How long should roof installation on commercial roof take? This is a question that roofing companies get all the time from potential customers. Some people think it will take a few hours, while others believe it will be a week-long process. In reality, commercial roof installation can take anywhere from just one day to two weeks depending on many factors including roof size and materials being used.
It’s reasonable that such a project can be costly, and you might be anxious about how long it will take to repair or replace something. Unfortunately, the amount of time it takes depends on many factors, including the roof’s total size. As a result, you should be aware of the five elements influencing an installation’s timeline. In this blog post, we’ll try to answer some of these questions and give you an idea of how long roof installation in a commercial flat roof might take for your particular roof in the Bronx!
What Are The Commercial Roofing Installation Factors?
It takes three weeks to two months to replace a commercial roofing system. While the size of the roof influences the time required, there are several other elements to consider. Let’s look at all of the variables at play:
The Size of The Property
The size of a roof impacts the time it takes to build it, as previously stated. It’s necessary to lay in specialized asphalt strips, which necessitates heating the asphalt during application.
As the size of the roof grows larger, preparations and planning are made to identify the optimal configuration for the strips to be installed. Unfortunately, larger roofs also entail more exposure to the sun, necessitating the application of a specialist protective coating on top of the installed roof, which can only be done in phases due to the time it takes for the layers to set.
Roof Material Types
There are three major types of roof-based materials used:
- Built-up roofing
- Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
- Built-Up Roofing
A foundation sheeting is added to the existing roof with this form of roofing. On the foundation layer, tar, concrete, glue, or hot tar is applied as a sealer and adhesive. Over this adhesive layer, a gravel layer is applied to offer strength against weather elements such as rains or hail. Another layer of tar or heated asphalt is placed on top for ultimate sealing. This style of flat roofs, when combined with a strong gutter system, is quite beneficial in places with a lot of rain or snowfall.
- Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)
Originally designed for pond liners, this roofing material was approved for a commercial roof system in 1989. A polymerized membrane comprised of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber is laid down and secured with adhesives or screws in this type of roofing. Most radiation is reflected by the white rubber top layer, which acts as a thermal insulator.
This is a cost-efficient and practical roofing solution for flat or light sloping roofs. Waterproofing at the joints is the only issue with TPO roofing. While roofers use heat to seal seams, it’s critical to keep the membrane’s thickness because it can be perforated easily if it’s not.
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) is a membrane comprised of monomeric Ethylene and Propylene chains bonded together with a Diene comonomer that facilitates cross linking by vulcanization, similar to TPO roofing. There are three thicknesses to choose from: 0.045, 0.060, and 0.090 inches.
The thinner sheets are suitable for crimp and creaseless installation, however, an additional insulation sheet must be installed beneath the membrane. It can withstand temperatures ranging from -49 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit without cracking or distortion. The installation method is identical to TPO roofing membranes, which use adhesives or fasteners.
The installation of TPO and EPDM roofing takes only one day. However, this is dependent on the availability of the materials. Built-up roofing takes longer, but the supplies are more readily available. On the other hand, built-up roofing outlasts the other two types in terms of durability, so you must choose between installation time and lifetime.
Pieces of Equipment on The Roof
Outdoor HVAC systems, antennae, and satellite dishes for telecommunications are typically installed on commercial flat roofs. When it comes to new roof installation, all of this equipment becomes an obstruction that must be eliminated. Depending on the size and weight of each unit, you’ll need to engage specialist handymen or have roofers disassemble them manually. The time it takes to dismantle (and reinstall) the roof is added to the overall time it takes to replace it. Similarly, during roof installation, chimneys or vents must be addressed.
The Weather Conditions
It is critical that the commercial roofing systems surfaces are dry for proper installation. Most roofing contractors don’t work on commercial roofs when the rain is at its heaviest. Roofing contractors will provide you a time window based on weather predictions if you choose commercial roofing installation and where your commercial building is located.
The Crew Strength
It’s better if there are a lot of them. When a larger team is working on roof installations, they can complete more work in a shorter period than a smaller team. However, the addition of team members may impact roof installation costs. As a result, inquire about your contractor’s crew strength while discussing your roof replacement project.
Roof Installation Inspection
The post-installation examination takes up a significant amount of time during the installation. Roofing contractors must inspect their roofs before handing them over to their customers to avoid latter stage deformation or leaks. Any paperwork required for installation approval can take some time to process, which adds to the overall length of the installation. Furthermore, you must plan inspections, and inspectors may show up while no one is there, requiring you to postpone the inspection.
What Are The Common Reasons for Delays in Roof Installation?
- Manual work is used to remove the current roof or at the very least chisel out the problematic portions before installation. Cleaning up after removal adds to the time it takes to build a roof.
- Temporary Waterproofing: When an older roof is removed, the equipment or commercial buildings beneath it must be protected from the elements. This entails erecting temporary tarps or other waterproofing measures before installing new roofs. Adding or removing the temporary waterproofing can easily take a couple of hours each day.
- Because roof installation is a construction job, it is critical to take adequate safeguards against various dangers such as tripping, electrical, and fire hazards. Clearing all of the various dangers in the roofing process takes more time.
Thoughts
When searching for reputable commercial roofing services, consider that roof installation takes time. It’s critical to think about the issues that influence a roofing project’s timelines. We assume that the above considerations cover most of the factors that contribute to the length of a business roof installation project and will assist you in setting a reasonable deadline after consulting with your roofing contractor.
