Flat roofs
Flat roofs for row houses and two-families
Most buildings on our streets have a flat or nearly flat roof with a parapet around it. Water has nowhere to go but the drains, so the membrane, the seams and the flashing at the walls carry the whole job.
A replacement starts with the deck: we check it, say what has to be repaired and write that into the estimate.
The deck checked before anything goes down
Flashing at every wall, curb and drain
Drains and scuppers cleared or replaced
Photos each afternoon
What goes on the roof
Three systems we put on flat roofs
Each has a place. We tell you which fits your roof and why.
Modified bitumen
Layered rolls, common on row houses. Strong at the seams, and repairs match what is there.
Single-ply rubber (EPDM)
One large sheet with few seams, well suited to simple roofs with few openings.
White single-ply (TPO or PVC)
Light-colored sheet with heat-welded seams, for roofs that get a lot of summer sun.
How the job runs
A flat roof job, day by day
- 01
Step 1: Before the first day
Contract signed, notice for the tenants, materials ordered, and a day set for the crew.
- 02
Step 2: Tear-off or prep
The old roof comes off, or is prepared to be covered. We check the deck and show you any soft spots.
- 03
Step 3: The new roof
Membrane, seams, then the flashing at the walls, curbs and drains.
- 04
Step 4: Close-out
Debris cleared, stairs swept, photos of the finished roof and a walk-through if you want one.
What drives the cost
What the estimate depends on
There is no standard number for a flat roof. These are the things we measure and write down.
Size and shape
Square feet of roof and how many corners it turns.
Layers to remove
How many roofs are already on the deck.
The deck
Wood or concrete, and any soft spots we find.
Walls and edges
The length of parapet and wall flashing.
Drains and openings
Drains, scuppers, skylights, hatches and chimneys.
Access
Stairs, a ladder or a lift from the street.
Questions
Before you call
How long does a flat roof last?
It depends on the system, the drainage and the care it gets. Many flat roof systems are expected to last somewhere between fifteen and twenty-five years. We write the expected life of the system we propose on your estimate.
How long does a flat roof job take?
A small row-house roof is usually a matter of days, depending on size and weather. Larger roofs and mixed-use buildings take longer. You get the schedule in writing before we start.
Does the city need a permit for a re-roof?
Rules differ by town. At the visit we tell you whether your town asks for a permit for the work, who applies for it, and where it shows on the estimate.
Want a flat roof looked at?
We walk the roof and write it down.