Nowhere is it more important to maintain a sound and reliable roof than in Denver. Denver’s unpredictable weather adds stress and wear and tear to even the most sturdy roof. Leaks, cracks, peeling rubber, and holes in your roof can’t be ignored, and you know that. But the question is how to proceed. Should you opt for a less expensive roof coating than a complete replacement? Or do you need the replacement?
While complete roof replacement remains an option for severely damaged roofs, commercial roof coating offers a compelling alternative for many building owners seeking a cost-effective and efficient way to extend the life of their existing flat or metal roofs.
Here, we will discuss the pros and cons of roof coatings and roof replacement. Let’s begin by discussing the pros and cons of a complete roof replacement.
Pros of Commercial Roof Replacement
If your roof has significant damage or leaks after every snow or rainstorm, you might need a roof replacement. A few advantages of roof replacement are:
- Fixing Structural Issues: Structural damage can take many forms, including a ripped or torn roof deck, rotting soffits or rafters, soggy eaves, or fascia, which can cause water buildup and significant leaks. A replacement is often the only viable option to resolve these issues.
- Longer Lifespan and Durability: A new commercial roofing system, such as TPO, EPDM, or metal, is designed to provide decades of reliable protection. Roofing materials go a long way and are designed for increased durability and resistance to weather extremes, offering a long-term solution for commercial properties.
- New Warranties and Guarantees: Warranties are often part of a roof replacement and contractor guarantee. Naturally, these warranties protect the building owner should any part of the roof or labor fail in the future — a significant benefit for commercial building owners.
- Better Protection and Performance: A new roofing system means the latest technological advances in materials and installation methods. Features like advanced insulation materials and reflection methods increase the building’s energy efficiency.
- Complete Roof System Renewal: A replacement roof system goes deeper than surface coatings, ensuring the longevity and integrity of your roof structure.
Commercial Roof Replacement — When it Doesn’t Make Sense
While a complete roof replacement offers undeniable benefits, there are some cons:
- Substantial Upfront Costs: Replacing your roof is a significant investment that includes materials, labor, and the cost of disposing of old materials.
- Business Disruption: Operational modalities may be interrupted during the repair.
- Extended Installation Times: Roof replacements are big jobs that take money and time. Daily work schedules are often interrupted; downtime is another problem associated with a complete roof replacement.
- Tear-Off and Disposal: The removal process for an old roof creates a lot of waste and airborne debris, adding to environmental considerations. Removing old roofing materials is a significant part of a roof replacement.
- Surprise Underlying Damage: Tearing off your old roof can reveal other significant problems that building owners haven’t accounted for in their budgets.
Pros of Commercial Roof Coating
When you’re running a business, the bottom line matters, and tearing off a whole roof is a scary expense. Commercial roof coatings offer a lifeline for your building and budget, allowing you to experience the following:
- Serious Cash Savings: A roof coating is up to 70% less than a complete replacement. That’s money you can put back into your business rather than a roof replacement.
- Keep Your Doors Open: Forget shutting down for weeks. Coatings go on quickly, have a minimal mess, and do not interrupt your customers. You keep running the business as usual.
- Same Warranty, Less Hassle: You’d expect a new roof to come with a solid warranty, and roof coatings do, too. You get peace of mind without the demolition.
- Cool Down, Save Green: Those “cool roof” coatings? They’re not just a gimmick. They bounce the sun’s heat, meaning your AC doesn’t have to work as hard. Lower bills mean a more astonishing building and happy tenants.
- Give Your Roof a Second Life: Why rip off a perfect roof structure if you don’t have to? Coatings add years, maybe even decades, to what you already have. It’s bright, plain and simple.
- Do Right by the Planet: All that old roofing material? It ends up in a landfill. Coatings? Way less waste. It’s the responsible choice.
- Denver Tough: Living in Colorado, you know the weather’s a beast. Hail, sun, those crazy temperature swings? Suitable coatings are built to handle it. They’re a shield for your building.
Coatings are an innovative, practical, and wallet-friendly way to keep your commercial roof in shape.
Cons of Commercial Roof Coating
Roof coatings aren’t a magic bullet. They’re a solid option, but they’ve got their limits. You need to know the truth before you jump in. A few considerations to keep in mind before scheduling a roof coating include:
- Roof Must Be in Decent Shape: If your roof has significant structural rot or holes you can see the sky through or is just plain falling apart, a coating won’t fix it. A coating needs a solid base to stick and work.
- It’s Not a Forever Fix: Coatings buy you time; they don’t give you a brand-new roof. Sure, they’ll extend the lifespan, but eventually, you’ll still need that complete replacement. Don’t kid yourself; it’s a delay, not a permanent solution.
- You Need a Professional: Some building owners try to DIY a roof coating, which isn’t advisable. You need a crew skilled at roof coating, or you’re throwing money away.
- You’ve Got to Keep Up With It: Coatings need a bit of TLC. You’ll need to inspect and maintain it, or it’ll start to break down. If you’re not ready, you might be better off with a complete replacement.
- Not for Big-Time Damage: If your roof has serious problems, a coating won’t fix them. It’s for minor wear and tear, not for major structural issues. You’ve got to be objective about the condition of your roof before you decide.
Factors to Consider for Commercial Building Owners
Make the most of your money and consider a roof a long-term investment that can be depreciated over time. So, let’s break it down:
- How Old Is Your Roof? You might try convincing yourself that your roof is acceptable and not bad. Get someone who knows their stuff to give it a proper look. If it’s on its last legs, coating might be a waste. If it’s got years left, it could be a lifesaver.
- What’s Your Wallet Saying? You know the numbers better than anyone. Can you swing a complete replacement without sweating? Or is a coating going to keep you in the black? Be honest with yourself.
- Are You Trying to Save on the Power Bill? A cool roof makes sense when you’re looking to save on your electricity bill. But it might not be a top priority if you’re not worried about that.
- What Does Your Business Need? If you’re running a hospital, you can’t afford any downtime. But a minor disruption might not be a big deal if you’ve got a warehouse. Think about how this decision impacts your day-to-day.
- Who Are You Hiring? Choose a roofing contractor with a good track record and great online reviews. You need someone who knows commercial roofs, has the experience, and will do the job right.
Making the Decision – What’s the Better Option for You and Your Building?
Whether you choose a full-blown replacement or an innovative, cost-effective roof coating, it’s about what works for your building and your business. A replacement is the way to go if you’re dealing with severe structural damage. But if you want to save money, minimize disruption, and add years to a roof that still has life, a good commercial roof coating is a serious contender.
And if you’re in the Denver area, you owe it to yourself to talk to the experts. That’s where Denver Roof Coatings comes in. Don’t just guess what your roof needs. Get a professional inspection and the facts. Contact Denver Roof Coatings today for a free consultation and learn how they can help protect your investment and keep your business running smoothly. A solid roof means solid business.
