Exploring the Best Roofing Materials for Your Commercial Building

Roofs come in many different forms and updating your existing roof adds value to your building. In commercial buildings, roofs are built according to the needs of the building and your budget. The kind of roof on your commercial building plays a vital role in the overall health of your building and even in the long life of the roof itself. 

It is also important to take note that most commercial roofs can either be flat or low slope and this will help you in narrowing down the available roofing materials for you. Although roof framing, roof preparation, and installation are always important, the material that you choose for your roof will matter in bringing the exterior of your building to the next level and even plays an important role in considering attic and rooftop access panels that you want to install as an addition to your roof.

To help you have an additional understanding of what constructing a quality commercial roof entails, let’s take a look at some most common classifications of commercial roofs and the roofing materials that are used to construct them.

Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

This type of commercial roofing is eco-friendly and perfect for commercial, industrial and manufacturing facilities. Spray Polyurethane foam or SPF is a liquid that is sprayed and then expands into a foam, creating a solid layer across an already existing roof. While this kind of roofing is not the most known type, this technology has been around for a long time. This kind of roofing system is practical for any climate and when correctly installed and maintained can even last for over 50 years.

Built-up Roofing (BUR)

Built-up roofing is actually your standard tar-and-gravel roof. This roofing is built with multiple layers or piles. BUR is also a flexible roof type as you can add a number of layers depending on controlling costs or meeting certain durability matters that you may need to address. It is an old low-slope roof system and is probably one of the most effective and tough roofing types while also cutting down your costs.

Single-Ply Membrane Roofing

This kind of roofing is a time-tested option for commercial, industrial and manufacturing facilities. Single-Ply Membranes are rubber sheets and other synthetics that can be ballasted and ether mechanically attached or chemically adhered to insulation, which creates a layer of protection on your commercial building.

Metal Roofing

This type of roofing is one of the oldest commercial roofing systems. Metal is susceptible to rusting so protective surface layers can be added to manage damage from prolonged exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors. Furthermore, because the metal roofing material is light in weight, it can be installed on top of an existing roof. A coating can also be added to make the roof waterproof, rust-free and UV-protected. 

Metal roofing is quite popular because of its attractive, finished look if you choose to paint it. They also have strong fire resistance ratings and are stronger and more durable than traditional roofing options. 

Shingle Roofing

This kind of roofing is mostly recognized in homes and residential roofing. However, shingles are also often used for steep-slope commercial roofing. There are different materials for shingles such as slate, wood, metal, ceramic, and composite material such as asphalt. 

There are two types of shingles:

1. Asphalt Shingles - This is the most common, cost-effective shingle used. This roofing system usually comes with a 15-30 year warranty on average.

2. Architectural Shingles - These shingles are multi-layered and heavier in order to add weatherproofing and durability to your building. This roofing is often accompanied by “lifetime” warranties.

Thermoplastic Roof Membrane (TPO) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

These roofing systems are highly reflective and lightweight. They provide excellent weathering and resistance to UV light, punctures or tears, and most chemicals.These are also ideal for second-generation applications because of their seam strength. The nature of such resistance makes thermoplastic roofing popular for restaurants and other businesses that deal with oils and/or fats from their ventilation systems.

Green Roof

This kind of roofing is probably the most versatile kind of commercial roof present today. They have become popular in recent years and they present a really sustainable option for commercial properties and businesses. One leading advantage of the green roof is the ability to protect the buildings from elements while also managing water, drainage, and energy efficiency. Aside from being beautiful to look at, green roofs are also a huge step toward a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly commercial building.

If you need a roof for your commercial property or you need commercial roofing material options, visit us today!