REVMA Roofing

Flat Roof Installation & Replacement

REVMA installs EPDM rubber, TPO, modified bitumen and asphalt flat roofs on houses, rowhouses and small multifamily buildings across the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau County & Westchester.

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A new flat roof membrane installed by REVMA

LASTING PROTECTION

Expert Flat Roof Replacements

Most flat roofs in this market fail at the details, not in the middle: parapet copings, drains, bulkheads and the seams around them. We survey what is actually on the deck before we quote, then put the money where the water gets in.

Whether it's a brownstone, a Queens rowhouse or a small apartment building, we guarantee a seamless, hassle-free process. Looking for pitched roof options? Explore our asphalt shingle roofs, composite roofs, or natural slate roofs.

Flat Roof Replacement Warning Signs

Water Pooling

Flat roofs can accumulate standing water, which leads to leaks and structural damage if not properly drained.

Leaks and Moisture

UV exposure and temperature fluctuations can cause the roofing membrane to crack or blister, compromising its effectiveness.

Poor Installation

Incorrect installation can lead to issues like inadequate drainage and premature wear, reducing the roof's lifespan.

Punctures and Tears

Punctures or tears in the roofing material from debris or foot traffic can lead to leaks and further damage down the road.

Flat Roofing Materials

We install multiple flat roofing systems to match your property's needs.

MaterialLifespanCost
TPO20–30 years$$
EPDM25–30 years$
Modified Bitumen20–25 years$$
PVC25–30 years$$$
Built-Up (BUR)15–25 years$$

The three systems we install most are detailed below.

CHOOSE BY SYSTEM

Flat roof systems we install

There is no single best flat roof. The right system depends on how crowded the deck is, whether the rooms below run hot in summer, and how much redundancy you want. Each section below says where the system suits and where it does not.

White TPO membrane on a flat roof

Reflective single-ply for large, open flat roofs

TPO Roofing

TPO is the default single-ply membrane for most new low-slope work in New York, and for good reason: it is a white reflective sheet, it is heat-welded rather than glued, and a correctly welded seam is as strong as the membrane either side of it.

Expected service life
20–30 years
Attachment
Mechanically fastened or fully adhered, depending on deck type and wind uplift.

A thermoplastic polyolefin sheet, typically 60 or 80 mil, rolled out over insulation and hot-air welded at the seams. Because the welds are thermal rather than adhesive, they can be probe-tested on completion and re-welded years later during a repair — which is not true of a fully adhered EPDM seam.

Well suited to

  • Large, unobstructed roof decks where wide sheets can be run with few seams
  • Top-floor rooms that run hot in summer, where a reflective surface cuts cooling cost
  • Flat-roofed houses, rear extensions and small mixed-use buildings across Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx
  • Owners who want a system that can be repaired rather than replaced

Consider something else for

  • Roofs crowded with curbs, vents and equipment, where the seam count climbs and a modified bitumen system is often cleaner
  • Decks where the existing assembly is saturated and needs to come off entirely first
EPDM rubber membrane roofing material

Proven rubber membrane with the longest track record

EPDM Roofing

EPDM is the system with the longest real-world record in this market. It has been on New York roofs since the 1970s, which means we are not guessing at how it ages — we are replacing roofs that told us.

Expected service life
25–30 years
Attachment
Fully adhered, mechanically fastened, or ballasted where the structure allows.

A synthetic rubber membrane, usually black, supplied in large sheets and joined with seam tape. Its strength is dimensional stability and cold-weather performance: it stays flexible through freeze-thaw cycling far better than most alternatives, which is exactly the loading a Northeast roof sees every winter.

Well suited to

  • Roofs that see hard freeze-thaw cycling, which in this region is all of them
  • Roofs that are not visible from the street, where appearance is not a factor
  • Simple decks with long uninterrupted runs
  • Owners prioritising a long, well-understood service life over energy reflectance

Consider something else for

  • Homes trying to reduce summer cooling load — a black membrane absorbs heat, and a white TPO surface is the better answer
  • Roofs with heavy foot traffic unless walkway pads are specified
Modified bitumen membrane on a flat roof

Multi-ply asphalt for cut-up and high-traffic roofs

Modified Bitumen Roofing

Modified bitumen is the successor to traditional built-up tar-and-gravel roofing, and it remains the right answer on the crowded, cut-up roof decks that are common on older New York houses and rowhouses.

Expected service life
20–25 years
Attachment
Torch-applied, hot-mopped, cold-adhesive or self-adhered by building constraints.

Asphalt modified with APP or SBS polymers, reinforced with a fibreglass or polyester mat, and installed in two or more plies. The plies are torch-applied, hot-mopped or self-adhered. Because it is a multi-ply system, a puncture in the cap sheet does not put water straight into the house the way a puncture in a single-ply can.

Well suited to

  • Roof decks crowded with bulkheads, skylights, vents and equipment
  • Roofs that take regular foot traffic for equipment servicing
  • Brownstone and rowhouse rear extensions where the roof is small and heavily detailed
  • Owners who want redundancy more than the lowest installed cost

Consider something else for

  • Owners looking for the lowest installed cost per square foot on a large simple deck
  • Occupied buildings where a torch-applied application is unsuitable — we specify self-adhered or cold-applied instead

PRECISION & EXPERTISE

Professional Flat Roof Replacement Specialists

Our flat roof specialists deliver reliable solutions for houses, rowhouses and multifamily buildings throughout the NYC metro area. With decades of combined experience, we understand the unique challenges that flat roofs face—from ponding water to thermal expansion—and we engineer every installation to address these issues head-on.

We use only the best materials from industry-leading manufacturers like Carlisle, Firestone, and Johns Manville, combined with meticulous installation techniques that maximize longevity and weather resistance. Every project includes proper slope correction for drainage, reinforced seam welding, and comprehensive flashing details around all penetrations.

Whether you're protecting a brownstone, a Queens rowhouse or a small apartment building, we guarantee workmanship that stands the test of time—backed by our warranty and manufacturer certifications.

Finished flat roof

Flat Roof FAQs

Flat roofs are cost-effective, provide extra usable space (e.g., for HVAC units or rooftop decks), and are often easier to install and maintain compared to pitched roofs. They are the standard roof on brownstones, rowhouses and many Queens and Bronx houses.

Common flat roofing materials include EPDM (rubber roofing), TPO, PVC, modified bitumen, and built-up roofing (BUR). Each material has different advantages in durability, energy efficiency, and cost. REVMA installs EPDM, TPO and modified bitumen most often.

The lifespan of a flat roof depends on the material. EPDM can last 25-30 years, TPO 20-30 years, PVC 25-30 years, and modified bitumen typically lasts 20-25 years with proper maintenance.

Flat roofs require regular inspections to check for pooling water, leaks, and membrane damage. Proper drainage and routine maintenance are key to extending their lifespan and preventing costly repairs.

Yes, modern flat roofs can be highly energy-efficient, especially with reflective membranes (like white TPO or PVC) that reduce heat absorption and lower cooling costs.

Get a Durable, Weather-Resistant Flat Roof

A damaged or aging roof can lead to costly issues. Let us upgrade your roof with expert craftsmanship and exceptional service.