Construction

To Become a Roofer (Flat roofs asphalt and gravel elastomeric membranes) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

by Occupations.ca Team
10 min read

Are you practical, steady on your feet, and not afraid of heights? If you like hands-on work, being outdoors, and Building Systems that protect entire buildings, a career as a Roofer specializing in flat roofs—especially asphalt-and-gravel built-up roofing (BUR) and elastomeric membranes—could be a strong fit for you in Ontario.

Job Description

Flat-roof roofers in Ontario install, Repair, and maintain low-slope commercial, industrial, and multi-residential roofing systems.

You work with:

  • Built-up roofing (BUR) — layers of bitumen and reinforcement topped with gravel
  • Elastomeric (modified bitumen) membranes — typically torch-applied or cold-applied, creating waterproof systems

These roofing systems protect schools, hospitals, warehouses, factories, malls, offices, and condos across Ontario.

You will often be part of a crew, working at height and in changing weather. You’ll handle specialized tools, hot materials, adhesives, and propane torches, and coordinate with general contractors, HVAC teams, and sheet metal workers to complete complex details around drains, parapets, and curbs.

Daily Work Activities

  • Reading drawings, roof plans, and specifications to understand Insulation layers, slopes, vapour barriers, attachment patterns, and membrane details
  • Preparing roof decks (Concrete, Steel, wood) and installing vapour retarders and tapered insulation systems
  • Applying BUR systems using hot asphalt, felts, and gravel surfacing
  • Installing elastomeric (SBS/APP) modified bitumen membranes via torch application or cold adhesives
  • Flashing penetrations (vents, drains, pipes, HVAC curbs) and sealing edges and parapets
  • Conducting leak investigations, repairs, and preventative Maintenance
  • Using hoists, kettles, hot mops, torches, rollers, fasteners, and cutters safely
  • Performing daily Safety checks, Rigging guardrails, installing lifelines, and ensuring fall protection
  • Coordinating deliveries, moving materials to the roof, and maintaining clean, safe work areas
  • Documenting work, taking photos, and communicating with forepersons and site supervisors

Main Tasks

  • Install BUR assemblies: prime, mop, apply felts, embed gravel, set walk pads
  • Install elastomeric membranes: prime, torch seams, detail corners, and seal terminations
  • Install and fasten insulation (polyiso, EPS, Mineral Wool) and cover boards (e.g., gypsum fiber)
  • Set up and monitor asphalt kettles and mop carts safely
  • Complete roof penetrations and flashings using compatible accessories
  • Maintain slope to drain and install roof drains, scuppers, and overflow devices
  • Conduct hot work with fire watch and follow torch safety procedures
  • Perform roof condition assessments, moisture checks, and core cuts (as directed)
  • Repair blisters, fishmouths, splits, and punctures
  • Apply cold-applied mastics and coatings as specified
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Required Education

In Ontario, Roofer (449A) is a voluntary skilled trade. You do not legally need a Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) to work; however, completing an apprenticeship and earning your C of Q (and potentially Red Seal endorsement) strongly improves job prospects, credibility, safety, and pay—especially in the ICI (industrial, commercial, institutional) sector.

Diplomas and Certifications

Certificate (trade credential)

  • Apprenticeship Certificate of Apprenticeship (Roofer 449A)
  • Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) in Roofer (449A); Red Seal endorsement may be available in Ontario

Mandatory safety certifications (for most employers)

  • Working at Heights (CPO-approved) – required for Construction work at heights in Ontario
  • WHMIS 2015
  • Torch safety (e.g., CRCA Torch Safety Program) for torch-applied membranes
  • Propane in Construction (TSSA-recognized) if using propane torches/heaters

College Diploma (optional but helpful)

  • Construction Engineering Technician
  • Building Construction Technician
  • Construction Techniques (pre-apprenticeship/entry)
  • Estimating or Project Coordination certificates

These can help you transition into foreperson, estimator, or project coordinator roles.

Bachelor’s Degree (not required, but useful for advancement)

Construction Management or Building Science can lead to Project Management, estimating, or Quality Assurance roles in roofing/waterproofing.

Length of Studies

  • Apprenticeship: Typically 3–4 years, combining paid on-the-job Training (~4,000–5,400 hours) with in-school technical training delivered by approved training Delivery agents (TDAs). The in-school portion is usually delivered in levels and totals several hundred hours.
  • Safety courses: from 1 day (Working at Heights) up to several days (torch/propane safety)
  • College diplomas: 1–2 years (full-time)
  • Bachelor’s degrees: 4 years (full-time)

Where to Study (Ontario)

Apprenticeship Registration and Trade Info

Training Delivery Agents and Industry Associations

Colleges Offering Helpful Related Programs (Selection)

Tip (Important)

Tip: For the most current list of approved training delivery agents (TDAs) for the Roofer trade in Ontario, contact Skilled Trades Ontario or Apprenticeship Ontario directly. Union training centres often deliver the in-school portions for roofers.

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Salary and Working Conditions

Entry-Level vs Experienced Salary (Ontario)

Entry-level apprentices

Approximately $22–$30 per hour in many regions; unionized ICI work can be higher under collective agreements with Benefits and pensions.

Experienced journeyperson roofers (C of Q)

Approximately $35–$50+ per hour, depending on region, sector (industrial/commercial vs residential), unionization, and employer. In high-demand ICI markets, total compensation (wages + benefits + pension) can be significantly higher.

Annual earnings

Depend on hours worked (often 1,800–2,200 hours/year), overtime, seasonality, and Travel allowances.

Job Outlook

Overall, the outlook for roofers in Ontario is steady, supported by:

  • ongoing commercial construction
  • institutional retrofits
  • Warehouse and logistics builds
  • a strong maintenance/repair market for existing flat roofs

Official outlook and wage information:

Demand tends to be strongest in major urban areas (GTA, Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, Hamilton, London) and in industrial hubs.

Working Conditions

  • Primarily outdoors on flat/low-slope roofs, often at heights
  • Physical work: lifting insulation and materials, carrying, bending, kneeling
  • Exposure to heat, cold, wind, rain; hot asphalt fumes; torch/open-flame work
  • Early start times; occasional overtime to meet weather windows
  • Travel between sites; some out-of-town work with travel premiums
  • Strict safety culture: fall protection, hot-work permits, fire watch, hazard Controls
  • Team-based environment; union and non-union opportunities

Key Skills

Soft Skills

  • Safety-first mindset and situational awareness
  • Teamwork and communication with crew and site supervisors
  • Reliability, punctuality, and strong work ethic
  • Problem-solving for leaks and complex roof details
  • Attention to detail and Quality Control (seams, terminations, drainage)
  • Time management to meet weather and project deadlines
  • Adaptability to changing site conditions

Hard Skills

  • Reading and interpreting roof plans, details, and manufacturer specifications
  • Installing BUR systems with hot asphalt and felts, managing mop rates and temperatures
  • Installing elastomeric (SBS/APP) modified bitumen membranes via torch and cold adhesives
  • Setting vapour retarders, tapered insulation, and cover boards; understanding thermal performance
  • Completing flashings and penetrations with correct accessories and sealants
  • Using and maintaining torches, kettles, rollers, hot-mops, cutters, and hand tools
  • Knowledge of fastener patterns, adhesives, primers, and compatible materials
  • Leak Investigation techniques and proper repair methods
  • Hoisting and rigging basics for roof loading
  • Applying Ontario safety regulations (OHSA, Construction Projects Reg. 213/91) and hot-work procedures

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Strong earning potential, especially with C of Q and union ICI work
  • Clear, paid apprenticeship pathway with progressive wages
  • High demand for flat-roof specialists across Ontario
  • Tangible, visible results—your work protects major buildings
  • Opportunities to advance to lead hand, foreperson, estimator, or Project Manager
  • Variety: new builds, re-roofing, leak repairs, maintenance, green roofs, cool-roof systems
  • Skillset transfers to waterproofing, below-grade membranes, and building envelope work

Disadvantages

  • Physically demanding and performed in all seasons/weather
  • Heights and exposure to hot materials, fumes, and open flames (torch work)
  • Early mornings, occasional overtime, and time-sensitive weather windows
  • Seasonal slowdowns in some regions; winter work requires cold-weather procedures
  • Strict safety protocols; continuous Compliance is mandatory
  • Work can be dirty/noisy; PPE and hygiene discipline are necessary
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Expert Opinion

If you’re serious about becoming a flat-roof roofer in Ontario, treat safety and quality as non-negotiable from day one.

Start with:

  • Working at Heights
  • WHMIS Then add:
  • Torch Safety
  • Propane in Construction

These four credentials make you job-ready faster.

Next, target employers doing commercial and institutional flat roofs. For structured training, strong wages, and benefits, consider union locals (e.g., Roofers Local 30 in the GTA or Local 221 in Eastern Ontario) or OIRCA-member contractors. Ask about:

  • apprenticeship Support
  • training delivery agent arrangements

Specialize early and get comfortable with:

  • BUR basics: kettle setup, asphalt temperatures, correct mop rates, felt alignment, gravel embedding
  • Modified bitumen: torch technique, seam welding, fire watch, and detail work at corners and drains
  • Insulation systems: tapered design principles, fasteners vs adhesives, thermal bridging
  • Compatibility: primers, adhesives, and sealants aligned with each manufacturer system

Keep certifications current and track your hours for the apprenticeship logbook. Study for your Certificate of Qualification (449A) to increase mobility and earning power. Later, if you want Leadership or estimating, take part-time courses in Blueprint Reading, estimating, or project coordination.

Finally, care about small details: dry substrates, clean laps, correct heat on seams, proper drain clamping, and meticulous edge terminations. Leaks usually appear at details, not in the middle of a field. Your reputation grows with every leak-free roof.

FAQ

How is flat roofing different from shingling, and will I be trained for both in Ontario?

Flat roofing focuses on low-slope systems—BUR and modified bitumen membranes—using hot asphalt, torching, adhesives, and precise detailing around drains and edges. Shingling is mainly steep-slope residential roofing using shingles or shakes.

In Ontario, some employers/unions specialize. If you join a flat-roof contractor or Local 30, training will usually focus on BUR and modified bitumen, not shingling. Confirm the apprenticeship scope when you sign on.

Is Roofer a compulsory trade in Ontario? Do I need a licence to work?

Roofer (449A) is a voluntary trade in Ontario, so a C of Q is not legally required to work. However, many ICI employers prefer or require registered apprentices or journeypersons. A Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal (if pursued) improve wages, mobility, and hiring chances.

What safety training is essential before I step onto a Flat Roof crew?

At minimum:

  • Working at Heights (CPO-approved)
  • WHMIS 2015

For torch membranes:

  • Torch Safety Program (e.g., via CRCA)

For propane torches/heaters:

  • Propane in Construction (TSSA-recognized)

Employers also run site-specific hot-work permits and fire-watch procedures. See:

Working at Heights: https://www.ontario.ca/page/working-heights-training CRCA Torch Safety: https://roofingcanada.com TSSA Propane training: https://www.tssa.org/en/fuels/fuels-training-and-certification.aspx Ontario Construction Projects Regulation (213/91): https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/910213

What tools and gear do I need to start, and what will my employer provide?

Employers typically provide major equipment (kettles, torches, hoists). You usually bring a starter kit:

  • roofing knife with hook blades
  • tape measure
  • chalk line
  • hammer
  • snips
  • pry bar
  • trowel
  • roller
  • basic PPE (hard hat, safety Glasses, hi-vis vest, gloves)

Good boots with traction are essential. Ask about tool allowances.

Can I work through the winter in Ontario as a flat-roof roofer?

Yes, with adjustments. Winter emphasizes repairs/maintenance and cold-weather installation methods (heated adhesives where allowed, tenting, or Scheduling torch work within safe limits). You’ll follow manufacturer guidelines and strict heater/torch safety. Some contractors reduce hours in severe weather, but large commercial work often continues.

Important Links (Ontario-Focused)

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