As if it wasn’t already hard enough to navigate the world of commercial roofs, now you have to deal with manufactures that push one-size-fits-all roofs, backed by blanket claims. Faced with a mountain of dubious “facts” and “figures,” how can facility owners and managers sift through the confusion and make the right roofing choice?
One-size-fits-all roof systems are marketed as standard solutions for all types of roofs, and in rare cases, if a facility owner has identical buildings sitting side-by-side, the idea might have some merit. In the real world, however, no two buildings are identical and the right roof for one building could very well be wrong for another facility.
Different Roofing Needs
A new roof is a major investment. If your existing roof is in moderate condition, it might be feasible to apply a coating that extends its useful life while saving you big bucks. If the building is a candidate for single-ply roofing, depending upon geographic location and the type of roof structure, TPO, EPDM or PVC might be the right choice. However, PVC isn’t right for every roof any more than standing-seam metal is the answer for every facility.
During the estimate and bid-gathering process, facility owners and managers should request multiple roof system comparisons from each roofing company. If a company pushes only one type of roof system as the solution for all roofs, it should send up a red flag.
One of the most common one-size-fits-all issues in today’s roofing industry is the idea that a company can come in and install a single-ply system over an existing roof without considering what lies beneath. If the existing roof has saturated insulation or roof deck problems, covering those problems without addressing them is like putting a pretty Band-Aid on a severed limb; you’re still going to have a problem.
Installer Issues
When a roofing company installs only one type of system, its customers are not getting a full range of roofing choices. Typically, a one-size-fits-all manufacturer contracts with roofing teams that travel extensively, install the particular system and then move on to the next job. When the facility manager later calls with concerns, the crew that installed the system is long gone and the manufacturer sends out an inspector that isn’t familiar with the project. If the original installer’s workmanship was faulty, the facility owner can be stuck with extensive repair or replacement costs in a few short years.
Making the Right Choice
Any time a roofing company tells you that a one-size-fits-all system is the only option -– call another roofing company. At North American Roofing, we know that choosing a new roof, overlaying an existing roof or selecting a coating can be confusing. That’s why we carefully assess every customer’s facility needs individually. We install every major roofing system brand, so you won’t be stuck with the wrong one. We have professional installation teams in every state in the nation, and we offer enrollment in our RoofGuard maintenance program to ensure that your roof performs as well next year as it does today.
In addition to single-ply systems, we install high-quality modified/built-up roofs, metal roofs, solar roofs, garden roofs and coatings. We’re not just knowledgeable in one type of roof system; we’re experts in all professional roof systems, so you can be assured that you’ll get the best roof for your facility.