How Roof Restoration Saved a New Jersey School District $1.56 Million

September 2, 2026

Replacement Isn’t Always the Answer

In 2019 & 2020, the Edison Township Board of Education was preparing to undertake major roof replacement work at several district schools. Rather than simply bidding the replacement as specified, Hygrade Insulators encouraged the district to consider another question first: Did these roofs need to be completely replaced, or could the district achieve its goals by restoring and protecting the existing roof systems?

That question ultimately made a significant financial difference for the district. Their Finance & Facilities Committee rejected replacement bids at seven schools, so the specifications could be modified to a foam roofing system and the projects rebid. Hygrade ultimately received the award for those projects.

The numbers tell the story. Based on the lowest responsive bids for the original replacement specifications, the work would have totaled approximately $3.5 million. Hygrade’s accepted bids under the revised approach totaled approximately $1.945 million.

Estimated savings to the district: $1,562,955.00, approximately 45%!

Start With the Problem, Not the Product

A full roof replacement can absolutely be the right solution when a roof has reached the end of its useful life. But it shouldn’t be the automatic answer.

When the existing system is a viable candidate for restoration, coatings and spray polyurethane foam can provide an opportunity to address leaks, improve roof performance and extend service life while preserving much of the roof already in place.

For a public entity responsible for taxpayer dollars—or any facility manager responsible for a capital budget—that distinction matters.

At Hygrade, our job isn’t to sell the most expensive roof we can. It’s to understand the problem, evaluate the options and recommend the solution that delivers the greatest long-term value.

In Edison’s case, challenging the assumption that replacement was necessary helped preserve the district’s roofs and over $1.56 million dollars of its budget.

Problems Solved. Promises Kept.