How To Know What Your Commercial Roof Replacement Will Cost

Your roof plays a crucial role in protecting your commercial building from the elements. When problems begin to develop, your priority will be to schedule a thorough roofing inspection to determine if repairs can effectively restore your roof’s integrity or if it’s due for a complete replacement. Understanding the cost elements involved in a commercial roof replacement can help you plan and budget appropriately for the project. Overall, here are the factors determining the cost of commercial roof replacement:

1. Type of Roof 

Assuming your commercial roof is flat or low-slope, your material options may include TPO, EPDM, PVC, and metal. All these materials come with different price tags, which impacts the overall cost of replacement.

• TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) is a popular flat roofing material made of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. It is an attractive option due to its low cost, energy efficiency, and ease of installation. However, the lifespan of TPO isn’t guaranteed since it’s a new roofing material.
• EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a synthetic rubber offering extreme durability. It is highly resistant to heat and weather and provides a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution for flat roofs. On the downside, EPDME is relatively difficult to install.
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a single-ply roofing solution which works great on flat or low-sloped commercial or industrial roofs. It is solid and long-lasting but requires complete removal of the old roof for effective installation.
• Metal roofs are durable and long-lasting. You can count on them to withstand harsh weather situations such as high winds up to 140 miles per hour. However, metal roofs can be costlier than other roofing materials.

2. Roof Access 

Accessibility affects how easy it will be to pull off your old roof. It also impacts workers’ safety and ease of getting supplies to the roof and disposing of the old material. Things such as height, building occupancy, material storage areas, and property access all affect the cost of roof replacement.

So, a 20-story building will undoubtedly cost more to re-roof than a 2-story building since your roofer will need to use cranes to lift materials. Similarly, a larger roofing project will require more space to store large amounts of material, which raises replacement costs.

3. What’s Underneath 

If your building needs structural repairs alongside the new roof, the overall cost of replacement will increase. The roof structure, which may be made of metal, concrete, or wood, can be costly to replace. Underlying roofing components such as the cover board, insulation, and other substrate materials will also factor into the replacement cost. If there is noticeable water damage or impact on these materials, they will need to be replaced, raising the overall cost. 

4. Wind Loads and Fastenings

Depending on your commercial building’s geographical location, weather and codes will influence the type of fasteners used on the roof system. For example, in Colorado, buildings must be designed to withstand high winds up to 150 mph, which calls for more potent, closely placed fasteners.

5. Code Requirements 

Building codes constantly change, so it’s essential to work with a licensed local roofer who keeps up to date with local building codes. Other than wind loads and fasteners, a reputable roofer will adhere to state, regional, and local building codes.

At Red Diamond, we have several years of experience installing, maintaining, repairing, and replacing commercial roofs in the Denver and Fort Collins areas. Our skilled roofing specialists can evaluate all factors in your roof repair or replacement costs and provide unbiased recommendations. Since cost is a significant factor in roof replacement projects, we will employ the right resources and expertise to help you cut costs and maintain a sustainable budget. Contact us today to schedule a free roofing inspection!