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Understanding the Technology in Commercial Roofing

The main purpose of a roof on any structure is to protect the building and its contents from water. A roof also provides structural integrity for the walls of the structure as well as helps with the insulation. Commercial buildings, however, require more from their roofing systems than the typical home may need such as thermal sprays.

How Is Roofing for a Commercial Building Different?

The main difference between residential and Commercial Roofing is the design. Commercial buildings tend to be larger than residential buildings. This requires a different type of roofing to ensure proper coverage of the building. Low slope or flat roofs tend to provide better coverage for these larger commercial buildings.

The flatter roofs also provide a convenient area to place large, heavy equipment, such as HVAC systems. By allowing these systems to be placed on the roof, it can allow easier access to the various parts of the building for vents, blowers, and pipes.

Types of Commercial Roofs

Since commercial buildings have a tendency to be flat, they require different materials than residential roofs. These different materials are better able to stand up to the weather and provide a durable and long-lasting method for keeping water out of the building. Below are some of the more common types of commercial roof systems.

Metal Roof

Metal roofs are an ideal choice for commercial buildings that have a steeper slope. Often made of galvanized steel, these roofing systems are able to withstand high winds and are mostly impact-resistant. These roofs can last between 40 and 60 years with proper care but come at a higher upfront cost than common flat roofing systems.

BUR Systems

Built-Up Roofing, or BUR, is one of the older types of flat roofing systems for commercial buildings. It is created by installing several layers of special roofing felt that is embedded with bitumen. This system is a redundant system. This means that if one layer breaks down, there are multiple systems to provide immediate protection.

The BUR system provides resistance to thermal shock, is very puncture resistant, and offers long-term durability.  Well-maintained BUR systems can last thirty years or more. With a cost of around $4 per square foot, this system could be the best option for businesses on a budget.

Vegetative or Green Roof

Cities with a lot of large buildings, roads, and other structures often become heat islands. Due to the infrastructure absorbing and re-emitting the heat from the sun, these areas maintain higher temperatures than areas with more natural landscapes. Vegetative or green roof systems help to combat that heat.

These roofs have an additional layer to provide gardening. Various plants and vegetation are grown on top of the roof to help moderate the heat island effect in cities. Green roof temperatures can be 30 to 40 degrees lower than other roofs and have been shown to reduce city-wide temperatures by up to five degrees.

Membrane Roof

A newer type of roofing is the membrane roof. The membrane roof is basically what it sounds like—a thin sheet material or membrane is applied to a roof in a single layer. It can be attached either mechanically with special fasteners or fastened using adhesive or a solvent weld.

There are a several membrane materials that can be used on commercial roofs. The materials come in large sheets to reduce the number of seams that can allow water to enter. Membrane roofs are relatively low cost at about $4-$8 per square foot and can last 20 to 35 years, depending on the material and maintenance of the roof.

Spray Roofing

Similar to the membrane roof, spray roofing provides a thin layer of protection to the roof of a commercial building. The material is sprayed on in a liquid form that expands into a foam and then hardens into a solid layer. Unlike membrane roofing materials, sprayed roofing does not have a seam that leaves the surface vulnerable to water leaks.

With each of these types of roofing systems, there are various materials that come with their own list of benefits and drawbacks. It is important that property owners work with a roofing professional to determine the best option for their building.

Understanding the Technology in Commercial Roofing

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