Is There a Good Season to Replace Your Commercial Roof?

If you are considering replacing your commercial roof, you may be waiting for the opportune season to have the work done. Each season presents its own challenges for commercial roofing projects so be sure to take each one into consideration when scheduling a replacement.

In general, fall is usually the best time to have your roof replaced, though many Facility Managers request the work to be completed during spring or summer. Spring in the mid-Atlantic region means damp and rainy weather. Replacements can be carried out during the spring however, you'll need to understand that Commercial roofing companies are at the mercy of the weather and, as a result, the project schedule may have to be adjusted. Not only are adhesives and solvents not conducive to damp/wet conditions, the safety of the crews are also of concern. 

Alternatively, summer is a commercial roofing company's busiest season weather permitting. Summer schedules tend to fill quickly and early. If you'd like to have your commercial roof replaced in the summer, make sure you've got a contract in place by early spring at the latest.

Similar to spring, winter can be a challenging time for a commercial roof replacement. There are temperature and moisture points that must be in effect for a specific amount of time in order for certain materials to work correctly.

Fall is historically the season that presents drier conditions and optimal temperatures for commercial roof replacements. There is a race against time as winter approaches but, with longer stretches of good weather, roofing companies are usually able to complete projects much faster than during the other seasons.

To learn more about how to make your commercial roof replacement project go smoothly, contact Matrix Roofing Systems! We are the Mid-Atlantic regions premier roof replacement service.

What is the Installation Process Like For a New Commercial Roof?

Getting a new roof for your commercial facility is something that property managers don't deal with every day. Like any process we are not wholly familiar with, we often feel a little more comfortable when we know what to expect. If you need a new roof and want to know what the process is like, we can walk you through it.

Prepping the Space

Before the roofing even starts, you will want to ensure that your property remains protected. This often means using tarps and plywood to shield all walls, siding, and surrounding plants. You will also need to instruct your team/tenants to park away from the building for the safety of their vehicles. The key is to move anything that could potentially be damaged by debris. As for what to move, your contractor will give you suggestions. If there are things that cannot be moved, the roofing team will take precautions to protect the area.

Removing the Old Roof

New roof installation begins with removing the old materials. This also means removing the old underlayment until only the wood decking underneath is exposed. This is where most debris comes from as they are physically removing materials. The removal and installation process can differ based on the material of your commercial roof. It may help to connect with the manufacturer of your roof’s material to get an idea of the most effective removal strategy. 

Inspecting The Decking

Under the roof and underlayment is wood decking. The decking will be inspected for rot or water damage. If any is found, the wood will be removed and replaced before your new roof goes on. This is a key step in the process, as another replacement may be required if the decking isn’t solid.
Installation

When it comes time to install a new roof, the team will install drip edges to prevent rain from penetrating your roofing materials. They will then lay down a layer of underlayment to provide another layer to stop water and ice penetration as well as to stop the roofing material from sticking to the decking. Finally, your selected roofing material will be installed. 

Cleanup

While your new roof is installed, before the team leaves, they will clean up after themselves. This means removing any errant roofing materials, wood, or underlayment that escaped the installation or removal process. They will also scour the area for nails and other debris so your property is perfectly clean.

If you believe it’s time for your commercial building to have an upgrade, call Matrix Roofing Systems! We can provide you with an estimate, discuss the installation process, and come up with a solution for your structure. This is what makes us the top roofing company in the Mid-Atlantic area!

The Cost of a Commercial Roof Replacement

The Cost of a Commercial Roof Replacement

Without speaking with you or looking at your roof, a professional roofer couldn’t tell you the exact amount it would cost to replace your commercial roof. There are a lot of factors that come into play, but the following will give you a general idea of what influences replacement costs.

The Kind of Roof You’re Considering

There are a lot of different materials used in roofing today. If the roof is flat, it will require different materials than if the roof is steep sloped. Aesthetic appeal may make a difference in the kind of roofing materials you’re considering, which will directly affect the cost. Materials typically make up a significant portion of the price you pay.

The Condition of Your Current Roof

The extent of the work that is required will directly affect the cost. If there is only one roof system in place, then this roof can be roofed over, providing any wet or damaged substrate materials are removed first. The greater the extent of wet or damaged materials that must be removed, the more the roof will cost. If there are already two roofs in place, the existing materials should be removed prior to re-roofing.

There may be isolated areas of the roof that are more deteriorated than others, due to poor drainage, excessive roof top traffic and equipment, poor maintenance, etc. If the rest of the roof is in fair condition, it may be possible to replace or repair just those sections.

Accessibility to the Roof

Accessibility, logistics, safety requirements and size directly affect the cost of your project. Buildings with limited perimeter access for set-up areas, cranes and dumpsters may cost more than roofs that are easily accessible. A variety of things come into play that determine safety requirements i.e. building height, parapet wall height or lack thereof, trash removal requirements and any necessary deck replacement, to name a few.

Also, low slope and steep slope roofs have different requirements that must be considered when calculating the costs of your project.

The internal use and operations of the building can also determine working hours, when certain scopes of work can be performed, internal protection requirements and any necessary shutdown of internal processes to name a few. All of these can determine the production rate of the crew and may affect your pricing more than all of the other items previously mentioned.

Every situation and building is unique, to some degree.

Contact the Professionals for a Quote

While roofing materials, current condition and accessibility play a big part in the cost of your commercial roof replacement, there are other factors at play as well. For a more specific idea of your replacement will cost, contact the professionals at Matrix Roofing by calling 267-642-5027 or sending an email to jeffh@matrixroofing.info.

Retrofit vs. Replacement

A properly installed and maintained roof can last for decades, but it won’t last forever! Perhaps you've noticed some damage to the roof of your commercial building, or maybe your roof has simply exceeded its lifespan; whatever the reason, you've decided that it's finally time to replace your existing roof with something newer and more durable. It's a major investment to undertake, but considering your roof is an essential part of the structure of your building and works to keep your building and those inside of it safe, it's well worth it!

There are several different roofing options to choose from, but did you know that you don't need to start from scratch? In many cases, a retrofit roof can be placed over your existing roof and eliminate the need and costs of an entire replacement. Interested in learning more about retrofit roofing solutions? Check out just a few of the reasons why a retrofit roof in an excellent option when installing a new roof on your commercial building:

• They’re less expensive. A retrofit roof can save you money, since you won't need to worry about the cost of tearing off your existing roof and having materials properly moved and disposed of.
• They’re convenient. Since the construction of your new roof will be far less extensive than it would be had you installed a brand new one, your building can remain open while a professional roofing contractor installs your retrofit!
• They’re no less effective than a replacement. Retrofit roofs are flexible, which not only makes them easy to install and fit over your existing roof, it also makes them durable and able to stand up to severe weather conditions and wind.
• They come with options. Retrofit roofs are available in a wide variety of colors and styles, including "cool roof" options that will increase energy efficiency and keep your roof and, in turn, your building cooler!

There are a few scenarios in which retrofitting your roof is not a viable option for your commercial building. If you're constructing a new building and need to add a roof, you will of course need to start with a roof build, not a retrofit. Additionally, if your roof is severely damaged, it's likely that it will be worth investing in an entirely new roof rather than retrofitting your existing one.

If you have any questions about retrofit roofs, replacements or repairs, please give us a call at (267) 327-4680 or visit our website. We’re a commercial roofing company doing business in New Jersey, and we’re more than happy to help you explore your reroofing options and identify the best solution for your commercial buildings.