Commercial Roof Restoration in Indiana – Why American Builders is the #1 Choice for Lasting Results
If you own or manage a commercial building in Indiana, chances are your roof’s taken a beating over the years. Between Midwest winters, high summer temps, and everything in between, commercial roofs around here don’t get a break.
But here’s the good news — you don’t always need to tear off your roof and start over. In fact, many aging roofs just need a solid restoration to bring them back to life. That’s where roof restoration comes in. And that’s where American Builders shines.
We specialize in commercial roof restoration across Indiana (and into Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois too). Our team brings old, tired roofs back to like-new condition — without the mess, cost, or downtime of a full replacement.
So if your roof is showing signs of wear, leaking here and there, or just isn’t performing like it used to, a restoration might be the smartest move you can make.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Roof Restoration, Really?
A commercial roof restoration isn’t just a patch job. It’s not slapping on a little coating and calling it good. A proper restoration — like the ones we do with Conklin roofing systems — means:
Repairing problem areas
Sealing the entire surface
Reinforcing seams and penetrations
Adding a new waterproof barrier
Reflecting UV rays to lower building temps
Extending the life of your roof by 10, 15, even 20+ years
In other words: we’re giving your whole roof a full system upgrade.
If you’re tired of throwing money at leaks every year, or you’ve been told you need a full tear-off — talk to us first. A roof restoration might save you thousands, while still getting long-lasting protection.
How to Know If Your Roof’s a Good Candidate for Restoration
Now, we’ll be straight with you: not every roof is a good fit for restoration. If your roof’s totally shot — sagging deck, major structural issues, waterlogged insulation — it may be past the point of saving. In those cases, yeah, you’re probably looking at a full replacement.
But most of the time, we get called out to buildings with roofs that are still structurally sound. They’re just leaking in spots, looking rough, or costing too much to keep cool. That’s when restoration is the sweet spot.
Here are some telltale signs your roof might be ready for a restoration instead of a replacement:
1. Visible Wear and Tear
If your roof’s faded, cracked, chalky, or showing signs of UV damage — that’s a big red flag. These are signs the membrane’s getting worn out but hasn’t failed completely. A restoration can stop that wear in its tracks.
2. Recurring Leaks or Ponding Water
One leak? Maybe it’s just a seam or a boot. But if you’ve got multiple leaks popping up across your building or spots where water is always puddling after a rain — that’s not normal. Those are the roofs we see all the time, and they’re usually great restoration candidates.
3. High Energy Bills
A reflective restoration coating (like the ones we install using Conklin products) can make a huge difference on your building’s energy efficiency. If your cooling costs are sky-high in summer, your roof might be part of the problem — and restoration might be your solution.
4. Roof Is Over 10 Years Old
If your roof’s getting up there in age, even if it looks fine from the ground, it’s worth having us take a look. Most commercial roofs start breaking down after about 10–15 years. Restoring it before the problems get worse can add a whole new decade or two to its life.
5. You’re Tired of Constant Repairs
We talk to building owners and facility managers all the time who are done throwing money at repairs. One year it’s a leak around the vent. Next year it’s a seam split. Then it's a skylight. And on it goes. A full restoration takes care of all those issues at once and gives you peace of mind for the long haul.
If your building checks one or more of these boxes, a restoration might be the smartest call you make this year. And we’ll always shoot you straight — if it does turn out your roof’s too far gone, we’ll tell you. But if it’s restorable, we’ll show you exactly how we can bring it back to life.
The Conklin Roof Restoration Difference
There’s a reason we use Conklin roofing systems for all our commercial roof restorations. Actually, there are several.
We’ve worked with a lot of different products over the years, but nothing has held up like Conklin. Their coatings and systems are built for performance, especially in tough Midwest conditions like we see here in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois.
Let’s walk through what makes these products different — and why that matters for your roof.
Proven Performance, Year After Year
Conklin’s been around since the 1970s, and they’ve restored billions of square feet of commercial roofs across the U.S. Their systems are lab-tested and field-proven — we’re talking real-world durability in the kind of weather we get around here.
That means:
No cracking in extreme cold
No peeling in brutal sun
No leaks in pounding Midwest storms
We wouldn’t put our name on a product if it couldn’t hold up under pressure — and Conklin delivers, every time.
Energy Savings You’ll Actually Notice
Conklin coatings aren’t just tough — they’re bright white and highly reflective. That might not sound like a big deal, but it is. These coatings bounce back the sun’s heat instead of soaking it in. That means your building stays cooler, and your A/C system doesn’t have to work as hard.
We’ve seen customers cut their energy bills by 20–30% just from a Conklin restoration.
Over time, that adds up to serious savings.
Seamless Waterproofing
Most commercial roofs leak at the seams, around penetrations, or at the flashing. Conklin systems are designed to eliminate those weak spots.
Depending on the system we use for your roof, we’ll reinforce seams with fabric, seal penetrations with high-grade acrylics, and coat the whole surface with a watertight barrier. The result? No more water creeping in where it shouldn’t be.
You get a fully sealed system, front to back.
Flexible in the Cold, Tough in the Heat
Indiana winters are no joke. Same goes for summer. You need a roof system that expands and contracts with temperature swings, without cracking or pulling apart.
Conklin coatings stay flexible in the cold and stable in the heat. That means your roof won’t split open when the weather changes — and around here, that could be twice in one week.
Backed by Strong Warranties
Conklin roof systems come with non-prorated warranties up to 20 years, depending on the product and application. These aren’t fluff warranties, either — they’re backed by a company with decades of history and a strong reputation for standing behind their work.
When we do a Conklin restoration, you’re not just getting quality materials — you’re getting protection you can count on.
Which Conklin Roof System Is Right for Your Building?
Every building is different. You’ve got different roof materials, different shapes, different issues — and we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions.
That’s why Conklin offers several different restoration systems, and why we take the time to recommend the one that makes the most sense for your roof.
Here’s a look at the top options we install — and how they work.
1. Membrane Coating System – For Aging TPO, EPDM, and PVC Roofs
If your building has a single-ply roof (like TPO, EPDM, or PVC), this system is made for you.
The Membrane Coating System is designed to restore those older, weathered membranes by:
Cleaning and prepping the roof
Sealing all seams and penetrations
Applying a reflective white topcoat over the whole surface
This turns an aging roof into a seamless, waterproof system that resists UV damage and reduces cooling costs. It’s a solid choice if your single-ply roof is showing wear but still has good bones.
2. Fabric-Reinforced Roofing System – For Added Strength and Longevity
This one’s a workhorse. It combines Conklin’s acrylic coatings with a tough fabric layer embedded over the roof surface. That extra reinforcement helps prevent:
Splits and tears
Leaks from foot traffic or shifting materials
Damage from hail or debris
We recommend this for flat or low-slope roofs where added strength is important — think warehouses, industrial spaces, or buildings that see a lot of rooftop action.
You get a flexible, durable membrane that moves with your roof and holds up for years.
3. MR System® – For Metal Roofs
Got a metal roof? The MR System® is specifically designed to tackle the unique challenges metal brings — especially rust, leaks at fasteners, and expansion/contraction from heat.
Here’s what we do with this system:
Clean and prep the roof surface
Tighten or replace fasteners
Seal all seams and penetrations
Apply a rust-inhibiting base coat
Finish with a reflective topcoat
The result is a metal roof that’s fully sealed, protected from rust, and ready for the next few decades.
If your building’s had leaks along seams or through fastener holes, this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
4. Single-Ply Membrane System – For Lightweight, Long-Lasting Coverage
This system isn’t a coating — it’s a full membrane we install over your existing roof. It’s tough, lightweight, and extremely durable.
We recommend this when your current roof is still structurally sound but needs a new surface layer. You get:
A clean, modern roof system
Long-term weather resistance
Better insulation and reflectivity
It’s great for buildings that want a new roof feel without the cost or downtime of a full tear-off.
5. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Roofing System – For Maximum Energy Efficiency
SPF is a game-changer for older roofs with insulation problems or uneven surfaces. We spray a layer of foam insulation directly onto the roof, which expands and seals everything up tight.
Then we coat it with a tough, reflective barrier that keeps the weather out and the energy costs down.
Benefits:
Incredible R-value (helps with heating AND cooling)
Seamless waterproofing
Works great over almost any type of roof
If energy costs are eating into your profits, SPF might be your best move.
Each of these systems has a place, and we’ll help you figure out which one fits your building, your budget, and your long-term goals.
Why Restoration Beats Replacement (When It’s the Right Fit)
Let’s face it — roof replacement isn’t cheap. And it’s not quick, either. Tear-off jobs mean major disruption, lots of mess, and a big hit to your budget. That’s why more building owners and facility managers across Indiana are turning to restoration as a smarter option.
And when it’s done right — with quality materials, proper prep, and a crew that knows what they’re doing — restoration can hold up just as long as a new roof.
So what’s the catch?
Honestly, there isn’t one — as long as your roof is in restorable condition.
Here’s why restoration is often the better move.
Way Less Expensive
Let’s talk numbers. A full commercial roof replacement can cost $8–$12 per square foot, or even more depending on the material and tear-off requirements. That adds up fast — we’re talking $100K+ for mid-sized buildings.
Compare that to a Conklin roof restoration, which typically runs 30% to 50% less than a full replacement.
For a lot of businesses, that kind of savings is a game-changer.
No Tear-Off = Less Disruption
If your business needs to stay open — and most do — a replacement can be a logistical nightmare. Between dumpsters, noise, dust, and shutting down sections of the building, it’s a big interruption.
With restoration, we leave the existing roof in place and build right on top of it. That means:
No debris
No loud tear-off work
No shutting down your business
We get in, get the job done, and get out — usually in a matter of days, not weeks.
Huge Energy Savings
We’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth repeating: the Conklin systems we use are highly reflective, which keeps your building cooler in summer. You’ll start to see lower cooling bills almost immediately — and that continues year after year.
It’s one of the few upgrades that pays for itself over time.
It’s a Green Solution
A lot of business owners today are thinking about sustainability — and restoration is one of the most eco-friendly roofing options out there.
Why?
No landfill waste from tearing off your old roof
No new raw materials needed to build a replacement
Lower energy use from improved reflectivity and insulation
If your company’s working on green initiatives or tracking LEED points, roof restoration is a win across the board.
Long-Term Protection, Backed by Warranty
Restoration isn’t just a “quick fix.” With the right products and install (like what we offer), you’re getting a fully warrantied system. We’re talking:
Up to 20 years of leak-free protection
Full material and labor coverage
A roof that looks and performs like new
And when that warranty period ends? Many of our systems can be cleaned, re-coated, and re-warrantied — which means you can keep restoring it, instead of replacing, for decades.
Why Indiana Businesses Trust American Builders for Roof Restoration
There are plenty of roofing contractors out there. But not all of them know what they’re doing when it comes to commercial roof restoration — and even fewer specialize in it.
At American Builders, this isn’t just something we offer on the side. It’s what we do. Day in and day out, we’re restoring commercial roofs all across Indiana — and into Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois too.
So what makes us the go-to team?
Let’s break it down.
We Specialize in Commercial Roofing (Only)
We’re not dabbling in residential jobs or jumping between siding projects. We focus 100% on commercial roofing. That means we understand:
How commercial buildings function
What business owners and facility managers care about
The codes, materials, and installation practices that actually matter on large-scale roofs
You get a team that knows how to handle big, complex jobs — and get them done right.
We’re Certified Conklin Installers
A restoration is only as good as the crew putting it down. That’s why every one of our restoration jobs is done by trained, certified Conklin applicators who know these systems inside and out.
We don’t cut corners. We don’t water down the spec. We follow the process — and that’s how we’re able to offer top-tier warranties and long-term results.
Local Crews Who Know Midwest Weather
We’re based in Elkhart, Indiana, and our crews are all from this part of the country. We understand the weather here — the snow loads, the ice, the summer heatwaves, the 50-degree temperature swings in a single day.
That means we know how to prep a roof for those conditions and how to apply the right system that’s built to last in this environment.
We’re not flying in from out of state, guessing at your building’s needs. We live here. We work here. And we stand behind every job we do.
No Sales Gimmicks. Just Real, Honest Advice.
You’ll never hear us push a roof replacement if a restoration will do the job.
When we show up for an inspection, we’re there to help you make the smartest choice for your building and your budget. If your roof’s too far gone, we’ll tell you that straight. But if we can save you money and extend the life of your roof with a restoration, you better believe we’ll show you how.
We’re not interested in short-term wins. We want long-term relationships with the building owners we serve.
Backed by Real Results
Ask around — our work speaks for itself.
We’ve restored:
Warehouses
Manufacturing plants
Schools
Churches
Office buildings
Retail centers
Municipal buildings
Our clients stick with us because we deliver. And we’ll do the same for you.
Ready to Get Started?
If your commercial roof is leaking, aging, or just not performing like it should — let’s talk.
We’ll come out, inspect the roof, take photos, walk you through your options, and give you a straight answer on whether restoration makes sense.
And if it does? We’ll show you exactly how we can get you lasting results at a fraction of the cost of replacement — with zero business disruption.
Get in touch with American Builders today and let’s bring your roof back to life.
