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.

Why are Flat Roofs Common on Commercial Buildings?

When people think about roofs, the most common image that comes into mind is that of a peaked roof. If you ask a kid, or even an adult, to draw a picture of a house, they will most likely draw a box with a triangle on top. However, if you actually go outside and observe the roofs around your area, especially when you are in the city, you’ll likely see that most roofs don’t actually form a peak. Instead, the majority of roofs are flat, especially on commercial buildings.

Why do commercial property owners have mostly flat roofs while residential owners prefer having sloped roofs?

One of the reasons behind this is that flat roofing is not only just as effective as sloped roofing, but is even more cost-effective, and tends to fit into the uniform ideal that most business and industrial districts demand.

Flat or also known as low-slope roofing is the type of roofing with 3-12 degrees of slope relative to the walls. This type of roofing was originally popular for desert-based civilizations and castles. However, flat roofing has become a common roofing choice in business districts and high rise downtowns of the world. One of the reasons behind this is the development of improved, better, and more cost-effective roofing materials that could be mass produced to a high standard.

Roofing Materials

Thermoplastic Polyolefin or TPO is a durable and synthetic material with properties similar to EPDM which is another kind of synthetic rubber. Having this type of synthetic roof provides added heat resistance from its employment of a vinyl composite in its makeup. One of the benefits of TPO is that it provides a higher level of UV protection and provides structural integrity that makes it capable of supporting heavy equipment making it a good choice for a commercial or industrial building.

Polyvinyl Chloride is often used in piping networks, some decking, and even some furniture. Aside from those uses, the material is also used to create a sturdy roofing membrane. PVC roofing is actually very strong and durable that it is capable of handling loads weighing more than 350 pounds per square inch.

EPDM is another synthetic rubber material which offers the lowest cost per square foot of any flat-roofing material. This lower cost does not mean that EPDM does not have any merits. EPDM is capable of roofing and insulating a commercial building for more than 3 decades.

Asphalt is a material which is typically used in the construction of roads and bridges. Additionally, asphalt has long been used in roofing. Many manufacturers now produce asphalt roofing materials for roofing membranes for flat-roofed buildings. These asphalt roofing membranes are sturdy, durable, tough and rugged. Many roofing contractors consider this material to be one of the best with a life span of over 50 years.

Metal is another material which is very commonly used for flat roofing. Many flat roof warehouses have a flat metal roof. The main reasons why metal is such a popular option is because metal is a practical, long-lasting, and efficient material. Metal roofs on can last for more than 30 years. This is why it is a go to choice for most property owners.

Why Choose A Flat Roof?

The main reasons why commercial properties often have flat roofs are because this style of roofing is economic and efficient, adds curb appeal, optimizes space, and are long lasting and durable.

Economic and Efficient

While flat roofs can seem a bit pricey at first, the lifespan of the materials and the low maintenance costs over time actually make it a more cost effective option, especially for business owners with larger properties.

Adds Curb Appeal

There are many different materials which can be used for a flat roof. Many of the synthetic options provide a variety of colors available. However, even when you choose a simple material with less aesthetic appeal, flat roofs are not visible from the ground floor.

Space Optimization

One of the most common reasons for the popularity of flat roofs is that it provides commercial buildings with an extra space to use for a number of purposes. Property owners can install swimming pools, sky gardens, or place industrial machines on their flat roofs. This extra space is commonly used for HVAC and building ventilation systems.

Durable And Long Lasting

Last but definitely not the least is the longevity and durability that most flat roofing materials provide. If you’re looking to get a new roof for your commercial property, flat roofs aren’t just a common choice, they are a durable, long lasting, and cost effective option which provides a myriad of benefits.

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