It is time to replace your commercial roof. You’ve been saving up and have financing in place. Now it’s important to understand the various factors which come into play when calculating the total commercial roof replacement costs.
Type of Roof
There are two main varieties of commercial roofs: sloped and flat/low slope. Single-ply, built-up roofing, and modified bitumen are the best roofing materials for a flat/low slope roof due to their reliability and durability.
Single-ply (membrane) roofing is lightweight, requires relatively simple and inexpensive repairs and provides strong protection against leaking. However, membranes can be punctured easily and seams between membranes are common areas for leaks.
Built-up roofing, on the other hand, offers excellent protection against UV rays, water, and inclement weather. It is low maintenance and easy to remove layers when repairing the roof. But with this roofing type, installation can be slow and labor-intensive because of the many layers and materials involved.
Modified bitumen is much simpler to install than BUR, reducing installation error and saving labor. It’s also durable and low-maintenance. However, it is generally less attractive than single-ply and BUR roofs.
Roof Access
Accessibility factors such as material storage areas, property access, height, and occupancy play an important role in the pricing of the roof replacement project. How easy it is to access the roof will determine the difficulty of tearing off and disposing of the old material, getting equipment and materials onto the roof, and even just getting the crew up to the roof.
For instance, it will be more costly to reroof a 15-story building than a 3-story building due to the need for cranes and other machines to lift materials and to make sure the crew is safe and still providing you with a great roof.
Components Under the Roof
Will your building need structural repairs along with the new roof? If so, materials and labor costs will go up. Under every roof is a combination of components and their condition will impact the replacement costs. If there’s noticeable damage and these materials need to be repaired or replaced, the overall installation cost will go up. Having these components replaced at this time will cost less than if you have them done separately.
Wind Loads and Fastenings
The type of fasteners and wind load your roof requires will be determined by the geographical location of your building, the weather, and local codes. Since buildings in Florida must be able to withstand winds up to 150 mph, you may need sturdy fasteners at more frequent intervals.
Code Requirements
There are several state, regional, and local code requirements your roofing project may be subject to. Code requirements can impact everything from insulation and underlying materials to slope and ventilation. Over the years, changes have been made to the Florida Building Codes (FBC) to respond to the challenges brought about by hurricanes. So you want to make sure your commercial roof replacement project adheres to the most current codes. If you need a new roof for your commercial property in Central Florida, the roofing professionals at Alan’s Roofing can help. We offer free detailed evaluations and a combination of technical expertise, quality workmanship, and custom solutions. Contact us today to learn more about roof replacement and the associated costs or to schedule a free quote.
