Commercial Roofing New Castle Delware
June 21, 2023

New Castle, DE Commercial Roofing Services

As the owner of a business, it’s your responsibility to ensure the safety and durability of your commercial property. One crucial aspect of this duty is maintaining a strong, functional, and weather-resistant roof. Finding the right commercial roofing contractor can be a daunting task for building owners and managers, as the consequences of a wrong decision or cutting corners can be severe in the long run. If you have a commercial roofing project in the New Castle, Delaware region, this article will introduce you to important concepts related to commercial roofing services as well as the most crucial considerations that need to be made before pulling the trigger on your upcoming commercial repair, installation or coating.

At J Smucker Contracting, we are renowned industry leaders in commercial and industrial roofing. We specialize in handling medium to large industrial roofing projects and bring years of expertise to any commercial building, regardless of its size. In this article, we want to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse range of commercial roofing services we offer. Additionally, we want to emphasize the key factors you should consider when selecting a roofing service provider. As a licensed commercial contractor, we are fully equipped to address all your roofing needs, including repairs, replacements, and new roof installations.

Different Types of Commercial Roofing Services

Your roof doesn’t always require a complete replacement… but what does each service entail and when is one required above another?? It’s important to familiarize yourself with the different options for commercial roofing services and understand what they involve. Whether it’s a minor repair, a fresh coating, or a comprehensive maintenance package, each roofing problem demands unique solutions. There is never an all encompassing simple fix. By exploring the available choices, you can find the best fit for your specific needs and ensure the longevity of your roof.

Roof Repair

Roof repairs are done to fix smaller, specific issues within a tiny geographic region relative to your roof as a whole. Imagine you’re inspecting your roof and, uh-oh, you spot a tear in the membrane. Don’t delay—getting that tear patched up as soon as possible is absolutely crucial! This is especially true for commercial roofs, where addressing even the smallest tears is of utmost importance.

Ignoring what might seem like a minor problem can eventually hit your wallet hard, costing you a small fortune. Luckily, many roofing systems come with warranties that cover specific periods and conditions (we’ll get to warranties later). If you happen to stumble upon a tear or puncture in your roof, the first step is to reach out to the roofing company that installed it. They can guide you through the nitty-gritty details of the warranty itself. Now, when it comes to what’s called a “manufacturer’s warranty,” (we’ll get to that one later too) as long as the roofers are certified – any competent contractor should do the trick for repairing the issue.

Roof Coating

Roof coating is like giving your commercial roof a superhero cape! It’s a protective layer that shields your roof from all sorts of villains: harsh weather, UV rays, and even protect against the formation of pesky and expensive leaks. Think of your coating as a special shield that adds extra strength and durability to your roof. Relative to a complete replacement, it’s an affordable solution that can extend the life of your roof and save you money in the long run. At J Smucker Contracting, we’re experts in roof coatings. We offer a range of options tailored to your specific needs, whether you want to restore an aging roof or add an extra layer of defense to a new one. So, give your roof the protection it deserves with a fantastic roof coating, and let it be the umbrella against the non-proverbial storm that keeps your building safe and secure

commercial roof coating new castle delware
Midway through a previous roof coating project we completed in New Castle.

Roof Replacement

Picture this: your commercial roof is like an old, worn-out pair of shoes that have seen better days. It’s showing signs of age, leaks are becoming a common annoyance, and stitching them up just won’t cut it anymore. That’s where roof replacement comes in—a complete makeover for your roof! It’s like saying goodbye to those tired shoes and getting a fresh, brand-new pair that fit perfectly. At J Smucker Contracting, we’re the experts in roof replacement. Our skilled team will assess the condition of your current roof, carefully remove it, and then install a top-notch, high-quality new roof tailored to your building’s needs. You can check out more about roof replacement on our website

We do want to emphasize that a full roof replacement is the most expensive ‘solution’ for your building. It is what needs to be done when other options like repairs and a new coating won’t cut it. So you want to be sure that you actually need a replacement when a new coating would suffice. That’s why it’s important to find an honest commercial roofing contractor that will shoot you straight so to speak, and not recommend a roof replacement when a relatively cheaper fresh roof coating would do the job instead.

Commercial Roofing Project Highlight - Autoport Inc., New Castle Delaware

Autoport Inc is an auto body parts supplier in New Castle located right down the street from the Russell Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge. This was a large 30,000 SF warehouse that had a lot of leaks and some condensation issues. Since installing a white coating on a metal roof will not fix the condensation, we first installed a 1.5″ of closed cell BASF roof foam. We then installed Conklin Benchmark Basecoat and Puma XL topcoat. The roof was a challenge to spray foam, as there was a lot of traffic in and out of the parking lot and overspray with spray foam is always a concern! We built a tent on wheels to surround the sprayer and prevent overspray. We completed the project with no incidents and the roof has been leak free since. The SPF took care of the Condensation 100% Another successful large commercial roofing job completed by J Smucker Contracting!
new castle commercial roofing contractor
new castle commercial roofing contractor
It was extremely important to patch up these leaks and apply a coating before any more of the buildings interior was susceptible to the elements
new castle de commercial roofer
Autoport Inc with a beautifully finished roof coating!

Choosing the Best Commercial Roofing Company

Picking the best commercial contractor in New Castle, Delaware is absolutely crucial if you want to keep your commercial building rock-solid. You see, the roof holds the ‘crown’ for being the MVP of your building’s structure—it shields the interior from all the crazy elements constantly “attacking” your building. That’s why finding a roofer who’s got the experience and can handle any unique engineering challenges is key. So, listen up!, because we’ve compiled some great tips to keep in mind when you’re making that all-important decision. Let’s get started!

Finding A Local Contractor

First things first, you gotta find yourself a local contractor. Time to put on your detective hat and do some good ol’ fashioned research and check out multiple roofing contractors in your area. Now here’s the tip: make sure they’re pros in the commercial roofing business, not just residential contractors. Commercial roofs require a different set of skills, so you want a contractor who’s got that expertise dialed in. It’s all about finding the right match for your commercial roofing needs, so get ready to do some homework and make a wise choice!

Pay Attention to Online Reviews

When it comes to commercial roofing companies, it’s a no-brainer that they should be licensed and insured. In this day and age, it’s pretty rare to come across one that isn’t! But you know what they say in the military: “trust but verify.” So, take a few minutes to double-check their insurance and license certifications. It’s a simple step that’ll give you the peace of mind you need to move forward with your decision.

Just as importantly, take a look at their online reviews. A good roofing contractor should have what’s called a ‘Google Business Profile’, this is the main platform from which you should be able to gauge their customer feedback. You generally want to find a company that has more than 5-10 reviews (especially if they’ve been around for more than a year or two), with an overall cumulative rating of more than 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. 

Avoid the Shockingly Low Bids

When it comes to contractor work, a lot of folks out there have their eyes glued to the price tag. But hold your horses, ’cause here’s the deal’ – as President Biden would say: in the wild world of commercial roofing, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. It may defy logic, but trust us on this one. Those bargain-basement contractors? Well, many times they’ll go snipping and skipping corners left and right, all just to snag your contract. So, when you’re beginning to dive into your roofing project, keep this in mind: the most reputable companies, the ones you can truly count on, might not always have the lowest price tag. It’s all about the quality. So get ready to invest wisely in a roofing solution that’s built to last that includes a warranty that protects you for years to come.

Know Your Warranty!

Understanding your warranty is crucial when it comes to commercial roofing. Most commercial roofing companies provide warranties for their work, but it’s important to have a clear understanding of what exactly is covered. Typically, a comprehensive warranty includes both a labor warranty and a materials warranty.

Labor Warranty

The labor warranty covers the workmanship and installation performed by the roofing company. It specifies the number of years the company will be responsible for any issues arising from faulty installation or workmanship. This warranty ensures that if there are any problems with the roof due to errors in the installation process, the roofing company will rectify them at no additional cost to you.

Materials Warranty

On the other hand, the materials warranty is typically provided by the manufacturer of the roofing products used. This warranty covers any defects or issues with the materials themselves, such as manufacturing defects or premature deterioration. The materials warranty will outline the specific terms, duration, and coverage provided by the manufacturer.

It’s important to note that the duration of both the labor warranty and materials warranty can vary. It’s common to see labor warranties ranging from 5 to 20 years, depending on the roofing company and the scope of the project. Materials warranties may also vary, with some manufacturers offering warranties for 15, 20, and 30 years.

To ensure you have a solid understanding of your warranty, it’s recommended to read the terms and conditions provided by the roofing company and the manufacturer. These documents will outline the coverage, exclusions, and any limitations of the warranty. It’s essential to pay attention to any maintenance requirements or actions that could void the warranty.

If you’re seeking more detailed information on commercial roofing warranties, I would recommend reading our blog post titled “A Guide to Commercial Roofing Warranties.” This article should provide you with comprehensive insights and help you understand the intricacies of commercial roof warranties. By understanding your warranty, you can avoid potential headaches and ensure that any issues with your roof are addressed promptly and covered by the warranty.

Commercial Roofing in New Castle, DE

If you’ve made it this far in our article, congratulations – you’ve learned quite a bit about commercial roofing! J Smucker Contracting offers commercial roofing services in and around the New Castle region and would love to work with you. If you have any further questions, give us a call or use our contact form!  If you’re interested in potentially using our services, we’ll send out a certified inspector to give you a free estimate and analyze your situation. We hope to hear from you!