Commercial Roofing in Dallas, TX: What Businesses Should Know
Dallas experiences a demanding climate. Blazing summers with intense sun, occasional hailstorms, sudden downpours, and temperature swings all place stress on commercial roofing systems. For business owners and property managers in Dallas, selecting the right roofing system, maintaining it properly, and choosing a contractor with local expertise are all essential to protecting buildings, keeping operations running, and saving on energy and repair costs.
At Choose Kraft / Kraft Commercial Roofing & Restoration, we understand what it takes to design, install, and maintain roofs that perform well year after year in Dallas. Below are key factors, material options, installation best practices, maintenance tips, and guidance for selecting the right contractor for commercial roofing in Dallas, TX.
Understanding Dallas Climate and Roofing Challenges
Dallas sits in North Texas, exposed to:
- High summer temperatures often exceeding 100°F, combined with strong sun and UV exposure. Materials that absorb heat age faster; reflective roofing helps reduce cooling loads. Oracle Cloud Object Storage+2Peak Roofing & Construction+2
- Storms, hail, and high winds, especially during spring and summer. Hail damage is a frequent culprit in roofing failures, and wind uplift at edges and seams is a recurring concern. Oracle Cloud Object Storage+2Excel Construction Group+2
- Temperature swings between day and night, and between seasons, which cause expansion and contraction of roofing materials, stressing seams, fasteners, and flashings. Oracle Cloud Object Storage+1
- Heavy rain and moisture during certain seasons. Flat or low-slope roofs in particular must be designed for proper drainage, reliable membranes, and detail work to prevent leaks. Triumph Roofing and Construction+2Oracle Cloud Object Storage+2
These conditions mean that roofing systems in Dallas must offer not only durability but also excellent resistance to heat, moisture, impact, and thermal movement.
Popular Commercial Roofing Systems for Dallas
Because of the climate challenges, several roofing systems are more commonly used for commercial properties in Dallas. Each has pros and cons depending on roof slope, use, budget, and performance expectations.
Roofing Type | Advantages in Dallas Climate | Trade-Offs / Considerations |
TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) | Good reflectivity (helps with cooling costs), flexibility, resistance to UV damage, relatively cost-effective; suited for flat or low-slope roofs. | Seams must be well welded; some lower quality TPO can degrade over years; installation quality is critical. |
PVC Membrane | Excellent water resistance; good chemical resistance; reflective surfaces; durable for hail and storm exposure. | Higher upfront costs; certain membrane types need good underlayment and detail work around penetrations. |
Metal Roofing (standing seam, metal panels) | Long lifespan; good reflectivity; strong wind resistance; minimal maintenance; good for sloped sections. | Can dent from large hail; noise during storms unless properly insulated; higher cost; metal expansion/contraction requires proper design. |
Modified Bitumen / BUR (Built-Up Roofs) | Proven waterproofing; layered structure adds redundancy; good for heavy traffic areas if properly built and maintained. | Heavier; requires strong deck support; more labor intensive; seams, flashing, edges are critical failure points. |
EPDM (Rubber Roofing) | Lightweight; good flexibility; relatively inexpensive; easier repair for minor damages. | Less reflective unless specially coated; seams and adhesives need high quality; may be more vulnerable at edges and fasteners. |
Cool Roof Coatings | Reflective coatings can reduce heat absorption, extend life of membrane, reduce cooling energy costs. | Coatings may need reapplication; substrate must be in good condition; not a full replacement solution if membrane is failing. |
Key Features to Prioritize for Long-Lasting Performance
When specifying or selecting a commercial roofing system in Dallas, make sure the following are addressed:
- Reflectivity / Solar Reflectance & Emissivity
A roof that reflects more sunlight and radiates less heat inward helps reduce cooling loads. Light-colored or reflective membranes or coatings like TPO, PVC, or reflective metal are beneficial. Peak Roofing & Construction+1 - Hail & Impact Resistance
Dallas sees hail damage frequently. Materials rated for impact resistance, good fastener design, and protective layer options mitigate future damage. Oracle Cloud Object Storage+1 - Wind Uplift Resistance
Sealing edges, using sufficient fasteners or adhesives, and ensuring roof assemblies meet local wind rating codes are essential. Roof edges and flashings are common failure zones. Oracle Cloud Object Storage+1 - Proper Drainage
Flat or low slope roofs must avoid ponding water. Drains, scuppers, gutters, and slopes engineered into the roof deck help ensure moisture does not accumulate. Oracle Cloud Object Storage+1 - Quality Membrane Seams and Flashings
Joints, penetrations (HVAC vents, skylights, piping), and flashing details are frequent points of failure. High-quality workmanship here helps long term performance. - Insulation & Thermal Movement Management
Roof insulation (with good R-value) helps both cooling and winter heating; proper layering helps prevent roof deck stress and energy loss. Accommodating expansion and contraction reduces cracking or metal fatigue. - Warranty & Material Certification
Manufacturer warranties, workmanship warranties, and certifications from material manufacturers ensure that your roof is installed to spec and that failures will be addressed.
What the Roof Replacement or New Installation Process Should Look Like
Whether you are replacing an old roof or installing a new commercial roof, the process should follow a structured plan:
- Assessment and Inspection
Inspect existing roof deck, structural conditions, existing insulation, moisture damage, whether the deck is stable. Identify areas needing repair or replacement. - Material and System Selection
Based on budget, use (traffic, rooftop equipment), slope, expected life, and climate exposure. - Designing Drainage
Ensure roof slope, gutters, scuppers, and drainage features prevent pooling and direct water away properly. - Preparation and Tear-Off (if needed)
Remove old membrane, repair or replace damaged deck components. Make sure the substrate is solid. - Installation by Certified Crews
Use manufacturer certified installers. Ensure membranes, seams, fasteners, edge flashings, roof penetrations are done per best practices. - Inspection and Load-Out
Final inspection of the roof surface, flashings, drainage points; checking for loose screws, proper sealing, cleanliness. - Warranty Documentation and Maintenance Plan
Collect written warranties and establish a regular maintenance schedule with inspections, cleaning, minor repairs.
Maintenance Best Practices for Commercial Roofs in Dallas
Once your roof is in, proper maintenance ensures it delivers value over its lifespan:
- Scheduled Inspections at least twice a year—ideally before summer and after winter; also after major storms.
- Clean Drains and Gutters often to prevent clogging, standing water.
- Check for Debris or Damage: tree limbs, hail dents, loose fasteners, seam separation.
- Repair Small Issues Promptly: avoid small leaks growing bigger, prevent water intrusion.
- Check Flashings and Penetrations regularly because they are common trouble spots.
- Apply Reflective Coatings if appropriate to refresh reflectivity, extend membrane life.
Choosing the Right Commercial Roofing Contractor in Dallas
For big commercial roofing projects, choosing the right contractor matters just as much as choosing roofing material. Look for:
- Local Experience: Contractors who have worked in Dallas understand the weather, local codes, and suppliers.
- Certifications: Manufacturer certified, insurance, bonding, safety training.
- Clear Proposals: Detailed proposals with material specs, warranties, removal/tear-off, timeline, cost.
- Strong References & Portfolios: Examples of similar projects, previous clients.
- Warranty Support: Material and workmanship warranties documented.
- Responsive Service: Especially for emergency repairs, leak response, and upkeep.
Why Dallas Businesses Trust Choose Kraft
Here is what sets Choose Kraft / Kraft Commercial Roofing & Restoration apart in Dallas TX:
- Deep understanding of Texas weather and roofing demands
- Use of factory certified crews and high-quality roofing systems like TPO, metal, cool roofing, PVC, etc.
- Strong warranties including workmanship and material warranties to protect long-term investment
- Full service: from inspection, design, installation, replacement to maintenance programs
- Focus on energy efficiency, durability, and minimizing downtime during roofing projects
Commercial roofing in Dallas is not just about covering a building—it is about protecting investment, energy efficiency, and ensuring safety and comfort for users of the building. With the hot sun, hail, storms, temperature swings, and moisture events common in the region, choosing the right roof system, making smart design choices, and working with a reliable contractor are essential.
If your roof is nearing the end of its useful life or you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient or durable system, contact Choose Kraft / Kraft Commercial Roofing & Restoration for an inspection, a custom proposal, and roofing solutions built specifically for Dallas climate challenges.