Locally Owned Since 2004
Commercial Roofing in Virginia Beach, VA
Every commercial roof is different. The right approach depends on the building, what’s on the roof now, how water drains off it, and how the property is used day to day. Reitzel Exteriors has worked on roofs across Hampton Roads since 2004. For commercial properties in Virginia Beach, we start by understanding the building and the existing roof, then talk through whether replacement makes sense and what the project would involve.
Commercial Roofing Services for Virginia Beach Properties
Commercial roofing work starts with one question: what does this roof actually need? Here’s where we can help.
Commercial Roof Replacement
When a commercial roof has reached the end of its useful life, has widespread damage, or keeps leaking despite repairs, replacement may be the practical choice. We review the existing roof and its condition first, so the scope fits your building instead of a one-size-fits-all estimate.
Commercial Roofing Consultation
Not sure what your roof needs? Tell us about the building, the roof, and what you’re seeing. We’ll talk through the situation, look at the existing conditions, and explain whether replacement is worth evaluating now or later.
Commercial Roof Repair
For leaks, damaged flashing, or problems in one area of an otherwise sound roof, a targeted repair may extend the roof’s life. We look at whether a repair will actually hold before recommending one.
Commercial Roof Inspections
An inspection documents the condition of the roof surface, seams, flashing, drainage, and penetrations, so you can plan repairs, budget for replacement, or check the roof after a storm.
Commercial Roof Maintenance
Periodic checks, clearing drains, and catching small problems early can help a commercial roof last longer. Ask about a maintenance schedule for your property.
Understanding Commercial Roofing Systems
Most commercial buildings don’t have roofs like a house. Instead of steep slopes covered in shingles, many have flat or low-slope roofs where water drains more slowly and the details matter more.
Low-slope roofs
Roofs with little pitch. Water runs off slowly, so the surface has to stay watertight even when water sits on it for a while.
Membrane systems
Many low-slope roofs are covered by a continuous membrane instead of overlapping pieces. Seams and attachment points are where they’re most vulnerable.
Drainage
Internal drains, scuppers, gutters, and the roof’s slope move water off. When drainage is blocked or undersized, water ponds.
Flashing
Where the roof meets parapet walls, curbs, and edges. Flashing failures are one of the most common leak sources.
Roof penetrations
Pipes, vents, skylights, and conduit. Each one has to be sealed and kept that way.
HVAC equipment
Rooftop units add weight, foot traffic, and penetrations, and they shape how a replacement is planned.
Roof access
How crews and materials can safely reach the roof affects both planning and cost.
Existing materials
What’s on the roof now, and whether there’s more than one layer, shapes what a replacement involves.
Common Commercial Roofing Materials
These are general examples, not a list of what Reitzel installs.
• TPO
A single-ply membrane, usually white, with heat-welded seams. Common on low-slope commercial buildings.
• EPDM
A single-ply synthetic rubber membrane, usually black, used on low-slope roofs for decades.
• Modified bitumen
Asphalt-based reinforced sheets applied in layers, often on low-slope roofs.
• Metal roofing
Panels used on sloped commercial roofs and some low-slope designs.
No single material is right for every building. The choice depends on slope, drainage, building use, existing materials, rooftop equipment, and budget.
Signs Your Commercial Roof May Need Attention
These are common signs a commercial roof needs a closer look:
01
Water stains on ceiling tiles or upper walls
02
Active leaks during rain
03
Leaks that keep coming back after repairs
04
Visible tears, blisters, or open seams in the roof surface
05
Loose or deteriorated flashing at walls, curbs, and edges
06
Water that stays on the roof long after rain stops (ponding)
07
Clogged or slow drains and scuppers
08
Damage after a storm, such as lifted edges or debris on the roof
09
Repeated failures in different parts of the roof
One sign doesn't tell you the cause or the fix.
A stained ceiling tile can come from a single failed seam, a clogged drain, or HVAC condensation, and none of those automatically means the roof needs replacing. Commercial roofs can also be hard and dangerous to access. Rather than sending staff onto the roof, note what you’re seeing inside (where, during what kind of rain, and how often) and share it when you call.
Should You Repair or Replace Your Commercial Roof?
The answer comes from the roof’s condition and your plans for the building, not a rule of thumb. These are the main factors:
Extent of damage: One area, or spread across the roof
Existing roof condition: How the rest of the surface, seams, and flashing are holding up
Age of materials: How much useful life the current system likely has left
Repeated leaks: Especially in different areas
Moisture: Whether water has reached the insulation or deck below the surface
Drainage issues: Problems a repair can’t solve
Repair feasibility: Whether the existing material can still be repaired reliably
Building plans: How long you’ll own or occupy the building, and any planned renovations or equipment changes
Budget: Whether to repair now and plan replacement for a later budget cycle
When Repair May Be Reasonable
Damage is limited, the rest of the roof is in serviceable condition, and moisture hasn’t spread under the surface. A repair can also make sense when replacement is already planned for a future budget year.
If a repair is the better choice for your building, we’ll tell you.
When Replacement May Be Worth Evaluating
Leaks keep returning in different places, moisture has spread under the surface, drainage problems are built into the current roof, or the materials are near the end of their life. At that point, continued repairs can cost more than they fix.
Commercial Roof Replacement in Virginia Beach
Replacing a commercial roof is a significant project, and no two are the same. A single-story retail building, a church, and a multi-tenant office each come with different roof sizes, access, rooftop equipment, and schedules. Here’s how a replacement project generally comes together:
1
Review the existing roof
Learn the building’s history: roof age, past repairs, where leaks have shown up, and any warranty or maintenance records you have.
2
Evaluate roofing conditions
Look at the roof surface, seams, flashing, drainage, penetrations, and rooftop equipment, and watch for signs of moisture below the surface.
3
Determine the project scope
Decide what needs to be removed, what can stay, and what has to be corrected, such as drainage problems or damaged decking.
4
Plan access and scheduling
Work out staging, deliveries, any lift or crane needs, parking, and timing around your operations and the weather.
5
Complete the agreed roofing work
Remove existing materials as scoped and install the new roofing system, flashing, and details according to the plan.
6
Review the finished project
Go over the completed work and confirm the site has been cleaned up.
How long a replacement takes depends on roof size, how much has to be removed, weather, access, and the building’s complexity. We’ll give you an expected schedule once the scope is set, instead of guessing before we’ve seen the roof.
Planning a commercial roof replacement?
What Affects Commercial Roofing Costs?
Commercial roof pricing is built around the specific building and scope, which is why two buildings of similar size can have very different costs. Replacement is often estimated by roof area, but the per-square-foot figure depends on:
Roof size
Existing materials and the number of layers
Roof condition, including wet insulation or damaged decking
Removal and disposal requirements
Roof access and staging space
Building height
Drainage corrections
Number of penetrations and rooftop units
Material and system selection
Project complexity, such as parapets, edge details, or phased work
Labor requirements and scheduling constraints
A reliable number comes after someone has seen the roof and the scope is defined. We’ll explain what’s included so you can compare proposals on the same terms. Want to talk through your building? Call 757-513-7053.
Commercial Roofing Considerations in Coastal Virginia
Heavy rain
Low-slope roofs depend on drains and scuppers. Heavy downpours expose weak drainage and open seams quickly.
Wind
Edges, corners, and perimeter flashing take the most wind pressure. Secure edge attachment matters on exposed buildings.
Humidity
Moisture trapped under a roof surface can damage insulation and decking over time, even without a visible leak.
Building exposure
Height, open surroundings, and distance from the water change how much weather a roof takes.
No roof is storm-proof. A good roofing decision accounts for the building’s design, drainage, and exposure, and the materials that suit them.
Why Work With Reitzel Exteriors?
Local Experience Since 2004
Marc and Courtney Reitzel started the company in 2004, and we still work out of our office on Virginia Beach Blvd.
Clear Project Communication
You’ll know the scope, the schedule, and who to contact. Changes get discussed before they happen, not after.
Practical Recommendations
We explain what the roof needs and why, so you can make a decision that fits the building and the budget.
Respect for Your Property
Planned staging, organized work areas, and cleanup at the end of the project.
Where we work
Commercial Roofing in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads
Our office is in Virginia Beach, and we serve commercial properties throughout the city. We also work with property owners and managers in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News. If your building is elsewhere in Hampton Roads, give us a call and ask.
From Homeowners
What Customers Say About Reitzel Exteriors
Here’s what customers have said about working with us.
Have Questions About Your Commercial Roof?
Whether you’re dealing with recurring leaks, planning a replacement for next year’s budget, or just trying to understand what’s happening on your roof, we’re glad to talk it through. Call us or send a few details about the property. We’ll discuss your roofing concerns, the building’s conditions, and what a project might involve.
- 757-513-7053
- info@reitzelexteriors.com
- 3324 Virginia Beach Blvd Ste 108 Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Commercial Roofing FAQs
What commercial roofing services does Reitzel Exteriors offer?
Our commercial roofing work centers on roof replacement for properties in Virginia Beach and across Hampton Roads. If you’re not sure what your roof needs, call and describe the building. We’ll tell you whether it’s something we can help with.
How do I know if a commercial roof needs replacement?
Signs include leaks that keep returning in different areas, widespread damage to the roof surface, moisture under the surface, persistent drainage problems, and materials near the end of their life. None of these alone settles it. Looking at the roof’s overall condition is the best way to decide.
What affects commercial roof replacement costs?
Roof size, existing materials and layers, removal needs, roof condition, access, building height, drainage corrections, penetrations, rooftop equipment, and the roofing system selected all affect cost. That’s why per-square-foot figures vary so much from building to building. A written proposal follows once the scope is defined.
Can a commercial roof be repaired instead of replaced?
Often, yes. If damage is limited and the rest of the roof is in serviceable condition, a repair may extend its life. If leaks keep recurring or moisture has spread under the surface, replacement may make more sense.
What roofing materials are used on commercial buildings?
Common systems include single-ply membranes like TPO and EPDM, modified bitumen, and metal, plus shingles on some sloped commercial roofs. The right choice depends on slope, drainage, building use, existing materials, and budget.
How long does commercial roof replacement take?
It depends on roof size, how much has to be removed, access, rooftop equipment, weather, and how the work is phased around operations. A small, simple roof and a large multi-section roof are very different projects. We’ll give you an expected schedule once the scope is set.
What causes commercial roof leaks?
Common causes include failed seams, damaged or loose flashing, deteriorated sealant around penetrations, clogged drains, ponding water, storm damage, and foot traffic around rooftop equipment. Water can travel before it shows up inside, so the stain isn’t always right below the source.
How does drainage affect commercial roofing?
Low-slope roofs rely on slope, drains, scuppers, and gutters to move water off. When drains clog or the roof has low spots, water ponds and puts extra stress on the roofing materials, seams, and flashing. Correcting drainage is often part of a replacement scope.
Will commercial roofing work disrupt business operations?
Some disruption is normal: noise, equipment in parking areas, and restricted areas near the work. Planning access, deliveries, parking, and tenant notices ahead of time keeps it manageable. We’ll talk through your building’s needs before the schedule is set.
Does Reitzel Exteriors serve commercial properties outside Virginia Beach?
Yes. Our office is in Virginia Beach, and we also serve commercial properties in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News. Call 757-513-7053 to talk about your property.