The Benefits of Commercial Roof Restoration vs. Replacement
When facing issues with your commercial roof, the big question is often: should you restore or replace it? At Maximus Roofing, we've helped hundreds of business owners make this decision, and in many cases, restoration proves to be the smarter choice.
Understanding Your Options
Before diving into the benefits, let's clarify what each option entails:
Roof Replacement
Involves completely tearing off and disposing of your existing roof and installing a brand-new roofing system.
Roof Restoration
A process that extends the life of your existing roof through thorough cleaning, repairs, and the application of specialized coating systems.
The Financial Advantage
Perhaps the most compelling reason to consider restoration is the significant cost savings. A full roof replacement typically costs $10-15 per square foot, while restoration ranges from $4-7 per square foot, representing savings of up to 45%.
These savings become even more substantial when considering the tax advantages. Under Section 179 of the tax code, roof restoration can often be fully deducted as a maintenance expense in the year it's completed, whereas a replacement must be capitalized and depreciated over 39 years.
Environmental Benefits
In addition to financial advantages, roof restoration offers compelling environmental benefits:
Reduces landfill waste – When you restore rather than replace, you keep thousands of pounds of roofing material out of landfills.
Lower energy consumption – Our restoration coatings can reduce roof temperature by up to 30°F.
Extended roof lifespan – Properly maintained restored roofs can last 20+ years.
Minimal Business Disruption
One often overlooked benefit of restoration is the minimal disruption to your business operations. A full replacement can be noisy, messy, and sometimes requires temporary closure. Restoration work is:
Quieter
Less intrusive
Faster to complete
Less likely to disrupt your daily operations
Case Study: Local Success Story
Last year, we worked with Sacramento Valley Distribution Center, a 125,000 sq. ft. warehouse facing serious roofing issues. They were quoted $1.2 million for a full replacement with an estimated 3-week completion time.
Our team proposed a restoration solution that:
Cost only $550,000 (54% savings)
Was completed in just 8 days
Reduced their summer cooling costs by 28%
Came with our 20-year warranty
"Choosing restoration over replacement was one of the best business decisions we made last year. Not only did we save a significant amount on the initial cost, but our energy bills have noticeably decreased as well." – James Thornton, Facility Manager
Is Restoration Right for Your Roof?
While restoration offers numerous benefits, it's not the right solution for every roof. Restoration works best when:
Your roof is structurally sound with no major water infiltration.
Less than 25% of the insulation is wet or damaged.
The roof has not been previously restored multiple times.
You want to extend the life of a roof that's nearing the end of its service life.
Next Steps
If you're considering your options between roof restoration and replacement, the first step is a professional assessment. Our team can conduct a thorough inspection to determine if your roof is a good candidate for restoration.
Contact Maximus Roofing today to schedule your free roof evaluation. Our experts will provide honest recommendations based on your roof's condition, budget, and long-term facility plans.
Remember: Making the right decision now can save you significant money—both immediately and over the long term.