Roofs are perhaps the most important aspect of a building, keeping out the elements and standing the test of time. If they don’t, your building will rapidly deteriorate, which can be expensive to fix. When it comes to a residential building you are likely to have a little more knowledge regarding the materials and the system of your home. But on the other hand, a commercial roofing system often does not get much attention. People are not much aware that these roofing systems have become increasingly complex, with different roofing materials used for different purposes and installed in different ways.
It is important to realize that ensuring a good commercial roof is just as important as having a good roof on your home. With this following guide, you will get to know all the major commercial roofing systems available in the market and how you can keep your business protected for a long.
What Is A Commercial Roofing System?
Commercial roofing systems are used in commercial properties such as retail stores and warehouses. Also known as industrial roofing systems, commercial buildings are large and often have many different types of roofs. These systems are often made up of multiple layers.
These buildings require a more durable roof system that can withstand heavy snowfall, strong winds, and other elements that might damage the roof.
The commercial roofing system is one of the most important parts of any building, so it’s important to make sure you choose the right one for your needs!
Popular Types Of Commercial Roofing Systems ?
Massachusetts is home to many commercial businesses. If you also want to set up your business in this beautiful area, then it is important to start with the commercial roofing system you will use. You can choose from many types of industrial roofing materials available in the roofing market. All of these have their own pros and cons, so it’s important to consider both options before deciding on which one is right for your project. Let’s look at some of the best commercial roofing systems.
TPO Roofing Systems
Thermoplastic Polyolefin or TPO commercial roofing is one of the roofing systems that is currently making rapid strides in the commercial roof market of Plymouth. TPO membranes are single-ply roofing systems that are becoming increasingly popular. They are a combination of rubber and plastic that is typically white but can be produced in a variety of other light colors such as tan.
TPO roofs can have seams that are heat welded together or glued down, depending on the preference of the property owner or manager. Seams help to make the roof more waterproof, while still allowing it to expand and contract with temperature changes.
- TPO commercial roofing is a light-weight system
- It is easy to install and highly reflective surface
- It is generally available in light colors that allow it to reflect UV rays with ease
- TPO is environment-friendly material
EPDM Roofing
This is another strong element that holds its place in the single-ply roofing system along with its counterpart TPO. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a single-ply, flexible rubber membrane that comes in black or white. This means that a single sheet is used to cover the whole roof structure. EPDM coatings have been around for more than 50 years and are used on many types of low-slope commercial buildings due to their exceptional waterproofing capabilities. EPDM is the most common type of commercial roofing system in North America.
- EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber material having applications in not only roofing but other industries such as HVAC, and automobiles.
- It is a lightweight material that comes in black color. It can be coated with white as well.
- They can last up to 50 years, ensuring longer protection
Built-up Roofing System
A BUR or built-up roofing system is the most common type of commercial roof that you’ll see on top of buildings in cities and towns throughout the world. It’s also considered a green roofing system because it does not require any toxic chemicals in order to seal or coat the materials. It has a long life expectancy and can last between 15 and 30 years with proper maintenance.
This type of commercial roofing system is typically made using alternating layers of asphalt, tar, or other bituminous material such as coal tar pitch. These layers are then strengthened with fabric that has been coated in asphalt. This type of roof system is ballasted with stones.
- A built-up roof can have excellent fire resistant properties
- This commercial roofing system is very cost-effective
- It is a very heavy system and requires highly professional contractors to do the job
Modified Bitumen Roofing System
A modified bitumen roofing system is a hybrid of a flat roof and shingle or metal-based roof. This is one of the oldest commercial roofing system used in low-slope roofs. This structure is often related to the built-up roofing system except that they don’t include an insulation layer. Instead, they use a vapor barrier beneath the asphalt membrane. This type of roof is ideal for warehouses, factories, and other areas where there may be a lot of moisture present due to condensation problems or leaks in pipes or drains.
It can be installed in a variety of ways, including hot asphalt, cold adhesive, and heat welding. Modified bitumen also adapts well to varying weather conditions and climates.
- Some roof types can reduce your bills by as much as 40 percent over other types of roofs
- It can be installed in multiple ways
- One of the most traditional forms of commercial roofing
SPF Roofs
SPF, short for Spray Polyurethane Foam is a high-performance roofing system that provides superior durability and insulation. It is a spray-applied, fully adhered, fluid roofing membrane. That is, this liquid spray is first applied to the roof and then acts as a foam-filled covering that helps protects your commercial roofing system.
The foam is sprayed onto the bottom surface of the substrate at specified thicknesses to produce an extremely dense, seamless membrane. Spray foam roofs always require some sort of protective coating over the top because they are subject to environmental damage such as sunlight and water penetration due to ponding on low-sloped roofs.
- Since it is a type of spray you do need to use fasteners or battens, etc
- They offer good wind resistance
- They are energy efficient. They limit roof leaks and openings
Metal Roof
Metal roofing is a type of material that’s made of metal sheets and panels. You can use it to cover commercial as well as your residential properties. Metal commercial roofing systems are the most durable, long-lasting roofs on the market. Metal roof systems are durable, reliable, and energy-efficient. They can last up to 50 years (and sometimes longer!) and they’re great for preventing leaks, keeping your attic dry, and protecting your home from the elements.
- There are various metals used in a commercial roof such as steel, aluminum, copper, zinc
- Some of the types of metal roofs are: Standing seam and corrugated metal
PVC Systems
Though widely popular for roofing in the European arenas, this synthetic material is now quite popular in the North American markets as well. PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride.
PVC roofing is made from polyvinyl chloride, an incredibly durable plastic that can withstand high winds and heavy rain, even snow in some cases. Since it is made from plastic, it also has great insulating properties. This means that it will help keep your building at the right temperature all year long.
PVC is both lightweight and flexible, so it’s easy to install—and it works well with most roof types. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors that let you customize your home’s style!
- It can be installed without requiring heavy machinery or specialized tools
- It’s easy to clean—you can simply hose it down when it gets dirty or stained
- Vinyl can be painted in many colors
Commercial Roofing Maintenance Tips
After purchasing the right roofing material and installing it on your roof, you would think that you have done your work. But that is not the case, you must know that maintaining a commercial roofing system is as important as selecting the right material. Proper maintenance is the golden key to ensuring that your roof performs at its best capacity.
Also, this will help you to detect potential issues so that you can treat them at the earliest and save money in the long run. Here we share some tips that you can use to maintain your roof system.
- Get a roof inspection from a professional roofing company at least once a year. Inspection from an experienced professional will help to detect hidden issues with the right equipment
- Make sure that your commercial roofing system is clean from unwanted objects such as stones, leaves, debris, etc.
- Take a note of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for things such as large trees that can damage the roof.
We’re Experts In Commercial Roofing!
The roof of your business property plays a vital role in keeping your business and employees protected from harsh weather elements. Since it plays such an important role you do not want to make compromises on your roof system.
This is why you need to hire Mayflower Roofing. Our hardworking team of professionals is experts in providing all the commercial roofing services such as commercial roof inspection, repair, and installation. We offer the best-in-class materials and installation process so that you do not have to settle for a low-quality structure. We have decades of experience and serve the Plymouth region of Massachusetts.
If you want to install a commercial roofing system, all you need to do is get in touch with us at (508) 841-3622 and we will be happy to help you.
