Commercial Roofing Frequently Asked Questions

Here's a list of the most popular questions we get:

[they are all answered below]

Do you do residential work?
Do you install TPO?
What’s the ballpark cost of a spray foam roofing system?
What's the ballpark cost of a silicone roof coating system?
What roofing systems do you install?
Where are you located and where do you work at?
Do you sell coatings or spray foam?
What happens with service if I’m out of state?
What are the pros/cons of the spray foam roofing system?
What are the pros/cons of the silicone roof coating system?
Spray foam vs Silicone roof coatings vs Metal vs Single-ply – What are the Pro’s and Con’s of them?
Can I re-roof or do I have to tear off my existing commercial roof?
How do I know if my business needs a new roof?
How much will my new roof cost?
How long can I expect my commercial roof system to last?
How do I know which type of roof is right for my business?
How can I choose the right commercial roofing contractor?
What's the right warranty to choose?
What should I do if my roof is leaking?
What is spray foam roofing? is it a new product?
Why is a spray foam roofing system better than the others?
Does spray foam work in the north?
Can you walk on spray polyurethane foam roofing?
Do birds eat spray polyurethane foam?
How much does spray foam roofing cost?
What are the advantages to a spray polyurethane foam roof?
What are the disadvantages to a spray polyurethane foam roof?
How long has west roofing systems been in business?
Where are we located? Where do we work?
What services do we provide?
What type of commercial roofing systems do we service?
Do we subcontract?
How many employees does west roofing systems have?
What manufacturers are we certified to maintain and install?
Do we have a full-time service team? or an emergency team?

1. DO you do Residential work?

I'm sorry, but we do not. We only stick to larger, commercial-style roofing projects.

2. DO you install TPO?

We do not. We have TPO in stock, but it's only used to repair an existing TPO roof before we install spray foam or a roof coating system.

3. What's the ballpark cost of the spray foam roofing system?

The ballpark cost is $5 - $10 per square foot. There are many variables that influence cost, such as:

How long of a warranty is desired
How much spray foam is needed/desired
If there's any tear-off required before the installation
The size of your roof
Where your roof is located

And many, many more variables. This article has more details into spray foam pricing.

4. What's the ballpark cost of a silicone roof coating system?

The ballpark cost is $3.50 - $7 per square foot. There are many variables that influence cost, such as:

How long of a warranty is desired
Are there any areas of the roof that need raised for proper sloping?
Is any tear-off required before the installation?
Is a primer or adhesion-enhancer needed?
The size of your roof
Where your roof is located

And many, many more variables. This article has more details on roof coating system pricing.

5. what roofing systems do you install?

We only install two roofing systems, spray polyurethane foam and roof coating systems.

These articles introduce each system:

6. Where are you located at? WHere do you work?

West Roofing Systems has locations in:

LaGrange, Ohio
Tunnel Hill, Georgia
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Despite our 3 locations, we work all over the US. Please visit our "Where We Work At" page, which has state-by-state information on where we've done projects at.

Remember, just because someone is closer, doesn't mean they are best for your project. The most important aspect to any roofing project is the quality of work.

7. DO you sell spray foam or roof coatings?

We do not. We purchase spray foam and coatings from the top manufacturers in the country.

8. What happens with service/maintenance if i'm out of state?

With our 3 locations and over 100 team members, we are capable of servicing and maintaining any roof that we've installed in a timely manner. We have multiple clients in almost every state East of the Mississippi so we are built to handle work outside of OH, GA, and FL cost-effectively.

We also have a 100%, full-time, internal service team. They are always on call and are always available.

9. what are the pros and cons of the spray foam roofing system?

Pros

They have lower lifetime costs than other commercial roofing systems
They are easy to install (reduces labor costs)
It has the highest R-value per inch of thickness
It’s easy to maintain
It’s seamless
They are environmentally-friendly
It has closed-cell properties (which means it won’t leak)
It’s renewable and sustainable

Cons

There are bad spray foam contractors out there
Overspray is an issue
And it needs to be at least 50 degrees to install

For more details on each point, please read the article "The Pros and Cons of Spray Foam Roofing Systems."

10. what are the pros and cons of silicone roof coating systems?

Pros

Cost savings by minimizing tear-off
Extends roof life
New warranty
Warranty is renewable with a recoat
It's not considered an official roofing system (good for building code compliance)
Leaves behind a seamless membrane (seams are the #1 cause of leaks)
It's fluid-applied. Goes around penetrations with ease.
Can reduce energy expenses

Cons

Nothing sticks to silicone…but more silicone
Strict eligibility (seams need to be in decent shape, less than 25% wet insulation, needs to have had annual maintenance)
Silicone is slippery. Can cause safety issues.

For more details on each point, please read the article "The Pros and Cons of Silicone Roof Coating Systems."

11. What's better: SPray foam, roof coatings, metal, or single-ply?

Please read the article "Spray Foam vs Roof Coatings vs Metal vs Single-ply." It will give you the pros and cons of each roofing system.

12. Can I re-roof or do I have to tear off my existing commercial roof?

If you only have one roof on your building that is in good shape, chance are you can save money by installing a new roof without removing the existing roof.

Unfortunately, there are instances where a roof tear-off is required:

Your facility already has two roofs: According to law, commercial buildings may not have more than two roofing layers. This is to prevent excess weight and stress on the structure of the building.
Your facility has an unsafe roof: If your roof is damaged, saturated or unstable, your contractor will need to strip the existing roof to install a new working roof.

13. How do I know if my business needs a new roof?

Our experts will perform a free roof assessment to determine the quality of your existing roof. Internal damage you may spot such as roof leaks or mold, are indicators that your commercial roof could be unstable and need replacing.

Download: Should I Repair, Restore or Replace My Commercial Roof?

14. How much will my new roof cost?

Each situation has its own unique challenges that cause the prices to fluctuate. We compete with all the viable and high performing commercial roofing systems. There are many factors that contribute to the price of your new commercial roof.

Some of these factors include:

The size of your roof
Condition of the existing roof
Roof access
Desired R-value
Membrane choice
Warranty length

We can help you create a budget after one of our roofing experts performs a free roof assessment and creates a roof survey report for your facility.

15. How long can I expect my commercial roof system to last?

The longevity of your commercial is dependent on many factors, from weather conditions to roof type.

There are averages for common roof systems:

Spray Polyurethane Foam: 30 – 50 Years. However, a spray foam roof is renewable.
Single-Ply Membrane TPO: 15 – 20 Years
Single-Ply Membrane EPDM: 20 – 25 Years
Metal: 30 – 45 Years
Built-Up: 10 – 15 Years

16. How do I know which type of roof is right for my business?

Our roofing experts will work with you to determine the best roofing system for your facility based on climate, energy costs, and facility needs.

There are many roofing options for your commercial facility:

Spray Polyurethane Foam – Read More
Single-Ply Membrane: TPO
Single-Ply Membrane: EPDM
Sheet Metal
Built-Up (Tar, Asphalt, Modified Bitumen)

Visit: Commercial Roofing Online Learning Center

17. How can I choose the right commercial roofing contractor?

Choosing the right commercial roofing contractor to trust can be daunting. There are databases with accredited companies such as the Better Business Bureau or the National Roofing Contractors Association. In addition, ask your contractor what kind of training they do with their crews and what certifications they hold with suppliers and industry organizations.

At West Roofing Systems, our teams hold many certifications: PCP Certified Company, OSHA 500, 510, 7500 Certified Trainer, NRCA Certified in Fall Protection among others, in addition to belonging to industry organizations such as The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance and The National Roofing Contractors Association.

18. What's the right warranty to choose?

When you install a new roof on your facility, you will have a variety of warranties to choose from. The coverage of your warranty depends on the type of warranty you purchase. The most common warranty options include Contractor’s Warranty, Manufacturer’s Warranty, and a Manufacturer’s Full System Warranty.

These warranties can cover a variety of roofing issues such as:

Roof leak repair
High winds
Hail damage coverage
Roof puncture coverage

Most roof warranties require or recommend regular roof inspections and maintenance. In addition to a proper maintenance program, Roof Restoration is a great way to renew your roof warranty.

Read More: Silicone Roof Restoration

19. WHat should I do if my roof is leaking?

If you find that your commercial roof is leaking, Your first priority is to protect what is in your facility first. This could mean moving furniture or covering equipment to protect from water damage. When your property inside the facility is protected, mark the leak area to show a professional later.

If your roofing contractor has an emergency contact number, this is the time to utilize their services. If they don’t have emergencies, contact them the next day during business hours.

For More Directions: My Commercial Roof is Leaking: What Can I Do?

20. What is Spray Foam Roofing? Is it a new product?

Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is a roofing system that is installed by spraying a chemical mixture onto the existing structure and allowing it to expand into a seamless foam surface. This foam is then coated with a silicone layer for protection. SPF roofing received it’s first UL rating in 1964, years before the more traditional roof systems.

21. Why is a Spray Foam Roofing system better than the others?

SPF roof systems are sustainable and renewable. Independent third party Life Cycle Analysis indicates that SPF provides the best return on investment. It has no seams, creates a monolithic blanket of insulation and waterproofing. Ultra-high energy efficient insulation reduces energy demand and equipment maintenance expenses. Environmentally responsible low VOC protective coatings and zero-ozone depleting with ultra-low GWP products.

22. Does Spray Foam work in the north?

Yes, we have been installing SPF roofs successfully in the northern regions of the country since 1979. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that properly installed SPF roof systems do not work in the north.

23. Can you walk on Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing?

Yes, typical SPF used for roofing develops 40-50 pounds per square inch (psi) compressive strength. This is twice the compressive strength used in other insulation boards. Your residential refrigerator exerts 50 psi per support, so the SPF used for roofing is designed to accommodate moderate roof traffic.

24. Do birds eat Spray Polyurethane Foam?

Early Spray Polyurethane Foam roof designs were susceptible to occasional mechanical damage by birds (crows and seagulls). This phenomenon has been stopped with the inclusion of granule surfacing embedded into the top coat.

25. How much does Spray Foam Roofing cost?

Each situation has its unique challenges that cause the prices to fluctuate. We compete with all the viable and high performing commercial roofing systems. Many factors contribute to the cost of your new commercial roof.

Some of these factors include:

The size of your roof
Condition of the existing roof
Roof access
Insulation choice
Membrane choice
Installation choice
Roof penetrations
Type of Warranty

We can help you create a budget after one of our roofing experts performs a free roof assessment and creates a roof survey report for your facility.

26. What are the advantages to a Spray Polyurethane Foam Roof?

The benefits of installing a spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofing system, rather than another roof type, are numerous regarding installation, performance, cost, and longevity.

Energy Efficient – SPF delivers thermal, air, and moisture barriers to provide the highest R-value per inch, which means the material provides better insulation for the building.
Durability – The foam material can expand and contract with the building in accordance with outside temperatures, decreasing the likelihood of cracks and splitting.
Seamless and Waterproof – Since the SPF mixture is applied as a liquid, it can fill gaps, seams, and cracks in the existing roof and substrate.
Environmentally Friendly – Unlike other roofing systems, installing an SPF roof does not produce waste, and when properly maintained, SPF roofing systems stay out of landfills.

27. What are the disadvantages to a Spray Polyurethane Foam Roof?

While the advantages of an SPF roofing system outweigh the disadvantages, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Hire the Right Professional – The application of the spray is a process that needs to be done correctly from the beginning.
Timing is Everything – Installation of an SPF roofing system cannot be performed during cold, windy, or rainy weather. In addition, the existing roof needs to be completely dry and pass an infrared moisture survey.
Prone to Mechanical Damage – SPF does not have as high of resistance to punctures, from mechanical damage and in some regions, can be prone to birds pecking, as other roof systems; the repair process is straightforward with a standard cartridge of caulk, unlike other system repairs.
Overspray - Spray foam is sort of like a mist. It's lightweight. It can be carried by the wind onto undesirable assets, such as cars. Contractors combat this by using windscreens, spraying out of a booth, or not spraying when it's too windy.

28. How long has West Roofing Systems been in business?

We have been in business since 1979 and have installed over 70,000,000 square feet of commercial roofing worldwide.

Read More: About Us

29. What services do we provide?

At West Roofing Systems, we offer a variety of roof installation and maintenance services to keep your facility in good shape.

In addition to the installing top of the time roofing systems (see below), we also provide:

30. What type of commercial roofing systems do we service?

We can service any commercial roofing system.

31. Do we subcontract?

When you hire West Roofing Systems, you hire our teams and crews to work on your facility. We do not outsource any of our work out to ensure the best quality for our customers.

Watch: West Roofing Systems: A Turnkey Operation

32. How many employees does West Roofing Systems have?

We currently have over 100 employees and 15 roofing crews nationally. Every day, our crews are capable of installing 66,500 square feet of finished roofing. Our teams are led by our trained and certified foremen that have an average tenure of 15 years.