Commercial Roofing Frequently Asked Questions

Commercial Roofing Experts Answer Your Questions

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.

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?

When should I schedule my roof survey?

The earlier the better! As soon as warm weather comes, contractors are up on roofing starting projects. It’s best to contact a contractor in The later summer to schedule a survey as soon as the spring comes to your area. That way, they can start your project as soon as roofing season starts.

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
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.

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
Single-Ply Membrane TPO: 15 – 20 Years
Single-Ply Membrane EPDM: 20 – 25 Years
Metal: 30 – 45 Years
Built-Up: 10 – 15 Years

How long does it take to install a new commercial roof?

The time of the project is dependent on a variety of variables such as the type of roof, the size of the roof, existing damage, weather, inspections, and permits. Each job is truley unique and could take form a few days to a few weeks. When you talk to a roofing expert for an assessment, they should be able to include a proposed timeline in the survey report.

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 – Read More
Single-Ply Membrane: EPDM – Read More
Sheet Metal – Read More
Built-Up (Tar, Asphalt, Modified Bitumen)
Sustainable (Green, Solar)

Visit: Commercial Roofing Online Learning Center

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.

Is there anything I need to do to maintain my commercial roof warranty?

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

What should I do in the case of an emergency commercial roof leak?

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?

What is Spray Polyurethane 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.

Why is a Spray Polyurethane 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.

Does Spray Polyurethane 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.

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.

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.

How much does Spray Polyurethane 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.

How long does Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing last?

Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing Systems is the only truly renewable and sustainable roof system available. A well maintained SPF roof can last up to 50 years. And you can even restore your SPF roof with a silicone restoration to keep your roof in working order. The original and preceding warranties can be extended with a simple roof renewal process that costs a fraction of the initial investment.

Can I install a Spray Polyurethane Foam Roof myself?

We do not recommend it. It might seem simple, but like with any profession, it takes years of experience to do things correctly. At West Roofing Systems, our teams hold many certifications: OSHA 500, 510, 7500 Certified Trainer, NRCA Certified in Fall Protection among others. Our Safety Director, Boz, regularly conducts training for our teams and makes sure that everyone is up to date on safety and installation standards.

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.

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.

How long has West Roofing Systems been in business?

We have been in business since 1978 and have installed over 56,000,000 square feet of commercial roofing worldwide.

Read More: About Us

Where are we located? Where do we work?

Our corporate headquarters is located in LaGrange, Ohio. This means that our highest concentration of work is in Northeast Ohio and the Great Lakes Region. Our satellite location in Tunnel Hill, Georgia services the northern Georgia area. Additionally, we are licensed in 22 states and cover east of the Mississippi regularly.

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:

What type of commercial roofing systems do we service?

While our most popular roofing type is Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing, we also install Single-Ply Membrane, Sheet Metal and the occasional Shingle Roof for low-slope commercial facilities. We also work with specialty roofing such as solar, green (vegetative) and steep slope roofing.

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

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.