Roofing

As the owner or manager of a commercial property, you already understand the need for planning and budgeting for maintenance, repairs and updates so that each expenditure brings the greatest ROI. Learning about the key differences between commercial roofing and residential roofs can help you understand why it’s essential to hire a roofing company with the skills and experience to properly maintain your roof so you can avoid any unnecessary inconvenience and expense.

Unique Aspects of A Commercial Roof

You might think that a roof is a roof, but most commercial roofs differ dramatically from residential roofs in critically-important ways:

  • Design:
    Although some commercial buildings have pitched roofs similar to a home, most are “flat,” with a very low slope. Most commercial roofs have considerably larger square footage than a residential roof, and have distinct design considerations like a built-in drainage system and the structural strength needed to support the extra weight of ventilation and heating/cooling equipment.
  • Materials:
    Some of the materials commonly seen on residential roofs like metal panels and asphalt shingles are also used on sloped commercial roofs. Just by its design, a flat “low slope” commercial roof endures more direct exposure to the elements and weather and is more vulnerable to leaks, so the materials used to cover it have to be tough, durable and well-suited for larger areas. That’s why most low slope roofs are covered with membrane materials like single-ply, built-up roofing (BUR) and modified bitumen (APP/SBS).
  • Installation:
    When it comes to low-slope commercial roofs, a roofer needs to have familiarity and skill working with the material they’re installing. Additionally, a commercial roofer needs to understand the unique challenges of making a flat-roofed building water tight, like welding seams properly, installing flashing correctly, working around obstructions and parapets, and ensuring adequate drainage to avoid ponding and a potential structural failure. A commercial roofer also needs to have the larger crews and specialized equipment that are necessary to install a membrane roof in a timely manner.
  • Maintenance:
    Low-slope commercial roofs develop different problems than residential roofs, such as ponding water, seam separations, membrane punctures, shrinkage and cracking, flashing deterioration around penetrations and clogged drains. For this reason, the low-slope or flat roof on a commercial building needs regular inspections and maintenance so emerging issues are dealt with promptly.

Contact us today at BELDON® Roofing Company for expert help developing an effective plan to maintain your commercial roof.

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