Helping You Make Informed Roofing Decisions

• EPDM, TPO, PVC, Modified, Metal, PMMA
• We are certified applicators of Johns Manville, Elevate, Carlisle, Kemper, Siplast, Mule Hide and GAF

• We use only high quality products
• Commercial low-slope roofing systems vary greatly depending on a number of factors
• The products we use are carefully selected based on the building’s use, original design, the building code and the customer’s budget.

• As a general rule, a commercial low-slope roof lasts between 10-20 years.  Some roof systems can last longer.  
• Leaks: We ask if the roof is leaking, for how long and where are the leaks?  We map the leaks and try to determine the cause.
• Seams: We inspect the integrity of the seams.  Over time, seams can delaminate and allow leaking to occur.  We can repair some open seams.  The quantity of open seams influences our recommendation on repairs vs. replacement.
• Cuts, tears and holes:  We inspect and mark areas that require patching.  The quantity of cuts, tears and holes helps guide us in making a recommendation to either repair or replace.
• Condition of Membrane and Sealants:  We inspect the membrane and sealants for environmental wear (UV degradation, for example), dry rotting, shrinkage, bond/adherence to the substrate and mechanical wear (hail & foot traffic, for instance). The condition of the membrane influences our recommendation.
• Saturation:  We check saturation of the underlying insulation based on visual inspection, how the roof ‘walks’ (wet roofing feels and sounds different under foot), the amount of reported leaks, moisture probing, core cuts and Infrared Thermal Scan (IR Scanning).  A saturated roof system can require partial or total removal and replacement.  We never want to roof over a saturated substrate.
• Roof Deck:  We check from the underside to verify that the roof deck is not deteriorated or rusted significantly.  The roof deck is a structural element that must be in good condition to accept a new roof.  Deteriorated decking can be repaired or replaced during replacement.
• Drainage: We check gutters, downspouts, scuppers and drains for proper flow of water off the roof and away from the building.  
• Slope:  “Flat Roofs” are really Low Slope Roofs.  Typically, low slope roofs will have between 1/8” per 1 foot to ½” per 1 foot of incline to allow water to flow to the drainage system.  If there is not enough slope, water can build up and cause leaks, premature deterioration of the membrane (especially with Modified or BUR systems) and can even cause the roof to collapse if the water weight is great enough.  The existing slope will influence our decision to recommend a repair vs. a replacement.
• Budget: Some building owners save money over time to prepare for the eventual roof replacement.  Those who do not save may need time before they can afford a replacement.  In this case, we can offer repairs that can ‘buy time’ until a replacement can occur.

Most commercial insurance carriers in 2026 require documented biannual inspections to maintain policy compliance, and many have tightened underwriting requirements after recent severe weather years in the Midwest. We recommend professional inspections every spring (after freeze-thaw season) and fall (before winter loading) for St. Louis area commercial properties. Each inspection should produce a written report with photo documentation including deficiencies, owner maintenance items, warrantable repairs, clogged drains, and more. Consistent inspection documentation is often the deciding factor in whether a hail or wind damage claim is approved or denied, because it proves the building owner has met their duty to maintain the property. Buildings with no inspection history frequently face partial denials or full claim rejections after major storm events.

Not usually, because most building owners wait too long to perform the restoration process.  At that point the existing roof has entrapped moisture, the surface is degraded and the cost to perform proper preparation for the restoration system outweighs any savings.  Properly done, restorative coatings should be applied within 5-10 years of roof system installation in order for restoration to make sense.  When done according to the manufacturer’s requirements, restorations cost between $3.50-$15 per square foot.

Yes – but only if you hire an experienced roofing contractor who values their reputation.  Many commercial roof replacements in the St. Louis area can be completed without significant business interruption. We coordinate directly with facility managers, property managers, or building owners to schedule work around your operational hours, manage noise during sensitive periods, stage materials away from main entrances, and maintain clear safety perimeters. We can also handle interior protection, including ceiling tile coverage, equipment draping, and dust control, to prevent disruption inside the building during tear-off. Many projects can proceed with employees, tenants, or customers fully on-site throughout the work. 

The most common causes of commercial flat roof failure in the St. Louis market are ponding water, clogged or undersized drainage systems, cuts or holes in the roof that are not repaired, seam separation, flashing failures, and damage from foot traffic and HVAC service work. The Missouri freeze-thaw cycle is particularly hard on roofing membranes, causing repeated expansion and contraction that stresses seams and creates stress at penetrations and flashings. UV degradation, hail bruising, and improper original installation also contribute to premature failure. Most flat roof failures begin as small, isolated issues 5 to 10 years before catastrophic failure, which is why a preventative maintenance program is the single highest-ROI investment for any commercial property owner. Early identification typically costs hundreds of dollars to address; ignored, the same issues become five-figure or six-figure repairs after interior water damage, insulation saturation, or structural decking failure.

Commercial roof replacements on nonresidential real property may be eligible for immediate expense under Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code, following provisions expanded under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Eligible improvements can potentially be deducted in the year the work is completed rather than depreciated over 39 years, which can produce significant tax savings for commercial property owners and businesses. Eligibility depends on several factors, including the type of improvement, the property’s use, the taxpayer’s total Section 179 spending for the year, and current annual deduction limits, which the IRS adjusts periodically. Bonus depreciation rules have also been phasing down under current law. Because tax treatment varies by property and tax year, we strongly recommend consulting your CPA or tax advisor to confirm eligibility for your specific project before relying on Section 179 in your project budgeting.

For St. Louis commercial buildings, TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) and PVC membranes are the most effective roofing systems for managing summer heat and humidity. Both are single-ply membranes with highly reflective white surfaces that reduce heat absorption and lower cooling costs. TPO is particularly well-suited for buildings with southern or western exposure, where roof surface temperatures can exceed 160°F in June and July. The reflective surface deflects solar radiation rather than absorbing it, which reduces thermal expansion and membrane stress. PVC offers much better chemical resistance, making it a strong choice for facilities with rooftop HVAC exhaust or grease-producing operations such as restaurants or food manufacturing plants. EPDM is also durable in St. Louis summers but typically retains more heat due to its dark surface, unless a white reflective coating is applied. St. Louis Roofing Co. recommends a professional energy analysis alongside your roofing assessment to determine which system will deliver the best long-term performance and utility savings for your specific building.  We often argue that EPDM is generally better in St. Louis because we experience many more days with heat on than with A/C on.  During an energy analysis, an important consideration is the amount of insulation in the roof system.  With the proper amount of insulation, the color of the roof matters less.

June through August is peak storm season for the greater St. Louis metro, with the region averaging some of the highest annual hail frequency in the Midwest. Commercial roofs are especially vulnerable to hail impact, high-wind uplift, and debris damage during these months. Hailstones as small as 1 inch in diameter can crack or puncture roof membranes, compromise flashing seals, and damage rooftop equipment. High winds during severe thunderstorms can lift membrane edges at perimeters and penetrations if termination bars or adhesives have weakened. After any significant storm event, St. Louis Roofing Co. recommends scheduling a professional roof inspection within 30 days. Most commercial insurance policies require documented inspections to substantiate storm damage claims, and delays can result in partial denials. We provide detailed post-storm inspection reports with photo documentation to support the claims process. Building owners in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Metro East Illinois should prioritize proactive storm-season inspections to protect their assets and maintain warranty compliance. 

A contractor workmanship warranty covers labor errors and installation defects and is issued by the roofing company. A manufacturer’s warranty covers the material itself, including the membrane, insulation, or system components, and is issued by the product manufacturer, such as Carlisle, Johns Manville, Holcim, or Siplast. The key distinction is that manufacturer warranties typically require the roofing contractor to be factory-certified and approved by the manufacturer before the warranty can be issued. Not all roofing contractors qualify. St. Louis Roofing Co. is certified by multiple leading manufacturers, which means our commercial clients are eligible for NDL (No Dollar Limit) warranties and system warranties that cover both materials and labor on a non-prorated basis.  An NDL warranty is much stronger than a material only warranty. For commercial building owners, a manufacturer-backed system warranty provides the highest level of protection because it guarantees the roof will perform according to specifications regardless of which component fails first. When evaluating roofing proposals in St. Louis, always ask whether the contractor is manufacturer-certified and what warranty tier they can offer before making your selection.  Note that even with a NDL warranty, building owners’ are still required to have their roof inspected periodically and to perform owner maintenance such as, but not limited to, replacing deteriorated sealants, cleaning drains and reporting and fixing leaks within 30 days.

The decision between repair and replacement comes down to three primary factors: roof age, the percentage of the total roof area affected by damage or moisture infiltration, and the results of a professional inspection. As a general rule, if your commercial roof is more than 15 years old and more than 25 percent of the membrane is compromised, replacement is typically the better investment. Repairs become cost-ineffective when the underlying insulation has absorbed moisture, because wet insulation loses its R-value and promotes mold growth, deck deterioration, and interior damage. The most accurate way to assess this is through infrared scanning or core sampling, which reveal moisture saturation beneath the surface that is not visible in a standard inspection. St. Louis Roofing Co. provides comprehensive commercial roof evaluations that include core sampling recommendations when moisture is suspected, giving building owners in the St. Louis and Metro East market a clear, data-backed decision framework before committing to a repair or replacement budget.  St. Louis Roofing Co. can also perform an Infrared Moisture Scan for customers who are curious about the level of saturation in their roof.

Upgrading an aging commercial roof in St. Louis can improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs by enhancing the thermal performance of the building envelope. Many older roofing systems contain deteriorated or undersized insulation that falls below modern energy-efficiency standards. A commercial roof replacement incorporating high-performance polyiso insulation and a reflective TPO or PVC membrane can help reduce heat transfer into the building, lowering cooling demands during Missouri’s hot summers. 

Many roofing systems are rated and designed to minimize rooftop heat absorption which in turns helps reduce energy consumption in other areas such as HVAC workload.For buildings pursuing sustainability goals, high-performance roofing systems can contribute toward LEED certification and other green-building initiatives. A properly designed commercial roofing system is not only an operational improvement but also a long-term investment in protecting the building asset.