Although most
commercial buildings use flat roofs, there are several different commercial
flat roof types. There are notable differences between them in terms of how
long they last, their strengths and their weaknesses. It's essential to know
the differences between these types to properly maintain them and to help
increase their life span. Here are seven of the best commercial roof types.
Built-Up Roofing
Built-up
roofing is one of the more popular types of roofs on commercial buildings.
Composed of different layers of tar and gravel, built-up roofing gives you the
flexibility in being able to choose the number of layers that get installed.
Although it's one of the oldest commercial roofing systems, it's still popular
today due to its cost efficiency and UV ray resistance. This roofing system
also offers excellent waterproofing capabilities due to the lack of seams,
joints and other weak spots. Built-up roofing comes up short when it comes to
lifespan. The average lifespan is anywhere between 15 and 20 years, although it
can reach a life of 30 years if properly taken care of.
Metal Roofing
Commercial
metal roofing is popular due to its durability, which can help it last up to 70
years. The fire resistance and strong material can protect roofs against falling
tree branches and harsh weather like heavy snowfalls, high winds, hurricanes
and hailstorms. There are different metal materials to choose from, like
galvanized steel, aluminum, tin and copper. With metal roofing, you get a
stylish and mesmerizing roof that can protect commercial buildings against
the elements for years. On the downside, due to the quality of metal and its
durability, metal roofing often has a high price that comes with it. It's also
susceptible to corrosion under certain circumstances.
Modified Bitumen Roofing
Modified bitumen
roofing is commonly used in low-slope commercial roofing and uses a two-ply
system made of asphalt. Like built-up roofing, it has several layers that help
reinforce it and provide a competitive advantage over other types of commercial
roofs. Modified bitumen roofing (also known as "mod-bit" roofing) offers
excellent waterproofing, UV resistance and insulation. If you expect a lot of activity
on the roof, this roof system is ideal. Unfortunately, similar to other
commercial roofing solutions, it does have a shorter roof life span of between
15 and 20 years.
Green Roofing
A green roof
consists of vegetation that is installed over multiple layers of roofing
material. The benefits of green roofs don't only pertain to the environment
either; there are lucrative financial incentives for companies that decide to
implement this roofing system. Some local governments offer tax incentives to
companies, saving them money on their yearly taxes. Additionally, green roofs
often provide good insulation to buildings, lowering the costs of energy bills.
Apart from protecting buildings against UV rays, green roofs are also good
at reducing excessive moisture on a roof and preventing water runoff
since the vegetation soaks up much of the water. Some disadvantages of green
roofs are that they require ongoing maintenance and can be costly to install.
Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing
This type of
commercial flat roofing uses spray polyurethane foam (SPF) material that, as
its name implies, is sprayed onto a roof as a liquid before it expands into
foam. While not as common today, it was prevalent when it first came out in the
'70s. It's flexible due to its ability to be used in any type of climate or
weather. You can expect an SPF roof to last over 50 years if taken care of
properly. Luckily, it doesn't require much maintenance or repair, unlike other
commercial flat roof materials.
EPDM Roofing
Ethylene propylene
diene methylene (EPDM) roofing consists of a roofing membrane made of dark
synthetic rubber. It's easy to install, and it offers excellent protection
against the weather, especially in colder climates. This roofing system has a
long lifespan of up to 50 years due to its durability; however, since the rolls
tend to be black, it will easily absorb heat, which can cause it to break down
and lead to water leaks in climates like Georgia. You can always buy the rolls
in a different color, but this will add to the cost. It's also not the best at
handling the weight of people walking on it or impacts from tree branches.
Shingles Roofing
Although more
commonly used in residential homes, there are still commercial buildings that
use shingles. This type of roofing material isn't used for flat roofs but
instead for commercial roofs with steep slopes. The shingle material can be
made of asphalt, ceramic, slate, plastic and other options. The most
significant advantage of shingle roofs is that they have a flexible design,
which is one of the main reasons they are used in commercial buildings. They
are also quite affordable since they're easy to install and repair. The
downsides are that shingle roofs are susceptible to damage in warm weather, and
they don't provide the best insulation.
