Which Type of Commercial Roofing Is Best For Your Business?

While it may be acceptable to cut down on expenses in certain areas of your business operations, your commercial roof is most certainly not something to skimp. As a major component of the building where you strive toward your dream, it is intrinsically tied to your livelihood and well-being. Therefore, your commercial roofing should reflect the goals you have for your business. Do you want something that will last a generation? Is sustainability one of your core values? Or are you worried about the upcoming hurricane season? First, you will need to understand the five most common types of commercial roofing.

Commercial Roofing

Single-Ply Roofing

One of the most popular choices, single-ply roofs are known for their flexibility, reflectivity, chemical resistance, and durability against weather, peeling, and cracking. With this roofing system, a synthetic membrane is mechanically or chemically fastened to the insulation in one layer. The membrane is made of either thermoset materials like EPDM or thermoplastic materials like TPO and PVC.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer, or EPDM, is a synthetic rubber that stands up to UV light and ozone, acids, solvents, and cool temperatures. Ever the straightforward option, EPDM is simple to install and maintain, requiring very little in repairs yet lasting a long time compared to other systems. On the other hand, it’s not the most attractive roofing material and can easily tear from falling debris.

Thermoplastic materials like Polyolefin (TPO) and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) are highly resistant to chemicals, fats, oils and bacteria. A good choice for businesses in difficult climates, thermoplastics also perform well against rough weather, UV rays, fire and heat. As long as you source your TPO or PVC from a certified manufacturer, these materials won’t let you down in a fight against the elements.

Single-Ply Roofing

Modified Bitumen

Bitumen is just a fancy word for asphalt. However, modified bitumen is a more complex type of asphalt that has been treated with a flexible, heat-resistant polymer. As a result, this roofing type is highly resistant to storms, wind, hail, fire, and foot traffic. The modified bitumen material is applied in several methods, including adhesive sheets, by torch, or by hot mop, to create multiple layers attached to the roofing deck. After installation, the roof will only require regular inspections to keep it in shipshape.

Modified Bitumen

Built-Up Roofing

Known as one of the oldest systems, built-up roofing has proven its worth for at least a century. BUR consists of an optional number of tar and gravel layers, with a final gravel layer to top it off. The layers afford it high marks in durability, while the seamless surface is impervious to water leakage. It is also considerably resistant to UV light, though it requires a top coating for heat reflectivity. The best part about BUR is that it is relatively inexpensive and still time-tested. The downside is that it only lasts about 20 years, on the lower end of the spectrum of roofing lifespans.

Built-Up Roofing

Metal Roofing

Metal can be used in both low-slope and steep-slope roofing systems. As a result, this versatile material is beloved among both commercial property managers and residential homeowners for its attractiveness, durability, fire resistance, and long lifespan of 40 to 60 years. What more could you want from your roof? While metal performs well in climates with high wind and snow, the flip side is its unique susceptibility to corrosion. Accordingly, many metal roofs incorporate additional layers of protection against sunlight and water.

Metal Roofing

Sustainable Roofing

Sustainable roofing only done by Roofing specialist is a broad term that includes several kinds of environmentally friendly systems. Perhaps the most widely recognized of the genre, green roofs involve a durable, waterproof membrane underneath a dense layer of native plants. The shrubs absorb water, improve drainage, manage carbon levels, provide insulation and reduce indoor temperature fluctuations across the seasons. Other types of sustainable roofs feature solar panels and specialized water drainage systems for stormwater runoff. Not only is sustainable roofing good for the environment, but it may also qualify your business for local or federal tax incentives.

When it comes to the daily operation of your business, your commercial roof is the last thing on your mind. Yet the day will inevitably come (or perhaps it already has) when you will need to start looking into a roof replacement. Familiarizing yourself with these major types of commercial roofing is an excellent place to start when making this decision. The safety and longevity of your business property may depend on it.


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