Need a Kansas City, MO Commercial Roofing Company? Cost, Tips, & More

If you’re in dire need of a new roof for your business, look no further than your local commercial contractor that specializes in roofing projects in Kansas City. Read on to learn about the process and what you can expect.

Roofing Contractors

Roofing contractors are specialists who install, repair, and replace roofs on commercial buildings like offices, apartment complexes, churches, schools, factories, and anything larger than a family home.

Roofs of these structures may use different materials than residential homes but typically feature flat or low-sloping surfaces to house HVAC units and piping – as well as HVAC units themselves! In addition to installing and maintaining roofs themselves, roofing contractors offer many other services designed to safeguard structural integrity like gutter systems, flashings, and ventilation systems.

Note that commercial projects tend to take more time than residential ones, which means any unexpected issues could stall their completion and result in upset customers who post negative reviews online. To protect against this scenario, it’s essential that you hire a roofing company with an excellent track record and lots of positive reviews.

Building Process

At first, a thorough inspection must be conducted of an existing roof to ascertain what kind it is and whether re-roofing or tear-off methods should be applied. You can click here to learn about what this process may be. A roofer will typically check its structure to see if any impact or weather damage has caused issues, leakage, and if poor drainage systems have formed, etc.

When replacing a commercial roof, workers will remove and install new materials to replace the old membrane. They will take great care to protect surrounding equipment and plants from debris while covering exposed electrical wires to protect against getting wet. Once complete, flashing will be installed for additional protection against rain or other elements.

Single-ply membrane systems are a popular choice among commercial roof owners as they’re easy to install and offer long-term durability. Constructed of thermoset or thermoplastic material, single-ply membrane roof systems adhere to roof substrates using either hot or cold bonding processes – offering superior energy efficiency as they can even be insulated to reduce heating/cooling costs.

Materials

Commercial builders who are helping you consider your updates for new builds must carefully consider which roof materials to install, as this decision has an enormous effect on upfront costs and long-term performance. There is an array of choices available from traditional asphalt materials with proven track records to modern metal panel roofs which have proven themselves eco-friendly.

As I said above, single-ply membranes are flexible sheets made of synthetic materials manufactured in factories and subjected to stringent quality control standards. Available in an array of colors, these membranes can be attached using various techniques including mechanical fastening, fully adhering, or ballasting for attachment. Common choices for single-ply commercial roofing applications are EPDM, PVC, and TPO materials.

BUR systems have an established track record, known for their strength, durability, and thermal shock resistance. These systems tend to be relatively fireproof – making them an attractive option for buildings that must meet stringent fire safety regulations.

Metal roofing has quickly become one of the go-to options in commercial construction for its durability and versatility, being capable of lasting for 50 years or more and easily tailored to match a building’s architectural style (source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/metal-roof-pros-and-cons/). You can choose between ribbed panels that add structural strength or standing seam panels which conceal fasteners – metal roofs are an ideal choice for both historical restoration projects as well as new builds.

Warranties

There are a variety of commercial roofing warranties offered by manufacturers and roofing contractors; some more comprehensive than others. Property owners and general contractors should understand all their available options so they can select one best suited to their project.

Manufacturer system warranties typically only cover materials, not contractor workmanship, with terms typically lasting 10 to 30 years and typically relieving contractors from liability after two years. Leaks that occur in components that were not manufactured by the manufacturer such as flashings, drip edges, coping metal adhesives, or pitch pans do not fall under these warranties and could have been caused by installation errors rather than material failure.

Most manufacturer warranties offer full-cost coverage or “No Dollar Limit” (NDL) warranties, meaning repairs up to an agreed-upon limit will be covered without incurring extra expenses. Monetary limits may be set either per square foot or as an overall amount; NDL warranties are preferable as these cannot be exceeded.

Not every warranty covers every type of damage stipulated in a contract, such as workmanship errors or manufacturing defects. Consequential damages such as water seeping through the roof and damaging a server in the building (this should be covered by insurance) are typically not covered. It is wise to perform annual roof maintenance for maximum coverage – doing this will keep warranties valid and prevent them from expiring before needed.