Commercial roofing is a different animal than residential. The systems are different. The failure modes are different. The stakes are higher — a leak in a 30,000 sq ft warehouse can damage inventory worth more than the roof itself. We take commercial work seriously: detailed pre-install planning, proper substrate prep, manufacturer-certified installations, and a clean finish that stands up to years of Texas sun.
Commercial properties we roof
- Retail — strip centers, big-box, standalone stores
- Office buildings — single-tenant, multi-tenant, medical
- Warehouses and light industrial
- Restaurants and food-service
- Apartment complexes and multifamily
- Hotels and hospitality
- Churches and religious facilities
- Auto dealerships and service centers
- Storage facilities
Roofing systems we install
TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)
Our most common commercial install in San Antonio. White TPO reflects solar heat, which meaningfully reduces cooling load — an important consideration in Texas where HVAC dominates operating costs. Lifespan 20–25 years. Heat-welded seams are stronger than the membrane itself. Great choice for most single-story commercial with good roof access.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Premium flat-roof membrane. Longer lifespan than TPO (25–30 years) and better chemical resistance. Essential for restaurants, kitchens, and buildings with heavy grease/chemical exhaust exposure. Price premium over TPO pays off when the application warrants it.
EPDM (Rubber Membrane)
Black rubber membrane with a long track record — some EPDM roofs in Texas have exceeded 35 years. Great for mechanical-heavy rooftops where chemical resistance matters and traffic is common. Not as reflective as white membranes, so cooling savings are lower.
Modified Bitumen
Traditional torch-down or self-adhered asphalt-based system. Well-suited for older buildings with existing built-up roofs where membrane-on-membrane isn't practical. 15–20 year lifespan when installed properly.
Standing Seam Metal
40+ year life. Excellent for ag, industrial, and architectural commercial where slope allows. Higher upfront cost but often the lowest lifetime cost per year. We install concealed-fastener standing seam and exposed-fastener metal based on application.
How we run commercial projects
- Pre-bid walkthrough. We inspect the existing roof, identify substrate conditions, map penetrations, note access constraints, and understand your operational schedule before we price anything.
- Detailed scope proposal. Written specification including system type, insulation R-value, fastener pattern, drainage plan, flashing details, and warranty terms. Priced line-item.
- Documentation package. Certificate of Insurance (COI) with your property owner named additional insured, W-9, safety plan, project schedule, and manufacturer certification paperwork.
- Coordination with operations. We work around your business. Off-hours, weekends, phased by section — whatever keeps your tenants working and your customers coming.
- Daily progress communication. Your facility contact gets a daily summary — what we finished, what's next, weather impact, and any findings.
- Manufacturer inspection and warranty. For qualifying systems, a manufacturer rep inspects before warranty is issued. We pass these inspections because the install is done right.
- Ongoing maintenance. Flat and low-slope roofs need annual inspection to maximize lifespan. We offer maintenance contracts that are about 10% of the cost of premature replacement.
Commercial roofing cost in San Antonio
Commercial roofing is priced per square foot of roof area, with costs driven by system type, insulation R-value, substrate condition, parapet and penetration complexity, and accessibility. 2026 San Antonio pricing ranges for new installation or full replacement:
| System | Price per sq ft installed | Typical 10,000 sq ft project |
|---|---|---|
| TPO (60 mil) | $6.50–$9.50 | $65,000–$95,000 |
| TPO (80 mil, premium) | $7.50–$11.00 | $75,000–$110,000 |
| PVC (60 mil) | $8.00–$11.50 | $80,000–$115,000 |
| EPDM (60 mil) | $6.00–$9.00 | $60,000–$90,000 |
| Modified bitumen | $6.50–$9.50 | $65,000–$95,000 |
| Standing seam metal | $12.00–$18.00 | $120,000–$180,000 |
Add-ons that affect pricing: tear-off of existing system ($1.50–$3.50/sq ft), tapered insulation for drainage ($1.00–$2.50/sq ft), new or replacement scuppers and drains ($400–$1,200 each), manufacturer extended warranty registration ($0.10–$0.40/sq ft), after-hours labor premium (15–30%).
San Antonio commercial roofing considerations
Commercial roofing in San Antonio faces environmental and regulatory realities that affect system choice and install details:
- UV and heat degradation. San Antonio sees 230+ sunny days per year with summer roof-surface temperatures exceeding 160°F. White TPO and PVC reflect solar radiation and extend system life; dark membranes (EPDM) age faster under these conditions. For energy-conscious properties, white membrane is the default.
- Hail exposure. San Antonio sits at the southern edge of hail alley. 1–2 inch hail events occur multiple times per decade across the metro. TPO and PVC both withstand moderate hail; large hail (2+ inches) can puncture thinner membranes. 80-mil membranes and hail-rated systems (FM Approvals, UL 2218 for metal) are worth the upcharge in hail-prone areas.
- HVAC load sensitivity. Commercial buildings in SA run cooling 6+ months of the year. Reflective membranes plus adequate insulation (minimum R-25, R-30+ recommended on new construction) can cut cooling costs 10–20% annually — enough to pay back a system upgrade in 3–5 years.
- Code compliance. City of San Antonio Development Services (DSD) permits required for substantial commercial re-roof work. 2021 IECC energy code establishes minimum insulation requirements; commercial roof replacements typically trigger current-code compliance. We pull permits and coordinate inspections as part of every commercial project.
- Drainage and ponding. Flat San Antonio roofs often accumulate ponding water at low spots, which accelerates membrane failure. Tapered insulation retrofits during re-roof address drainage properly — cheaper than fighting recurring leaks at low spots for the next 15 years.
Commercial insurance claims and hail damage
Commercial property insurance handles hail and wind claims similarly to residential, but with larger stakes and often more scrutiny. A 25,000 sq ft commercial building with qualifying hail damage can generate a claim settlement of $200,000–$400,000 depending on system type. Scope accuracy on a claim this size matters enormously. We handle commercial claims end-to-end: pre-claim inspection with per-quadrant damage documentation, adjuster meeting attendance (often involving third-party consultants or engineers on commercial claims), scope review and supplement writing in Xactimate, manufacturer certification coordination for warranty preservation, and final documentation for depreciation release.
Commercial claims where we've recovered significant supplemental scope: restaurant with PVC membrane where initial scope missed greaseexposure requirements for substrate replacement ($47,000 recovered); strip center with TPO where decking damage was understated ($28,000 recovered); warehouse with standing seam metal where functional-vs-cosmetic dent documentation was initially denied and appealed successfully ($180,000 approved on supplement). These outcomes require commercial-claim experience and willingness to document thoroughly — not every roofer works at this level on commercial.
Why property managers and owners choose Wannamaker for commercial work
- Local presence with long-term accountability. We're San Antonio-based. When a warranty issue surfaces 4 years after install, we're still here to address it — not a phone number that forwards to voicemail.
- Manufacturer certifications. Certified installer for Carlisle SynTec, Johns Manville, and major membrane manufacturers — which means we can offer manufacturer-backed warranties up to 30 years on qualifying systems.
- Operations-aware scheduling. We plan around your business. Retail: no work during peak hours. Medical: coordinated with patient schedules. Restaurants: evenings and off-days. Warehouses: weekends when inventory can be protected.
- Standard documentation packages. COI with your owner as additional insured, W-9, OSHA-compliant safety plan, project schedule, Xactimate estimates, manufacturer warranty registration — all provided without having to chase us for them.
- Honest scope. If your roof can be repaired or restored (coated, recovered) for less than replacement, we'll tell you. We'd rather recommend a $40,000 restoration and earn your repeat business than push you into a $200,000 replacement you don't yet need.
Commercial roofing service area
We serve commercial properties across San Antonio, Bexar County, and the surrounding Hill Country — including strip centers, office complexes, warehouses, and industrial properties in Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Boerne, New Braunfels, Schertz, Helotes, Converse, Universal City, and Leon Valley.