Low-slope and flat roofs require a different toolkit than steep-slope shingle work. Houston flat roofs face standing water, ponding, UV degradation, and HVAC traffic that traditional shingle installers are not trained for. We run a dedicated commercial and low-slope crew across the Houston metro on retail, office, light industrial, multifamily, and modern residential flat-section work. New installation, repair, and silicone restoration coatings.
- Best material?
- TPO and PVC for new installs. Silicone coating for restoration.
- Cost?
- $7 to $12 per sq ft TPO or PVC installed; $3 to $6 per sq ft for coating.
- Lifespan?
- 20 to 25 years TPO or PVC; coating extends existing 10 to 15 years.
- Commercial?
- Yes. Bonded and insured to commercial requirements.
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will schedule a no obligation inspection. Prefer to talk? Call (713) 480-8877.
Flat roof system options
TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin). The current commercial standard. White, reflective, hot-air welded seams. 20 to 25 year warranties. Cool-roof rated for Houston solar load. Carlisle, GAF EverGuard, and Versico are our default brands.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Similar performance to TPO but with better chemical and grease resistance. Required for restaurants, kitchens, and chemical-exposure environments. Sika Sarnafil is our default.
Modified bitumen (mod-bit). Asphalt-based, torch-applied or self-adhered, granulated cap sheet. 15 to 20 year service life. Good repair compatibility with existing built-up roof systems.
Silicone restoration coating. Spray or roll-applied over a sound existing roof. Adds 10 to 15 years of service life at roughly 30 percent of replacement cost. The right answer when the substrate is dry and the existing membrane has 5 plus years of remaining structural life.
Ponding water and slope correction
Houston flat roofs frequently develop ponding from settled framing or original under-pitch design. Standing water shortens membrane life and triggers warranty exclusions. We address ponding during replacement with tapered insulation packages that build the slope to drain (typically 1/4 inch per foot minimum). Coating restoration over ponding-prone areas should use silicone (not acrylic) which is the only common coating chemistry rated for ponding.
Repair vs replacement decision
Most flat roofs in mid-life can be repaired or coated rather than replaced. We do free inspections that include moisture survey (infrared imaging on commercial), seam adhesion testing, and deck soundness check. Replacement is the answer when more than 25 percent of the substrate is wet, the membrane has shrunk and pulled at terminations, or the system has reached end of warranty life. Repair is the answer everywhere else.
Commercial roofing services
We work commercial across retail, office, light industrial, multifamily, restaurants, and warehouses. Services include new installation, full replacement, leak repair, roof maintenance contracts (annual or semi-annual inspection plus minor repair), warranty management, and emergency response. Bonded and insured to commercial GC requirements; certificates of insurance available on request.
Hot-air welded seams
Welded TPO and PVC seams outlast adhesive seams by decades.
Tapered insulation packages
Correct ponding during replacement with engineered slope-to-drain.
Silicone coating restoration
Extend existing roof 10 to 15 years at 30 percent of replacement cost.
Infrared moisture survey
Locate wet insulation before quoting replacement vs repair.
Maintenance contracts
Annual or semi-annual inspection plus minor repair budget.
Bonded and insured commercial
COI available on request for GC and property manager requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best flat roof material for Houston?
- TPO and PVC are our defaults for new commercial and residential flat roofs. Both reflect 70 to 80 percent of solar load (cool roof rated), weld at the seams instead of relying on adhesive, and carry 20 to 25 year manufacturer warranties. PVC is preferred where chemical or grease exposure is a concern (restaurants, manufacturing).
- What does a flat roof cost?
- TPO and PVC run $7 to $12 per sq ft installed in Houston. Modified bitumen runs $5 to $9 per sq ft. Silicone restoration coatings (over a sound existing roof) run $3 to $6 per sq ft and extend service life 10 to 15 years.
- How long does a flat roof last?
- TPO and PVC: 20 to 25 years. Modified bitumen: 15 to 20 years. EPDM (rubber): 20 to 30 years but rare in commercial new construction now. Silicone coating restoration: extends existing roof 10 to 15 years.
- Can a flat roof be repaired or does it have to be replaced?
- Most flat roofs in early to mid life can be repaired or coated rather than replaced. We do free inspections and recommend repair, coating, or replacement based on the actual condition of the membrane, insulation, and decking. Replacement is the answer when the substrate is wet or the membrane has reached end of service life.
- Do you do commercial flat roofing?
- Yes. Retail, office, light industrial, and multifamily flat roofing across the Houston metro. Insurance work, maintenance contracts, and emergency repair available. Bonded and insured to commercial requirements.
- Will a coating restoration void my insurance?
- Properly installed silicone or acrylic restoration over a sound substrate maintains insurability and is recognized by most commercial property insurers. We provide manufacturer documentation for your underwriter.
