Common Kinds Of Commercial Roofs

Commercial roofs, unlike many residential roofs, normally aren't constructed from asphalt shingles. Instead, they're made from a variety of materials that tend to be more durable. Here are some common kinds of commercial roofs.

Thermoplastic membrane roofs have a thin membrane that's made of polypropylene and rubber material. The membrane is relatively affordable and lasts for 15 to 20 plus years, which makes it a generally good option for many commercial roofs. In addition to these two characteristics, a few other features make it especially good in certain situations.

First, the membrane is usually white so that it reflects the sun's rays. This minimizes how much a building heats up during the day, especially in hot climates. If your business is in an area that gets especially high temperatures, a thermoplastic membrane can help reduce your building's air conditioning costs.

Second, the membrane isn't easily lifted by wind since the membrane lies flat. This makes it well-suited for areas that see high winds, including hurricane zones and tornado-prone regions.

Third, the membrane comes in rolls that can be easily unfurled and installed. While this is a benefit during installation, it's especially helpful when making a repair. If your building's roof needs to be fixed, the easy installation usually comes with a comparatively low cost. That helps keep the total repair costs minimal.

Fourth, a thermoplastic membrane will resist damage that airborne chemicals can cause. Not only does the membrane's chemical resistance prolong the lifespan of the roof, but it's especially useful for buildings in urban settings where there's a lot of air pollution.

If your building is in a city, a thermoplastic membrane may hold up much better than other roofing options.

EPDM roofs are made from a rubber material. The initials EPDM stand for the material -- ethylene propylene diene terpolymer. This roofing material is applied much like a thermoplastic membrane roof, and it's available in both white and black. The vast majority of EPDM roofs are black, though.

EPDM roofs have many of the same benefits as thermoplastic roofs. EPDM roofs are:

• Affordable, so they're a cost-effective solution for most businesses
• Rolled out, so they're easy to install on flat and low-sloped roofs
• Flat, so they're able to resist high winds

The membrane also can continue to flex some after it’s installed, which lets the roof absorb impacts from hailstones and shift if a building settles.

Compared to thermoplastic roofs, EPDM materials are available in much wider sheets. Rather than a 12-foot wide roll, which is about the widest thermoplastic roll available, EPDM comes in rolls as wide as 50 feet. Such a wide width isn't useful when making smaller repairs, but it does lower the number of seams on a large roof installation.

Green roofs are far from the most popular commercial roofing solution, but they're readily available and more building owners in cities are installing them. A green roof consists of a waterproof membrane, a growing medium, and plants that grow in the medium.

Green roofs are costly to install and maintain, because there are multiple layers and plants. These help improve the air quality and serve as a green space in cities. They're both good for people who use the building and want access to a green area as well as for the surrounding residents.

Green roofs also help reduce energy costs during both cold and hot weather, as they act as a natural layer of insulation.

These may be a good option if your commercial building is located in a major city and has people who can make use of the space.

If you need a new commercial roof for a building, contact Cal Roofing Systems Inc.