A new benchmark study from APOC and Cotney Consulting Group is highlighting the growing business advantages of commercial roof restoration compared to traditional reroofing. Analyzing 118 commercial roofing projects, the report found that restoration projects generated nearly twice the gross profit per crew day while requiring smaller crews, less labor intensity and significantly faster completion times. 

Key Findings from the APOC Roof Restoration Index Include:

• Significantly higher profit productivity: Restoration projects generated approximately 85% higher gross profit per crew day—due to smaller crew sizes and fewer days needed to complete a job—compared to reroofing benchmarks, with average returns of ~$8,000 per crew day versus ~$4,300.
• Major time savings: Restoration projects averaged ~8 crew days for a 30,000 SF roof, compared to 13 for recovery and up to 30 for tear-off, enabling faster project turnover and increased annual capacity.
• Improved labor efficiency: Restoration required up to 85% less labor intensity than tear-off methods and could be completed with crews approximately one-third smaller.
• Stronger, more consistent margins: Restoration delivered average gross margins around 43%, with typical ranges between 30%–60%, outperforming many reroofing scenarios.

Access the full report for free!

By Emma Peterson. 

A slower hurricane season offers contractors and property owners an opportunity to improve roof performance with products like APOC’s Polyset AH-160 tile adhesive system. 

This Atlantic hurricane season has been unusually quiet so far. As Alex Schneider reported at the beginning of September, “Historically, about ⅔ of all Atlantic hurricane activity occurs between August 20 and October 10. This is only the eighth time in the satellite era that we've started September with no hurricanes in the Atlantic.” But the current quiet we are experiencing is not a reason to let our guards down. In fact, a Yale Climate Connections article stated that “recent research suggests climate change could supercharge swings between quiet years and hyperactive seasons packed with dangerous storms.” 

So, how do we prepare for this? Use the time we have when it’s quieter to prepare for the busier, more dangerous seasons. An example of what this might look like is roofers proactively installing APOC’s Polyset AH-160 onto their clients’ roofs.  

What is Polyset? It is roof adhesive that adheres concrete or clay tiles more strongly than nails, screws, mortar or wire tie system. How? Polyset utilizes a two-component, low-pressure polyurethane foam formula to adhere each individual tile in place. Not only does this provide improved wind resistance and stronger holding power, it also virtually eliminates the creation for roof deck penetrations to hold tile in place, reducing potential pathways for water intrusion. 

Polyset has been approved by Miami-Dade, the Florida Building Code and the Texas Department of insurance, as well as certified by NEMO. Overall, if you are looking to build stronger roofs that are ready to face whatever the next storm season has in store, APOC’s Polyset is a crucial addition to your toolbox. 

Prepare for storm season with Polyset.

In this CoatingsCoffeeShop™ Coffee Conversations, host Megan Ellsworth is joined by John Kenney from Cotney Consulting Group and Johnny Walker from APOC to examine market research into the profitability, challenges and opportunities shaping commercial roof restoration today. Drawing on insights from the APOC Roof Restoration Index and years of industry experience, the discussion examines how restoration is helping contractors address labor shortages, improve efficiency, create new business opportunities and deliver greater value to building owners. Watch this episode for some surprising numbers!

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A new benchmark study from APOC and Cotney Consulting Group is highlighting the growing business advantages of commercial roof restoration compared to traditional reroofing. Analyzing 118 commercial roofing projects, the report found that restoration projects generated nearly twice the gross profit per crew day while requiring smaller crews, less labor intensity and significantly faster completion times. 

Key Findings from the APOC Roof Restoration Index Include:

• Significantly higher profit productivity: Restoration projects generated approximately 85% higher gross profit per crew day—due to smaller crew sizes and fewer days needed to complete a job—compared to reroofing benchmarks, with average returns of ~$8,000 per crew day versus ~$4,300.
• Major time savings: Restoration projects averaged ~8 crew days for a 30,000 SF roof, compared to 13 for recovery and up to 30 for tear-off, enabling faster project turnover and increased annual capacity.
• Improved labor efficiency: Restoration required up to 85% less labor intensity than tear-off methods and could be completed with crews approximately one-third smaller.
• Stronger, more consistent margins: Restoration delivered average gross margins around 43%, with typical ranges between 30%–60%, outperforming many reroofing scenarios.

Access the full report for free!

By Emma Peterson. 

Johnny Walker explains how contractors can guide clients through the decision between roof replacement and restoration coatings. 

Coatings can be a reliable and convenient way to improve a roof. But they’re not necessarily right for every situation. To learn how you determine whether to suggest coatings to a client, Megan Ellsworth sat down for a special episode of CoatingsCast™ featuring Johnny Walker from APOC/ICP Group.  

Over the course of his career, Johnny has had around four decades of experience with coating systems. Over the decades, he has found that many building owners instinctively lean towards tear offs and replacements over coatings. He explained, “They think, ‘If I tear it all off, I'm getting a brand-new roof and that's the way I want to go.’”  

And this decision isn’t technically wrong. Some building owners prefer starting fresh, whether it’s because they received the building from someone else and don’t know the pre-existing roof state or just prefer to stay in their comfort zone. But, for a lot of building owners, a contractor who asks the right questions and has the right information to share can shift their decision towards coatings.  

What type of things do you need to ask? Johnny explained:  

The first step is always determining a roof’s physical eligibility. And if it is something you could coat, you then need to think about what the building owner’s priorities are. Because if they want to save on the cost of labor and materials, coatings are going to be a great option. Same with sustainability, if they’re trying to reduce waste and build something that can be perpetually restored rather than replaced, coatings are a great choice. 

Further, roof restorations are less invasive than tear-offs, which can make them a good solution for crucial buildings like hospitals that cannot be closed for the course of project. Overall, it is key for every roofer to take the time to work with their client to understand their motivations. Because by understanding their motivations, you will be better equipped to talk to them about restoring their roof with a coating and the benefits that come with that. 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about advising clients making the choice between restoration and replacement. 

By Emma Peterson. 

APOC’s sloping compound makes it easier to fill low spots, improve water flow and protect roofing systems from long-term damage. 

Ponding water is standing water on flat or low-lying parts of a roof and, as every commercial contractor knows all too well, can cause a series of issues including but not limited to moisture intrusion, roof system deterioration and mold growth. Ponding water can also be a frustrating problem to solve, as fixing it often entails changing the slope of the entire roof.  

To help make this problem easier to solve, the team at APOC developed a cost-effective, acrylic-modified, cementitious sloping compound specifically engineered to address ponding water issues. This product, RoofSlope®, provides “a way to fill in low spots on flat roofs and achieve positive slope to aid in proper drainage.” RoofSlope is perfect for both new construction and retrofit work as the patented technology behind the product allows it to create a durable finish that attaches to a wide variety of substrates and matches existing roof compositions. 

The best part? Application in the field is as simple as five steps that can be completed in one trip to the job site: 

1. Clean and prepare: As with any low-slope roofing application, the first step is to clean your roof and ensure that the membrane you’re installing on top of is sound. 
2. Mix, mix, mix: RoofSlope is designed to be mixed with water for application. APOC guidelines dictate that one pail of RoofSlope needs to be thoroughly mixed with 1 ¼ gallons of water. 
3. Application: Once the roof is prepared and the mixture of RoofSlope and water is smooth, contractors should apply it to the roof using a screed board and a trowel. A wet paintbrush is also recommended in order to slope the product flush to the membrane without any lips or raised edges.  
4. Broadcast: This product is fast drying, so you want to immediately broadcast roof granules or sand of similar size (16 grit) onto the product after application while it is still wet. 
5. Clean up: Warm soapy water should be used to clean both tools and hands, with a thorough rinse to ensure product has been removed. 

And with just those five steps, contractors can achieve positive slope on roofs, achieve proper drainage and resolve any ponding issues before they lead to roof system failures.  

Learn more about RoofSlope!

CCS Influencer Johnny Walker says hybrid roof systems increase longevity. 

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with John Walker of APOC. You can read the interview below, listen to the podcast or watch the recording.

Lauren White: Hello everyone, my name is Lauren White with CoatingsCoffeeShop.com, and I am here with Johnny Walker. It's great to see you.

Johnny Walker: Hey, good to see you.

Lauren White: And we are here for our July influencer question. And our topic for this month is hybrid roofing systems in practice, and maybe specifically more about where hybrid solutions outperform traditional systems. So, what do you have to share with us?

Johnny Walker: Yeah, absolutely. I am a huge fan of the hybrid systems. This is something that's fairly new. A lot of coatings manufacturers are starting to look at these systems, because really you're using a self-adhered membrane down to either concrete, to plywood, to dense deck, to some sort of substrate and then putting a fluid applied system over the top of that. So when you think about it being, you're sort of building it up. We think of old built up roofs; you're building that up. You're starting with that self-adhered and then building it up. How is that beneficial over a traditional system? When you think about the restorability, the renewability of it, there's a wide range in warranties everywhere from a seven-year to a 25 year durability, just depending on what you're doing. You can go acrylics, you can go silicones, thermoplastics, emulsions, systems. So you can really design these systems and dial into what the need of that building owner is, what the need of the building is and what the longevity and renewability is. Because unlike traditional systems, which you have to put a restoration over the top of it to renew them or replace them, this system itself is renewable. So you're cleaning it, applying some top coats of your coatings, and then prolonging that life. So it really does have that green roof system to it. That's going to be long term, not just going to be a 20 year, could potentially be a 30, 40, 50 year, depending on how well you maintain it and how long you're looking for.

Lauren White: Yeah, amazing. Well, awesome. Well, thank you so much for your time. And for those of you listening, make sure that you check out John Walker's influencer profile and check out APOC's directory on coatingscoffeeshop.com. And we will see you next month for our August topic.

Johnny Walker: Fantastic, thank you.

In this CoatingsCoffeeShop® Coffee Conversations, sponsored by APOC, industry leaders take a deep look at where the roof restoration market is headed right now and what’s driving change. We start with introductions and move quickly into the biggest trends shaping the sector, from economic pressures and sustainability priorities to the growing impact of AI and technology on restoration practices. The panel explores why demand for restoration services is rising, how customers respond to sustainability as a selling point compared with tear-offs, and what larger market forces are influencing contractor decisions. Along the way, we dig into how the insurance environment intersects with these trends and whether we’re seeing similar patterns across the country. Finally, we point contractors to resources and strategies that can help them stay ahead in a fast-evolving restoration landscape.

Listen to the podcast.

Watch the Coffee Conversations.

By John Walker, APOC.

Compared with traditional tear-offs and reroofs, roof restoration has emerged as a cost-effective, minimally disruptive and effective option for professional roofing contractors and their customers alike.

Reroofing a commercial building can be a cumbersome but necessary task for major structures anywhere. Such projects can last for weeks, cause disruption to internal activities and can invite the potential for installation error that can compromise long-term performance. 

But the truth is that a full reroof is not always as necessary as it may seem. And that means opportunity for both roofing contractors and their customers.  

Commercial roof restoration has emerged as a increasingly viable alternative for any roof type. Restoration techniques that are performed with high-quality materials are effective in ensuring commercial roofs regain and maintain their full performance potential over the course of their lifetimes and at a fraction of the cost for a full replacement. Not only does restoration reduce the likelihood of failure, but it also extends the longevity of your commercial roof, regardless of type.  

Recent research proves this to be true. Cotney Consulting Group, a business consulting firm specializing in the commercial roofing industry, recently conducted a thorough study comparing commercial roof restoration performed with high-performance coatings versus reroofing, including recover and tear-off methods. The results were significant, showing that roof restoration can lead to improved profit productivity, enhanced labor efficiency, greater time efficiency and stronger margins for contractors.  

Indeed, restoration can be an effective and profitable strategy. In this article, we’ll explore how to determine if a roof is a good candidate for restoration, the basics of sound restoration techniques and specific findings from the Cotney Consulting Group’s report. Let’s explore:  

Determining if a roof is a good restoration candidate 

First, contractors must determine if the existing roof is in good enough condition for restoration techniques to be effective. To start, a good rule of thumb is that roofs that are 20%-25% (or more) saturated will likely need to be replaced in their entirety based on varying building codes and standards. But a thorough assessment of the roof is necessary to get the full picture.  

This process begins with a visual inspection, which should involve clearing off any trash or accumulated debris that could disguise hidden problem areas. Some initial clues may include:  

• A splitting membrane that is visible to the naked eye for experienced professionals
• A soft area underfoot that is an indicator of saturated insulation
• Rusted, rotted or cracked decking that can be seen from the inside of the building
• Ponding water that could indicate structural sagging in the deck

Infrared thermography along with field verification can be deployed for a more thorough assessment of wet insulation. Small, hand-held infrared cameras are great for smaller roofs. For very large roofs, aerial infrared photography, when possible, can be effective.  

Visual findings should be confirmed through a series of tests, including:  

• A peel adhesion test that can help determine the viability of coating solutions
• Core cutting, which while destructive, can be eye-opening, helping to validate the visual moisture survey and helping to confirm how many layers of roofing actually exist
• Wind uplift testing when necessary can be used to determine the state of the membrane—remember that membranes can become decimated by a storm but may stay in place

Finally, a licensed structural engineer should be retained if there is any evidence of structural failure or additional loading on the roof (condensing units, blowers, metal screens, ballasted antennas, etc.).  

When the roof inspection is complete, it’s time to determine a path forward. Roofs with low to moderate damage and saturation levels are often good candidates for roof restoration rather than a full reroof and can be a cost-effective option when the circumstances call for it. Reroofs will be required in more extreme scenarios such as elevated levels of insulation saturation, decking deterioration and more. 

Evaluating a building’s needs 

In addition to the physical characteristics and condition of the roof, it is also worth evaluating the anticipated service life of the building.  

Not every structure merits the same level of repair work. For example, a small retail store that sits in the path of a proposed freeway expansion might not need a repair that ensures 20 years of performance. A major museum in the hub of a cultural district, by contrast, will require a long-term solution.  

Also worth consideration is potential expansion plans for the structure. It is generally more economical to reroof a structure in conjunction with an expansion rather than splitting the project across multiple years. The need for roof access and the impact on building operations can be greatly reduced if both projects can be performed at the same time. 

In any case, proven repair solutions are available to best suit the needs of the given situation. 

The basics of roof restoration 

It’s helpful to explore the basics of roof restoration and the benefits restoration can bring for contractors and building owners alike when compared to tear-off and replacement jobs. Generally, a restoration project looks like this: 

1 - Contractors can begin by removing any debris and thoroughly cleaning the roof (performed in conjunction with your initial assessment and inspection) to best uncover areas that are to be repaired and to create a workable surface for the rest of the project.  

2 - A high-performance primer is applied to the roof membrane to ensure good adhesion for patching, stain blocking and rust inhibition.  

3 - A high-performance patch system is applied to seal the roof and ensure all parts of the system are watertight and deliver reliable waterproofing protection.  

4 - Supplemental protective coatings can be applied to better protect against common forms of roof damage, helping to ensure greater overall longevity for the roof system. 

This work generally does not require specialized equipment and does not leave the building interior exposed while the job takes place. And if you can successfully bring an existing roof back up to its original performance level with restoration methods, you can move on to your next job more quickly. 

It’s also important to remember that performing quality restoration work requires sourcing reliable, proven products from a trusted supplier. High-performing primers, coatings, adhesives, caulks, sealants and other materials will help to ensure longevity and performance your customers can trust.  

Major benefits for contractors 

In its recent study, Cotney Consulting Group sought to compare restoration with reroofing based on four key factors: Profit productivity, time efficiency, labor efficiency and margin strength. The study evaluated 118 commercial roof restoration projects, analyzing actual costs, contract value and gross profit metrics. This data was cross-referenced with historical project data from the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and adjusted for inflation. 

The findings were significant, including: 

Improved profit productivity. Findings showed that restoration generates ~85% higher modeled gross profit per crew day vs. reroof options. Further, restoration can deliver nearly double the profit per crew day compared to reroofing. From a dollar perspective, restoration averages ~$8,000 in gross profit per crew day compared to ~$4,300 for reroof projects. 

Enhanced labor efficiency. Results showed that restoration can require materially lower labor intensity—up to ~85% less vs. tear-off benchmarks. Time on job decreases significantly as well, with restoration requiring up to ~50% fewer labor hours than recover scenarios. For contractors, these figures show that restoration jobs can be performed with a 33% smaller crew required compared with reroof projects. 

Greater time efficiency. Restoration averages ~eight crew days compared to 13 for recovery and 26–30 for tear-off. Findings also showed that restoration can be completed in roughly one-third the time of tear-off projects. These results were consistent across a range of building square footages. 

Stronger margins for contractors. Results found that restoration generates stronger average gross margins compared to study comparison ranges for reroof alternatives by a weighted average gross margin of ~43%. That can make a major impact for roofing contractors and their businesses. 

Overall, roof restoration offers commercial building owners a practical, cost-effective way to extend roof life and restore performance without the disruption and expense of a full replacement. For roofing contractors, it also represents a valuable growth opportunity that can help meet customer needs, strengthen long-term relationships and support a more profitable business.

APOC RoofSlope Auxiliary Sloping Compound provides a quick and easy way to fill in low spots on flat roofs and achieve positive slope to aid in proper drainage. This patented technology provides a durable finish with the ability to match existing roofing compositions. The RoofSlope compound is excellent for new construction as well as retrofit work, minimizing costs associated with fixing slope-to-drain issues.

• Eliminates Ponding Water - Achieves Positive Slope to Aid in Proper Drainage
• Superior Bond Strength - Bonds to a Wide Variety of Substrates
• Quick & Easy Application - Saves Time & Labor

Learn more and get Roofslope today!