Tenant Improvement Roofing: What Commercial Property Owners Should Know

If you're a landlord, building owner, or tenant planning a leasehold build-out, there's a good chance you'll run into tenant improvement roofing. But what does it mean? And how is it different from a regular commercial roof repair or replacement?

Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Tenant Improvement (TI) Roofing?

Tenant improvement roofing refers to roof modifications required during a commercial build-out. These changes help support the needs of a new or existing tenant—usually when they renovate, reconfigure, or repurpose leased space.

Common TI roofing needs include:

• New HVAC rooftop units and curbs

• Penetrations for plumbing, exhaust, or skylights

• Reinforcement for rooftop equipment

• Code upgrades (fire rating, drainage, etc.)

• Flashing and sealing around new structures

• Rerouting or upgrading existing roof systems

TI roofing is typically coordinated with general contractors, property managers, architects, and mechanical teams to ensure the work complies with building codes, lease terms, and manufacturer warranties.

When Is TI Roofing Needed?

Tenant improvement roofing is often needed in these scenarios:

• New build-outs for restaurants, retail, or offices

• Rooftop HVAC upgrades or replacements

• Converting warehouse to office space

• Adding rooftop solar or ventilation

• Change of occupancy type or use

• Fire rating or drainage system changes

• Interior reconfiguration with new plumbing stacks or venting

Whether you're adding new rooftop penetrations or modifying insulation and drainage, every change impacts the roof’s performance.

Why TI Roofing Needs Special Expertise

Unlike standard roof replacements, tenant improvement work requires precise coordination with other trades. Improper flashing, sealing, or penetrations can lead to:

• Leaks and warranty voids

• Structural failures

• HVAC system inefficiencies

• Code violations

• Water intrusion and mold

That’s why Roof Nuts works hand-in-hand with GCs, architects, and mechanical installers to plan and execute every roof detail—flashing, penetrations, curbs, drain work, insulation, and tie-ins.

Types of Buildings We Service

We specialize in TI roofing for:

• Shopping centers and retail storefronts

• Office parks and medical clinics

• Industrial buildings and warehouses

• Restaurants, breweries, and food prep areas

• Mixed-use and multi-tenant facilities

We handle everything from detailed condition assessments to curb installations, TPO tie-ins, spray foam sealing, and metal retrofit flashing.

FAQs

What’s the difference between TI roofing and full roof replacement?

Tenant improvement roofing targets specific upgrades or changes—like adding an HVAC curb or rerouting drainage. A full roof replacement involves removing and replacing the entire roofing system.

Who pays for tenant improvement roofing?

It depends on the lease agreement. Landlords may cover base building upgrades, while tenants often cover project-specific changes like new HVAC penetrations.

Can TI roofing void my roof warranty?

Yes—if penetrations or modifications aren’t done according to manufacturer specs. That’s why we coordinate directly with warranty providers to protect your coverage.

Serving Colorado and Georgia

Whether you're managing tenant upgrades in Denver, Aurora, Fort Collins, or Colorado Springs—or launching a retail build-out in Atlanta, Roswell, Macon, or Savannah—Roof Nuts delivers reliable, code-compliant roofing solutions.

Contact Roof Nuts:

• Colorado: https://RoofNutsCO.com | 303-276-2403

Want to keep tenant improvements on track and your roof protected?
Let Roof Nuts handle the roofing details—so you can focus on your tenants.