I’ve only had great experiences with Calgary Elite Roofing. Greg , Robbie and the team have always been outstanding to work with. I’ve completed three projects...

Iftekher Rahman

2 months ago

This is my second Calgary Elite Roofing experience. Greg had helped us when we changed the roof at our previous house a few years ago. This...

Commercial roofing done right

Almost every commercial roof we take whether for a small repair or replacement starts with a HAAG professional roof inspection to assess the condition of your flat roof and determine if a roof repair or replacement is needed. Calgary and Southern Alberta building owners, facility managers, roof consultants, and engineers have trusted Calgary Elite Roofing for over a decade now to deliver thousands of successful repair and replacement projects.

Certified HAAG Roof Inspectors are ready to give you the best analysis and also the best solution for your damaged roof.

OUR OFFER FOR COMMERCIAL ROOFING PROJECTS:

Roof inspections

Destructive and non-destructive testing

Written inspection documentation

CONSULTING

Repairs to all roofing systems

Replacement to all roofing systems

Maintenance evaluation/programs

Sheet metal work

Flat roofing

We offer comprehensive commercial roofing services customized for a wide range of clients, including homeowners, property managers, condominium associations, corporate entities, and institutional sectors. Our expertise covers various building types like high-rises and condominium complexes, providing personalized roofing solutions to meet unique structural and architectural needs.

While we install a variety of roofing types, including traditional pitched roofs with high-quality asphalt and rubber shingles (learn more about our roofing products), flat roofing systems remain our flagship service for commercial applications. Our flat roofs are known for their durability and long-lasting protection, safeguarding your investment for over two decades.

Choosing the right flat roof system

Selecting the right waterproofing system is crucial for extending the life of your flat roof. At Calgary Elite Roofing, we ensure every installation or maintenance service receives meticulous attention to detail. Regular maintenance helps reduce future replacement costs and lengthens the roof’s service life. As Southern Alberta’s leading commercial roofing contractor, we commit to providing top-notch quality in both commercial and flat roofing projects.

We prefer the cold applied flat roofing method for a variety of reasons, continue to read below to find out more about this innovative system.

Cold Applied Flat Roofing

A "cold-applied roofing system" is a built-up roofing system that uses solvent-borne bituminous (liquid) adhesives with multiple plies of reinforcement. This type of roofing offers several advantages, including:

Cost-effectiveness
Proven performance life
Ease of application

Roof coatings and cement are typically one-component products that can be used directly from the container. Today’s coatings and cement are versatile and user-friendly. Non-flammable options are also available.

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF COLD APPLICATION SYSTEMS

1. Cold-Process Built-Up Roofing System

Several techniques can be used to install this system, but the most common method involves using heavyweight asphalt-coated fiberglass "base" sheets adhered with solvent-borne asphalt adhesives in multiple layers.

To install, the first sheet is attached to the substrate (for insulation), and subsequent plies are placed in an adhesive layer. Finally, the membrane is finished with an aggregate surface or a roof coating of your choice.

Cold-application built-up roofing systems use coated or uncoated polyester reinforcements or composite (polyester/fiberglass) reinforcements, paired with either solvent-borne or waterborne adhesives. However, the combination of reinforcement and adhesive is usually specific to the system provider, so it’s important to verify compatibility with the manufacturer.

Advantages of a flat roof

Besides building requirements and traditional commercial space expectations, there are several reasons that anyone might consider a flat roof. Here are some highlights:

Increased usable space: Flat roofs can provide additional living or storage areas, such as a rooftop terrace or garden (a City of Calgary permit might be required).
Energy efficiency: Flat roofs can often be insulated more effectively than sloped roofs, helping to lower energy costs.
Solar panels: In some cases, flat roofs are better suited for solar panel installations than pitched roofs. Solar systems can be safely raised off the roof with a curb-mounted system, providing a safer and more reliable installation compared to sloped roofs.

2. Modified Bitumen Adhesive Application

Modified Bitumen roofing is similar to built-up roofing, as it uses reinforcing materials coated with bitumen. The key difference is the addition of polymers to the bitumen, which improves its performance.

Modified bitumen roofs are often installed using hot asphalt moppings, similar to the installation process for built-up roofing. Another method involves using a propane torch to melt the back of the sheet, creating a molten adhesive that allows the roll to be embedded.

The fastest-growing area in cold-process roofing is the use of modified bitumen roofing with bituminous cold-process adhesives. For safety reasons, cold-applied roofing has become an appealing alternative to hot asphalt or open flame methods.

These roofs usually feature a mechanically attached base sheet with one or two plies of modified bitumen membrane installed in bituminous adhesives.

3. Liquid-Applied Monolithic Membrane Systems

A third type of cold-applied roof has emerged, blurring the line between roof coating and membrane systems. This is the liquid-applied monolithic roof system. Typically made of advanced polymeric resins like urethanes or bitumens modified with polymers such as SEBS, this system is applied as a liquid and may not require reinforcement. It cures to form a tough, rubber-like membrane that acts as the roof.

These roofs are seamless (monolithic) and are generally considered self-flashing.

Good flat roofing practices

Whenever necessary, we begin by performing core sampling of the existing roof assembly. This step is crucial for evaluating the current condition of the roof and determining the most effective course of action for your commercial building. Taking a core sample allows us to gather key information, including:

Which attachment method is most appropriate – either adhered or mechanically attached
Whether hazardous or controlled materials, such as coal tar pitch or asbestos are present
The overall thickness of the flat roof assembly
The approximate weight of the roofing system

By identifying these critical details early on, we ensure that the selected commercial roofing system is compatible with the structure and compliant with all applicable codes and safety regulations.

After the core sample is analyzed and documented, we carefully replace the materials and patch the area seamlessly, preserving the integrity of the existing roof. This attention to detail helps maintain structural performance and minimizes any potential disruption during the inspection process.

Following these good flat roofing practices not only improves long-term roof performance but also reduces future maintenance costs. It is just one of the many ways Calgary Elite Roofing provides reliable, long-lasting flat roofing solutions for businesses across Southern Alberta.

BOOK YOUR INSPECTION

THE ELITE ADVANTAGE

Honest and earnest appraisals

Options tailored to your budget

Leak tracking and mitigation services

educating and empowering our clients

Bonded, financially sound & fully insured

Professional repair work

Industry's best practices

Courteous, expert staff

Warranties you can rely on

long trajectory in Southern Alberta

Our courteous and experienced representatives are trained to evaluate and provide our commercial clients with the best cost-effective solutions for correcting existing leaks, roof replacement, general roof repair, and maintenance solutions designed to extend the life of your flat roof investment.

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FAQ Commercial Roofing

How much does it cost to replace a commercial roof?

Several factors influence the cost of replacing a commercial roof, but the most significant is the size of the project.

One of the first considerations is the building envelope. For example, how well did the previous roof assembly perform over its life cycle? Has the internal use of the building changed?

Another factor is examining areas with poor drainage, where water may have ponded for years, potentially accelerating membrane deterioration. In such cases, it’s a good time to assess whether there’s a need to remove any unused roof equipment or penetrations. It’s also an opportunity to install new roof equipment if needed.

As a result, a site inspection is necessary to identify and record potential design failures that may need correction. We recommend having a professional HAAG-certified commercial roofing inspector conduct the inspection.

After determining the size of the project and completing the inspection, a roof assembly can be customized for the building. The overall estimated cost depends on the type of membrane, desired R-value, and applicable provincial and federal regulations. Once these factors are considered, an estimate is presented to the client.

What is the best commercial roofing material?

The best roofing material depends on your specific project. Each roof is unique, and the recommended application varies accordingly.

Every membrane and assembly component has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, installing a modified bitumen roof assembly on a large, open-concept warehouse may not be as cost-effective as a ballasted EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) roof assembly. Both options can offer similar warranties and protection against environmental concerns, but the EPDM roof assembly is significantly less expensive upfront. However, the modified bitumen roof is more suitable for roofs with higher foot traffic and frequent equipment maintenance needs.

Why are flat roofs common on commercial buildings?

Flat roofs are popular on commercial buildings for several reasons. One advantage is the ability to place key building systems, such as HVAC units, on the roof. This frees up interior space, allowing for more workspace and increased productivity.

Other factors include the placement of heating and air conditioning systems, ductwork, satellite dishes, and large kitchen exhaust fans—elements commonly required in commercial operations.

Cost is another important consideration. It can be very expensive to install a sloped roof on a low-rise building like a shopping mall. The vast footprint of such structures would cause a sloped roof to be significantly taller than the occupied space below, greatly increasing building costs.

Flat roofs also offer more architectural flexibility. Despite the name, flat roofs are not entirely flat—they typically have a slight gradient of 2% to 4%. A flat roof's monolithic design, when properly installed, allows it to hold water without leaking. This makes it ideal for buildings with many roof penetrations or those exposed to heavy snow buildup, where a sloped roof could allow water to enter (watershed design).