Knickerbocker Roofing & Paving Co. Inc. delivers durable, cost-effective roofing solutions for educational institutions. Our roofs will improve a building’s aesthetic and are installed with care and expertise to promote safety and minimize impact on the learning environment.

For over 135 years, we’ve helped customers obtain long-lasting, quality roofing. Whether you’re looking for a replacement or building a new structure, we’ll use our unrivaled expertise to make your project a success.

About School Roofs

School roofing must be built with durability and safety in mind while maintaining a secure environment for students and teachers. At Knickerbocker, we can help you create a more attractive building using long-lasting materials to get the most out of your investment.

We’ve experienced the harsh weather conditions that buildings and roofs in the Midwest are exposed to. We’ll help you select materials that can endure snow, high winds, and other challenges that can disrupt daily activities.

You can customize your school’s roofs by choosing from a range of panel styles and colors. Our team has worked with many types of educational institutions to realize unique roofing solutions, including:

  • Elementary schools
  • Middle schools
  • High schools
  • Community charter schools
  • University buildings
  • Performing arts centers

The Importance of Quality School Roofing Solutions

Whether you’re replacing your old roof or exploring your options for a newly built space, using materials that promote durability and hassle-free protection is essential. Educational environments require minimal maintenance to protect learning environments from noisy distractions. Installing a high-quality roof prevents many problems that would require costly repairs and can even improve roof longevity.

Our low-maintenance school roofing options are UV-resistant, non-porous, and easy to clean with no ongoing treatments required. We work with many high-performance roofing materials that can endure demanding environmental conditions with minimal upkeep.

We can also help your facility improve its energy efficiency. Many of our customers have been able to significantly reduce their cooling costs after installing our solutions.

The Best Types of Roofing for Schools

The best materials for school roofing protect against moisture to prevent issues like rot or mold. While asphalt shingles are suitable for residential settings, they lack the performance capabilities schools and commercial settings require. We recommend slate or clay tile for steep-slope roofs at universities, and single-ply membranes like PVC or TPO, or modified bitumen membranes, for low-slope roofs at urban or suburban schools..

Slate and Clay Tile Roofing

Slate is an attractive natural stone material that is durable, fire-resistant, and easy to maintain. With proper care, slate roofing can last over 75 years and is a good option for university settings because of its long-lasting durability. Slate also has a reflective nature that deters UV rays, improving the energy efficiency of your building.

Clay tile has a similar distinct and sophisticated appearance as slate and also offers long-lasting durability. They are also naturally thermal resistant and can help keep your building cool during hot weather and warm during cold weather.

Polyvinyl Chloride

Polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC, is a popular option for industrial settings due to its durability and chemical resistance. It’s also a great option for school settings, since it is extremely waterproof, with its heat-bonded or chemically-bonded seams.

PVC’s naturally reflective surface appearance can help improve energy efficiency and reduce cooling costs. It also has a lifespan of over 20 years with proper maintenance, which is typical for flat roofing systems.

Thermoplastic Olefin

Commonly known as TPO, thermoplastic olefin is a single-ply roofing membrane widely used in commercial settings. It has a reflective surface that reduces heat absorption and increases stress resistance and puncture resistance.

TPO is one of the less labor-intensive roofing materials to install due to its malleable nature and relative light weight. It has a lifespan comparable to many other roofing materials, lasting about 20 to 30 years with proper care.

Modified Bitumen

Modified bitumen roof systems are typically installed in 2-3 layers, making them very durable. A properly installed and maintained modified bitumen roof system can last up to 30 years. The material is resistant to harsh weather conditions, including cracking in cold temperatures, and is also well-suited to foot traffic, which can be helpful on roofs that have a lot of HVAC units on them that require regular maintenance.

These roof systems can also be installed with a white reflective cap sheet, which can help improve energy efficiency and reduce cooling costs.

Quality Roofing Solutions by Knickerbocker Roofing & Paving Co.

As a Chicago family-owned and managed business, Knickerbocker understands the roofing needs of the Windy City and surrounding regions. No matter what type of roof you have or the roofing problem you’re experiencing, our team has the expertise needed to handle it effortlessly.

We’ve resolved countless emergency roofing needs in our 135 years of service, including low- and steep-slope roofing, green roofing, and so much more.

We proudly serve educational institutions throughout Illinois, Northwestern Indiana, and Southwestern Wisconsin. To learn more, reach out to our team with any questions or request a quote.