Your Complete Guide to New Construction Roofing
Of all the major aspects of new building construction, your roof is as important as it gets. The roofing stage of your construction process shouldn’t be taken lightly because you need a system you can trust to keep your property safe. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about new construction roofing.
A Basic Overview of New Construction Roofing
When you’re building a new commercial property, your roof should be perfectly compatible with your building. A seamless installation requires a basic understanding of new construction roofing. Here’s what you need to know:
What Is New Construction Roofing?
Simply put, new construction roofing refers to the process of designing and installing a roofing system on a new building project. When building a new facility, you’ll need contractors to:
- Create design plans
- Handle roofing logistics
- Build your roof’s framework
- Apply the underlayment
- Install your roof’s covering
You’ll want a roofing contractor who specializes in new construction, because the process is entirely different from, say, a standard replacement.
How Does It Differ From Roof Replacement?
While both replacement and new construction provide a new roof for your building, there are a few key differences.
As the name implies, roof replacement is the process of installing a new system on your existing building. While the actual construction techniques are similar, the intricacies behind roof replacement aren’t very complicated. Essentially, it’s just about making sure your new roof works with your existing building.
New construction roofing is different from roof replacement because it’s a much more involved process. Building a new roof from scratch requires careful planning and strategizing. Your roofing contractors need to analyze your building as a whole to determine which roofing solution works the best on your facility.
While roof replacement is just removing the old system and installing a new one, new construction roofing covers everything from installing your framework to attaching your shingles.
What Can You Expect in a New Roof Construction Project?
To begin your new construction roofing process, you can expect roofing contractors to conduct a thorough inspection of the building envelope. Your provider will:
- Examine the structure
- Assess the compatibility of your planned system with the rest of the building
- Determine the ideal type of deck, insulation, membrane, and material
- Evaluate what environmental conditions your new roof needs to stand up against
Using these findings, they’ll design a roofing system that meets your performance, insulation, wind, and slope requirements. Accurately assessing this information allows your roofing contractor to give you a solution that will last for decades.
Once your assessment wraps up and a plan of action is created, they’ll present you with a proposal that covers:
- Detailed project descriptions
- Estimated timeline
- System details
- Installation methods
- Projected costs
The quality of your inspection goes a long way toward having a roofing system you can count on.
How Much Does a New Build Roof Cost?
Because you’re having a roof built from scratch, new roof construction is more expensive than standard replacement. There’s no cookie-cutter estimate for the price of your new roof. Costs vary based on:
- The size of your roof
- Your roof’s pitch
- Amount of labor needed
- Time spent on the project
- The roofing materials used
The cost for your roofing materials changes based on the specific product you use. To get a basic idea, let’s look at price estimates for each material:
- Asphalt shingles: $7,000 to $12,000
- 30-year shingles: $9,000 to $15,000
- 50-year shingles: $11,000 to $20,000
- EPDM rubber: $8,000 to $14,000
- TPO membrane: $10,000 to $15,000
- Wood shingles: $14,000 to $25,000
- Steel shingles: $14,000 to $25,000
- Aluminum shingles: $15,000 to $28,000
- Steel roofing: $23,000 to $30,000
- Natural slate tiles: $25,000 to $50,000
- Concrete tiles: $20,000 to $40,000
- Clay tiles: $25,000 to $50,000
It’s important to remember that the size of your roof can either raise or lower the costs associated with these materials.
Tips for Navigating Your New Roofing Project
Taking a few precautions before constructing your new roof sets you up for success. Before starting the process, be sure to:
Know Your Options
Before committing to a construction plan, evaluate all your roofing options. Let’s dive into the three most popular types of commercial roofs to understand which option best fits your needs. Before committing to a construction plan, evaluate all your roofing options. Let’s dive into the three most popular types of commercial roofs to understand which option best fits your needs.
1. Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are highly regarded among commercial businesses thanks to their:
- Durability
- Weather resistance
- Long lifespans
- Lightweight material
- Aesthetic appeal
While more expensive than other types of roofing materials, the advantages outweigh the costs. If you’re looking for a timeless and dependable roof, metal roofing is your best bet.
2. Flat Roofing
Flat roofs are arguably the most popular choice for commercial properties because they deliver several advantages, like:
- Simple installation
- Accessibility
- Easy repairs
- Sleek and finished appearance
Commercial flat roofing is often more affordable than high-pitched roofs. Because the installation process for flat roofs is substantially quicker, you’ll save on labor costs.
Commercial flat roofing also provides an open platform to implement facility upgrades. Because of the simple layout, installing upgrades such as HVAC units and solar panels is pretty straightforward, helping you to avoid logistical complications down the road.
3. Asphalt Roofing
Asphalt shingles are a popular choice because they require less maintenance than other roofing materials and are:
- Cost effective
- Easy to install
- Durable and lightweight
- Easy to source
Asphalt roofing is also versatile. You can choose from several different colors and designs to match your building.
Philadelphia’s Trusted Provider for New Construction Roofing
For over 30 years, Seal Roofing has delivered high-quality new roofing projects to businesses across the Philadelphia metro area.
We’re trusted for providing high-quality roofs that keep you covered. Have a new construction project on the horizon? You’re in the right spot. Reach out to our experts and schedule a free estimate.