the materials needed for a roof replacement.
A flat roof is often a single-ply roof which makes it easier to install (and sometimes less costly). You can choose to do a built-up roof or a modified bitumen roof but they are usually more expensive. Most often, roofing contractors will use a layer of EPDM rubber or TPO, a thermoplastic that doesn’t degrade with exposure to UV rays.
Sloped Roof
Sloped roofs often have shingles, and the price to replace your shingles depends on whether you have asphalt shingles, slate, or wood.
A sloped roof can also be a metal roof, which is a popular choice because there are many different combinations of metal, colors, and styles to choose (while it lasts the longest, metal is also often the most expensive roofing material when compared to others).
Additional factors to take into consideration that impact the cost of a roof replacement are damage to the roof, permits, codes, and upgrades such as slopes to the drain, parapet walls, and insulation.
Commercial Roof Restoration vs. Commercial Roof Replacement
Knowing how to decide between a roof replacement and roof restoration can be a challenging business decision. Overall, if your roof has only been minorly affected by natural hazards, moisture, mold, deterioration, or corrosion, you might be able to consider a roof restoration.
Completing roof repairs to fix small problems, such as holes or missing shingles, works until you can no longer cover your deteriorating roof with a bandaid. When your roof is beyond its life expectancy, you should plan on the expense of replacing your entire roof.
Hire a Commercial Roofing Contractor
A trusted and professional commercial roofing company will be able to discuss your current roof’s lifespan and whether or not commercial roof restoration is a possibility.
Not only is roof restoration a more cost-friendly option, but it’s also a much less invasive construction process for your business building.
Contact us today with any questions about your commercial roof and book a free consultation. We’ll find the roofing solution that’s right for you!
