Sometimes, commercial roofs can be patched and spot-fixed to prolong the life of the roof as a whole without incurring the cost of a complete replacement.
In other cases, commercial roofs can have too much damage or degradation for patching or ‘here and there’ repairs. When roofs are in this kind of condition, the only viable alternative is a complete roof replacement.
For property owners, this can be a scary subject! Because, aren’t all commercial roof replacements exorbitantly expensive? The reality is that commercial roof replacement costs vary widely, and numerous factors go into determining the final cost of a complete roof replacement.
In this article, the commercial roofing pros at A-to-Z Roofing & Exteriors are sharing some insights into the many variables that go into calculating a repair cost for a flat roof, rubber roof, or other kind of commercial roof.
Roof Replacement vs. Roof Restoration
Before we answer the question of how much a commercial roof costs to completely replace, let’s first consider a lesser-known alternative: Roof Restoration.
Roof restoration can be a better choice for commercial property owners for more than one reason:
- Roof restoration does not require tear-off costs associated with a full replacement
- Labor costs are lowered significantly
- There are no landfill or disposal costs
- Operation of the building is not interrupted
- Project timeline is much shorter compared with a roof replacement
- Restorative coatings can be considered a maintenance expense
So, what exactly happens when a flat roof is restored instead of replaced? It’s actually quite simple. First, the roof is cleaned of all debris as part of a preparation process. Then, a liquid is carefully applied by skilled roofing technicians. This liquid is mostly made from silicone or EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer).
Roof Restoration Cost
Because the existing roof is left in place as part of a roof restoration, there isn’t as much money needed to complete the job. Most commercial roof restoration projects in Colorado will cost between $4.00 and $7.00 per square foot.
This cost will vary according to the roof size, shape, condition, and any obstructions that need to be dealt with during the restoration process. The good news is that a well-executed commercial roof restoration project should only take a day or two, and during that time, the building can typically be used just as it normally is.
Unfortunately, many commercial roofs that could be saved with a professional restoration treatment are instead replaced at an unnecessarily higher cost to the property owner. That’s why it’s so important to deal with an honest, knowledgeable roofing company that has your best interest in mind, not their profits!
Roof Replacement Cost
Our climate here in Colorado is harsh to say the least. Over time, even the most resilient commercial roofs will degrade to the point where they’ll need to be replaced entirely.
The cost to do this will depend on the material that was used for the original roof and the material that the new roof is going to be composed of. For the sake of brevity, let’s presume that the roof is a single-ply membrane roof that is not a candidate for restoration.
The cost breakdown will be as follows (below dollar figures include labor and all disposal costs):
- Clean and prep: $.25 – $1.50 per square foot
- Tear-away and disposal of old roof: $1.50 – $3.50 per square foot
- Recovery board installation (if applicable): $1.00 per square foot
- Insulation installation: $1.00 – $2.00 per square foot
- TPO or EPDM membrane installation: $3.00 – $7.00 per square foot
When we add all of these together, we arrive at a final price range of $6.75 – $15.00 per square foot.
Considering how much more expensive this is in comparison with a roof restoration, you can see why restoring is almost always preferable. But, as we mentioned already, this isn’t always possible.
Have a Commercial Roof Repair or Replacement Question? Contact Us!
A-to-Z Roofing & Exteriors is passionate about providing top-tier roofing services to customers throughout Colorado. Roofing and exteriors are all we do!
If you’re looking for more information to help you make a decision about your existing roof situation, contact our team today. We’ll take the time to understand your needs, and we’ll develop a list of options for you to choose from.
We want your commercial roof to provide you with decades of protection and security. To start a conversation about roof restoration, repair, or complete replacement, contact the team at A-to-Z Roofing & Exteriors, today.