Best Roofing Material for Flat Roofs

When you have plans to replace the roof on your business, you are probably thinking about a lot of things. Replacing your roof, especially a commercial roof, is no easy task. If you are in the process of getting a new roof for your business or one of the properties that you manage, you need to do your due diligence in researching and learning about the best flat roofing materials that will fit the needs of your company and your budget as well.

Think of it as an investment, if you don’t put much thought into it, you might end up losing out in the long run.

Replacing a roof may seem like an expensive venture. While it definitely isn’t free, there are several ways to adjust the costs of a new commercial roof. One way is to choose the best roofing material. 

How do you choose the best roofing material?

There are so many options for roofing. You might think that all roofs are the same but when you look at different properties, you’ll notice that there are a ton of different options for commercial roofing. This is one of the reasons why getting a new roof is so difficult. However, Waddle Exteriors can help. We are a roofing team specializing in both roof repairs, coatings, and total roof replacements. If you are looking for a really good roofer, contact us as we are known as one of the best roofing companies in ames iowa. 

When you go through the different kinds of roofing material types, the things that you need to know about each type of roof material include the following:

Lifespan

When choosing a roofing material, it is important to take into consideration just how long the roof will last. Different materials have varying lifespans. By knowing the lifespan of these materials, you’ll be able to assess how long you’ll have until you need to replace your roof again. Think of it like this, a roof may seem cheaper now but if that material will only last 10 years, would you rather get the cheaper option or another alternative that costs only a bit more but can give you 30 years of use?

Material Cost

While the cost of materials will depend on the manufacturer and other factors, there are average prices per square meter of material. Since you’re looking at a new roof for your business, this may play a large role since you definitely would want to stay within budget.

Installation Cost

Aside from paying for the materials of your new roof, you also have to pay for the labor cost of installing the structure. This varies greatly because the method of installation will depend on the type of roofing material and the style of roofing. When you have some top choices on the kind of roofing material you are interested in, you can get an estimate of the installation cost of these materials from your roofer. 

Ease of Maintenance

Another thing to consider is how a roofing material should be maintained. Some types of roofs may require more regular maintenance while others require a minimal level of maintenance. Maintenance may not seem like an important factor to consider but if you’ll be having that roof on your property for next few decades, the cost of maintenance will add up over time, especially if it needs to be done consistently.

Types of Roofing Material

PVC Roofing

For most projects, PVC roofing is a commonly preferred choice and is known as one of the best flat roof materials available on the market. However, PVC roofing is actually more expensive than all the other single-ply commercial roofing materials. 

PVC Roofing offers an extended range of advantages for its high cost. First of all, the reinforced membrane makes PVC roofs more resilient against impact damage and the cracking that often comes with it, which normally shortens the lifespan of most roofs. PVC roofing is one of the best flat roofing materials for 2 main reasons – it is low maintenance and offers a long lifespan. 

Metal Roofing

One of the ideal choices when it comes to buildings with slopes measuring more than 2 inches is the use of commercial standing seam metal roofs. Metal is different from many other commercial roofing materials for a number of reasons. 

First, metal roofing has the longest lifespan. A metal roof can last between 20 and 30 years. This is because metal is an extremely durable material which makes it immune to cracks that usually affect other single-ply roofing materials. One downside, however, is that metal roofs are more susceptible to leaks around the roof edges, ridges, and seams.

TPO

TPO is a very popular type of roofing commonly used on flat roofs. Compared to metal roofing and PVC roofing, TPO is considered as an inexpensive option. It offers a decent lifespan lasting between 10 to 20 years. On top of that, these white-coat roofs also offer the same energy saving properties as PVC roofs. They also require less maintenance than EPDM roofs.

Modified Bitumen Roof

When compared to other commercial roofing materials, modified bitumen stands out as the more-budget friendly option. Modified bitumen roofs use an asphalt membrane as the base of the roof itself. This surface is susceptible to cracking and blistering which reduces the typical lifespan to just 10 to 15 years. While the lifespan is less than the more advanced options, the price point alone can make modified bitumen one of the best flat roof materials for some businesses.

If you know you need a commercial roof replacement, we’re the team to trust. At Waddle Exteriors, we have experience with all kinds of commercial roofing materials.

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