The roof is, without a doubt, one of the most critical parts of a commercial building. After all, it protects the building against the elements, a capability that structural engineers always ensure during construction.
The capability of a roof to shield a building from harsh sunlight, heavy rains and snow, and strong winds also depends on the choice of roofing system itself. After all, not all commercial roofing systems are created equal. Some roofing materials may be right for your building, while others aren’t.
Whether you’re constructing a new building or replacing the roof on an old one, you need to consider a variety of commercial roofing systems. Before hiring professional roofers with proper roofing liability insurance coverage to work on your roof, check out the commercial roofing systems listed below.
Metal Roofing Systems
You should consider metal roofing if you’re going for a combination of durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.
A metal roofing system can last up to 50 years or more. Made from a variety of materials, commercial metal roofs can also be recycled, making it an environment-friendly roofing material.
One disadvantage of metal roofing is its tendency to expand or contract under different temperatures, which makes causes leaks. However, you can prevent this problem with proper design, installation, and maintenance.
Built-Up Roofing (BUR) System
Is your building located in an area where severe weather is a regular occurrence? If so, then the built-up roofing (BUR) system may be the right roof for it.
The built-up roofing (BUR) system uses layers of asphalt to make low-slope roofing stronger. You can place the asphalt shingles single ply, or you can opt for triple-ply placement. Either way, you will get a commercial roof with multi-layer protection that offers excellent resistance to water, uplift, and daily wear and tear. BUR also has strong insular qualities, which can boost the energy efficiency of your building.
Modified Bitumen Systems (MBS)
Modified bitumen roofs are similar to BUR in the sense that both use asphalt, except that it brings a modified polymer into the mix for a stronger system. With a permanent adhesive sealing, the plated base layer and a granular top layer as finishing, modified bitumen provides better protection from collisions with objects. Aside from increased strength, a modified bitumen roof is also more flexible.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) System
If you want a flat roof for your building, you might want to check out an EPDM roofing system. Commonly referred to as rubber roofing, EPDM is a popular choice for many property owners not only because it’s affordable, but also because of its many great qualities.
For one, an EPDM roof comes in one piece, which means the whole thing is seamless. For another, EPDM roofs are lightweight and very flexible, making it capable of withstanding excessive building movements. Its ability to resist UV radiation can also help your building become more energy-efficient.
PVC Membrane Roofing System
The durability and fire-retardant properties of a PVC roofing system make it popular among property owners. It also has superior resistance to wind, moisture, and chemicals. With a breaking point of up to 350 pounds per square inch, a PVC roof is incredibly strong as well.
The lighter color that they usually come in allows this type of roofing system to reflect heat, which helps keep the temperature inside your building more manageable. That should lead to more energy savings for you.
Slate Roofing System
A slate roofing system has a perfect combination of beauty and durability. Slate is naturally resistant fire and pests and looks so great that it could raise your property’s curb appeal and value.
As long as it’s installed correctly, a slate roof can keep your building dry for up to 150 years, mainly because the material is inherently watertight. Roofers don’t even have to use underlayment to achieve that with slate, which also comes in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and grains.
Slate, however, can be quite expensive. You also have to make sure that the roofers you hire to install it are experienced in handling slate because its shingles can be a bit fragile and may crack or break during the process.
The commercial roofing systems listed above are just some of your options. When considering them for your building, always factor in the weather in the city where your building stands. You should also make sure that the material will help your building mesh with the overall look of its neighborhood. Most importantly, choose the commercial roofing system that will best fit your budget.
