Commercial Roof Systems: Membranes, Coatings and Metal
Low-slope commercial roofs need a continuous waterproof layer, not shingles. Collins Roofing and Repair works with single-ply membrane and coating systems for low-slope roofs, plus metal for pitched commercial roofs.
Commercial roof systems compared by what they are, typical lifespan, approximate installed cost in 2026 and what they suit best
| System |
What It Is |
Typical Lifespan |
Approx. Installed Cost (2026) |
Best For |
| Single-ply membrane (TPO, EPDM, PVC) |
One-layer sheet, welded or adhered |
20 to 30 years |
$750-$1,350+ per square |
Offices, retail, larger low-slope roofs |
| Modified bitumen |
Multi-ply polymer-modified asphalt |
About 20 years |
$950-$1,575+ per square |
Roofs with foot traffic and equipment |
| Silicone roof coating |
Liquid-applied over a sound roof |
15 to 20 years, recoatable |
$200-$400+ per square |
Aging but dry membrane and metal roofs |
| Metal roofing |
Standing seam, screw-down or metal shingles |
Long life with maintenance |
$1,250-$1,875+ per square |
Churches, warehouses, pitched commercial roofs |
Single-Ply Membrane Roofs
TPO is a white single-ply sheet with heat-welded seams that reflects sun, which helps cooling bills on big flat roofs. EPDM is a flexible rubber membrane. Both go down over insulation, often with tapered sections to move water to drains.
Learn more on our flat roofing
page.
Roof Coatings and Restoration
A roof coating is a liquid-applied layer over an existing roof that's aging but still dry underneath. Published guides put silicone at about $2-$4+ per square foot versus about $6-$8+ for a full tear-off, and a coating can be recoated later instead of replaced.
When a Coating Works
- The membrane is still attached and the insulation is dry.
- Leaks are scattered at seams and fasteners, not across the whole roof.
- You want to defer a tear-off and keep the building open.
When It Doesn't
A coating sticks to what's under it. If the insulation is soaked, the deck is soft or the roof is pulling apart, Collins Roofing and Repair will tell you a coating won't hold and price the replacement instead.
Metal Roofs on Commercial Buildings
Metal sheds heavy rain fast and handles coastal wind. On warehouses and older metal buildings, most leaks start at loose or rusted fasteners, laps and skylight panels. Collins Roofing and Repair repairs and replaces metal roofing
and can coat a sound metal roof to seal fasteners and laps.