U.S. Commercial Roofing Report
Compiled by Barn Commercial Roofing

10 Minute Read​ | June 1, 2025

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I. Executive Summary​

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Storm activity across Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) in 2024 triggered a sharp rise in commercial roof damage, many of which went undetected until it was too late for insurance to step in. Commercial property owners and managers are now facing the consequences: denied claims, expensive repairs, and missed opportunities for early action.

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Barn Commercial Roofing has been inspecting buildings across the metroplex with drone technology and certified teams — and the patterns are clear. Most building owners had no idea their roof was damaged until a deal stalled, a leak appeared, or a tenant complained. This article highlights what we’ve seen, what’s driving the risk, and what you can do about it.

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II. Field Observations from the DFW Region​

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Q2–Q3 2024 Inspection Data:
Commercial Roofs Inspected = 185
Roofs with Storm Damage Present = 141 (76%)
Confirmed Insurance Claim Denials = 30+
Roofs with No Prior Inspection on File = 88%
Avg. Time Between Storm & Discovery = 8.4 months

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III. Most Common Issues Identified

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• Leaks at HVAC curbs and penetration points​​​

• Punctured TPO membranes from hail impact

• Lifted seams and edge termination from wind

• UV damage from prolonged water ponding

 

IV. Insurance Carriers Tightening Windows​

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Insurance providers are becoming less flexible when it comes to storm-related claims. Even when the damage is clearly tied to a hail or wind event, they’re citing “delayed discovery” to avoid paying out.

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What we’re seeing firsthand:

• Claim denials even 6–9 months after major storms

• Adjusters requesting proof of timely inspections

• Owners being told the damage “doesn’t appear recent enough”

• Large out-of-pocket repairs for damage that could have been covered

 

If you can’t show that you flagged the damage in time, you may be left footing the entire bill.

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V. Why Drone Inspections Are Changing the Game​​

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Our team uses high-definition drone imaging to conduct fast, non-invasive roof scans — no climbing, no damage, and no downtime. The process takes 10–15 minutes per building and gives owners visual proof of the roof’s current condition.

 

What Drone Inspections Catch:

• Damage invisible from the ground

• Slope failures and water ponding

• Subtle material deterioration

• Early-stage seam separations

 

No-cost, no-obligation inspections are helping owners make smarter, faster decisions — and build documentation that stands up to insurance scrutiny.

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VI. The Certification That Actually Matter in Texas​​

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Texas has no licensing requirement for commercial roofers — meaning anyone can say they “do commercial roofing.” But most lack the experience or credentials to back it up, and we’re seeing the results: bad repairs, improper materials, and roofs that fail prematurely.

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Barn Commercial Roofing holds the highest level of industry certifications, including:

• HAAG Certified Commercial Roof Inspectors
  (The gold standard in forensic roof inspection and damage assessment)

• GAF Certified
  (Backed by the largest roofing manufacturer in North America)

 

These certifications are not marketing fluff — they influence how insurance adjusters treat your documentation and how seriously your roof gets evaluated.

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VII. What This Means for Owners, Managers, and Brokers​​

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Building Owners

If you haven’t had your roof checked since last year’s storms, you may already be in the claim denial window. A quick 15-minute drone inspection could be the difference between a covered claim and a massive out-of-pocket expense.

 

Property Managers

Documenting the condition of your clients’ roofs before and after weather events helps reduce risk and shows proactivity. We can provide timestamped images and certified reports you can file immediately.

 

Brokers

Roof surprises kill deals. We’ve seen last-minute inspections derail closings and shave hundreds of thousands off valuation. Get roofs inspected before marketing — or use inspections to create leverage.

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VII. Strategic Takeaway​​

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Storm damage in DFW is more widespread than most realize — and waiting to inspect means gambling with your claim eligibility. Most roofs won’t fail visibly right away, but insurance companies are counting on you to ignore the early signs.

 

Barn Commercial Roofing can inspect your properties at no cost, no obligation — and if work is needed, we offer referral fees and pricing that won’t force your client to sell a kidney.