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Depending on your priorities and the state of your building, it may be time to install a commercial roof with the help of a commercial roofing service company. However, you may be wondering what type of commercial roof to install and the roofing materials to use.
Read on to learn the various types of commercial roofs, their merits and demerits, and the different roofing materials used to make them.
Types of Commercial Roofs
1. Flat Roofs
Flat roofs are the most common type of commercial roofs used today.
Advantages
- Cost-effective: Building commercial flat roofs is significantly more economical than building low sloped roofs or low pitched roofs.
- Faster and easier to install: Installing commercial flat roofs is faster than installing other roofs.
- Different roofing materials: When installing commercial flat roofs, one has various materials to choose from. It could be Bitumen, Built-up Roofing, EPDM, PVC, TPO or Rubber rolled roofing.
- Color choices: With commercial flat roofs, you have a variety of colors to pick from. However, you’re advised to stick to a white-colored roof because a white roof acts as a heat and light reflector and can help you save energy and cooling costs.
- It’s easier to install solar panels and satellite dishes on a flat roof compared to other roofs.
- Safety measures: Roof maintenance and drain cleaning are easier to perform on flat roofs because you can easily and safely walk around even in harsh weather conditions.
Disadvantages
- Poor drainage: When it rains, the chances of having standing water on a flat roof are high, especially if it’s not well installed. This water slowly destroys your roof, reducing its lifespan.
Installation, repair and maintenance of flat roofs are challenging. Therefore, it’s vital to have a professional commercial roofing company handle all your issues.
2. Low Sloped Roofs
These are common in apartment buildings, warehouses and factories. Low sloped roofs appear flat but have a slight downward pitch.
Advantages
- They’re slightly pitched to allow water to run down. If properly designed, the rainwater is skillfully directed to a water drainage feature. The roofing area is smaller compared to high pitched roofs, requiring less roofing materials.
- Low sloped roofs offer safer working space for workers compared to a high pitched roof.
- The roof doesn’t call for frequent maintenance than a flat roof because there’s no standing water to cause any issues.
- Installation of solar panels and satellite dishes is easier to do on a low-pitched roof than on a high pitched roof.
- There is a variety of roofing materials to pick from, including EPDM, Bitumen and Rubber rolled.
Disadvantages
- When it snows, it might take some time for the snow to melt away. The snow adds extra weight to the roof that could sometimes cause severe damage. Also, this type of commercial roof could violate building regulations regarding low sloped roofs in certain areas.
If you encounter any problems with your roof or need to install a new commercial roof, don’t just hire any random contractor as you’re likely to regret the decision. It’s best to seek professional roofing services.
3. High Pitched Roofs
While commercial pitched roofs are more common in residential homes than commercial buildings, some commercial buildings still use them.
Advantages
- The key aspect of high pitched roofs is their increased slope, which provides greater water and snow overflow compared to other commercial roofs.
- Its high pitch makes it easier for water and other waste materials to roll off. In turn, this means less water stands on your roof, reducing the risk of corrosion that can lead to leaks.
- In general, having a steeper roof reduces the chances of you needing the help of a professional commercial roofing company compared to a level or less inclined roof.
Disadvantages
- Sadly, having a high pitched roof makes it harder to perform maintenance and repair.
- It’s hard to install solar panels and satellite dishes.
- The need for increased safety precautions makes it harder to transfer materials and move around the roof, ultimately increasing the cost of each installation, repair or maintenance service.
To avoid any future issues with your roof, seek the best roofing services in Fort Worth, TX.
Types of Roofing Materials
Different types of roofing materials could be used in your roofing system depending on the building’s structure, area weather conditions, and several other factors.
Below is a list of the most commonly used commercial roofing materials.
1. Built-Up Roofing Membrane
Built-up roofing membrane known as BUR is a standard roof made of tar and gravel. It’s built with multiple layers, and the number of layers can be varied to reduce costs or meet desired durability requirements. It’s mostly used in low slope roof systems. It’s among the toughest and cost-effective roofing materials available today.
2. Modified Bitumen
Its roof fabrics are reinforced and applied to act as carriers for bitumen, which is then cut and installed in layers similar to the Built-Up roofing membrane. This roofing system is strapped to rooftops as two-ply systems attached to the roofing deck for maximum protection and stability.
Maintenance of this roof is simple and can be done annually by inspecting and cleaning it. However, before installing this system, seek advice from a professional commercial roofing company.
3. Thermoset Roof membrane
The roofing material is also known as Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) roofing. This roofing system offers durability and versatility, and installation is simple and easy. Maintenance and repair are easier compared to other materials. It’s highly resistant to ultraviolet light and ozone and made from a single-ply rubber material.
Contact Us for the Best Commercial Roofing Services
Whatever services you need, it’s always best to hire a commercial roofing company you trust and not any random contractor. Whether your commercial roof needs repair, maintenance or installation, you can rely on Longhorn Roofing Services to handle the job. Our team of licensed and experienced professionals can address all your commercial roofing needs fast and affordably. Contact us at Longhorn Commercial Roofing for the best commercial roofing services in Fort Worth, TX, today.
