Flat roof coating or replacement? The honest answer.
Honest answers from TruRoof, commercial roofing in Florence, KY.
If your commercial building in Florence has a flat roof that's showing its age, you're probably weighing two options. A roof coating promises to extend its life for less money. But if leaks keep coming back, you might be throwing good money after bad. Florence business owners face this tough call every year, especially after hard freeze-thaw cycles. You need to know which choice makes sense before you spend a dime.
You might see cracks, blisters, or ponding water on your flat roof. These signs mean the roof is aging. A coating can seal small surface cracks, but it can't fix what's underneath. If water has soaked into the insulation or the membrane is pulling away at the seams, a coating will just hide the problem. Within a year or two, leaks return.
A coating job costs less upfront than a full replacement. For a typical commercial flat roof, a coating might run several thousand dollars, while a tear-off and new roof can be five to ten times that. But coatings only buy 5 to 10 years. A full replacement with modern materials can last 20 years or more. The real cost depends on your roof's condition, not just the square footage.
Before you decide, get a moisture scan and a core sample. These tests show if the insulation is wet. If it is, a coating won't work. You need a full replacement. If the roof deck and insulation are dry, a high-quality silicone or acrylic coating can extend the life. Call TruRoof for a free roof inspection in Florence. We'll give you the data to make the right call, not a sales pitch.
Once you have the facts, you can stop worrying about the next storm. Your building stays dry, your business keeps running, and you know you didn't waste money on a temporary fix.
What people in Florence say
"I'm reviewing my two new roofs, on my house and my garage, installed by TruRoof. The company, and Damon Chuke, their representative, helped me work with the insurance company, and with understanding all the details of the whole process. They took out an obsolete chimney, were on time and professional, and the finished roofs and flashing are beautiful. Many compliments from neighbors. Highly recommended by me."
"We have a beautiful condo in a historic building from the 1840s. Late November had a bad leak in the dining room area. I called Britt at TruRoof who came out and inspected the entire roof of the building. He said to do the entire roof could be around $50,000. But then he started laughing and said you need to caulk the area around one of the chimneys. I thought he was nuts, but I did the caulking, which cost me about 25 bucks worth of outdoor caulk, and there are no more leaks. I cannot express my appreciation for his diligence and his honesty. That kind of a company and a person is rare these days. Highly, highly, highly recommend these guys."
"TruRoof did an outstanding job from start to finish. Communication leading up to the start date was great. Once on site and the project started, everything went as discussed, and the crew was very professional."
Other things people in Florence ask
can you reroof over an existing flat roof
A recover works when there is one roof layer and dry insulation. A core sample tells us in an hour.
how much does a commercial roof cost
We price by square footage, system and insulation and give you a written proposal you can put in front of the board.
commercial roof keeps leaking after repairs
When a roof fails despite repeated repairs, the membrane is likely shot. Get a core sample to check insulation. If it is wet, a full replacement or a silicone restoration coating may be needed. Stop wasting money on patches.
TPO vs EPDM flat roof
TPO is white and reflects heat, which helps cooling costs in summer. EPDM is black rubber and handles ponding water well. For most Cincinnati commercial buildings, TPO is the default choice. Get a roof assessment to match the membrane to your roof's slope and drainage.
Ready to talk?
TruRoof handles commercial roofing in Florence and the area around it.