Blog – Andrews Roofing

By Andrews Roofing | June 4, 2026

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Category: Andrews Roofing, MicroGuard Leaf Protection, Rapid Rain Gutter System, Residential Roofing

Is Your Roof’s Drainage System Ready for Storm Season?

Between the humidity, the nor’easters, tropical storms and the occasional full-blown hurricane, Hampton Roads knows rain and knows that it’s not to be dealt with lightly.

A well-designed drainage system is one of the most important (and often the most overlooked) investments you can make in your home. When water has nowhere to go, it finds its way into your home’s fascia, down your siding, and finally – into your foundation. But proper drainage isn’t just about gutters. There are many components that work together to keep water moving away from your home. Here’s a breakdown of what your roof drainage system should consider and why.

Drainage: The Unsung Hero

Your roofing materials get a lot of attention: shingles, flashing, underlayment. But even the highest end roofing materials aren’t worth much if water can’t exit the system efficiently. Poor drainage leads to pooling water, which accelerates shingle deterioration, promotes mold and mildew growth, and puts unnecessary weight and stress on your roof structure. In our coastal climate, where heavy rain events can dump several inches in a matter of hours, a drainage system that can’t keep up is a liability.

The good news is that a properly sized and maintained drainage system is built to handle these types of rain events with ease. The key being “properly sized.” Not every drainage setup is created equal, and the details such as gutter capacity, downspout placement, and guard selection make a significant difference in how well your system performs over time.

Gutters: Capacity Is Everything

Gutters are your roof’s first line of defense against water damage. Their job is to collect runoff from the entire roof surface and channel it safely away from your home’s foundation. Standard residential gutters come in 5-inch and 6-inch widths, with the larger size handling significantly more volume (an especially important consideration for homes with steep pitches or large surface area). In a region where storm intensity can be unpredictable, upsizing your gutters is a decision most homeowners don’t regret.

Equally important is how the gutters are pitched. A properly installed gutter isn’t perfectly level, it’s angled slightly toward the downspout so water flows rather than sits. Standing water in a gutter is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and can lead to rust and rot. Your gutters may look fine from the ground while actually holding water if the pitch has shifted over time due to fastener failure or foundation movement.

One option that addresses many of the issues we experience in the Tidewater region is the Rapid Rain Gutter System™ which was specially designed for high capacity without the visual trade off. The Rapid Rain looks like a standard 5-inch gutter from the curb, but it’s engineered with a larger-than-standard gutter bottom and downspout to perform like a 6-inch system. It’s also constructed from 18.5% heavier metal than standard gutters and mounted with heavy-duty hangers to hold up through years of coastal weather. This is a great option for homeowners who want upgraded drainage performance without the visual bulk of an oversized gutter.

Downspouts: Placement and Number Matter

Downspouts are where drainage systems most commonly fall short. Many homes, especially older builds, were fitted with the minimum number of downspouts, and that minimum may no longer be adequate as the home has settled, trees have grown, or weather patterns have intensified. The general guideline is one downspout for every 30 to 40 linear feet of gutter, but this should be adjusted based on your roof’s size and slope.

Placement is just as important. Downspouts should be positioned at the low points of each gutter run, typically at corners and ideally away from doorways, HVAC units, and areas where pooling near the foundation could become a problem. Extensions at the base of each downspout help direct water at least four to six feet away from the house, reducing the risk of foundation dampness and erosion. If your yard slopes back toward the house, underground extensions or French drains may be worth considering.

Leaf Guards: Worth the Investment?

Leaf guards (also called gutter guards or gutter covers) are designed to keep debris out of your gutters while allowing water to flow through. For homes surrounded by the tall pines, oaks, hickory trees and gumball trees that are so common in Hampton Roads landscaping, they can dramatically reduce how often gutters need to be manually cleaned. However, no gutter guard is completely maintenance-free, and homeowners should install them with realistic expectations.

Upsides:

Significantly reduces debris buildup and the need for frequent cleaning
Reduces the risk of clogs that lead to overflow and water damage
Helps prevent pests and mosquitoes from nesting in standing water
Some styles can extend the life of the gutter by reducing moisture contact

Considerations:

Fine debris like pine needles and seed pods can still work their way through certain guard designs
In heavy rain, water can sometimes overshoot a covered gutter entirely
Guards still require periodic inspection and occasional cleaning
Installation quality matters – poorly fitted guards can create more problems than they solve

Guard quality varies widely, and micro-mesh styles tend to outperform basic screens or foam inserts in heavily wooded areas. If you’re going with the Rapid Rain Gutter System™, it can be fitted with Andrews Roofing’s patented MicroGuard Leaf Protection, which has over 48 perforations per square inch making it fine enough to block even small debris like pine needles. For other gutter systems, the important thing is just to be sure whatever guard you select is compatible with your gutter profile and installed with care by a professional.

Rain Diverters: A Targeted Tool, Not a Replacement

Rain diverters are metal strips installed on the roof surface to redirect water away from specific problem areas such as doorways, porches, or valleys that tend to funnel runoff water all in one area, creating heavy water streams. They can be a practical and relatively low-cost solution in the right situation. For example, if you have a doorway that has a constant waterfall effect every time it rains, that’s a good place for a diverter.

However, diverters come with their own set of trade-offs. Because they interrupt the natural flow of water across the roof, they can create pockets where debris accumulates. Leaves, twigs, and granules from aging shingles tend to collect along the edge of a diverter, which can eventually trap moisture against the roof surface. If diverters aren’t inspected and cleared regularly, they can contribute to premature shingle wear and even leaks.

So, while rain diverters can solve some problems, they should only be used as a supplement to a larger drainage solution. Use them where they make sense, but don’t rely on them as your primary drainage solution.

Maintenance: Don’t Underestimate This!

Even the best-designed drainage system will fail if not regularly maintained. In Hampton Roads, where tree coverage is dense and storm season runs from spring through late fall, most homes benefit from gutter cleaning at least twice a year. We recommend once in late spring after pollen and seed pods have fallen, and once in late fall after the leaves are down. Doing this before winter weather kicks in can help avoid ice dams and slow leaks that don’t make themselves known until exponential damage has been done.

When cleaning gutters, it’s also a good time to inspect for signs of wear: rust spots, separated seams, loose or bent hangers, and downspouts that have pulled away from the fascia. Check that all downspout extensions are intact and properly directing water away from the foundation. After major storms, a quick visual check is always worth the few minutes it takes. A clog that forms after a heavy rain event can cause overflow damage in the very next storm if it goes unaddressed.

The Right System for Your Home

Roof drainage isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right setup depends on your home’s size and roof pitch, the tree coverage on your property, your yard’s grading, and how much maintenance you’re realistically going to do. A home tucked into a wooded lot in Chesapeake has different needs than a townhouse in a newer Virginia Beach development near the beach.

If you’re not sure whether your current drainage system is up to the task of this year’s hurricane season, Andrews Roofing can take a look. We’ll assess your gutter sizing, downspout placement, and overall drainage strategy and let you know if there are any vulnerabilities worth addressing before the next big storm rolls through. A small investment in drainage today can prevent a much larger repair bill down the road. Contact us today for an evaluation.

By bc-admin | May 21, 2026

Tags: algae covered shingles, algae on roof, algae resistant shingles, gutter loosening, power wash roof, power washing roof, professional gutter cleaning, roof granule loss, roof inspection, shingle breakage, shingle cracking, shingle lifting, shingle loosening, should i power wash my roof, soffit penetration, soft wash roof, void roof warranty

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Residential Roofing, Residential Roofing Projects, Roof Damage, Roof Flashing, Roof Leak, Roof Maintenance, Roof Warranty, Roofing Information

Protecting Your Roof While Power Washing

This is the time of year that many Hampton Roads homeowners get outside and start tidying up their yard and home’s exterior as outdoor living season takes off.

For some, this includes power washing off mold, mildew and other dirt that has accumulated on vinyl siding, wood fascia, gutters and even brick. While this is a good task to stay on top of to keep your house looking good and to protect your home’s building materials from decay, there are also risks, especially the higher up you go.

It’s tempting to take the power washing all the way to the top – especially when you see algae and mold buildup on your roof. If it works on the siding and driveway, why not the roof, right? But the damage you can cause to yourself and your home with this well-intentioned chore could be disastrous.

What Happens When You Power Wash Shingles

It’s never a good idea to power wash your roof. First and foremost, it’s incredibly dangerous to you. Walking on a slick, steep slope roof with a powerful tool in hand is a recipe for injury. But it’s also likely to do more harm than good to your roof as well. Here’s how:

Granule loss: the protective granules embedded in asphalt shingles are what shield them from UV rays and weather. The high pressure of the pressure washer strips them away, which can make them age faster.
Shingle breakage and cracking: older or already-weathered shingles are brittle; the added pressure can crack, split, or blow them away entirely.
Voided manufacturer warranty: many shingle manufacturers explicitly exclude damage from pressure washing, so don’t take any chances of losing a valuable warranty.
Water penetration to roof decking: a power washer has the ability to raise shingles up when the spray is pointed at the right angle. When that happens, water can penetrate to the underlayment and even to the roof decking, leading to rot, mold and eventually structural damage.

Power Washing Fascia, Gutters and Soffits

It’s also tempting to power wash the fascia, gutters and soffit on the outside of your house, as they can tend to get mildewed, especially in highly shaded areas or on the north side of your home. There are some ways to do this safely but keep these points in mind.

Upward spray under shingles: angling the wand upward forces water past the shingle’s overlap. As mentioned above, this can penetrate to the roof deck, causing much bigger and long-term damage.
Shingle lifting and loosening: the force can break the seal strip between shingles, leaving them vulnerable to strong wind lift afterward.
Gutter loosening: the force of a power washer may loosen or even detach gutters from the fascia or your home, or downspouts from their connection points. When gutters are not in place, they don’t move water away from your home correctly, which can lead to water damage along your foundation.
Soffit penetration: water driven into soffits can reach attic insulation, causing moisture buildup and mold growth inside the home.

What Should You Do Instead?

You want your home to look beautiful and protect it from long-term staining and damage, but there are right ways and wrong ways to do that. Here are a few ideas that are safer but still effective.

Soft washing: consider a low-pressure application of a biocide or cleaning solution designed specifically for roofs. These often attach to regular water hoses and can kill algae and mildew without physical force.
Professional gutter cleaning: Hire a local professional to manually clean your gutters with professional tools and leave the ladder climbing to them.
Annual professional roof inspection: catch buildup and early damage before it becomes a bigger problem. Call your local roofing professional if you have any concerns about roof aging, damage or maintenance. They will know what to look for and also how to identify and deal with it safely.
Algae-resistant shingles: there are some roofing materials now that have built-in algae resistance. Talk to your roofing contractor about these options if you’re considering a roof replacement. This is a particularly good choice for homeowners in the Hampton Roads region, which sees wet, humid weather year-round.

Take the Pressure Off Yourself

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Don’t let a DIY weekend compromise it, costing you money or even your safety. At Andrews Roofing we know all the telltale signs of roof damage – whether it was caused by you, the weather, age or previous owners. Contact us today if you have any concerns about your roof’s condition; we’d be happy to help point you in the right direction, while taking the pressure off you.

By Andrews Roofing | May 7, 2026

Tags: Andrews Roofing, composite roofing pavers, flat roofs pavers, recycled rubber roofing pavers, roofing pavers, rooftop garden, rubber pavers are only 35% the weight of regular concrete pavers, rubber roofing pavers, walkable industrial roofing buildings, walkable residential roofing buildings, walkable roof surface, walkable roof with rubber pavers

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Flat Roof, low slope roof, Roofing Innovations, SkyPavers

Commercial Applications for Walkable Roofing Pavers

Many commercial buildings are designed with flat or low slope roofs which are doing one simple thing: keeping the weather out.

Of course, that’s the most important thing for a roof to do, but it’s not the only thing it can do. And in Hampton Roads’ competitive business environment, using every single square foot available can give a business a real leg up.

Walkable roofing pavers can give owners of commercial structures a competitive advantage in a variety of ways. The same system that turns a residential flat roof into a rooftop terrace works just as well or better at commercial scale, where the return on that square footage can be measured in additional revenue, higher occupancy, better tenant retention, or simply a stronger competitive position in the market.

The concept is straightforward: a waterproof TPO membrane goes down first (and is possibly already on a no slope commercial grade roof), followed by a drainage mat, and then durable rubber composite paver squares are set on top. They aren’t permanently adhered, which means individual squares can be lifted, repositioned, or replaced without disturbing the roof below. The result is a stable, attractive, fully walkable surface that protects the roof underneath while turning dead square footage into usable space.

If you want the full technical picture on how the system works, we covered it in an earlier post. Here, we want to talk about what’s possible when commercial property owners start looking up and thinking about their roofs differently.

Restaurants: More Capacity, Same Rent

Expanding a restaurant’s seating capacity is one of the hardest and most expensive moves an operator can make, unless you go up rather than out. A rooftop dining terrace adds seats without adding to the lease footprint, – a nearly impossible thing to accomplish any other way.

In Hampton Roads, where spring and fall offer some of the best outdoor dining weather on the East Coast, a rooftop terrace extends the revenue-generating season well beyond the summer months. A rooftop bar creates its own draw for guests who come specifically for the experience of the space, not just the menu. For restaurants looking to differentiate in a crowded market, the rooftop vibe is hard to replicate.

Keep in mind: commercial restaurant installations require attention to load capacity, drainage, safety railings, and permitting, but these are all navigable with the right contractor and a little lead time in the planning process.

Hotels: High End Amenities

For hotels, amenity space goes beyond function and becomes a true marketing asset in a crowded tourist industry like we have in Virginia Beach. A rooftop terrace will show up in photos, reviews and in the mental checklist travelers run through when choosing where to stay. Boutique and mid-scale properties that can’t compete with large resorts on square footage or ocean frontage can use a rooftop installation to punch well above their weight on a unique experience.

This is particularly true for smaller oceanfront and ocean-block hotels in markets like Virginia Beach. A hotel that sits one or two streets back from the water may have limited or no ocean views from its standard rooms or ground-level common areas. A rooftop terrace changes that, providing a legitimate “ocean view” space on the property, which opens up amenity language and marketing that wasn’t available before.

Beyond the view, rooftop spaces can be booked for private events, corporate gatherings, and weddings, providing a revenue stream without a significant increase to overhead.

Multifamily Residential: One More Reason to Renew a Lease

Apartment buildings and condo developments also compete heavily on amenities, and outdoor communal space is consistently near the top of what prospective tenants and buyers want. For urban infill properties or buildings with limited ground-level common space, the roof is often the only place to create meaningful outdoor space.

A rooftop terrace that’s furnished, landscaped, with seating areas or a grill station is a premium amenity that will stand out in listings. It can also increase tenant retention. When tenants value their building’s amenities or see them being invested in, they are more likely to stay put, which is important since turnover is one of the most expensive things a property manager deals with. Walkable composite pavers are especially well-suited for shared amenity spaces because they require almost no ongoing maintenance. You won’t have to worry about resealing, splinters or rotting boards to replace season after season.

Office Buildings: Out(side) of Office

Employee expectations around office environments and personal wellbeing have shifted dramatically in the last several years. With more workers concerned about work/life balance and having a healthy work environment, whether they’re working from home or at an office, outdoor access during the workday has become a baseline requirement for many people. Building owners competing for commercial tenants are responding accordingly.

A rooftop terrace gives office occupants a place to take calls outside, step away from a desk for lunch, or decompress between meetings in a way that a lobby or break room can’t replicate. For building owners, it’s one more amenity to add to your sales pitch that can have a big influence over modern companies’ leasing decisions. Pavers can also be paired with planters and greenery to create green spaces that feel restorative and functional. Happy employees have higher retention, fewer sick days, and are more productive, which is good for everyone.

Rooftop Gardens: Creating Green Space

Walkable pavers are an excellent foundation for rooftop garden installations such as raised garden beds and green zones. The applications are varied: a restaurant with a rooftop herb or produce garden can use this as both a supply source as well as a marketing story for health and environmentally conscious customers. A corporate campus with rooftop green space creates an amenity that supports employee wellbeing. A multifamily property with community garden plots turns the roof into something tenants actively use and value. The pavers provide the durable, low-maintenance foundation that makes it worth a property owner’s while.

What Commercial Installations Require

Regardless of the application, there are some key fundamentals to make walkable pavers work: structural soundness, proper waterproofing, drainage, and experienced installation. Commercial projects typically require additional considerations like load calculations (typically done by a structural engineer), safety and railing code requirements, and local permitting, so the contractor you choose needs to be equipped to handle the full scope.

The long-term investment case is strong, though. Firestone SkyPavers carry a 20-year warranty with a potential lifespan of up to 50 years, compared to wood or other traditional surface materials that require regular maintenance and eventual replacement.

Put Your Roof to Work

The flat roof on a commercial building doesn’t have to just be an expense. With the right installation, it can become a revenue driver, a tenant amenity, a marketing differentiator, or an employee benefit. If you’re curious about what a rooftop installation could look like for your property, we’d love to talk to you about it. Andrews Roofing has commercial roofing experience across Hampton Roads, including complex projects in demanding coastal environments. We know how to assess what’s feasible, navigate the requirements, and provide a long-lasting, high-quality installation. Contact us today.

By Andrews Roofing | April 16, 2026

Tags: attic insulation from roof condensation, attic roof condensation, attic ventilation, clogged soffit vents, hampton roads roofing, healthy roofing system, musty smell in attic, poor roof ventilation, proper Roof Ventilation, roof cupping, roof curling, roof granule loss, roof ice dams, roof moisture accumulation, roof ridge vent access, roof wood rot, roofing ventilation higher energy bills, unequal cooling between floors, visible staining in attic

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Architectural Shingles, Commercial Roofing, Flat Roof, low slope roof, Residential Roofing, Roof Damage, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations

The Role of Proper Ventilation for Roof Health and Energy Efficiency

When Southeast Virginia summers hit, your roof starts working overtime. But if it’s not breathing right, you could be facing major issues.

Hampton Roads homeowners know summer doesn’t ease in gently. By late May (or even April!), temperatures are climbing into the 90s, humidity is thick, and on a clear, sunny day, your attic temperature can soar past 150°F. Most people only think about their roof when something goes wrong that’s immediately visible – a missing shingle after a storm or stain on the ceiling after a heavy rain, but one of the most damaging things that can happen to a roof in this region is largely invisible until it’s too late: poor ventilation.

Proper roof ventilation isn’t a luxury or an up sell – it’s a foundational part of a healthy roofing system. When ventilation fails, the rest of your home’s structure will feel it, as will your energy bills. Here’s what Southeast Virginia homeowners need to know heading into another hot, humid summer season.

How Proper Roof Ventilation Works

A properly ventilated roof system is simple in principle: fresh air enters through intake vents (typically at the soffits) and hot, moist air exits through exhaust vents (at or near the ridge). This continuous airflow keeps your attic from becoming a heat and moisture trap.

Without adequate ventilation, two major issues will arise:

Extreme heat builds up in the attic space during the day, radiating downward into living areas and stressing roofing materials from below.
Moisture will occur from condensation, when the warm, humid air from outside meets cooler surfaces inside and is trapped.

Condensation: The Silent Destroyer

In the Tidewater region, condensation is a serious concern. Our region’s climate means we deal with heat and humidity in the summer months and temperature swings in the fall and spring, both of which create prime conditions for moisture to accumulate in an attic.

When warm, humid air gets trapped in a poorly ventilated attic, it condenses on the cooler surfaces of your roof’s structural components, from there the damage can compound quickly.

Your roof decking (typically the sheets of plywood you can see from inside your attic) will be the first material to be affected. Over time, moisture exposure will cause the wood to swell, warp, and eventually rot. Once this happens, it can no longer hold fasteners properly, meaning your shingles aren’t as secure as they should be.

From there, moisture can work its way into the rafters, which bear the weight of your whole roof. As you can imagine, wood rot in rafters is serious and in advanced cases, it leads to a sagging roofline and significant structural repairs.

Finally, your insulation will incur damage. Wet insulation loses its ability to resist heat transfer, packs down and clumps, and becomes a breeding ground for mold. Once it’s moisture-damaged, it typically has to be replaced entirely. And mold itself isn’t just a structural problem; it’s a health concern that requires expensive remediation. The good news is that all of this is preventable with proper ventilation.

The Cost of a Poorly Ventilated Attic

We’ve all been hearing about the rise in energy bills, but there’s one reason for this that may not be top of mind: roofing ventilation.

When your attic reaches 140–160°F on a hot afternoon, which it easily can without proper airflow, that heat radiates directly through your ceiling into your living space. Your air conditioning system then has to work significantly harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. It cycles more frequently, runs longer, and wears out faster.

A properly ventilated attic stays dramatically cooler. Adequate attic ventilation can reduce attic temperatures by 40°F or more on peak summer days. That’s a huge reduction in the work your HVAC system is doing, as well as your monthly bill.

Ventilation is Just One Part of the Puzzle

Ventilation is just one part of a healthy roof system. Shingles, underlayment, decking, insulation, and ventilation – every layer depends on the others to perform as designed. Shingles can be in perfect shape while the decking beneath them quietly rots from trapped moisture. Insulation loses its effectiveness the moment it gets wet. A well-designed ventilation system is what keeps everything else working.

That’s why when we evaluate a roof, we look at the complete picture, not just the outermost layer. A comprehensive inspection includes checking soffit vents for blockages, evaluating ridge vent access, and looking for signs of moisture damage in the decking and framing.

Signs Your Roof May Have a Ventilation Problem

If you’re not sure whether your roof has ventilation issues, here are some warning signs to watch for as we head into the hot months:

Your upstairs rooms are noticeably hotter than the rest of the house, even with the AC running
Your energy bills spike sharply in summer months
You notice a musty smell in your attic or upper floor
There are visible staining or dark spots on attic sheathing
Your roof shows premature aging such as curling, cupping, or granule loss on shingles that aren’t that old
Ice dams formed along your eaves last winter (a telltale sign of uneven attic temperatures caused by poor ventilation)

Don’t Wait Until Summer to Find Out

The best time to address ventilation issues is before the heat arrives. By the time your attic is baking in July and your energy bills are quite literally through the roof, the damage may already have started.

Andrews Roofing serves homeowners across Hampton Roads – from Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk and the surrounding communities. We understand the specific demands our climate places on roofing systems, and we know that a truly healthy roof is one that’s been built and maintained as a complete system.

If it’s been a while since your roof has had a thorough inspection or if you’ve noticed any of the warning signs above, contact us today. We’ll evaluate your roof from shingles to soffit vents and give you a clear, honest picture of where you stand and what will continue to keep your home healthy heading into summer.

By Andrews Roofing | April 2, 2026

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Flat Roof, Residential Roofing, Roofing Innovations, SkyPavers

Designing a Better Deck with Walkable Roofing Pavers

If you have an elevated deck or raised patio, you probably already understand and appreciate the value of an outdoor living space in the Hampton Roads region with our year-round mild weather.

Whether you invested in the deck yourself, or it came with your property when you purchased it, you also probably understand and appreciate how much maintenance and upkeep these decks require. You may be seeing boards that have warped, splintered, or gone gray; a surface that needs sanding and resealing every couple of years; or just an overall look that feels dated and tired. And if you are, you’re probably starting to weigh your options for repairs or replacements.

The obvious choices are what most people gravitate toward: replace the wood with composite decking, re-board the whole thing, do extensive sanding and resealing or put down concrete pavers and call it done. All of those are reasonable paths, but there is another path that you may not have considered that is a great option for elevated decks and raised patios in particular: walkable rubber composite roofing pavers.

These are the same materials used to create rooftop terraces and walkable flat roof surfaces, but it turns out that everything that makes them excellent for a rooftop makes them excellent for a deck, too.

The Usual Suspects

Wood decking is a popular choice because of cost as well as the warmth and aesthetics it brings to a space, but it requires a real maintenance commitment, especially in a coastal environment like Hampton Roads. The humidity, the salt air, the wet, rainy springs and blazing summers can take a toll. Wood warps, splits, splinters, fades, and eventually rots if it isn’t kept up. Pressure washing, sanding, staining, and sealing is a recurring cycle that costs time and money year after year, and inevitably the wood will get to a state where it needs to be fully replaced.

Composite decking was developed largely to solve those problems, and it does address some of them. It won’t rot or splinter, and it requires less maintenance than wood. However, it can get uncomfortably hot underfoot in direct summer sun, which anyone who’s walked barefoot across a composite deck in July in Virginia Beach can attest to. And in rooftop or terrace situations, it isn’t designed to account for drainage, waterproofing, or the specific stresses of a surface that’s also functioning as a protective layer over a structure below. In addition to that, it can become very costly depending on the size of the deck you’re replacing.

Concrete pavers are durable and attractive, but weight becomes a real issue on elevated structures. Concrete is heavy, and a lot of it on an elevated deck puts serious structural stress on the framing, which on an older deck may already be showing wear.

The Unusual Suspect

Walkable rubber composite roofing pavers were engineered specifically for elevated, exposed surfaces, whether that’s a rooftop terrace or an elevated deck. Here are a few “pros” of this material that go beyond the rooftop.

They’re dramatically lighter than concrete. Elevate SkyPavers weigh roughly 35% of what comparable concrete pavers would. On an elevated deck, that’s a big difference. Less weight means less structural stress on the framing, which matters both for safety and for the long-term integrity of the structure.
Roofing pavers will not warp, splinter, gray out or rot. The material is inherently resistant to moisture, and in a region like Hampton Roads where humidity is a fact of life year-round that is a meaningful advantage.
They reflect heat rather than absorbing it. The TPO membrane that underlies the paver system is typically white and highly reflective. This keeps the surface temperature considerably lower than composite decking or concrete in direct sun. On a sunny summer afternoon at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, that makes a big difference for a surface to stay walkable and enjoyable rather than becoming a bed of coals you need to navigate in bare feet.
Elevate SkyPavers carry a 20-year warranty and have a potential lifespan of up to 50 years. Compare that to a wood deck that needs significant attention every few years, and the math on long-term cost starts looking very appealing.
And importantly, they look good. Walkable pavers are available in a wide range of colors that can be selected to complement your home’s exterior. The finished surface is clean, modern, and attractive.

Roofing Paver Installation

These systems work in layers. First the existing deck surface will need to be evaluated to ensure it’s structurally sound. This step is critical and should be done by a qualified contractor who can tell you whether any framing repairs are needed before any additional weight is added. From there, a TPO waterproofing membrane is installed, followed by a drainage mat, and then the pavers are set on top. The pavers aren’t permanently adhered, which means the surface beneath remains accessible and the system can be adjusted if needed.

The result is a surface that protects the structure below while providing a durable, attractive, walkable surface above – exactly what a good deck surface should do.

As with any roofing or elevated surface project, installation should be handled by a licensed contractor with experience in this specific material. The system has its own requirements and best practices and getting it right matters both for performance and for warranty purposes.

A Good Fit for Hampton Roads

Elevated decks and raised patios are common throughout Hampton Roads: second-floor decks on oceanfront and ocean-block homes, raised patios on homes with grade changes, balconies on multi-story townhomes in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake. Many of these surfaces were built with wood and are now at or past the point where they need an upgrade.

If you’re already thinking about what to do with an aging deck, it’s worth adding roofing pavers to the conversation before you default to the familiar options. For elevated surfaces especially, the combination of low weight, durability, heat reflectivity, and longevity makes a truly compelling case.

Andrews Roofing has experience with walkable paver installations across Hampton Roads, including in the demanding coastal environments where these materials really prove their worth. If you’d like to talk through whether this approach makes sense for your deck or raised patio, contact us today. We’re happy to take a look at your home’s specific situation and walk you through the options.

By bc-admin | March 20, 2026

Tags: Flat roof, heat-welded seams, industrial construction roof, low slope roof, low-slope membrane roof systems, manufacturing facility roof, Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC, pvc roof chemical resistant, pvc roof fire-resistant, PVC roof membrane, single-ply membrane roof system, thermoplastic polyolefin, tpo energy efficient, tpo roof, warehouse roof

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Flat Roof, low slope roof, Roof Installation, Types of Roofing Systems

TPO or PVC: Which Low-Slope Membrane Is Right for Your Industrial Roof?

For property owners of warehouses, manufacturing facilities, or other industrial structures, the roof of your building isn’t just literal overhead, it’s one of the most critical components of the entire building.

Its success or failure can massively impact operations and profitability. And for the flat or low-slope roofs that dominate industrial construction, the material you choose matters enormously. Two of the most popular options – TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – are all single-ply membrane systems, which is exactly why they’re so commonly confused. While they may look similar on the surface, they perform differently depending on your building’s environment, purpose and your priorities as a property owner. If you’re having a roof installed or replaced on an industrial structure, here’s what you need to know about these different membrane materials.

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)

TPO is one of the most widely installed low-slope membrane systems in the country, and for good reason. It’s a single-ply white reflective membrane that’s heat-welded at the seams, creating a watertight bond.

Benefits: TPO’s biggest selling point for industrial clients is its energy efficiency. The white reflective surface deflects UV rays and reduces cooling costs, which is a real advantage for large industrial buildings with significant roof square footage. It holds up well against punctures, tears, and impact, and the heat-welded seams are highly resistant to leaks over time. It’s also one of the more cost-effective options up front, making it a good value for large-scale projects.

Challenges: TPO is a relatively newer material compared to EPDM, so there’s less performance data, and the quality can vary between manufacturers. The key to using TPO is working with a contractor who sources from reputable brands and is familiar with the product.

Best for: Buildings where energy efficiency is a priority with large roof areas that are exposed to sunlight. Projects where budget and performance need to be balanced. It’s an excellent all-around choice for warehouses and distribution centers in climates like Hampton Roads where summer heat is a real factor.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Like TPO, PVC membranes have a white reflective surface and heat-welded seams, but they offer the additional advantage of being chemical resistant. PVC has been used in industrial roofing since the 1960s and continues to be a popular option because of its performance in specific demanding environments.

Benefits: PVC’s resistance to chemicals, grease, animal fats, and industrial oils sets it apart from TPO. The heat-welded seams are as strong as TPO’s and like TPO, the white reflective surface helps manage heat and energy usage. PVC is also highly fire-resistant, which matters a lot in certain industrial settings.

Challenges: PVC carries a higher price point than TPO. Due to its formula, certain chemicals can leach out of the membrane over time, which will often cause it to become brittle if it’s not a high quality product. It can also be more sensitive to certain adhesives and solvents during installation.

Best for: Food processing facilities, restaurants, manufacturing plants that handle oils or chemicals, and any industrial application where roof exposure to chemical runoff or grease-laden exhaust is a real possibility. If your facility vents cooking oils, industrial solvents, or other chemical byproducts anywhere near the roof, PVC should be at the top of your list.

So How Do You Choose?

The honest answer both are good, solid systems when properly installed. The right choice depends on your specific building and how it’s used.

Choose TPO when energy efficiency, budget, and general performance are your priorities.
Choose PVC when your facility is exposed to chemicals, grease, or industrial byproducts that would compromise other membrane materials.

Andrews Roofing Can Help

At Andrews Roofing, we’ve been installing all three systems across industrial facilities in Hampton Roads for decades, and we’re happy to walk through which material makes the most sense for your facility, budget and priorities. Contact us for an estimate or inspection for a straight answer on what will deliver the best long-term return on your investment.