One thing you need to understand when you are planning to build a commercial establishment is that its roof may be slightly different from that of your home, and there are a number of reasons for that. Apart from the fact that commercial roofs tend to cover a larger area, they also usually serve as a platform where the outdoor units of the HVAC system are installed. You may use the rooftop as an extension of your business space, too, if there’s a good enough ambiance and view that can enhance customer experience.
In a nutshell, your choice of roof type can make a huge difference in the direction and longevity of your enterprise. As early as the planning stage, you have to pay close attention to how the builder wants to go about the roof construction, particularly what type of material they recommend. Examine the blueprint, especially the roofing specifications, and find out if there’s a need to make a few alterations that can help increase your building’s efficiency as well as expand your profit margin.
What are the different types of commercial roofs?
Like residential roofing, commercial roofing comes in a variety of types, each with unique characteristics that must be integrated into the building’s design. Your choice of commercial roof type must be based on a number of factors, including the building’s architectural requirement, the floor size, the climate in your area, and many more. Here are some of the most common types of commercial roofing systems that you can choose from.
- Low-Slope Roof
- – It’s quite rare for a commercial roof to have a steep slope. Most business establishments with pitched roofing are either once residential buildings and not fully retrofitted or the pitched roof is part of the desired façade and branding. There are a number of reasons for this kind of design. For one, lowering the roof’s slope reduces material cost. Also, with low slope, damage by updraft can be mitigated. The only downside to a low-sloped roof is its vulnerability to snow damage. This is why it is crucial to conscientiously follow all building codes when you choose low-sloped roof for your commercial building in Chicago.
- Flat Roof
- – Just when you thought your roof can’t go lower, wait until your builder introduces you to the “flat roof”. It’s not really flat like your floor but its slope is too low, you can barely see an inclination. It’s considered as the most cost-effective of all commercial roof types because it requires minimal amount of materials and it’s also quick and easy to install. Most flat roofs are made of modern materials, including rubber rolls, EPDM, PVC, TPO, bitumen, and modified bitumen.
- PVC Roofs
- – Polyvinyl chloride is one of the more recently invented types of roofing materials. It is known for being the most durable of all membranes used as roofing material. Thanks to its fire-retardant property, you can expect to have more salvageable roofing material after a fire than when you have a different type of membrane roof. PVC is also resistant to moisture and chemical, so you can rest assured that your roof will last even as the weather condition gradually worsens.
- TPO Roof
- – In case you are looking for a cheaper option than PVC or EPDM, you may consider having a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roof. It’s less popular than PVC, which is why many business owners tend to doubt its ability. Fair enough, when it comes to durability, PVC has the upper hand. TPO can burn easily, making it not an ideal option if your business involves using fire, such as a restaurant or bakeshop. It’s also easy to puncture and susceptible to shrinkage.
- EPDM Roof
- – Ever seen a black roof before? That’s probably made of ethylene propylene diene methylene. It’s a synthetic rubber material primarily used for roofing applications. Because it is rubber, it’s also very elastic, which makes it easy to stretch and form-fit in any roof. Unfortunately, due to EPDM’s black color, many builders don’t recommend them. We all know that dark colors, especially black, absorb and store heat and the roof is the least of the things you would want to be black. Fortunately, there’s now white EPDM that you can choose instead of the conventional black rubber.
- SPF Roof
- – Unlike other roofing materials that are rolled or laid in place, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is sprayed on the roof deck, hence the name. Initially, SPF is in liquid form. Once exposed to the atmosphere, it hardens within seconds, creating a tough protective layer on the roof. Due to the complexity of its composition, anyone handling the formulation and spraying must take extra precaution. Even a slight mistake in the formula or in calibrating the machine could make a huge difference in the resulting roofing material.
- Asphalt Rolled Roof
- – This isn’t actually a roofing type but a material that you can apply on your roof like the asphalt overlay on concrete roads. Preferably, asphalt layer must be rolled on a low-sloped or flat roof to minimize the effect of gravity. Unfortunately, asphalt rolled roofs have a short life expectancy and require constant upkeep to last long. It’s also naturally dark-colored, which means it absorbs and stores a lot of heat, consequently lowering the commercial building’s energy efficiency.
Choosing from the many different types of commercial roofs can be daunting, especially because your choice can affect your business in the long haul. You don’t want a roof that requires a lot of maintenance or cost a fortune to repair when broken. If you’re not confident with your ability to choose the right roofing type for your building, consult with a trusted local roofing company in Chicago, such as Muller Exteriors. Not only do they know the best commercial roofing systems on the market, but they can teach you how to take care of your roof to make it last for as long as possible.
