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Flat Roof Replacement at 489 College St., Toronto

Flat roof replacement project at a multi-storey brick commercial building located at 489 College St., Toronto.

Project Specifications

  • Building Height: 6 storeys

  • Total Roof Area: 11,151 sq. ft.

  • Deck Substrate: Wood deck

  • Original Insulation: Multiple roof layers; 1.0” fiberboard with underlying original pitch roof

  • Vapour Retarder: Kraft paper

  • Insulation: High-density ISO cover board with fiberglass facer, mechanically fastened

  • Membrane Type: Base sheet – 180 gram per m2 polyester-reinforced, self-adhered and Cap sheet – 250 gram per m2 granular-surfaced reinforced cap sheet, torch-applied

  • Flashings: Base sheet – 180 gram per m2 polyester-reinforced, self-adhered

  • Metal Coping: 26-gauge dark brown pre-painted metal

Project Details

  • Client Name: Group Equities Ltd.
  • Address: 489 College Street West, Toronto
  • Project: Flat roof replacement
  • Timeframe: November 2025 – Current

 

 

After Roof Replacement

A completed commercial flat roof replacement with newly installed gray membrane on College Street in Toronto.
An aerial view of a newly completed flat roof replacement project on College Street with the Toronto skyline in the background.
A top-down aerial view of a newly finished flat roof replacement with a clean gray membrane on College Street in Toronto.
An elevated angle of a commercial building on College Street in Toronto featuring a completed flat roof replacement and adjacent green roof space.
Flat roof replacement project at a multi-storey brick commercial building located at 489 College St., Toronto.

Client Goal/Purpose of Project

At 489 College St. in Toronto, we undertook a complete replacement of a flat roof. The existing roof was at the end of it’s useful life, there were active leaks, and it was generally in need of replacement. The project presented several unique challenges that demanded creative solutions.
"We recently contracted Elite Roofing to replace the roof on one of our office buildings, a project that presented several challenges due to its complexity and the need for the building to remain operational. From the outset, their team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and technical expertise. They managed to navigate the difficult nuances and scheduling constraints, completing the project timely and on budget. The quality of workmanship and attention to detail was outstanding. We highly recommend Elite for any complex commercial roofing project."
Jeffrey P. Peters I President, CEO
Group Equities Ltd. (GEL)

Key Challenges

From the presence of cellular and HVAC equipment to limited ground setup area and roof anchor replacement, we faced several planning and management challenges with this project. Some of the key challenges included:

Key Planning and Management Challenges

The roof was densely populated with cellular antennas and numerous HVAC units, creating obstacles for movement and material staging.

 

 The project scope included replacing and relocating existing roof anchors to comply with current safety standards to integrate with the new roof system.

 

Due to the building’s location, there was very limited space on the ground for equipment, debris disposal, and material staging.

 

High-voltage hydro wires were located near the ground setup and work area and needed to be covered for safety reasons.

 

The existing “on-edge” 2×4 roof deck allowed debris from the roof replacement to fall into occupied areas below, requiring the use of interior tarping and sheeting.

 

The early winter and significant snow accumulation created additional challenges given our already limited workspace.

 

Before & During Roof Replacement

Gravel-ballasted flat roof at 489 College St. in Toronto featuring multiple HVAC units with the city skyline and CN Tower in the background.
Commercial gravel flat roof at 489 College St. featuring York HVAC units and telecommunications equipment with the Toronto skyline and CN Tower in the background.
Gravel-ballasted flat roof at 489 College St. in Toronto featuring multiple HVAC units with the city skyline and CN Tower in the background.
Commercial roofing crew installing a multi-layer flat roof system with new insulation and membrane at 489 College St., Toronto.
A roofer standing on a newly installed white TPO or PVC flat roof membrane at 489 College St., Toronto, during sunset.
Commercial roofing team laying out membrane rolls on a large-scale flat roof project at 489 College St. with the Toronto skyline in the distance.

Our Solutions

These challenges required us to adjust our approach, modify workflows, and implement site-specific solutions in order to complete the work safely and on time. We attribute much of this project’s success to the factors below.

 

Meticulous multi-staged coordination and relocation of the existing cell equipment was required to minimize service disruption. Many of the existing HVAC and cellular units required multiple handlings and relocations to different roof areas to ensure continued operation.
We coordinated with the anchor contractor to safely comply with anchor relocation, as well as accommodating flashing and waterproofing details.
We implemented strict logistics planning to accommodate for the lack of available space.
To ensure worker safety and prevent service interruption, we followed strict safety protocols and protective measures.
The landlord’s contractor applied interior tarping and sheeting to the affected spaces to contain dust and debris, requiring careful coordination with tenants to minimize disruption.
To ensure safe working conditions and keep the project moving forward, snow removal was necessary.

The #EliteAdvantage 

Our ability to deliver complex roofing projects safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption – even with many obstacles – is a primary reason our clients trust us as their commercial roofing contractor. At 489 College St., we had to navigate dense HVAC and cellular equipment, limited staging space, critical safety upgrades, interior protection challenges, and harsh winter conditions – all while keeping the building operational with minimal tenant disruption. 

However, guided by detailed planning, clear coordination, and adaptive problem-solving, we were able to complete the original scope of work within the stated timeline. Backed by strong project leadership and consistent commitment to our client’s priorities, the team at Elite Roofing was able to adapt to the significant challenges that came our way. That’s the Elite Advantage!

 

Commercial Industrial Roofing Contractor.