Roof coating vs full replacement for a flat roof?
Straight answers for commercial property owners in Highland Heights, KY, from a roofing contractor who works on flat roofs every day.
You see some blisters and ponding water on your flat roof in Highland Heights. It's not failing yet, but you know it's aging. You've heard a coating could buy you time. You don't want to waste money on a temporary fix if the roof really needs to be replaced.
A coating is a liquid-applied membrane that goes over your existing roof. It can reflect UV rays and stop small leaks. But it only works if the roof underneath is still solid. If the insulation is wet or the deck is soft, a coating just hides the problem. You get a few more years, but the damage keeps spreading underneath.
Cost depends on the roof's size and condition. A coating might run $3 to $6 per square foot. A full replacement can be $8 to $15 per square foot. The real cost of a coating is if it fails early. You pay for the coating, then pay for a replacement anyway. That happens when nobody checks what's under the surface first.
Before you decide, get a moisture scan and a core sample. A scan finds wet insulation you can't see. A core sample shows the condition of each layer. TruRoof can do both and give you a plain answer: coat it or replace it. If you coat a roof that needed replacement, you lose money. If you replace a roof that could have been coated, you overspend. The scan tells you which path you're on.
Once you have the data, the choice is clear. You either extend the roof's life with a coating that makes sense, or you replace it and stop worrying for 20 years. Either way, you're not guessing. You know what you're paying for and why.
What people in Highland Heights 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 Highland Heights 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 Highland Heights and the area around it.