Flat Roofing Installation, Repair, and Replacement
in NYC

Skyward Roofing serves all five boroughs of New York City with excellent flat roof services. From installation to maintenance, you can trust our experienced crews to take great care of your home or business. We offer free on-site estimates and consultations and have been in business for over 35 years.  With a 20 year warranty on most materials, we stand behind our work and always provide professional customer service. No matter what kind of flat roof you have, we have the know-how and tools to work on it. We are flat roofing specialists and work on TPO, EPDM (aka rubber), and SPF roofs (spray foam), and more!

Inspections, Repair, or Replacement

If your business or home has a flat roof that needs care, call Skyward Roofing for a free, comprehensive estimate. We also offer inspections to check the condition of your roof after a storm or to provide a certificate to insurance. Our thorough inspectors will walk the entire roof looking for deteriorated seals, clogged drains, tears in the membrane, fallen debris, and a host of other common (and not-so-common!) problems.

We will not only provide you feedback on the condition of your roof, but also offer suggestions for how to help it stay in great shape for a long time. Maybe some flashing is failing earlier than the rest of the roof, or caulking has started to dry and flake off. Or maybe your TPO membrane was installed a few years ago and has become grimy and is ready for cleaning and sealing to renew its reflective properties and flexibility. No matter what kind of repair or maintenance your roof needs, we have the knowledge, skills, and tools to help.

Contact us to get a free on-site estimate!

TPO and EPDM Flat Roofing

Unlike torchdown roofing, no open flame is used to install TPO, EPDM, or PVC roofs. In fact, fire codes restrict the installation of torch down roofs in NYC. Roofing membranes are secured in place with adhesives, heat welding (conducted using hot air, not flame), anchors, or ballast.

EPDM roofs are generally black. This single-ply roof is also known as a “rubber” roof. Rubber roofs are durable, easy to install, and resistant to punctures. In recent years, EPDM manufacturing has included pre-applied adhesive and sealant, increasing the durability and lifespan of the seams. Rubber roofs have been used for years, and are one of the most popular roofing options. They are generally less expensive than TPO roofs and have a similar warranty period.

EPDM is one of the most affordable flat-roofing systems available. It is easy and efficient to install, and thus requires less labor and downtime than some other flat roofing systems. EPDM comes in wide rolls which also makes it more affordable than TPO which comes in narrower rolls. This synthetic rubber roofing is versatile, long-lasting, and affordable.

Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) roofing is a light-colored single-ply membrane roofing material. The heat-welded seams hold up well to the elements. After a few years, TPO can be sealed to extend its life and restore its UV ray resistance. While TPO is a newer roofing option, it is becoming one of the top roofing products for buildings with flat roofs.

If you own a restaurant, usually TPO (Thermoplastic Polyefin) or PVC roofs are the preferred choice, due to their superior resistance to breaking down from chemicals like grease. White TPO roofing is also great for reflecting UV rays and helping reduce cooling costs for businesses. There are even tax incentives for having a cool roof. Additionally, TPO seams are heat-welded which provides unparalleled leak protection. However, this requires special equipment and training so it is important to hire a qualified roofer. TPO roofs are becoming the top flat roofing choice for businesses and homes.

Flat Roof Installation Options

EPDM and TPO roofs have similar installation options. They can be fully-adhered with adhesive, ballasted, or fastened to the roof deck with anchors.

Fully-adhered installation refers to an adhesive being laid down over the entire decking or insulation. After this, the membrane is rolled out. Fully-adhered roofs are recommended for areas with lots of severe weather and strong winds.

Ballasted roofs utilize weights, like stones and pavers, to secure the membrane in place. This is a quick and easy way to secure the membrane, and is ideal in some instances. However, the structure must be able to accommodate this extra weight.

TPO and EPDM can also be installed using fasteners. These fasteners securely hold the roofing membrane in place, and even though they hold the membrane in place by puncturing through it and into the deck below, the fasteners are specially designed to prevent tears and leaks.

Flat Roof Maintenance

Roof coatings and sealants can help preserve your roof and extend its life. Roof maintenance like caulking around fasteners and roof penetrations can help prevent roof leaks. By performing routine maintenance, you’ll save money on expensive repairs in the long run.

Painting your low-slope metal roof or coating membrane roofs with an elastomeric sealant is a great way to extend their life and improve reflectivity. It will also refresh and improve the look of your roof. Painting or coating your roof is a cost-effective way to update your flat roof without needing to replace it or have the downtime and labor intensive process of a re-roofing project.

Because low-slope roofs have only a minor incline to drain water, any repair not done correctly may pond water rather than let it drain slowly to the drain ports. Skyward Roofing will always check repairs with flowing water to make sure the repair was well done - so you will have no leaks and no ponding.

Improper Repairs Cost More In the Long Run

If you have a novice repair your flat roof, it could cause further problems. They may use the wrong material, or a product that doesn't make a good bond. Such solutions may stop the leak temporarily, but incorrect sealant or caulking around a vent or pipe often quickly pulls away and crumbles, exposing the leak to the elements again, and just making the roof messy. Instead, let Skyward Roofing provide long-lasting repairs. We stand behind our work and will make sure your roof repair stops the leak.

What is the best flat roofing material?

Businesses with flat roofs have a few options for what roofing material they use. Skyward Roofing offers installation, repair, and replacement for both EPDM and TPO roofs, as well as BUR and PVC. EPDM and TPO are both single ply membrane roofing options. Our experienced roofer can evaluate your building’s roof and help you know which roofing material is the best choice for your building. Some factors to consider are wind resistance, how the roof membrane will be fastened and if it will have foot traffic, fire resistance, and strength to withstand snow, ice and the resulting slow-draining water. 

Property managers and business owners who have a low-slope roof can choose between many types of roofing. Our roofing contractors have worked with many kinds of roofing materials, and provided repair and maintenance. We can advise you on what will work best for your situation and why we would recommend a particular single-ply membrane over another. Factors such as heat, business type, cost of maintenance and budget all go into your decision. We look forward to helping you make an informed choice. Our free estimates provide you with upfront pricing that allow you to compare quotes with no hassle or stress.