Commercial roofing · New Jersey
Commercial Roofing in New Jersey
Commercial roofing is a different trade from residential work. The systems are low-slope rather than water-shedding, the failures start at details and terminations rather than in the field, and the building underneath usually cannot stop operating while you work on it.
Century Roofing works on warehouses, light industrial buildings, retail and mixed-use properties, and multi-family buildings throughout central and northern New Jersey.
Systems we work on
- EPDM single-ply rubber membrane, fully adhered and mechanically attached
- TPO heat-welded thermoplastic membrane
- Modified bitumen, both torch-applied and cold-applied multi-ply
- Built-up roofing repair and tie-ins to existing systems
- Elastomeric and silicone roof coatings over sound substrates
- Metal roof repair, fastener replacement, and seam treatment
What we inspect
Where low-slope roofs actually fail
In the field of the membrane, a properly installed low-slope roof is remarkably durable. Nearly every commercial leak we chase originates at an interruption.
- Perimeter terminations and edge metal — the highest-stress detail on any low-slope roof
- Curbs around HVAC units, especially where a service tech has cut a new penetration
- Pitch pockets that were filled once and never re-topped
- Drains and scuppers: clamping rings loose, strainers missing, sumps holding debris
- Seams, particularly on older mechanically attached systems that have shifted
- Wall flashing and counter flashing where the roof meets a parapet
Ponding water and why we care about it
Standing water 48 hours after rain is the strongest predictor of premature failure we can measure on a flat roof. It accelerates membrane degradation, magnifies UV exposure, adds structural load, and turns any seam imperfection into a leak.
When we find ponding we look at the cause — a clogged or undersized drain, a sagging deck between joists, or an insulation layer installed without tapered slope — because coating over a pond just makes an expensive pond.
Working around your operations
For occupied buildings we phase the work so that no section is open at end of day, schedule tear-off and disposal around your delivery and customer hours, and coordinate crane or hoist placement with your property manager in advance.
For tenanted buildings we can provide notice language for tenants and keep the work sequence documented so you can share progress.
What drives commercial roofing cost
- Square footage and how cut-up the roof is with equipment and curbs
- System selection and whether insulation is being replaced or reused
- Whether the existing roof is torn off, recovered, or restored with a coating
- Roof access — stair, hatch, crane, or hoist, and where staging can go
- Code-driven insulation requirements when a full tear-off is performed
- Deck type and condition, especially on older steel and lightweight concrete decks
- Phasing and off-hours work requirements
Frequently asked questions
- Can you repair a roof that is still under a manufacturer warranty?
- Sometimes, but the wrong repair voids coverage. Tell us the system and warranty holder up front so the work is performed in a way that keeps the warranty intact where possible.
- Do we have to tear off, or can we recover?
- It depends on how many existing layers are present, the moisture content of the insulation, and code. Wet insulation must come off — recovering over saturated board traps the moisture and guarantees failure.
- How disruptive is commercial roofing to tenants?
- There is noise and odor with some systems, particularly torch-applied and adhesive-heavy installations. We schedule those phases with you and, where odor is a concern, steer toward systems that avoid it.
- Do you provide roof condition reports for property managers?
- Yes. Photographed, dated condition reports with prioritized findings, suitable for budgeting and capital planning.
Get a straight answer about your roof
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll inspect it, photograph it, and explain what it actually needs — repair or replacement.