Commercial Roof Installation · Savannah GA
Phase-by-phase commercial roof installation in Savannah — TPO, PVC, EPDM, standing-seam metal, and coatings. Documented work, minimal-disruption scheduling, warranty-backed.
Quick Answer
Coastal Roofing of Georgia (CRG) installs new commercial roofs across Savannah and the Coastal Georgia region. Our process: site assessment, system specification, scheduled tear-off, deck inspection, insulation, membrane or panel install, edge and penetration detailing, then a documented close-out. Most commercial installs take 1 to 3 weeks per building. We work around your business hours. Call (912) 312-0507 for an installation estimate.
Process Overview
Commercial roof installation is a multi-week project that touches the building's operations, employees, and tenants. Done right, it's invisible — work happens above, business continues below. Done wrong, it produces leaks, equipment damage, and code violations.
Coastal Roofing of Georgia runs every commercial install through the same eight-phase process: assessment, specification, scheduling, tear-off, deck inspection, insulation, membrane installation, then close-out with documentation. The system varies (TPO, PVC, EPDM, metal, coatings) — the process doesn't.
Phase 1 — Assessment
Every commercial install starts with a rooftop walk. We measure the building, count penetrations, document edge conditions, photograph the existing roof, and identify drainage paths. Where moisture is suspected, we run an infrared survey to map wet insulation before quoting.
The assessment determines what system is appropriate (TPO, PVC, EPDM, metal, or coating), what insulation strategy fits, and what edge and curb details are needed. We do not quote a commercial install over the phone or off Google Earth — site conditions drive every line item.
Phase 2 — Specification
From the assessment, we write a detailed scope: membrane type and thickness, insulation board type and R-value, edge metal profile, curb flashing detail, fastener pattern, warranty term. The scope is what you sign — not a vague proposal. Pricing is line-item by component so you see exactly what's included.
For larger projects we recommend competitive material brand selection. For smaller jobs we use our standard supplier relationships to keep cost down and lead time predictable.
Phase 3 — Scheduling
Commercial roof permits typically take 1-2 weeks in Chatham County and 2-3 weeks in surrounding jurisdictions. We pull permits, coordinate with your building manager or tenants, and schedule the install around your operations. For retail and restaurants we typically work overnight or on early-morning shifts to avoid customer disruption. For warehouses we work in zones so production continues in unaffected bays.
Material lead times: TPO and EPDM 1-2 weeks; PVC 2-3 weeks; standing-seam metal 4-6 weeks for custom panel manufacturing. We order material at scope-signing so install can start as soon as permit and weather allow.
Phase 4 — Tear-Off
Tear-off removes the existing roof down to the structural deck. We protect the building below with edge tarping and crane-loaded debris removal — no chutes, no rooftop dumpsters that could overload the structure. Tear-off typically completes in 1-2 days for a 20,000 sqft commercial roof.
If rain is forecast during tear-off, we tear off only what we can dry-in (install temporary watertight cover) before end of day. This is the single biggest determinant of whether a commercial install causes interior leaks. Our policy: never tear off what we can't close.
Phase 5 — Deck Inspection
With the existing roof off, we inspect the structural deck (steel, concrete, or wood) for rot, rust, fastener pullout, deflection, or damage. Any deck repair happens here — before insulation goes down. The cost of deck repair is rarely included in the original quote because it can't be known until tear-off. We document deck condition with photos and present any repair cost as a change order before proceeding.
Phase 6 — Insulation
Most commercial buildings in Coastal Georgia require R-25 or higher insulation per current energy code. We install polyiso insulation board in two staggered layers, mechanically fastened or fully adhered depending on system. Tapered insulation builds slope where the deck is flat — critical for positive drainage on TPO, PVC, and EPDM membranes.
A cover board (DensDeck, SecuRock, or HD insulation) goes over the insulation to provide a hail-resistant, fire-rated substrate for the membrane.
Phase 7 — Membrane or Panel Install
This is where the system shows. For single-ply membranes (TPO, PVC, EPDM): the membrane rolls out across the cover board, seams are heat-welded or seam-taped, edges are terminated with metal, penetrations get pipe boots and curb flashings. For standing-seam metal: clip layout, panel installation, ridge and rake closures, then mechanical seaming.
Detail work at parapets, curbs, drains, scuppers, and equipment penetrations is where most commercial roofs fail prematurely. We follow the membrane or panel manufacturer's full detail spec — not a contractor shortcut. See our 3D systems hub for phase-by-phase install walkthroughs of TPO, PVC, EPDM, metal, and acrylic systems.
Phase 8 — Close-Out
Final inspection: we walk the roof with you (or your designated rep), confirm every detail, then submit warranty paperwork to the manufacturer. You receive a project close-out package: warranty certificate, system specification sheet, install photos, drainage layout, and a maintenance schedule.
Manufacturer warranties on commercial single-ply typically run 15-30 years; standing-seam metal carries 30-40 year material warranties. Our workmanship warranty runs 2-5 years depending on system. Maintenance contract (CoastalCare) keeps the manufacturer warranty in force and catches issues at the small-cost stage.
Frequently Asked
A typical commercial roof installation in Savannah takes 1 to 3 weeks per building from tear-off to close-out. A 20,000 square foot TPO installation runs about 1.5-2 weeks; a 50,000 square foot standing-seam metal install runs 3-4 weeks. Add 1-2 weeks for permitting at the front end and 4-6 weeks for custom metal-panel manufacturing if you're going with standing-seam. Coastal Roofing of Georgia schedules installations around your business hours so operations continue below.
Coastal Roofing of Georgia runs every commercial installation through eight phases: 1) site assessment with measurements and IR moisture survey, 2) written system specification, 3) permits and scheduling, 4) tear-off of existing roof with same-day dry-in, 5) structural deck inspection and repair, 6) insulation board installation with tapered slope where needed, 7) membrane or panel installation with full manufacturer-spec detail work, 8) final inspection with warranty submission and documentation handoff.
It can — if the contractor tears off more roof than they can close before the day ends. Coastal Roofing of Georgia's policy is to never tear off what we can't dry-in (install temporary watertight cover) before end of day. We monitor forecasts continuously during a commercial install and adjust the day's work area to stay ahead of weather. Properly managed commercial installs produce zero interior leaks during the project.
Sometimes — depends on the existing system, code, and deck condition. A recover install (new system over existing) saves tear-off cost and time but adds weight to the deck, traps any moisture in the existing assembly, and limits warranty options. Building code typically allows at most two roof layers. We inspect the deck and existing roof, run an IR moisture survey, and confirm code compliance before recommending a recover versus tear-off. In Coastal Georgia, tear-off is the better choice for most commercial buildings because of moisture exposure history.
Commercial roof installation in Savannah runs $5.50 to $18.00 per square foot installed, depending on system: TPO $5.50-$8.50, EPDM $5.50-$9.00, PVC $7.00-$11.00, modified bitumen $6.00-$11.00, built-up roof $7.00-$11.00, standing-seam metal $11.00-$18.00, acrylic coating restoration $2.50-$4.50. Final price depends on roof size, deck condition, insulation R-value, penetration count, edge complexity, and warranty term. Coastal Roofing of Georgia gives free written quotes with line-item pricing.
The best time to install a commercial roof in Savannah is September through May. June through August carries hurricane-season risk and afternoon thunderstorms that complicate scheduling. Single-ply membranes (TPO, PVC) install across the full year in Coastal Georgia's mild climate — adhesives just need temperature minimums met. Metal installs year-round. Coatings need 50°F+ ambient temperature with no rain for 24-48 hours — typically March-October. We schedule the install window based on system, building, and your operations calendar.
Coastal Roofing of Georgia (CRG) is a commercial roofing installation contractor based in Richmond Hill, GA, serving Savannah, the Coastal Georgia region, and the South Carolina Lowcountry. We install TPO, PVC, EPDM, standing-seam metal, modified bitumen, built-up roof, and coating systems on warehouses, retail, schools, churches, hospitals, and industrial buildings. Call (912) 312-0507 for a free installation assessment with a written quote.
Yes — commercial roof installation, replacement, or significant repair requires a building permit in Chatham County and all surrounding jurisdictions in Coastal Georgia. Permitting typically takes 1-2 weeks for Chatham County and 2-3 weeks for outlying jurisdictions. Coastal Roofing of Georgia pulls all required permits, coordinates inspections, and handles permit close-out as part of the install. We're licensed and insured in Georgia and South Carolina.
More Commercial Roofing Resources
Our flagship commercial roofing page for Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
2026 pricing per system, per square foot, with real build-out examples.
Interactive 3D models of TPO, PVC, EPDM, metal, and acrylic systems.
Coverage page for the Savannah / Pooler / Garden City corridor.
How we plan, install, and stand behind every commercial roof.