Does Your Commercial Roof Really Need Replacing?

Extending the Life of a Single-Ply Roof: A Smart Alternative to Replacement

When a commercial roof reaches the end of its original warranty, building owners often face a significant decision: replace the entire roofing system or explore options that can extend the life of the existing roof.

For a 20,000 square foot office property in Sarasota, Florida, the roof was showing some age after its original single-ply membrane warranty expired. However, the existing system remained in excellent overall condition. Rather than proceed with a costly tear off and complete replacement, the property owner chose a high solids silicone coating system from Unicoat to extend the roof’s service life.

Restoring Protection Without a Tear Off

A roof does not necessarily need to be replaced simply because its original warranty has expired. When an existing single-ply membrane remains structurally sound and suitable for restoration, a properly installed coating system can provide an alternative to full replacement.

For this Sarasota property, Unicoat first addressed the roof’s existing seams and flashings, areas that are particularly important for maintaining a watertight roofing system. The roof was then treated with a high solids silicone coating designed to create a seamless, protective layer over the existing membrane.

The completed system provides the property with a new 15 year warranty, helping protect the building while extending the useful life of the existing roof. 

A Cost Effective Approach

One of the most significant advantages of the restoration approach was the potential cost savings. According to the project information, the coating system was approximately one third the cost of a complete tear off and new roofing system.

For a property housing multiple businesses in a Sarasota strip mall, avoiding a full roof replacement also meant minimizing disruption. The coating project allowed the existing businesses to continue operating without the extensive noise, debris and construction activity typically associated with a complete tear off.

Proper Installation Matters

A successful roof coating project depends not only on the coating itself, but also on proper preparation and installation. Unicoat worked closely with the manufacturer and Sarasota County to ensure the project met the necessary requirements and that the system was installed correctly.

For commercial property owners, the project illustrates an important roofing consideration: when an existing single-ply membrane is still in good condition, restoration through a professionally installed coating system may offer a practical way to extend its service life while reducing costs and minimizing business disruption.

Rather than automatically replacing an aging roof, building owners may benefit from having the existing system evaluated to determine whether restoration is a viable option.

Contact us today at 800.510.7661 to schedule your FREE inspection or to learn more.