Best Flat & Low-Slope Roofing Contractors in Chicago (2026) — Ranked

Flat and low-slope roofing in Chicago relies on membrane systems — TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, and built-up roofing — common on commercial buildings and many modern homes. The 6 contractors below were selected from our full Chicago top 10 as the strongest for flat & low-slope work, ranked by experience, manufacturer certifications, BBB standing, and verified reputation.

Chicago's flat-roof tradition is deeply embedded in the city's architectural identity. The two- and three-flat greystone and brick buildings that fill the city's established neighborhoods — Wicker Park, Pilsen, Logan Square, Bridgeport — were built with flat roofs as an economic necessity of urban density, and maintaining and replacing these roofs is a routine part of ownership in these communities. The challenge is that Chicago's climate is among the most demanding in North America for flat roofing: Lake Michigan produces severe lake-effect weather, winters bring heavy snow loads and dramatic freeze-thaw cycles, and summers generate heat that accelerates UV degradation of membrane surfaces.

The commercial flat-roof market in Chicago is equally large and technically complex. The city has a mature and specialized roofing contractor community — the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) is one of the oldest industry organizations in the country — and the contractors at the top of this market have deep expertise in modified bitumen, EPDM, and TPO systems applied under challenging winter conditions. Cold-weather installation protocols matter in Chicago because membrane adhesives and seam welds behave differently below freezing, and a poorly timed installation in January can result in seam failures that only manifest months later.

Quick Comparison

Rank	Company	Specialty	Experience	BBB	Website
1	A-1 Roofing Company	Best Commercial Flat Roofing	Since 1910 (115+ Years)	A+ Accredited (Since 2010)	Visit
2	Smart Roofing, Inc.	GAF Master Elite — Top 2%	Since 1993 (32+ Years)	A+	Visit
3	Horizon Restoration Corp.	Best Dual-Certified	Since 2007 (18+ Years)	A+ Accredited	Visit
4	Second City Roofing & Exteriors	Best Chicago City Expert	Since 1979 (45+ Years)	A+ Accredited (Since 2006)	Visit
5	ACA Roofing & Construction, Inc.	Most Extensively Licensed	Since 1994 (31+ Years)	A+ Accredited (Since 2025)	Visit
6	JL Contractor Services, Ltd.	Best Multi-Trade Exterior	Since 2000 (25+ Years)	A+ Accredited (Since 2008)	Visit

Detailed Reviews

#1

A-1 Roofing Company

Best Commercial Flat Roofing

ExperienceSince 1910 (115+ Years)

BBB StatusA+ Accredited (Since 2010)

SpecialtyCRCA, NRCA, IL License #104-000096

Service AreaGreater Chicago Metro

Established in 1910 and continuously family-owned for 115 years, A-1 Roofing Company is Chicago’s oldest roofing business still in operation. The company focuses exclusively on commercial, industrial, and multi-family flat roofing — bringing singular depth of expertise to Chicago’s enormous flat-roof building stock. Their dual membership in both the CRCA and NRCA, combined with an Illinois Unlimited Roofing Contractor License and over a century of continuous Chicago market presence, reflects a commitment to professional standards matched by almost no competitor in the city.

Commercial Roofing Flat Roofing EPDM TPO Modified Bitumen BUR Maintenance Programs

Visit A-1 Roofing Company

#2

Smart Roofing, Inc.

GAF Master Elite — Top 2%

ExperienceSince 1993 (32+ Years)

BBB StatusA+

SpecialtyGAF Master Elite, Ludowici Crown Roofer, Brava Excellence

Service AreaChicago & Northwest Suburbs

Founded in 1993, Smart Roofing has earned the rare GAF Master Elite designation — held by fewer than 2% of roofing contractors nationwide — alongside specialty certifications in Ludowici terra cotta tile and Brava composite roofing. The 2025 Brava Excellence Award confirms that their installation quality continues to meet the highest industry standards. Their dual competency in residential and commercial roofing, combined with their terra cotta and specialty tile expertise, gives them an unusually broad capability set for Chicago’s architecturally diverse housing stock.

Residential Roofing Commercial Roofing Flat Roofing Terra Cotta Tile Cedar Shake Metal Roofing Storm Damage

Visit Smart Roofing, Inc.

#3

Horizon Restoration Corp.

Best Dual-Certified

ExperienceSince 2007 (18+ Years)

BBB StatusA+ Accredited

SpecialtyOwens Corning Preferred, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster

Service AreaChicago & Northern Suburbs

Horizon Restoration Corp. has earned both Owens Corning Preferred and CertainTeed dual-certification status — a combination that signals verified installation quality and access to manufacturer-backed extended warranties from two of the industry’s top manufacturers simultaneously. Their 4.9-star Google rating across 245+ reviews and 4.8-star Yelp rating reflect consistent execution across a large service footprint. The company is particularly strong in storm damage documentation and insurance claim navigation, an important differentiator in Chicago’s active severe-weather market.

Residential Roofing Shingle Roofing Flat Roofing Storm Damage Siding Gutters Insurance Claims

Visit Horizon Restoration Corp.

#4

Second City Roofing & Exteriors

Best Chicago City Expert

ExperienceSince 1979 (45+ Years)

BBB StatusA+ Accredited (Since 2006)

SpecialtyIL Licensed, City of Chicago GC Licensed

Service AreaChicago city proper & Cook County

With more than 45 years serving Chicago homeowners, Second City Roofing has become one of the city’s most enduring residential roofing brands, particularly known for its expertise in Chicago’s prevalent flat-roof architecture. Their A+ BBB rating and accreditation since 2006, combined with decades of institutional knowledge about Chicago building codes and architectural styles, make them a reliable choice for flat-roof replacements on bungalows and two-flats. Their multi-trade capability — roofing, masonry, and exterior work — is well-suited to Chicago’s aging housing stock.

Flat Roofing Shingle Roofing Siding Masonry Gutters Windows Storm Damage

Visit Second City Roofing & Exteriors

#5

ACA Roofing & Construction, Inc.

Most Extensively Licensed

ExperienceSince 1994 (31+ Years)

BBB StatusA+ Accredited (Since 2025)

Specialty15 Chicago Municipal Licenses, IL Licensed

Service AreaChicago & Cook County

In business since 1994, ACA Roofing & Construction has built a strong Chicago reputation by combining broad material expertise — from standard asphalt shingles to EPDM commercial systems — with an unusually extensive municipal licensing portfolio covering 15 City of Chicago license categories, including a Class E General Contractor designation. Led by President Pawel Buch, the company holds a 4.8-star overall rating across review platforms and serves both residential and commercial clients across the city.

Residential Roofing Commercial Roofing Flat Roofing Shingle Roofing Metal Roofing Storm Damage Siding & Windows

Visit ACA Roofing & Construction, Inc.

#6

JL Contractor Services, Ltd.

Best Multi-Trade Exterior

ExperienceSince 2000 (25+ Years)

BBB StatusA+ Accredited (Since 2008)

SpecialtyAngie’s List Super Service Award

Service AreaChicago & Chicagoland

Founded in 2000 by Jack Lekarczyk, JL Contractor Services has grown into one of Chicago’s highest-reviewed multi-trade exterior contractors, holding a 4.8+ star Yelp rating across 100+ reviews. Their simultaneous BBB accreditation and Angie’s List Super Service Awards confirm consistent satisfaction over more than two decades. The company’s combination of roofing, masonry, concrete, and tuckpointing in a single crew-based operation is especially valuable for Chicago’s aging brick bungalows and two-flats that frequently require coordinated exterior repairs.

Residential Roofing Commercial Roofing Masonry Tuckpointing Concrete Siding Gutters

Visit JL Contractor Services, Ltd.

Flat Roofing in Chicago: Where Architectural Heritage Meets Lake Michigan Weather

Two- and three-flat greystone buildings in the North and Northwest sides

Chicago's two- and three-flat building stock presents a specific flat-roof challenge: the roof is accessed and maintained by the top-floor unit owner or building owner, often without professional oversight between major failures. Modified bitumen systems — particularly torch-applied cap sheets over a base sheet — are the standard for these residential flat roofs because they are repairable in sections and familiar to Chicago roofing contractors who work extensively in this market. The access hatch or stairhouse structure at the parapet is a common leak source and should be included in any re-roofing scope.

Commercial properties in the Loop and River North subject to CRCA standards

Chicago's commercial roofing market operates under CRCA labor agreements and prevailing wage requirements that affect project timelines and costs on publicly visible or mixed-use developments. TPO and EPDM systems installed under CRCA contract come with standard warranty terms negotiated by the association, and building owners benefit from the accountability structure this creates. For commercial re-roofing in the core, confirming contractor CRCA membership and verifying the warranty terms are properly registered is a practical due-diligence step.

Buildings with green roof or rooftop occupancy conversions

Chicago's green roof incentive programs and growing culture of rooftop space activation — decks, gardens, solar arrays — mean that flat-roof replacements increasingly need to accommodate supplemental loads and drainage design beyond standard membrane work. The waterproofing membrane below a garden or occupiable deck requires a higher-performance specification than a standard accessible roof, and root-barrier layers must be incorporated if any plantings are planned. Verifying that the proposed system is designed for the intended end use is essential before construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many flat & low-slope roofing contractors are in Chicago?

Our directory lists 6 independently verified flat & low-slope roofing contractors serving Chicago, Illinois, ranked by experience, certifications and reputation. A-1 Roofing Company is ranked #1. There are no paid placements.

How do I choose a flat & low-slope roofer in Chicago?

Confirm licensing and insurance for Illinois, ask for flat & low-slope project references in Chicago, get multiple written quotes, and check each contractor's BBB standing. Every company listed here has been independently researched.

Can flat roofs be installed year-round in Chicago, or is winter work inadvisable?

Flat-roof installation in Chicago during winter requires cold-weather protocols that not all contractors follow consistently. Membrane adhesives have minimum application temperature requirements — typically around 40°F — and torch-applied modified bitumen requires particular attention to substrate moisture from snow or ice. Experienced Chicago flat-roof contractors work year-round using propane heating tents for adhesives and conditioning membrane rolls before installation. Avoid contractors who propose to cold-apply adhesive systems without cold-weather precautions during late autumn through early spring.

How does Chicago's snow load affect flat roof design?

Chicago's building code specifies design snow loads based on local climate data, and flat roofs on multi-story buildings must be designed to carry accumulated snow without structural distress. After significant snowfall, drainage becomes critical — as the snow melts, the volume of water flowing to drains can overwhelm undersized drain systems and create ponding. Properly sized interior drains and overflow scuppers are required by code, but older buildings may have undersized drainage that warrants evaluation during any re-roofing project.

What is modified bitumen roofing and why is it common on Chicago's residential flat roofs?

Modified bitumen is an asphalt-based membrane reinforced with polyester or fiberglass and modified with rubber or plastic polymer additives for flexibility. It is applied in two layers — a base sheet and a cap sheet — and can be installed by torch application, cold-adhesive application, or self-adhesive peel-and-stick methods. Its popularity on Chicago residential flat roofs stems from its proven performance in freeze-thaw conditions, ease of spot repair, and the broad availability of experienced installers. Torch-applied modified bitumen remains the dominant system for residential two- and three-flats in Chicago proper.

Best Flat & Low-Slope Roofing Contractors in Chicago