Menu

Roof Replacement on Commercial Plaza (Grocery Store Anchor)

An aerial view shows a commercial plaza in Etobicoke, Toronto, where Elite Roofing worker is undertaking a new roof replacement project, with construction materials and equipment visible on the rooftop.

Project Specifications

  • Building Height: 25’

  • Total Roof Area: 22,700 sq.ft.

  • Deck substrate: Steel deck

  • Vapour retardant: Kraft paper applied in adhesive

  • Membrane Type: 2 plies 95 gram per m2 fiberglass reinforced SBS sanded modified base sheet, mopped with hot asphalt

  • Insulation: 1.5” polyisocyanurate installed with mechanical fasteners and 0.5” perlite coverboard applied in hot asphalt

  • Ballast: Pea gravel embedded in a hot asphalt pour

  • Flashings: 2-ply SBS modified bitumen polyester reinforced 180 gram per m2 base sheet and a granular surfaced 250 gram per m2 cap sheet

  • Metal Coping: 26-gauge Series 8000 dark brown pre-painted metal

Project Details

  • Project: Partial roof replacement in Etobicoke on a commercial plaza
  • Client Name: Repeat landlord client
  • Address: Etobicoke, Toronto
  • Timeframe: March 2025 start
An aerial shot shows a commercial plaza in Etobicoke, Toronto, where Elite Roofing is undertaking a new roof replacement project, with construction materials and equipment visible on the rooftop.
for this image An aerial view captures a construction site where a large piece of equipment is being lifted by a crane, with workers, a yellow truck, and a portable toilet visible in the work zone.
A construction site shows a large piece of equipment being lifted by a crane, with workers, a yellow truck, and a portable toilet visible in the work area.
image of a interior of a grocery store.
A brightly lit grocery store interior showcases rows of produce under a high ceiling, with palm tree decorations adding a tropical touch to the shopping environment.
A construction site features a Krack HVAC unit on a gravel rooftop, with a yellow crane and workers visible in the background.

Client Goal/Purpose of Project

The membrane was significantly deteriorated, particularly near the areas of HVAC equipment. The client reported repeated leaks before the replacement. What we found before and during the project presented numerous challenges that required flexibility and extensive planning and coordination.

Key Challenges

After multiple service visits over the past few years, the client was no longer satisfied with the roofing system, realizing it was time for a complete roof replacement. A grocery store that anchored this retail plaza added complexities beyond many commercial roofing projects. Keeping to a tight schedule was essential to meet the project’s objectives and challenges. Given the nature of the project, industry, and location, many other tradespeople were required for the project to succeed. The old roof assembly consisted of a BUR membrane with 4-ply felt and 1.5” fiberboard insulation. Several issues were challenging, requiring unique solutions. Here are some of the key challenges we faced during the project:

Planning

The tenant was concerned about the safety and impact on shoppers and employees during the roof replacement. Interior tarping helped protect shoppers and shelved food during the installation.

We needed a solution for protecting produce, open food preparation areas, and refrigerated/frozen foods during roof construction.  This necessitated an interior tarping solution with one of our third party reliable contractors.

This job required disconnecting the HVAC equipment and chiller refrigeration systems and lifting the equipment by crane. The tenant also chose to arrange for removal and offsite storage of refrigerated and frozen food items.

The grocery store is the anchor of a busy retail mall, requiring a safety perimeter to protect shoppers, employees, and their vehicles. We also needed a staging area and sufficient access for delivery and storage of roofing materials, construction equipment (including a large crane), and supplies from third-party vendors.

This project required a roof replacement due to ongoing leaks. Failure of the roof membrane in the BUR system caused water to penetrate the roof assembly from top to bottom, causing damage to the insulation. 

Management & Execution

Given our nearly 60 years in the Toronto area, we were able to identify highly-qualified, reliable tradespeople. Coordination with third-party contractors included careful scheduling to ensure food safety and minimal disruption during store hours.

The various trade contractors we needed to coordinate with included:

  • Interior tarping contractor to avoid debris falling from the roof and onto food inventory.
  • Grocery store personnel regarding off-site cold/frozen storage of refrigerated and frozen food inventory 
  • HVAC and refrigeration contractors, including a tight disconnect schedule for refrigeration to minimize downtime
  • Crane equipment operator to lift chiller unit

About 50% of the grocery store area required tarping. Areas of produce, fish and meat preparation required extra attention.

We needed to arrange for a third-party crane to lift two refrigeration units and temporarily place them on the ground. These units needed to be reinstalled on the same day.

The roof perimeter’s existing height was sufficient to accommodate the new insulation.

Before Roof Replacement

Overview of the construction site before and during roof replacement: Pictures before the roof replacement show extensive ponding water on the roof and roof membrane deterioration near the HVAC.

Solutions for the Grocery Store Roof Replacement in Etobicoke

The Elite team successfully met the client’s objectives, finding solutions unique to a mall anchor store with special food safety needs. The Elite team resolved all issues encountered during project implementation, sticking to schedule and keeping within budget.

We attribute much of the success to the factors below:

Our nearly 60 year history, including projects in the food industry, allowed us to expertly plan, manage, and execute all aspects of the project.
Our years of experience in the Toronto area, reputation for integrity, and positive relationships with the building trades allowed us to hire the best area crane and interior tarping contractors for this project. Elite led the project, coordinating the work required by other trades (including HVAC connection which were done by Nortown Air).
We regularly inspected and sealed the membrane each night, sometimes performing additional temporary repairs on the old roof sections.
Our project management skills give us the ability to communicate clearly with the landlord, tenant, contractors, and all those involved. We value transparency to promote project alignment and clear understanding of all aspects of the job.

The #EliteAdvantage  

Successfully planning and implementing a grocery store roof replacement in Etobicoke has unique considerations. Avoiding food safety risks requires detailed coordination and strong project management skills. With serious implications for the general public in play, roofing contractors serving the food industry must quickly adapt to the job site and expertly handle the unexpected.  

A roofing contractor’s relevant experience and technical knowledge are paramount for successful food industry projects. Your contractor should have a history of executing the original scope of work while overcoming unanticipated challenges. Also look for a roofing contractor with a reputation for transparency, project leadership skills, and a commitment to meeting your goals. Elite Roofing is dedicated to getting the best results for our clients, aligning with their priorities and meeting whatever challenges come our way. 

Commercial Industrial Roofing Contractor.