Roofing Assessment and Design
A roofing system is one of a building’s most important defenses against the elements, protecting interiors, structure, and occupants. At CANY, we specialize in assessing, designing, and overseeing the installation of roofing systems that resolve water infiltration, improve thermal performance, meet current code requirements, and extend the life of your building.
We regularly work on complex structures where roofing systems interact with intricate building shapes, in urban, historic, and mixed-use structures. Our portfolio includes low-slope roofs with steep sloped roofs, pitched roofs with gables and chimneys, blue roofs, green roofs over traditional or modern construction, and landmark properties.
Who benefits from our Roof Assessment and Design Service?
Residential building owners and co-op boards
Commercial building owners and managers
Landmark and historic property owners
Architects and project teams
Your roof is part of a bigger system. CANY makes sure it works. Schedule a roofing assessment now.
Why Roofing Assessment and Design matters
Roofing problems are rarely isolated. Leaks, stains, or drafts are symptoms of broader issues within the building enclosure, often concealed where the roof meets masonry walls, parapets, flashings, or drainage systems.
Contractor quick fixes might stop a leak for now but typically fail to address underlying problems, leading to recurring failures, tenant complaints, and costly replacements.
At CANY, we take a building enclosure–focused approach. We assess how the roof functions as part of the larger system, identify root causes, and design coordinated, long-lasting solutions.
Common challenges we resolve include:
Incompatible materials: Issues at transitions or repairs using mismatched or unsuitable components.
Improper Flashing: Failed or missing flashing at parapets, chimneys, and roof-to-wall transitions.
Differential Movement: Cracking where roofing system moves separately from chimneys or masonry walls.
Parapet and Coping Failures: Water infiltration through cracked, displaced, or deteriorated masonry.
Improper Flashing: Failed or missing flashing at parapets, chimneys, and roof-to-wall transitions.
Masonry Deterioration: Spalling, efflorescence, and freeze-thaw damage exacerbated by poor drainage and thermal bridging.
Historic Detailing: Integrating modern waterproofing while preserving original architectural features.
CANY’s expertise helps clients make informed, long-term decisions by:
Pinpointing the true source of water infiltration and related enclosure issues
Evaluating whether strategic repairs or full replacement is more practical
Ensuring compliance with ever-evolving building codes and energy regulations, and preservation standards
Designing durable, fully integrated roofing systems that work with parapets, chimneys and mechanical supports, and masonry façades.
Why Choose CANY Instead of a Roofing Contractor?
Most roofing contractors focus on membranes and surface components. But a roof doesn’t work in isolation, it interacts with walls, parapets, flashings, drainage, and equipment supports. Without addressing these connections, even a new roof can fail.
CANY brings decades of enclosure expertise to every project, ensuring issues are solved at the system level, not just the surface. Our coordinated designs integrate roofing with the building’s masonry and enclosure components, preventing recurring problems and protecting your investment
CANY’s broader expertise results in longer-lasting, better-performing solutions that protect both your building and your investment.
CANY’s Involvement
Our process is clear, structured, and tailored to your building:
Initial assessment and consultation: Site visit, existing conditions review, and visual inspection at the roof level and within interior spaces.
Probing and Detailed Investigation: Selective removals to uncover hidden conditions such as damaged decking, missing flashings, or deteriorated parapet conditions.
Roofing System Design: Detailed, custom roofing design including insulation, waterproofing, drainage, and integrated flashing.
Bid and Contractor Selection: Issuing bid documents, reviewing proposals, and advising on contractor selection.
Construction Monitoring: On-site oversight to confirm conformance with design documents, manufacturer requirements, and installation standards.
Final Review and Closeout: Verifying complete, watertight installation, warranty eligibility, and billing accuracy.
Key benefits
Decades of professional experience with modern, historic and complex masonry-integrated roofing systems
An enclosure-first approach that considers how roofing systems interact with façades, parapets, chimneys and structures
Clear, buildable, contractor-ready documentation and field-tested detailing
Proactive construction monitoring to protect quality, warranties, and investment
NRCA membership and continuous hands-on training with manufacturers
Expert knowledge of roofing challenges unique to masonry buildings, including differential movement, moisture control, and preservation
FAQ
What types of roofs does CANY typically work on?
We specialize in built-up, hot, or cold-applied roofing systems and focus on properly detailing adjacent building components. This includes masonry, low-slope roofs with parapets, pitched roofs with chimneys, green roofs, and historically sensitive structures.
What are common problems in roofs on masonry buildings?
Common issues include water infiltration through failed flashings, deteriorated parapet copings, poor drainage, thermal bridging, brick masonry deterioration, and differential movement. These problems are often interconnected.
How do I know if I need a roof replacement or just a repair?
CANY’s assessments evaluates existing conditions, history, and concealed issues to recommend the most practical, cost-effective solution whether that’s targeted repairs or full system replacement.
Why shouldn’t I just hire a roofer to patch the problem?
Roofers typically focus on membranes, missing enclosure-wide problems. Without addressing parapets, walls, flashings, and drainage systems, even a new membrane can fail. CANY identifies the root cause and provides coordinated, lasting solutions.
How long does a typical roofing project take?
Timelines vary by complexity. Typically, assessment and design take 4–8 weeks, followed by contractor bidding, permitting, and installation.
