Blog
4 May 2026
For a commercial building, the roof protects much more than the structure: it protects operations, inventory, equipment and tenants. Whether you manage a store, a warehouse, an industrial building or a flat-roofed office building in Terrebonne, elastomeric membrane is a proven system for this type of roof.
Here is what you need to know about commercial elastomeric roofing : its composition, the possible systems, the challenges specific to commercial roofs, planning the work and maintenance.
An elastomeric roof is a two-ply system of SBS modified bitumen membranes. The first membrane, the base sheet, provides the basic waterproofing; the second, the cap sheet, protects the whole assembly against UV rays and wear. The membranes are torch-applied or self-adhered, depending on the system selected.
SBS modified bitumen stays flexible in cold weather and withstands the building’s expansion and contraction. On a large commercial roof, this flexibility helps limit cracks caused by freeze-thaw cycles.
Toitures OBM installs Soprema systems. The choice of system depends on the building: type of roof deck, existing insulation, wind exposure, equipment on the roof and job site constraints.
In this system, the insulation and some components are mechanically fastened to the roof deck before the membranes are installed. It is often chosen for the steel roof decks of commercial and industrial buildings.
The self-adhered system reduces the use of an open flame when installing certain layers. It can be a good option when the building has heat-sensitive areas or when torch work needs to be limited.
The right system is determined after an analysis of the roof and the building’s needs, not from a one-size-fits-all formula.
Commercial roofs often hold ventilation and air conditioning units, ducts, vents and supports. Each penetration is a point that must be made watertight. Many leaks on these roofs occur around these details, which is why upstands and resealing are so important.
On a large surface, water has to travel a long distance before reaching a roof drain. Clogged roof drains or insufficient slope lead to areas of ponding water that put stress on the membrane. Checking water drainage is part of any thorough inspection.
Ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians regularly walk on commercial roofs. Dropped tools and foot traffic can damage the membrane. Regular monitoring makes it possible to spot this damage before it causes a leak.
A roof replacement or repair on an occupied, operating building requires careful planning. Before the work, roof access, material storage, protection of entrances and coordination with occupants must be planned. Torch-applied installation also requires special precautions.
For a roof replacement, the period from late spring to fall is generally the most favourable. An inspection done in advance makes it possible to prepare a realistic schedule and to stage the work according to the condition of each section of the roof. For any question about permits, check with your municipality.
A well-maintained elastomeric membrane can last several decades. For a building manager, regular maintenance also makes it possible to plan expenses instead of reacting to water infiltration. A maintenance program generally includes:
When the membrane is still sound but the surface shows wear, resurfacing can extend its service life. If the damage is more extensive, a roof replacement can be planned without rushing.
Toitures OBM, located at 1215 Tellier Street in Laval, works in Terrebonne and throughout the region, from Lachute to Repentigny. The company specializes in elastomeric membrane flat roofs for commercial, industrial and multi-unit buildings. It offers elastomeric roof replacement, new flat roof construction, repair, resurfacing, and maintenance and inspection.
Toitures OBM is Soprema PAQ+S certified, CAA-Québec Recommended and holds RBQ licence 5778-2823-01. Before recommending any work, the team analyzes the condition of the roof and the needs of the building, then presents clear, well-explained recommendations. Financing is available through Financeit.
In many cases, yes. Good planning of access, material storage and safety around the building helps limit disruptions. Constraints are discussed before the job begins.
It depends on the roof deck, the insulation, the equipment on the roof and the site constraints. The choice between a mechanically fastened system and a self-adhered system is made after the roof has been analyzed.
How equipment and penetrations will be handled is planned from the outset, in coordination with other trades as needed. The upstands and resealing around each penetration are part of the work.
For the elastomeric roof on your commercial building in Terrebonne, contact Toitures OBM at 514-449-5469, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or request a free quote.
OBM Roofing
Elastomeric membrane specialists for commercial, industrial and multi-unit buildings in Laval, Montreal and the North Shore.
