How to Choose the Best Roof for Your Building
All commercial properties are different. One type of roofing system that works great on one building may be awful for yours. Additionally, the city in which you live in also plays a factor. There are plenty of different types of roofing systems to choose from. When in doubt, you can always ask your commercial roofing contractors for recommendations, but here are some commonly used materials to consider first before choosing the best roof for your building.
Commercial Roof Types
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
EPDM is popular for property owners who desire a flat roof. While it is durable, it is not as resilient as other types of roofing systems. However, the main selling point of this material comes down to the price. You also need to consider how hot it gets in your area. EPDM is capable of absorbing a great deal of heat. This can make you extremely reliant on your building’s HVAC system during summers.
PVC Membrane
PVC is perhaps the most popular choice for a flat roof installation. It is a single ply material that maintains a watertight finish. This is due to its resilient seams, which are often stronger than the seams you get with EPDM roofs. Most roofers can guarantee a breaking point of at least 300 pounds for each inch, which exceeds the industry standard of 200 pounds per inch. In many cases, PVC roofs come with a lighter coloring, making them more energy efficient. The light color allows this roof to reflect heat instead of absorbing it, keeping the interior of your building at a more manageable temperature.
Metal
Old and new commercial buildings can benefit from a flat roof replacement using metal. One major advantage of metal is that it is exceptionally durable. It has been known to last up to 50 years with adequate maintenance. Additionally, metal roofs are often 100 percent recyclable, so when it does come time for you to seek a replacement, you can be confident your old roof will not waste away at a junkyard.
Modified Bitumen
Modified bitumen roofs differ from some of the others mentioned here in that it is multi-ply. This makes them far more resilient when it comes into contact with sharp objects. Collisions with objects of any kind can sometimes tear through single ply materials, but with modified bitumen, those same objects often will not damage this material too much. It is often comprised of asphalt and various rubber components. Modified bitumen typically comes with a plated base layer sealed with a permanent adhesive. This is finished with a top layer consisting of granules.
There are numerous types of roofing systems to choose from, so the easiest place to start is to consider what you need most out of your new commercial roofing. Do you need something inexpensive that will fit within your budget? What kind of weather do you generally receive in your city all year round? What color will mesh well with the rest of the neighborhood? These are the kinds of questions you need to ask yourself before you contact a professional roofing contractor in your area. That first consultation will go much more smoothly if you already have an idea of what your building requires.
