When clients meet with us, they have a broad list of Roofing alternatives. We often get questions concerning commercial roofing. Best? What’s cheaper?
Heritage Builders, Orlando and Tampa (HBRoofers) have helped customers choose a roof for their building and budget for decades. When getting contractor quotes, everyone should feel empowered.
Each form of commercial roof has advantages and downsides.
What is commercial roofing?
The construction of large-scale roofs is the exclusive focus of a commercial roofer’s expertise. While residential roofing is similar in many ways, the techniques used for commercial and industrial buildings are vastly different. Commercial structures have a lot more risk over a larger surface area using a variety of other materials and technologies.
Larger business roofs may have a different slope than residential roofs. Smaller dwellings feature steeper roof pitches and use tile, asphalt shingles, or slate. Commercial buildings’ flat or slightly inclined roofs make them hard to see from the ground.
Commercial roofs come in various materials, depending on the building’s design and other factors, such as foot traffic and heat.
What is the most often used roofing material for commercial buildings?
For commercial and industrial buildings, the best and most commonly utilized roofing materials and systems include PVC, TPO, and EPDM retrofit roofing and metal retrofit roofing. The following is a list of some of the most often encountered commercial roofing systems.
1. Single Ply Roofing
These roof systems make use of TPO, PVC, and EPDM in their construction. They are preferred by the owners of many buildings because they are resistant to peeling, cracking, and other concerns that are caused by the weather. The fact that they can only be arranged in a single layer is their defining characteristic. Single-ply roofing membranes may be broken into two basic categories: thermoplastic and thermoset membranes.
2. TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)
In North America, low-slope roofs often include reinforced roof sheets with heat-welded seams and reflective coatings. These types of roofs are also common. Polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber polymerized together form TPO, a single-ply membrane.
White, grey, and tan are the most popular colours for thermoplastic membranes (TPO); however other colours are also available. The membrane can be affixed mechanically, adhered, or ballasted, to name a few options.
3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
In North America, low-slope roofs often include reinforced roof sheets with heat-welded seams and reflective coatings. These types of roofs are also common. UV-resistant chemicals are found in the top ply of the membrane, and Plasticizers are commonly found in the bottom ply, which makes installation more convenient. Longevity, durability, and fire resistance are all advantages of using a PVC membrane over other materials.
It is also possible to weld PVC to an adjacent sheet, making the joint water-tight. Welding a pre-manufactured rib to the surface of PVC sheets gives a visually pleasing look for a considerably cheaper price point, emulating a standing seam roof system. Membranes made of PVC may be recycled and used into new ones.
4. EPDM Roofing (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)
Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer is used to produce the resilient synthetic rubber roofing membrane known as EPDM (EPDM). EPDM roofing, also known as Thermoset roofing, provides excellent resistance to ultraviolet radiation and air pollution. This product has several advantages, some of which are its durability, adaptability, and simplicity of assembly.
As a result of its low price and high durability, EPDM rubber roofing has become one of the most widely used commercial roofing materials in the world today. Natural gas and oil are the primary ingredients in EPDM roofing membranes, and Low-slope commercial buildings all around the globe employ EPDM roofing.
EPDM, a single-ply rubber, is resistant to sunlight and pollution and many common solvents, such as alcohol and acids.
5. Modified Bitumen Roofing Systems:
This type of roofing blends asphalt with a special chemical polymer that provides flexibility and temperature resistance. It can be installed in all four seasons since it may be put in many layers, in various ways (self-adhesive sheets, hot-mopped asphalt, torch applied or cold-applied adhesives), and in both hot and cold temperatures.
The seams are melted together before being cooled, which creates a bond that will remain for a long time. Their rating makes them resistant to wind, fire, and hail damage.
What are the most common roof types?
The commercial roofing materials are listed below:
- Built-Up Roofing (BUR) Membrane
- Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels
- Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing
- Single-Ply Membrane Roofing
- Metal Roofing
- Shingle Roofing
- Tar and Gravel Roofing
- Green Roofing
- Roof Coating Systems:
- Steep Slope
- Insulation & Cover Boards
Built-Up Roofing Systems
Built-up roofing, one of the oldest systems on the market, is made up of three to five layers for extra protection, especially in climates with considerable temperature variations. Built-up roofing, often known as BUR, has a history extending back a century.
Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels
Solar panels use sunshine to generate electricity. Photovoltaics in roofing has the potential to save customers money over the long run, especially in areas with abundant sunshine. Heritage Builders, Orlando and Tampa (HBRoofers) can assist you with the installation of a rooftop solar system while maintaining the integrity of the roofing system to keep your building waterproof.
Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing
Once it has been sprayed, spray polyurethane foam begins as a liquid but eventually dries into a solid coating. Since the 1960s, people have been able to install this environmentally friendly roofing directly on top of an existing one.
Industrial, commercial, and residential structures have used SPF roofing since the 1960s. Properly designed and maintained SPF roofing systems may endure more than 50 years.
SPF roofs insulate and waterproof. Properly installed and cared for, it may last 50 years.
Single-Ply Membrane Roofing
Single-ply membranes have been used for decades as a viable roofing solution for commercial, industrial, and manufacturing buildings. Single-Ply Membranes, rubber or synthetic sheets ballasted, mechanically fastened, or chemically bonded to insulation give another layer of protection to your company facility.
Single-Ply Membrane Roofing is the most prevalent commercial roofing material. However, there are other alternatives to match your needs.
A properly fitted and maintained single-ply roof can last 30 years. EPDM roofing has a long track record for commercial flat roofing. Single-ply roofing has several benefits.
Single-ply membrane roofing doesn’t contain insulation. Thus you have other options. Class A-rated by adding fire retardant chemicals during manufacture. TPO is bright and reflective. EPDM, with its black tint, is called “Black Roofs.”
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are the most long-lasting commercial roofing materials available, and corrugated galvanized steel is the most typical metal roofing material. However, aluminium and tin are other alternatives.
Metal roofing is famous for its beauty, durability, and longevity. Metal roofs are beautiful, and durable and may be used on low-slope and steep roofs. Sure metal roofs have a longer lifetime and higher durability than shingle roofs.
Metal roofing’s 40 to 60-year lifespan makes it attractive for commercial use. Some metal roofing systems have solar panels or snow removal equipment installed.
Coatings are applied to modern metal roofs to withstand the elements, including water, pollution, and other environmental factors.
Commercial metal roofing materials include corrugated steel, aluminium, zinc, tin, tile sheets, copper, aluminium, coated steel, and stainless steel.
A well-built and maintained metal roof may last 40 years.
Shingle Roofing
Aside from residences and residential roofs, shingles are frequently employed in commercial roofing applications with steep slopes. Wood, slate, metal, plastic, ceramic, and composite materials like asphalt can all be used to make shingles. Both asphalt and architectural shingles are available.
Application: Asphalt Shingles: the most prevalent and cost-effective type of shingle available on the market. In most cases, the warranties on these roofs are between 15 and 30 years in length.
Tar and Gravel Roofing
Over the past century, the United States has relied on built-up roofing systems. These kinds of roofing are often referred to by their more common names, such as tar and gravel roofs. A built-up system is one in which the roof is covered with many layers of asphalt or tar, each with different supporting fabric. The user has the ability to choose the maximum number of layers (sometimes called plies) that can be applied. Stone or gravel is the last layer of a built-up roofing structure.
A commercial built-up roof can endure up to 40 years if adequately erected and maintained. Built-up roofing systems have a few more advantages:
Green Roofs
The use of green roofs is not appropriate in every situation. By absorbing rainfall and reducing the need for elaborate and expensive drainage systems, they can save energy costs through natural insulation. They can also provide delightful environments for people and animals. As a general rule, green roofs enhance air quality and lessen the effects of the Urban Heat Island Effect. Many green or vegetal roofing systems have been erected around the United States by Heritage Builders, Orlando and Tampa (HBRoofers).
Liquid Applied Roofing
The resin and reinforcing polyester in a liquid-applied roofing membrane is built in situ. It offers superior water resistance because it can access those difficult-to-reach spots. In most instances, two coats are applied using either a spray gun or a roller. A liquid roof is an excellent alternative when companies need to remain open during construction since it doesn’t cause intrusive disruptions or release toxic or unpleasant scents.
Roof Coating Systems:
The fluid-applied membrane is the primary component of this utterly adherent coating system, and it may swell up and shrink back down again as needed. Acrylic and silicone are two of the most often used roof coatings, although there are many more. Protect against leaks and extend a business roof’s life with a coating best suited for metal roofing systems.
Steep Slope
When it comes to roof materials, steep slope refers to roofs with a 3:12 or greater pitch. It’s common to find this roof on residential houses, but it may also be seen on commercial structures such as hotels and universities, where it serves as a design component.
If the roof slows, it may be possible to use anything from asphalt composition roll to fibreglass 3-tab shingle to fibreglass laminate shingle to specialist asphalt shingles, or even shakes, wood roofs, wood shingle or clay tile or concrete tile to slate or metal roofs.
Insulation & Cover Boards
A roof’s ability to increase your building’s energy efficiency and reduce your utility costs is enhanced by using cover boards and thermal insulation. When the roof is being replaced, it’s the ideal opportunity to install insulation and comply with current energy requirements.
Contact us today for more information.
A new roof’s most crucial consideration is the structure’s health. The roof’s lifespan, weather conditions, and energy efficiency are all important considerations.
You may get a free business roof assessment from the specialists at Heritage Builders, Orlando and Tampa (HBRoofers). As part of our approach, we strive to provide excellent customer service and the most effective roofing system for your property.
If the roof of your building requires maintenance, repair, or replacement, please fill out our estimate form to receive a free estimate from our team of roofing specialists. This estimate comes with no obligations attached.
