As you build your commercial property, you have to consider the type of roofing materials to use because they’ll determine the overall robustness of the building. The roofing materials you choose will determine your roof’s longevity, your building’s energy efficiency, and the safety of your valuables.
Fortunately, there are different types of roofing materials that you can use on your commercial building. Here are the most common commercial roofing materials for your commercial property.
Built-Up Roofing Membranes
With proper installation and maintenance, a roof made of built-up roofing membranes can last for 20 years. This roof consists of several layers of tar and gravel. After 20 years, you can top up the roof with additional layers of tar and gravel. The durability of a built-up roof depends on the number of layers of tar and gravel you create.
Many commercial property developers prefer this type of roof because it’s inexpensive and repairable. A built-up roof is also relatively flexible and resistant to wear and tear due to heavy foot traffic. But this depends on the stability of the understructure.
Spray-On Roofing Materials
A spray-on roof is made of spray polyurethane foam (SPF), a synthetic material that comes in liquid form and instantly swells into a hard layer of foam when it’s sprayed on the roof. Spray-on roofs are eco-friendly and completely waterproof. The SPF material is sprayed on an existing roof to prolong its lifespan, and it shouldn’t be applied on a wet, icy, or snowy top.
Metal Roofing Materials
Metal roofs are ideal for commercial buildings because they can last up to 60 years or more. There are different types of metal roofing materials that you can choose for your roof, including corrugated galvanized steel, aluminum, zinc, tin, tile sheets, copper, and coated/stainless steel. These materials can be styled in various ways to give your commercial roof a nice-looking finish.
Unfortunately, metal roofing materials are highly corrosive. Thankfully, most modern metal roofing materials come with protective surface layers to prevent damage from excess heat, moisture, pollution, and other external elements.
Thermoplastic PVC and TPO Roof Membranes
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) roofs are highly resistant to extreme weather conditions like excess heat, moisture, UV rays, bacterial growth, and harsh chemicals. This makes them ideal for commercial properties.
These roofing materials are lightweight, nonconductive, and puncture-resistant. They’re also fire-resistant and tolerant to high temperatures and high winds. Their only downside is that they can be poorly made as the manufacturers rush to satisfy the rising demand.
