4 Things You Must Know About Re-Roofing A Commercial Building

Roof is arguably the most essential part of any building. After all, it protects the people inside it. The harsh climate conditions often cause damage to the roof. For this reason, constant maintenance is important. While nobody likes to replace their commercial building and pay thousands of dollars for that, you have to when the time comes.

But, do you know instead of completely tearing off your roof, you can get a re-roof done and save a lot in the process?

Essentially, you will be saving a lot of money by not completely removing the roofing system and only repairing and replacing the roof that needs attention. Re-roofing is basically installing another roofing system over the existing one.

Sounds great, right?

Re-roofing a Commercial Building Checklist

But it is not so simple. Here are some things that as an owner you must know when re-roofing your commercial building.

#1 Legality

As per building laws and regulations, commercial buildings are allowed to install two roofing systems. That means, if you already have two roofing systems in your commercial building, you need to remove one before installing another. But this does not mean you need to remove both the roofing systems to install a new one. You may choose to remove any of them.

In other words, if your roofing system is dry and is in good condition, instead of replacing it, add another protective layer over it. While this cannot happen if you already have two roofing systems installed. In that case, you may remove any of the two systems to get one new one installed.

Also, silicone roof coating does not come into the bracket of a roofing system. The laws consider it as maintenance. To put things into perspective, if you already have two roofing systems, you can get silicone roof coating and increase the life of your roof and you will not be breaking any legal barriers. It also proves to be a cost-effective solution to your roofing problems.

#2 Roofing Materials

When it comes to re-roofing, there are a plethora of options to choose from. In the end, everything depends on the best material for your commercial building and your budget. Perhaps, if you are looking for something cost-effective, a single-ply roofing system can be a good choice.

To the contrary, if you want something reliable, a polyurethane foam roofing system can be your pick. It is durable and can be renewed over and over again.

In a nutshell, the decision bogs down to what kind of roofing material is used in your commercial building currently and how you want to improve it.

#3 Re-Roofing Vs Replacement

Before you make up your mind to re-roof your commercial building, you should know if it is a better choice than replacing the existing roofing system or not.

Re-roofing a Commercial Building: Pros & Cons

To better understand this, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of re-roofing over replacement of roof.

Let’s begin with the benefits first:

• Cost-Effective: Removing a roofing system is hectic and labor intensive. It costs a lot of money. Instead, re-roofing can save you a lot of money.
• Environment: Transporting removed roofing materials to landfills is costly and is a lot of hassle. Even if you do so, it is not good for the environment.
• Takes Less Time: Removing a roofing system is so much more difficult, tedious, and time taking than installing a new one.

Now, the disadvantages or the problems that may occur when re-roofing:

• If your commercial building already has two roofing systems, then re-roofing can be a lot of hassle.
• Sometimes the condition of the roof is so bad that re-roofing does not help.

Hiring a Roofing Company

When you are looking to re-roof your commercial building, it is best to scout around and vet roofers before you make any decision. Use Google and ask for references. Before you hire any professionals, it is best to verify their license and insurance. Important thing is that you need to focus on quality when choosing a roofing company.

You may feel tempted to work with a contractor that offers low cost services, but understand roofing is not a simple job. Hire a company like Brookhaven, NY roof repair service, that has experience in re-roofing commercial/residential buildings and of course, the team of the roofing experts who could handle any roofing requirements. Remember, money is never wasted on quality.

Final Words

Concern about the roofing system of a commercial building is important. It may be overwhelming to re-roof but it helps to improve the life of your roof and saves the cost to replace the roof.

So, when you plan to re-roof your commercial building, keep in mind the points mentioned above. Hopefully, after reading this guide, you have a better idea about your decision. Also, don’t shy away from taking a professional opinion from a roofing company. They will analyse your existing roofing system and will be able to guide you better.

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