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When you’re renovating or constructing a building in Fort Worth, TX, there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration. One of the most important things is making sure you’re getting a roof that’s built to last so you don’t have to worry about replacing it anytime soon. This is especially true when it comes to commercial roofing for larger buildings, as these roofs cost a lot more to replace than residential ones. If you’re looking for the best roofing option for your needs, we’ve got a breakdown of some of the most popular choices for you.
Flat Roofs
If you look at a lot of larger commercial buildings in Fort Worth, TX, such as grocery stores, you’ll notice that a lot of them have flat roofs. These roofs have numerous benefits, but there are definitely better options out there.
One of the best parts about opting for flat commercial roofing is the fact that it’s a more affordable option. Flat roofs are easier to install than low-sloped or pitched roofs, which saves you money on both installation and maintenance. Flat roofs are easy to walk around on, which means maintenance is a breeze compared to pitched roofs.
The big downside to flat roofs is that they don’t provide as much drainage as other commercial roofing options.
Low-sloped Roofs
Roofs that almost look like they’re flat but have a slight pitch to them are called low-slope roofs. These types of roofs are often found on commercial buildings such as warehouses and apartments.
The fact that low-sloped roofs have a little bit of a pitch means they’re better than flat roofs for drainage. Despite offering better drainage because of this small slope, low-sloped roofs are still fairly easy to navigate and work on.
If you’re looking for a commercial roofing option that combines the benefits of a flat roof and a pitched roof, this is a good middle ground.
Pitched Roofs
You don’t see pitched roofs as often with commercial buildings in Fort Worth, TX, but they’re still one of the more common options. The biggest reason you don’t see more pitched roofs when it comes to commercial roofing is that they’re harder to maintain and repair because of their steep slope.
The nice part about pitched roofs is that you don’t have to worry about drainage. Whereas heavy rain and snow can build up on flat and low-sloped roofs and put a lot of pressure on the roof, everything simply rolls off when you’ve got a high-sloped roof.
As long as you’ve got a good roofing company to work with, you don’t need to worry too much about pitched roof maintenance.
Metal Retrofit Roofing
Commercial roofs come in a lot of different materials, with metal retrofit roofing being one of the most popular choices. Metal retrofit roofing is a simple way to upgrade your existing metal roofing with something a little more modern and less worn out.
One of the coolest parts about metal retrofit roofing as opposed to other commercial roofing options is the fact that the installation is so simple. Since the new metal roofing is installed over the top of your existing roof, you can continue business as usual while your new roof is installed.
Metal retrofit roofing won’t last as long as a new metal roof, but it can still extend the life of your roof by about 20 years. Plus, you get double the insulation since you get to utilize your old roof’s insulation as well as the new insulation.
PVC
If you’re looking for a commercial roofing material that’s tough and made to last a long time, PVC is a good choice. However, one of the best reasons to choose PVC for your roof is the fact that it’s fire retardant.
Although there isn’t a whole lot you can do to stop a building from burning once it’s already caught fire, using fire-retardant building materials is a good start. PVC membranes do a good job of keeping fire from spreading across your roof and doing more damage.
Another nice part about PVC roofing is that it’s often lighter in color and has good insulation, which means it helps your building be more energy efficient.
TPO
One of the biggest downsides to PVC roofing is the fact that it’s fairly expensive, which is one of the big reasons people use TPO membranes instead.
TPO roofing, or thermoplastic polyolefin roofing, is easy to install because it’s flexible. It’s also an eco-friendly, 100% recyclable material, which means it’s a great commercial roofing option if you want to reduce your carbon footprint.
Since TPO hasn’t been used for as long as other materials have, it’s questionable whether it offers the same longevity.
EPDM
Most of the flat and low-sloped roofs in Fort Worth, TX, use an EPDM membrane. EPDM is a sort of rubber material that’s dark in color and can easily fit on any roof.
EPDM is good for cooler climates since its dark color can attract a lot of heat otherwise. This type of commercial roofing doesn’t have its own insulation, which means you’ll need to pick a type to supplement it with.
However, since the biggest disadvantage to EPDM is the way it deals with heat, it’s not the best option in a warmer area like Texas.
Make the Call
You need to make sure you’re choosing the right type of roof for your building if you don’t want to replace it in the near future, but that’s a big decision to make when it comes to commercial buildings. Fortunately, the folks at Longhorn Commercial Roofing are experts when it comes to helping you choose the best roofing solution for your building. We’ll make sure you get a roof that’s easy to maintain, eco-friendly and practical. Give us a call at (817) 645-5700 to find out more today.
