An In-Depth Guide to Commercial Roofing
Commercial buildings require regular roof maintenance which can be complicated. This is because they are not the same as residential buildings. Hence, the challenges that owners of those buildings face are quite different from those of residential owners.
What’s Commercial Roofing?
It is an industry term that covers management, installation, construction, and designing of commercial systems. You can also call it institutional or corporate roofing. People who offer this service include designers of the systems, commercial roofers, and manufacturers of roofing materials.
Roofers use various materials for business buildings. They include SPF (sprayed polyurethane foam), asphalt, gravel and tar, metal, and concrete. They can also use ply materials such as EPDM, PVC, or TVP, built-up roof, bitumen roof, and so on.
These materials are designed to showcase sturdiness and durability instead of aesthetics. However, this depends on the building type, its purpose, and its location.
Repair and Replacement of Commercial Roof
The roof of business properties may damage, leak severely, or completely or partially tear off because of bad weather events such as hurricanes or tornados. When this happens, you need to contact a commercial roof repair contractor to work on it. They may either repair or replace it.
Commercial roofers work with insurance companies to ensure house owners choose the right roofing system for their properties. They also help to properly maintain the system all through its lifespan. Therefore, before you start researching your options and deciding on the system to buy for your building, you must understand that it is a major investment.
It is literally going to stay over your head and that of your employees. This means you need to know the different types of systems so you can know which one is suitable for your building. But you must work with a certified commercial roofer or contractor who can install, repair, and maintain the quality of the roof.
Moreover, the roof is likely the largest expenditure you will make on a business property. You may also replace it once or twice during the building’s lifespan. But this depends on the duration of your ownership and the roof’s current condition and age.
A commercial system is more expensive and intricate to install compared to a residential system. So before you make your decisions, put aside your knowledge of warranties and residential roofs.
Roofing Companies vs Contractors
Commercial roofing contractors are either roofing companies or independent contractors with experience in installing, replacing, and repairing different types of commercial roofing systems. It is important to check that the contractor understands your building’s unique requirements. This will help them get the materials that will meet your needs.
Most times, contractors offer various services and carry out their jobs with various materials. Some of their services include inspection programs, maintenance, restoration, repair of a flat roof, overlays, and replacement.
Commercial roofing companies can help you to understand the different types of roofing materials for your business property and the available roofing systems. They also educate you on the meaning of total replacement, overlay, and restoration, including what you should know about the components and structure of your new roof or upgraded one.
Whether you want a roof for your office building, manufacturing facility, factory, or warehouse, commercial roofing is a category or subsection of general roofing. Hence, the company you choose should be one that specifically handles commercial properties.
Why Work with a Contractor?
Naturally, house owners want to hire companies with comprehensive expertise in roofing and maintenance. They can help to protect the roof from visible dangers and hidden issues that may negatively affect the overall performance and integrity of the roof.
Additionally, contractors can work in various things like repairs, replacements, restorations, overlays, and complete tearing-offs. They save you money, time, trouble, and stress.
When you want to remove your previous roof so you can install another one, you can either tear it off or overlay it. Irrespective of the type of commercial building, your decision to tear off completely and replace or do an overlay is dependent on your old system and the new one you want to install.
For example, if you plan to add or restore a new coating or layer to your current roof with the same materials, you may just request an overlay. The advantage is that your business can keep running as the roofing work is ongoing.
However, if you decide to use different materials from the already existing ones, or if your roof was damaged severely, you may have to replace the whole system. But you must know that this will involve pausing or halting your business for a while or moving your activities elsewhere.
A total roof replacement takes thirty days or more depending on certain factors. They include the weather condition during the replacement process, the building’s condition, the materials, and the size of the building. Whether you want to replace or restore, a contractor can help you make the right decision.
Types of Commercial Roofing Materials
There are various materials for roofing commercial buildings. They are:
1. Asphalt Shingles
They are commonly utilized in residential buildings, but you can also find them on certain commercial properties. This is because they are available in different styles and colors, relatively inexpensive, and quite waterproof.
2. Metal
This is also known as a metal retrofit. It helps to build resistance to snow, wind, and water. It also covers or hides mechanical structures like the HVAC and any other equipment that stays on the roof.
3. SPF (Sprayed Polyurethane Foam)
It starts as a liquid and changes into foam. The contractor sprays it across and onto a membrane so it can form solid layers. It is usually done on an existing roof when making a coating or overlay.
4. Built-Up
This is usually used on roofs with low slopes. It has alternate layers of asphalt or bitumen that are reinforced by fabric layers and topped with a single layer of gravel or aggregate stone.
5. Concrete
This is an extremely resilient option, and it is effective for conserving energy. It can be designed to mimic other types of materials like shakes or shingles. You may want to visit https://neconnected.co.uk/5-roofing-types-which-are-suitable-for-commercial-buildings/ to know more about other roofing materials for business buildings.
Conclusion
Your business property deserves a sturdy roof over it. Therefore, when looking for a roofer to handle the roofing project, ensure they have comprehensive knowledge and vast experience in handling commercial roofs.