Tapered insulation
Tapered boards and crickets under the new membrane.
Commercial Roofing
Commercial Roof Replacement Summit, NJ
A commercial roofer in Summit can replace an aging roof on a warehouse, office, store or apartment building with a new membrane, metal or modified bitumen system, with new insulation and drainage built in. Dial (908) 679-5768 to talk through a roof replacement with a local roofer.
A commercial roof needs replacing when repairs no longer keep up. Widespread seam failure, aging membrane and wet insulation over large sections all point to replacement. Age matters too, since most low-slope systems last somewhere in the range of 15 to 30 years.
Planning starts with what is already on the building. Codes typically cap buildings at two roof systems, so the core cut determines whether a recover is allowed. Recovering is an option over one sound, dry roof, while wet areas must be removed. New insulation to code can raise the roof surface, which changes flashing heights at curbs and walls.
Replacing a roof over an operating building takes coordination. Sections are opened and closed within the same workday, with nightly seals tying the new roof to the old. Crane days, staging areas, noise and odors are scheduled with tenants in mind.
Commercial Roof Replacement is often paired with commercial roofing and tpo roofing, depending on the cause.
Need commercial roof replacement in Summit? Call (908) 679-5768 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Summit.
Call nowThe process
How commercial roof replacement works
Here is how a typical commercial roof replacement runs.
Take core cuts
Core cuts, a moisture scan and a deck check show what is on the building and what condition it is in. Those findings shape the plan.
Select the roof
The system is chosen for the building use, exposure and foot traffic. The plan includes code-level insulation and tapered sections for drainage. If the old roof ponded around columns or along walls, the new layout fixes that with crickets or added drains.
Plan logistics
Logistics like permits, staging and access are settled before work begins. HVAC contractors may be scheduled to disconnect and reset units. Notices go out to tenants before crane lifts and tear-off begin.
Open the roof in phases
Old roofing is removed in sections only as large as the crew can close up that day. Deck damage is repaired before anything new is installed. The crew pays close attention around old drains and curbs, since slow leaks there tend to damage the deck.
Lay the new roof
Insulation, cover board and the new membrane go down, with seams welded, taped or sealed based on the system. Nightly tie-ins keep the building dry between sections. The seal comes off as the next section is opened.
Finish the edges
Every detail gets new flashing, and edge metal and coping are replaced. Closeout includes a final inspection and records for the building.
What is included
What commercial roof replacement includes
Roof survey
Infrared or capacitance moisture mapping before the plan is set.
Flashing
New flashing at curbs, walls and penetrations for a watertight finish.
Deck repair
Removal of old roofing where needed so the new roof has a sound base.
New membrane
TPO, PVC, EPDM, mod bit or metal installed and sealed.
Related service
Commercial Roof Installation Summit, NJ
On a new commercial building, roof installation begins with the deck and drainage plan. The roofer works from the drawings, coordinating with other trades on curbs, penetrations and equipment locations. Proper slope designed in now prevents decades of ponding.
For Summit buildings getting an addition, the new roof has to tie into the old one cleanly. The tie-in between systems is a common leak point, so it gets extra attention. Building joints may need an expansion joint cover.
Local help
Commercial Roof Replacement Near Me
Around Summit, many commercial roofs installed decades ago are now reaching replacement age. Buildings in Summit and around Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills see sun, heavy rain and the occasional strong storm, which wear roofs faster where drainage is poor, so the replacement is a chance to fix drainage for good.
Need commercial roof replacement around Summit? Call (908) 679-5768 for a Summit roofer who serves the towns around it too.
Roofs in this climate
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Summit, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Summit know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Commercial Roof Replacement FAQ
What affects the timeline of a commercial roof replacement?
Several factors set the schedule: roof size, tear-off, weather and logistics. Smaller roofs go quickly, and big roofs or campuses take much longer. Expect some weather delays, since open sections must stay dry.
Can a new commercial roof go over the old one?
The existing layers and moisture decide. A recover over one dry, sound roof is often allowed, using a cover board under the new membrane. If there are two roofs already or the insulation is wet, a tear-off is needed.
What permits does a commercial roof replacement require?
A permit is typically required for commercial reroofing. Permits cover code requirements such as layers, insulation and wind resistance. The roofer typically handles the permit and inspections.
What roof system is best for a commercial building?
The building, its use and its exposure decide the best system. TPO is common for its reflective surface and welded seams, PVC for grease or chemical exposure, EPDM for flexibility, modified bitumen for foot traffic and metal for long life on sloped roofs. The survey and your plans for the building guide the choice.
How is a business kept running during a roof replacement?
Most commercial roof replacements are done with the building open. Work is phased in sections, each made watertight at day end, with noise and odors timed around tenants. HVAC intakes are covered or units shut down during adhesive work.
More questions? Call (908) 679-5768
Related services
Commercial Roofing
Roofing work for business, institutional and multi-family buildings, planned around tenants and business hours.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
Heat-welded TPO membrane for flat and low-slope roofs, with seams welded into one watertight sheet.
Learn moreModified Bitumen Roofing
Torch-down, self-adhered and cold-applied modified bitumen roofing, for homes and commercial buildings.
Learn moreCommercial Metal Roofing
Installing, replacing and repairing metal roofs on warehouses, shops, offices and other commercial buildings, with clips, fasteners and trim matched to the panel system.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Summit roofer about commercial roof replacement
Call (908) 679-5768 to talk to a roofer serving Summit, NJ.