Your building’s roof has been patched more times than anyone can count, the leaks keep coming back, and the latest repair quote came with a note saying it might be time to replace it. Or maybe you’re putting up a new building and need the roof done right the first time. Either way, commercial roofing installation in Kansas City is a big line item, and you want to know exactly what you’re paying for and how it’ll affect the people working inside.
That’s reasonable. A new commercial roof should be planned around your building, your budget and your schedule, not around a crew’s convenience.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured. We install TPO, EPDM, built-up and modified bitumen systems on low-slope commercial buildings, and the inspection and estimate are free.
Before anything is installed: what’s under the roof you have
A new roof is only as good as what it sits on. Before you pick a membrane, you need to know three things about the current roof.
First, is the insulation dry? Wet insulation loses most of its value and keeps the deck damp. Moisture readings and a few small core cuts show how far water has spread.
Second, how many roof layers are already there? Codes generally allow a new membrane over a single existing roof, but not over two.
Third, what shape is the deck in? Steel decking can rust through in spots after years of leaks. Concrete and wood decks have their own problems. Any damaged sections get repaired before new material goes down.
Those answers decide whether your project is a recover or a full tear-off.
Recover or tear-off?
A recover puts a new membrane over the existing roof, usually with a cover board in between. It costs less and creates less disruption, but it only works when the old roof is dry and there’s just one layer.
A tear-off removes everything down to the deck. It costs more and takes longer, but it lets you fix the deck, replace wet insulation and correct drainage problems while the roof is open. For a building that’s had leaks for years, it’s often the better long-term choice.
You’ll get a recommendation and the reasons behind it. If a recover will do the job, there’s no reason to pay for more.
Choosing a system for a Kansas City building
The right membrane depends on how your building is used, how much foot traffic the roof gets and what you want from it over the long run.
TPO is the most common choice on Kansas City re-roofs. It’s a white, reflective single-ply membrane with heat-welded seams, which helps keep the roof surface cooler during summer. Learn more on our TPO roofing page.
EPDM is a durable rubber membrane that stays flexible in cold weather, which suits a climate with hard freezes.
Built-up and modified bitumen are multi-layer asphalt systems. They handle foot traffic well and still make sense on some buildings.
Whatever the membrane, hail is a real factor here. A tougher cover board under the membrane helps it resist hail damage, and that’s worth weighing on any Kansas City project.
What goes into commercial roofing installation in Kansas City
The membrane gets the attention, but most commercial roof problems start at the details. Here’s what a solid installation covers:
- Tapered insulation that slopes the roof toward the drains, so water doesn’t sit in low spots. Small ridges called crickets split water between drains and away from curbs.
- Fastening for wind, with tighter fastener spacing at corners and edges, where wind uplift is strongest.
- Edge metal sized and attached to resist uplift at the perimeter.
- Flashing at every curb, pipe and wall. Rooftop HVAC units, vents, conduit and parapet walls are where most commercial leaks start, so each one gets flashed to the manufacturer’s details.
- Drains and overflows that are clear, properly set and sized for the roof area they serve.
- Walkway pads to the rooftop equipment, so service techs don’t wear a path through the new membrane.
Staging the work around your business
A commercial reroof happens over an occupied building most of the time. Planning keeps your business running:
Old roofing comes off only in sections that can be closed up the same day, so the building is watertight every night. Loud stages, like fastening into a steel deck, get scheduled with you in advance. Adhesive odors can drift into rooftop air intakes, so those get addressed before the work starts. Debris comes down a chute into a dumpster, not off the edge.
Weather drives the schedule. Some adhesives can’t be used below certain temperatures, which matters in a Kansas City winter, and a tear-off doesn’t start when a storm is in the forecast.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. We’ll inspect the roof, check for wet insulation and look at drainage and the deck.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll get photos, a written scope and an estimate, with a recover or tear-off recommendation and the reasoning. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets installed and the site gets cleaned up. The work is staged around your operation, and the crew cleans up as it goes.
If your current roof is soaking up water, every season adds wet insulation and possibly deck damage to the eventual bill. A plan made now gives you more choices.
Commercial roofing installation questions
How long does a commercial roof installation take?
The size of the roof, tear-off versus recover and the weather all set the timeline. You’ll get a realistic schedule with your estimate.
Can a new roof go over my old one?
Sometimes. If there’s only one existing roof and the insulation is dry, a recover is often possible. If there are two layers or wet insulation, a tear-off is needed.
What’s the best commercial roof for Kansas City weather?
There isn’t one answer for every building. TPO is popular for its reflectivity and welded seams, EPDM handles cold well, and a strong cover board helps with hail.
Do you also repair commercial roofs?
Yes. If your roof can be repaired instead of replaced, see our commercial roof repair page, or our main Kansas City commercial roofing page.
Plan your new commercial roof
Call 913-398-5020 or request your free estimate online to set up an inspection.
The goal is a roof you stop thinking about: no buckets in the stockroom, no surprise change orders, and a building that stays dry through hail season and the next hard freeze.
