Commercial Roofing Answers

How do I find a commercial roofing contractor near me?

Call White Roofing Systems at (309) 303-3128 or submit the inspection form on this site, and we dispatch a Conklin-trained commercial roofing contractor in your city. We coordinate a nationwide network of independent contractors trained by Conklin Roofing Systems, a US roofing manufacturer in business since 1977.

There is no charge to be matched and no obligation. You get the name of the contractor covering your area, a scheduled on-site visit, and a written condition report with photos.

Find a contractor in your state →

What should I ask a commercial roofing contractor before hiring them?

Ask five things: who manufactures the system they are installing, what the warranty actually covers and who backs it, whether they carry general liability and workers' compensation, how they handle seams and penetrations, and whether they will show you photos of the failure points on your specific roof.

A contractor who cannot name the manufacturer or produce a written scope with product names is quoting a labor job, not a roof system.

How to choose a contractor →

What is a Conklin-trained roofing contractor?

A Conklin-trained contractor is an independent commercial roofing contractor trained and credentialed by Conklin Roofing Systems to install its warranty-backed roof coating, metal restoration, and spray foam systems. Training is required before a contractor can offer the manufacturer's renewable warranty.

Conklin has manufactured commercial roofing products in the United States since 1977. White Roofing Systems coordinates the contractors, and the manufacturer stands behind the system.

About the network →

Is a commercial roof inspection really free?

Yes. Inspections from White Roofing Systems contractors cost nothing and carry no obligation. You receive a written condition report with photo documentation of seams, flashings, penetrations, drains, and problem areas, plus a recommended course of action.

Most inspections take 60 to 90 minutes on the roof. The written report is delivered within a few business days.

Request an inspection →

Should I repair, restore, or replace my commercial roof?

Repair when the leaks are isolated and the deck and insulation are dry. Restore with a coating system when the roof is aging and leaking at seams and fasteners but the substrate is still sound. Replace only when the deck is compromised or the insulation is saturated, because a coating over wet insulation traps the water and fails.

An honest inspection settles it. A core cut or moisture scan tells you whether the insulation is wet, and that single fact usually decides between a restoration and a tear-off.

Commercial roof restoration →

Is roof restoration cheaper than roof replacement?

Yes, in most cases. Restoration avoids tear-off labor, dumpsters, landfill disposal fees, deck repair, and the business downtime that comes with an open roof, so it typically costs a fraction of a full replacement on the same building.

We do not publish per-square-foot pricing, because the real number depends on roof size, substrate condition, the number of penetrations, and access. Any contractor quoting your roof over the phone is guessing.

What drives commercial roof cost →

What drives the cost of a commercial roof replacement?

Six things drive the price: square footage, the condition of the deck and insulation underneath, the number of penetrations and curbs, roof access and staging, tear-off and disposal of the existing system, and the warranty term you choose.

Two buildings with identical square footage can differ substantially in price because one has fifty penetrations and a saturated deck and the other does not.

Cost drivers explained →

Can a roof coating be expensed instead of depreciated?

Roof coating is commonly treated as maintenance rather than a capital improvement, which can allow the cost to be expensed in the year of the work instead of depreciated over 39 years like a full replacement. Tax treatment depends on the facts of the job and your accountant's judgment.

Ask your CPA before you plan around it. We can supply the scope of work and product documentation they will need.

What is a commercial roof coating?

A commercial roof coating is a liquid-applied membrane rolled or sprayed over an existing roof to form a single seamless waterproof layer. Seams, fasteners, and penetrations are reinforced first with tape and polyester fabric, then base and top coats are applied over the entire roof.

Because there are no seams in the finished surface, the most common failure points on an aging commercial roof are eliminated rather than patched.

Conklin roof systems →

What is the difference between acrylic and silicone roof coatings?

Acrylic coatings are water-based, highly reflective, breathable, and re-coatable; silicone coatings are solvent-based, handle standing water well, but attract dirt, lose reflectivity, and are difficult to re-coat later. White Roofing Systems installs Conklin acrylic systems, not silicone.

We chose acrylic because the roof stays renewable. When the top coat wears, it is washed and re-coated rather than stripped and replaced.

Acrylic vs. silicone →

Can a rusted metal roof be restored without replacing it?

Yes. Surface rust is treated with a rust-inhibiting primer, loose fasteners are tightened or replaced, seams are reinforced with butyl tape and fabric, and acrylic base and top coats seal the panels into one continuous surface. No tear-off is required as long as the panels and structure are sound.

If panels are rusted through or the purlins are compromised, restoration is the wrong call and we will tell you so.

Metal roof coating →

What is the difference between TPO and EPDM?

TPO is a white, heat-welded thermoplastic membrane that reflects sunlight; EPDM is a black synthetic rubber membrane usually seamed with adhesive or tape. TPO runs cooler and cuts cooling load, while EPDM is durable in cold climates but absorbs heat and commonly fails at the seams as it ages.

Both can be restored with a coating system instead of torn off, which is usually the lower-cost path once a membrane roof reaches the end of its warranty.

EPDM roof coatings →

How long does a spray foam (SPF) roof last?

A properly installed spray polyurethane foam roof lasts 30 years or more, because the closed-cell foam itself does not degrade. The protective acrylic top coat is renewed roughly every 10 to 15 years, which restarts the warranty rather than replacing the roof.

SPF also adds roughly R-6.5 of insulation per inch, the highest of any commercial roofing material, and it can be sprayed over most existing roofs after cleaning and priming.

Spray foam roofing →

Do roof coatings work on flat roofs with ponding water?

Conklin coating systems are formulated and warranted for ponding-water conditions when applied at full specified thickness over a properly cleaned and primed membrane. Standing water is not automatically disqualifying, but chronic ponding usually points to a drainage problem worth correcting first.

If drains are undersized or the deck has deflected, we address the drainage in the scope instead of coating over it.

Flat roof coating →

How much can a white reflective roof coating cut cooling costs?

White reflective roof coatings substantially reduce rooftop surface temperature and the cooling load underneath it. ENERGY STAR and Cool Roof Rating Council data consistently show meaningful summer cooling savings on low-slope commercial buildings, though the actual figure for your building depends on insulation, HVAC condition, and climate zone.

We do not quote a savings percentage for a building we have not inspected. Your utility may offer a rebate for a qualifying reflective roof, and we can point you to the program.

Reflective roof systems →

How long does a Conklin roof coating warranty last?

Conklin roof systems carry renewable manufacturer warranties, commonly in the 10 to 20 year range depending on the system and the coating thickness applied. The warranty is renewable: the roof is washed and re-coated at the end of the term rather than torn off.

Warranties are issued by the manufacturer, not the installing contractor, and are transferable in most cases when the property sells.

Does the business have to shut down during a roof restoration?

No. Restoration is done from the roof surface with no tear-off, so there is no open deck, no interior exposure, and no dumpster staging in the parking lot. Most buildings operate normally through the entire project.

Work is scheduled around dry weather and, when needed, around your operating hours.

How often should a commercial roof be inspected?

Inspect a commercial roof twice a year, in spring and fall, plus after any hail, high wind, or heavy storm event. Semi-annual inspection catches open seams, failed pitch pans, and clogged drains while they are still a maintenance item instead of a deck replacement.

Most manufacturer warranties also require documented periodic inspection to stay in force.

Maintenance checklist →

Why is my commercial roof leaking if the membrane looks fine?

Most commercial roof leaks start at transitions, not in the open field of the roof. Seams, fasteners, pipe penetrations, curbs, pitch pans, drains, and flashing at parapet walls are where water gets in, and the entry point is often far from where the stain appears inside.

That is why a leak call starts with a full roof inspection and photo documentation rather than a patch at the nearest visible spot.

What areas does White Roofing Systems serve?

White Roofing Systems coordinates Conklin-trained commercial roofing contractors across the United States, with named contractors assigned to individual cities and states. Every state page on this site lists the contractor covering that territory.

Service areas and contractors →

How fast can I get a commercial roof inspection scheduled?

Most inspections are scheduled within a few business days of your request. Active leaks and storm damage are prioritized ahead of routine condition assessments.

Request an inspection →

What kinds of buildings do you work on?

We work on low-slope and metal commercial buildings: warehouses, manufacturing plants, churches, schools, retail centers, bowling centers, agricultural buildings, and municipal facilities. Residential shingle roofing is not what this network does.

See completed projects →

Who do I call about a commercial roof leak right now?

Call (309) 303-3128. That number routes to White Roofing Systems, which dispatches the Conklin-trained contractor covering your city.

Contact us →