Commercial roofing is different in many ways from steep-slope residential roofing. The materials needed, tools used to install, and experience of the installation team are all distinct from residential roofing. That’s why we want to provide a separate knowledge base specifically for commercial roofing.
Commercial roofs are more often flat (or “low-slope”) than residential. The flat roof design adds efficiency to the structure as a whole, as there is not any unused attic space. A flat roof also adds efficiency by being walkable from the rooftop, making roof maintenance, HVAC maintenance, or other roof access needs more simple than steep-slope roofing. Flat roofs can also be beneficial because they require less material to cover the roof surface, due to the lack of pitch. As an example, a 1,000 square foot structure with a flat roof will only need 1,000 square feet of roofing to be constructed. However, the same 1,000 square foot structure with a 6:12 pitched roof (common in residential construction) will require 1,500 square feet of roofing to be built.
When starting a new commercial roofing project, you’ll want to find a trustworthy and reputable commercial roofing contractor. They should have proper licensing, insurance, and bonding capability within the jurisdiction you are in. You should also ask if they are certified installers by any of the main commercial roofing material manufacturers such as Versico, Johns Manville, Firestone, and Mule Hide.
Some of the most common commercial roofing materials include metal roofing, EPDM, TPO, PVC, Built-up roofing (“BUR”), and Modified Bitumen (“mod bit”).
The most common challenges with commercial flat roofing include water ponding, membrane shrinkage due to UV rays, damaged flashing, and punctures. When your commercial property encounters these issues, ask your contractor how they plan to repair the roof and extend it’s life in a cost-effective way.