Roofing submittals are a critical part of the new construction process. They allow the project team to verify that the proposed roofing materials, assemblies, details, and installation methods align with the construction documents before roofing work begins. A proper roofing submittal review helps prevent material substitutions, installation problems, delays, and costly corrections later in the project. Industry guidance from the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), IIBEC, and the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association recognizes roofing submittals as an important process throughout design, preconstruction, construction, and closeout.
What Is Included in a Roofing Submittal?
A roofing submittal package typically includes manufacturer product data, system specifications, shop drawings, installation details, color and finish information, samples when required, warranties, and other project-specific documentation. Depending on the roofing system and project requirements, it may also include calculations, testing information, certifications, or delegated-design documents.
The roofing contractor or roofing subcontractor generally prepares the submittal based on the project’s drawings and specifications. Before forwarding it to the design team, the contractor should review the package for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the contract requirements.
Step 1: Compare the Submittal With the Project Specifications
The first stage is determining whether the proposed roofing system meets the requirements established by the architect, engineer, owner, and project specifications.
Reviewers typically verify the:
- Roofing system and assembly
- Membrane or roof covering type
- Insulation type, thickness, and R-value
- Cover boards and vapor retarders
- Fasteners and adhesives
- Flashings and sheet metal
- Drainage components
- Accessories and edge-metal systems
- Manufacturer and approved product requirements
- Required colors, finishes, and performance characteristics
The reviewer also checks whether the contractor has proposed an alternate product or system. Any deviation from the contract documents should be clearly identified rather than hidden within the submittal package.
Step 2: Review Roofing Details and Shop Drawings
Roofing shop drawings are reviewed to determine whether the proposed installation can be properly constructed and coordinated with the building.
Important areas include roof edges, parapets, curbs, penetrations, drains, expansion joints, equipment supports, wall transitions, corners, and flashing details.
The reviewer looks for conflicts between the roofing system and other building components. For example, rooftop HVAC equipment, electrical systems, plumbing penetrations, skylights, and structural elements may require coordination before roofing installation begins.
Step 3: Verify Manufacturer Requirements
The proposed assembly should be checked against the roofing manufacturer’s published requirements and installation instructions. Manufacturer instructions are particularly important because roofing systems often depend on specific materials, attachment methods, sequencing, substrate conditions, and installation procedures.
The review may also confirm that the complete system—not simply individual products—is compatible and approved by the manufacturer.
Step 4: Check Code, Performance, and Warranty Requirements
The project team may verify applicable building-code requirements, fire performance, wind-uplift requirements, thermal performance, drainage requirements, and other specified criteria.
Warranty requirements are also important. The submittal should identify the applicable manufacturer warranty and confirm that the proposed system meets the conditions necessary for that warranty.
Step 5: Comments, Revisions, and Approval
After review, the submittal may be marked approved, approved as noted, revise and resubmit, or rejected, depending on the project’s established procedures.
If comments are issued, the roofing contractor revises the package and resubmits it for another review. Approved information is then distributed to the appropriate project team members and used during construction.
It is important to understand that submittal approval does not necessarily transfer the contractor’s responsibility for properly furnishing and installing the roofing system. The roles of the contractor, architect, engineer, manufacturer, and owner should remain consistent with the contract documents.
Why Roofing Submittal Review Matters
A thorough roofing submittal review provides an important quality-control checkpoint before materials are purchased and installed. It can identify specification conflicts, missing components, incompatible materials, coordination issues, and installation concerns early—when they are much easier and less expensive to correct.
For new construction projects, roofing submittal review is therefore more than an administrative approval. It is a coordinated technical review that helps ensure the specified roof system can be properly supplied, installed, warranted, and integrated with the rest of the building envelope.
Shieldline Roofing can help project teams navigate roofing requirements, system coordination, installation considerations, and quality-control needs for commercial new construction projects.
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