Roofing in West Town, Cottages to Conversions
Workers cottages, two-flats, industrial conversions and new build on the same block. Say which one is yours.
What goes wrong on roofs in West Town
West Town is a large community area with a correspondingly wide range: 19th century frame workers cottages, brick two-flats and three-flats, converted industrial and warehouse buildings, dense new residential infill, and commercial buildings along the major corridors. Almost all of it is low-slope behind parapets. The converted industrial buildings are worth noting: large low-slope roof areas, often with original structural decks, converted to residential use with new penetrations, mechanical equipment and roof decks added.
Industrial conversions and new infill generate the most calls: penetrations cut through existing membrane during conversion, roof deck framing attachments, and terminations where new construction meets an older adjacent building. On the un-converted older stock, parapet coping, membrane terminations and rear addition roofs are the standard work.
West Town sits on the West Side, covering 60622 and 60642 and 60612, so the roof detail above is specific to these blocks rather than to Chicago as a whole.
What gets called in around West Town
Industrial conversions and new infill generate the most calls: penetrations cut through existing membrane during conversion, roof deck framing attachments, and terminations where new construction meets an older adjacent building.
Roofing questions from West Town
Why does my converted warehouse loft leak?
During conversion, new penetrations are often cut through the existing membrane for plumbing, vents and mechanical equipment, and they are not always flashed properly. Those penetrations, and roof deck attachments added later, are the usual sources. Have each penetration checked.
What is different about roofing an industrial conversion?
These buildings carry large low-slope roofs, often over original structure, with a lot of added penetrations from the conversion. It is commercial-style membrane work rather than house roofing. A roofer experienced with conversions will know where to look. It is closer to commercial work than to house roofing.
New infill was built beside our older building. Should we worry?
It is worth checking the joint. Where new construction meets an older adjacent building, the termination between them is a common leak point. Once the new building is finished, have your roof edge and that joint inspected. Catching a failed joint early keeps it from soaking the wall.
Why does West Town have such a wide range of roofs?
Because it is a large community area with everything from 19th century workers cottages and two-flats to converted warehouses and new infill. Each needs different work, from steep-slope cottage roofs to commercial membrane. Describe your building when you call. The right roofer depends on the building.
Adjacent neighborhoods
- Ukrainian VillageWest Side
- Wicker ParkWest Side
- BucktownWest Side
- West LoopCentral
Roofing estimate in West Town
Give us the address and what the roof is doing. 60622 and 60642 and 60612 and the rest of the West Side are covered, and the estimate is free.