Take your roof from flat to fantastic

Many buildings constructed in the ’60s and ’70s feature flat roofs. Not only are these outdated, they often leak, Dan Chapel, AIA says. If you’ve had problems with your building’s flat roof, consider converting it to a pitched roof, he says. It won’t be a cheap addition to your building, but it can solve leaking problems and give your facility a fresh new look.

Chapel worked with one practice owner who added a pitched roof and painted the exterior of his building, which had been in the same location for more than 50 years. The improvements looked so good, the building was almost unrecognizable. “People came in thinking it was a brand-new building,” Chapel says.

Another plus: You can remain open while the work is being done, Chapel says. You’ll have to deal with a little construction noise, but you won’t lose revenue, and before long, you’ll have a new-and-improved facility.