Cedar Rapids, IA · Flat Roof

Flat Roof Contractors in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Commercial or residential flat roof — compare local roofing companies. 29 local roofers listed.

Short answer: Flat and low-slope roofs in Cedar Rapids are usually TPO ($5.50–$9 a sq ft installed), EPDM ($4.50–$8) or modified bitumen ($3–$7); the membrane lasts 15–25 years, mostly decided by how well the drains are kept clear. In Cedar Rapids: 4.8 heavy-rain days a year (1 inch+). Ask any roofer for a license number and a certificate of insurance.

Get a free quote See Cedar Rapids in numbers
  • 4.8heavy-rain days a year (1 inch+)
  • 34 inrain a year
  • 13days a year at 90°F or hotter
  • 33%of homes are not single-family houses

How much life is left in my Cedar Rapids roof?

Typical lifespans are published ranges for each material; for a Cedar Rapids house, real life also depends on installation, attic ventilation and the weather Cedar Rapids gets.

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Under Cedar Rapids's summer heat, a flat roof's membrane choice drives lifespan more than almost anything else: white TPO or a reflective coating keeps surface temperatures 40 to 60 degrees lower than dark EPDM and extends service life significantly. Common flat roof systems in Cedar Rapids include TPO (heat-welded, energy-efficient), EPDM (durable rubber membrane), and modified bitumen — each with different cost, longevity, and maintenance profiles worth discussing with a local contractor.

Cedar Rapids in numbers

Public records for Cedar Rapids and its county, not estimates. Each figure shows its source.

  • #30of 209Cedar Rapids ranks #30 of the 209 cities we cover for freeze-thaw days.
  • #163of 209Cedar Rapids ranks #163 of the 209 cities we cover for yearly rainfall (low end).

Hail reports per year in the county

Hail events per year in the county, 2017 to 2026* 20 2017 4 2018 6 2019 35 2020 2 2021 5 2022 28 2023 4 2024 2 2025 25 2026*
Hail events per year in the county, 2017 to 2026*
201720
20184
20196
202035
20212
20225
202328
20244
20252
2026*25

131 recorded events across 9 full years plus 2026 to June represented in the data, about 11.8 per represented full year. 2020 had the most events among represented full years: 35.

2026 covers only January to June: NOAA's file ends there, so it is not counted as the worst year or in the yearly average.

Source: NOAA hail events, county level · data as of 2017–2026*

Costliest storm day on record

Jul 17, 2016

3 reports that day (2 wind, 1 tornado); reported property damage $250,000; county FIPS 19113, 2014–June 2026

Source: NOAA Storm Events · data as of 2014–June 2026

When storms hit Cedar Rapids

Hail reports by month in the county, all years combined 0 Jan 1 Feb 15 Mar 81 Apr 13 May 47 Jun 5 Jul 8 Aug 0 Sep 1 Oct 4 Nov 0 Dec
Hail reports by month in the county, all years combined
Jan0
Feb1
Mar15
Apr81
May13
Jun47
Jul5
Aug8
Sep0
Oct1
Nov4
Dec0

Most hail reports come in April; the season runs March to June. Book inspections and repairs before that window, not after.

Source: NOAA Storm Events · data as of 2014–June 2026

Roofing trade around Cedar Rapids

  • 18 roofing companies with payroll in the county, employing about 237 people; 61% have fewer than 5 employees.
  • A roofer's median pay here is $47,840 a year (Cedar Rapids, IA Metro Area).
Source: Census CBP · data as of 2023 Source: BLS OEWS, roofers · data as of May 2025

Cedar Rapids storm record: Linn County

What the National Weather Service logged in Linn County in 2014–2026. County level, because storm reports are filed by county, not by city limits.

  • 1849Founded
  • 810 ft (247 m)Elevation

Where hail of 1 inch or more was reported in Linn County

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  • 961 to 1.74 in
  • 371.75 to 2.74 in, golf ball to tennis ball
  • 22.75 in and up, baseball

Largest plotted stone: 2.75 in. Bigger dots are bigger stones.

135 reports of 1 inch or larger have coordinates. Each dot is a reported location, not a storm path.

Sources: NOAA, Census county outline

Biggest hail days

DateLargest hailReports that dayWhere it was reported
April 7, 2020 2.75 in, about the size of a baseball 29 Hiawatha
July 11, 2020 2.75 in, about the size of a baseball 4 Fairfax
June 22, 2015 2.5 in, about the size of a tennis ball 21 Marion
“Severe thunderstorms developed across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois Saturday, July 11, producing widespread wind damage and very large hail.”
National Weather Service report, July 11, 2020
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database · data as of 2014–2026

Last big hail on record

April 14, 2026

Hail of 1.75 inches (golf ball) or larger fell on 9 days in 2014–2026. Our records end where NOAA's do, so a newer storm may not be listed yet.

Strongest tornado

EF2 · June 28, 2017

It stayed on the ground for 10.19 miles and was up to 200 yards wide. The tornado touched down south of Central City in the county fairgrounds outfield area, and tracked about 12 miles northeast through Prairieburg before lifting in rural Jones County. The most intense damage occurred near and in Prairieburg.

Strongest thunderstorm gust

140 mph · August 10, 2020

Widespread straight-line winds that produced extensive damage were reported throughout Linn County, associated with a derecho. These winds lasted around an hour in total at any one location, even though the initial line of storms moved out quickly.

What it means for flat roof

Flat and low-slope roofs hold hail on the surface instead of letting it bounce. With 2.75-inch hail on record in Linn County, ask what membrane and cover board the contractor specifies.

Storm data: NOAA Storm Events (public domain). City facts: Wikidata (CC0).

What it costs in Cedar Rapids

Asphalt-shingle re-roof, 2,000 sq ft home, adjusted for Cedar Rapids labor and material prices. Your quote depends on roof size, pitch and scope.

That typical price is about 5.5% of the median Cedar Rapids home value ($177,100).

Source: Census ACS (Cedar Rapids city) · data as of 2019–2023

Full Cedar Rapids cost guide by material →

What Cedar Rapids's climate means for flat roof

  • Reflective TPO or a white coating earns its premium in Cedar Rapids, where dark membranes absorb punishing heat and age years faster.
  • Cedar Rapids's freeze-thaw cycling works open membrane seams and flashing laps — heat-welded TPO seams outlast taped or adhered ones in this climate.

Roofers in Cedar Rapids, IA

29 listed, first 20 shown. Roofers we verified against a public registry come first.

This list covers roofing companies generally. Confirm flat roof experience, materials, insurance and current availability with each company. A Verified badge refers to the registry check, not a confirmed specialty.

Flat Roof in Cedar Rapids: questions

How do I find a flat roof company in Cedar Rapids?
PickARoofer lists roofing companies serving Cedar Rapids, IA. This is a general roofing directory; confirm flat roof experience and availability with each company. A Verified badge describes a separate registry check, not a confirmed service specialty or insurance check. Confirm scope, insurance and availability directly. Requests go to one contractor at a time, with up to three attempts; a response or start date is not guaranteed. Free for homeowners.
Should I repair or fully re-roof in Cedar Rapids?
Ask a roofer to document the damage and compare a written repair scope with a replacement estimate. Roof condition, remaining life, materials and the extent of damage affect the decision. Confirm any inspection fee before booking.
When is hail season in Cedar Rapids?
April is the worst month: 46% of the 175 hail reports NOAA holds for the county came then. Reports run from March to June. Book the inspection before March, while crews still have open dates.
How big does hail get near Cedar Rapids?
The largest hail NOAA logged near Cedar Rapids measured 2.75 inches, about the size of a baseball. Hail of an inch or more fell on 25 days in the same record. The biggest day was April 7, 2020, with 29 reports. The National Weather Service calls hail of 1 inch or larger severe; the bigger the stone, the more likely it is to crack a shingle.
How old are the homes in Cedar Rapids, and does it matter for the roof?
The median home in Cedar Rapids was built in 1973, and 60% of homes date from before 1980 (Census ACS). A roof on a home that old has often been re-covered at least once, so ask the roofer whether there is a second layer underneath: it changes the tear-off cost. The area sees about 98 freeze-thaw days a year, which loosens flashing and sealant.
What does roofing cost in Cedar Rapids?
For an average 2,000 sq ft home we model asphalt-shingle re-roof at $6,090 to $13,485 in Cedar Rapids, around $9,800 in the middle. That is about 5.5% of the median home value of $177,100. Your quote moves with roof size, pitch and how many layers come off.
How many roofing companies work around Cedar Rapids?
The Census Bureau counts 18 roofing companies with payroll in Linn County, employing about 237 people. 61.1% of them have fewer than five employees, so most quotes come from owner-run crews. A roofer's median pay is $47,840 a year (BLS).
Which flat roof membrane holds up best under Cedar Rapids's summer heat?
White TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) is the dominant choice for new flat roofs in hot climates like Cedar Rapids: its reflective surface keeps membrane temperature dramatically lower than dark EPDM, which absorbs heat and ages faster under intense sun. Modified bitumen with a granulated cap sheet is an older alternative that performs adequately but runs hotter. Whichever system you choose, plan for a reflective coating renewal on the manufacturer's recommended cycle — it extends membrane life and cuts cooling load in attic-adjacent spaces.
What is the difference between TPO, EPDM, and modified bitumen for Cedar Rapids properties?
TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) uses heat-welded seams and a white reflective surface — the current industry standard for new commercial and residential flat roofs, best for energy efficiency. EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a rubber membrane installed with taped or adhesive seams — very durable and forgiving, widely used on residential flat roofs for decades. Modified bitumen is a reinforced asphalt sheet applied by torch or cold adhesive — economical and familiar to many local Cedar Rapids contractors, though it runs warmer than TPO and may require more frequent coating. Cost, pitch, and building type typically dictate the right choice — a Cedar Rapids flat-roof specialist can walk you through the tradeoffs for your specific structure.
Do I need a permit for flat roof in Iowa?
Permit requirements depend on the property, scope of work and local jurisdiction. Check with the city or county building department and confirm who will obtain any required permit before work starts.

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Figures above: NOAA Storm Events Database (hail, wind, tornado; county of the city, 2014–2026), U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (housing), NASA POWER (temperature and rain, 2014–2023). Prices: our published price method. How we collect data.