Commercial roofing and residential roofing are practically the same since they both serve the same function of protecting property. But when it comes to installation, they would need separate materials.
Most of the time, commercial roofing is made out of modified bitumen, f single-ply (TPO, PVC, EPDM), built-up roofing system, concrete, gravel, tar, and many more. Residential roofs, on the other hand, are made out of concrete tiles or asphalt shingles.
We have more options if we choose to have commercial roofing in comparison to residential roofing. With that, getting commercial roofing requires digging deeper and research well to acquire your desired results.
In this post, we are going to give you an overview of every little thing that you need to know about commercial roofing.
Different Types of Commercial Roofing
Let’s talk a bit about the different types of commercial roofing you can choose from:
Built-Up Roofing or BUR Membrane
People consider this the standard tar and gravel roof system. This kind of commercial roofing system is made out of piles or multiple layers which serves to enhance the durability of the system. It is also a low-slope system which makes it a wonderful choice for people who need something durable but is cost-effective.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are one of the most popular roof types. The best thing about metal roofing is its durability and high fire-resistant rating. It has a protective layer so that your roof will be protected from rusting and other further damages. The latter is often caused by sunlight and other environmental factors. Metal roofing also serves as a sustainable design for every house.
Modified Bitumen Roofing
People sometimes call this mod-bit roofing. This kind of roofing consists of reinforced roof fabrics and bitumen in layers. These layers are fastened together in the form of a two-ply system. The purpose of this is to ensure maximum protection and stability.
What we love about mod-bit roofing is that they are a lot easier to maintain as compared to the rest of the commercial roofing types that we just talked about. This roofing system also offers tensile strength which makes it an ideal choice for people who expects a lot of roof-top activity.
Thermoset or EPDM Roof Membrane
This kind of roofing system is long-lasting, versatile, and easy to maintain. It is constructed from a single-ply rubber material. You will have very little to worry about when it comes to the EPDM roof membrane because it is quite easy to install. You will also love the fact that it has a strong resistance to ozone and ultraviolet light.
It can greatly reduce cooling expenses because it is flexible during cold temperatures and has some reflective properties that help during the summer.
Green Roofing System
‘Green roofs have certainly gained popularity in recent years. It can greatly improve drainage and efficiency. Aside from being environmentally friendly, it is also pleasing to the eyes.
What You Shouldn’t Ignore About Commercial Roofing
Below are some aspects of commercial roofing that can pose great threats if you fail to heed its importance:
Installation
You must be experienced and knowledgeable about roof installation if you ever decide to do the work on your own. Some of the consequences you could incur are injury and failed installations. That’s not worth it. It could either cost you your limb or your money.
With that, we highly recommend that you hire a professional roof installer instead. It will save you time and you’ll get a good outcome the first time around.
Roof Inspection
Having commercial roofing is great but its repairs also happen to be more expensive compared to residential repair.
To avoid expensive costs, we highly recommend that you call a professional to do a roof inspection every once in a while. This will enable you to look at a problem and resolve it early on.
Roof Maintenance
You’d want to extend the life of your commercial roof as much as possible. To do that, you need to constantly invest in roof maintenance.
Roof maintenance can be as simple as cleaning debris, treating any leaks or water damage, repairing any flashing and HVAC, and making sure that the roof materials are in top-notch condition.
Factors That Affect Commercial Roofing Costs
There is no one-size-fits-all pricing for commercial roofing installation. Your would-be cost will depend on multiple factors. Some of them are as follows:
- The type of commercial roofing that you want to have installed
- The accessibility and slope of your rooftop
- The essential permits that the roofing professional will need to conduct the installation in your area
- The total area of the rooftop
- The scope of services that the professional will need to conduct during the installation
- Additional installations such as chimneys and skylights
What Is The Typical Life Expectancy Of A Commercial Roof?
This depends on the quality of the materials you will use in creating and installing the roof. If you are going to use an EPDM flat roof, we can say that the roof might last up to 30 years. PVC roofs would last around 20 years. Meanwhile, TPO commercial roofing can have a minimum of 15 years. The longevity of your roof will be impacted by how well you maintain it.
What is the Best Commercial Roofing Type?
PVC roofs are considered to be one of the best commercial roofs you can find. There are also a lot of people that leave positive points for metal roofing.
Final Takeaway
Having a roof installed is one of the most major decisions you will make as a homeowner. Roofs are no joke. If you pick the right one, you could end up roofless one day in the middle of a horrible storm. It protects your family including yourself from a lot of external threats.
With that, it is important that you not only select the right quality of materials but also become knowledgeable about the whole thing as well. By doing so, you will be more equipped to advise your contractors about what you want your roof to look like.