Data Center Boom Opens Doors for Roofers

As data center construction and conversions accelerate, roofing contractors can find opportunities in new roofs, restoration, repairs and long-term maintenance. Because even minor leaks can threaten costly operations, contractors must meet heightened technical, safety and security requirements while helping owners protect uptime.

“Data centers are a hot topic in communities around the country, and they’ve really become the story in commercial roofing and facilities management as we get near to closing out the year,” Aisner said in opening the discussion.

Schoch brings nearly four decades of roofing industry experience, while Engel serves as market segment director for Sherwin-Williams’ manufacturing and processing segment within its Protective & Marine division. Engel said data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure and semiconductor facilities have become major strategic growth markets for the company as investment in cloud computing and digital infrastructure continues.

Roofing Opportunities Go Beyond New Construction

For roofing contractors, one of the biggest takeaways is that the data center market is not limited to massive new facilities rising from the ground.

Schoch said contractors are increasingly seeing opportunities involving existing buildings that are being converted into data centers. Those projects can offer advantages for owners looking for faster delivery, available power infrastructure and lower development costs.

“They’re popping up fast, and it continues to accelerate, which means contractors, they’re seeing more opportunities, not only in the new construction piece of it, but also in the maintenance of existing,” Schoch said.

She added that repurposing existing facilities can provide “speed to market, power availability, lower costs associated, and a sustainable approach.”

That creates an important opening for commercial roofing contractors. Existing facilities may require roof assessments, repairs, restoration or ongoing maintenance before or after they are converted to mission-critical use.

The stakes, however, are considerably higher when the building houses servers, electrical systems and other sensitive equipment.

Engel said even a relatively small roof leak can create significant operational risks inside a data center. She cited research indicating downtime at these facilities can cost approximately $14,000 per minute.

“The best strategy for preventing water intrusion before it starts is to maintain and protect the roofs,” Engel said. “Any kind of small exterior issue can become a huge larger operational problem and risk that crucial uptime that these data centers are measured by daily.”

Restoration Vs. Replacement

That sensitivity can also change how owners approach an aging roof.

Schoch said data center operators must consider security, environmental controls, operational continuity and long-term durability when evaluating roofing work. In some situations, fluid-applied restoration systems can provide an alternative to a conventional overlay or tear-off.

Compared with conventional reroofing, she said fluid-applied systems can reduce the number of workers required on the roof, minimize debris and potential contamination, and help preserve interior temperature and humidity because the existing roof does not have to be opened extensively during the work.

Fluid-applied systems are generally installed over an existing roof to extend its service life. Schoch said the process can include moisture scans, conventional roofing repairs and careful sealing around pipes, penetrations, equipment and other rooftop details before the final seamless system is installed. Facilities may also incorporate slip-resistant walkways in contrasting colors to establish designated paths for rooftop workers.

For roofing contractors considering this market, however, technical capability is only part of the equation.

Schoch said contractors need to understand the security, insurance and safety requirements associated with mission-critical facilities. Owners may require credentials such as ISNetworld or similar safety documentation, along with documented procedures governing how crews operate onsite.

“The critical nature of the interior of the facilities, it’s what’s going to make it so important to be highly specialized in what we do,” she said.

Manufacturer training can also play a role. Schoch said contractors working with fluid-applied systems should understand manufacturer requirements and work closely with the manufacturer throughout the project.

Maintenance Creates Long-Term Work

Perhaps the biggest opportunity for roofing contractors comes after construction is finished.

Engel emphasized that proactive roof maintenance should be a fundamental part of a data center’s building-envelope strategy. Regular inspections and assessments can identify potential problems before they become leaks or other failures that threaten operations.

Over time, she said, that approach can extend roof service life while helping facility owners establish more predictable budgets.

For contractors, it also changes the relationship with the customer.

“It’s a great way to build long-term relationships with customers, helping them move from the reactive mindset to a planned preventative maintenance strategy,” Engel said.

And the opportunities may continue growing as existing data centers are expanded, upgraded and retrofitted.

Engel said owners are looking for trusted contractors who understand the specialized demands of mission-critical facilities and can keep pace with aggressive project schedules. Contractors interested in entering the market should begin by identifying where data center construction is occurring, who is developing the projects and what qualifications those owners and project teams require.

“The opportunity doesn’t stop after construction,” Engel said, pointing to ongoing maintenance, retrofits and expansions as additional avenues for contractors.