The roof of a house/building is a part that the owner can’t trifle with. This is because a roof is an essential part of any building. Without it the building is susceptible to the elements; it also adds to the general aesthetics of the building.
San Diego is known for its temperate weather but even at that the houses and buildings there need protection from the elements. Many people love the city of San Diego because the winter months are not too harsh and the warm months are not too hot. Click here if you want to know more about the climate of this city.
What Is Commercial Roofing?
Commercial roofing as we can infer has to do with the installation, repair and maintenance of commercial roofs. This therefore brings us to the question of what commercial roofs are.
Commercial roofs are roofs that cover large spaces. So the roof of a large events hall, business premises, factory or shopping mall would qualify as a commercial roof. These types of roofs differ from the residential ones because they typically slant low or are even totally flat. The major considerations for it are usually the weight that it has to carry and the space/area that it has to cover.
Professionals who work on these commercial housetop coverings need to always consider the air flow systems, the external piping and the smoke stacks. By this explanation therefore, you can infer that commercial roofing is not a DIY venture. That is why you need the services of professionals whenever you need to cover a large building.
Types Of Commercial Roofing Systems And Materials
To get the best of this type of venture, you certainly need to know a number of things. This article is aimed at helping you out in that regard.
One of the most important things to know and understand is the types of roofing systems and the materials used. These include the following:
Metal Roofing
This is unarguably the most popular and common type of system used to cover commercial buildings. The materials used in this category of housetops are many and they include the following:-
- Stone-coated steel
- A material made from a mixture of aluminum, zinc and steel coated in silicon
- Copper
- Stainless steel
- Corrugated/grooved galvanized steel
- Lead
- Sheets of Metal tile
- Aluminum
- Tin
Due to the fact that metal is prone to rust; some layers of protection are usually added in the use of these materials. This would make it more resistant to exposure to environmental hazards and the elements.
The advantage of these types of materials is that they are attractive and also have high resistance to fire. They are also stronger and last longer than other traditional options. With the materials in this category, you can create a design that is more sustainable over time.
However, these materials are not the cheapest on the list and are not the most durable.
Built-up Roofing Membrane (BUR)
BUR is generally referred to as tar and gravel roof. This type is built with different layers of bitumen and other materials. These materials are often referred to as reinforcing materials. So they lay the reinforcing material and overlay it with bitumen. This is done in alternating layers until the number of layers required is done.
This housetop system is an old one and considered quite cost effective. One major reason for this is that it can be adjusted to individual preferences and budget. It is also one of the toughest types of roofing system available.
Modified Bitumen Roofing
In this system, the materials are secured to the rooftop as a double ply system. The reinforced fabrics for the roof are used to work as vessels that would hold the bitumen. This is then cut and installed just like the layers of the BUR membrane. These materials are applied to the house decking to provide optimum protection and stability.
The advantage of this type of covering is that it is easy to maintain. All you have to do is inspect and clean it at least once a year. It is also strong and durable and can handle constant foot traffic. This type of roof is therefore recommended if you expect to have constant activity on the rooftop of your building.
Green Roofing
These types of roofs are the most functional and adaptable in the commercial category. The popularity is because of its sustainability for businesses and commercial buildings.
The major advantage of this system of housetops is its ability to protect the building from the effects of the elements. It also manages water and drainage and in addition improves energy efficiency. Best of all, it is an environmentally friendly option.
This is not an exhaustive list; some others are thermoplastic roof membrane, thermoset roof membrane and single ply roofing.
What To Look Out For Before Installing Commercial Roof For A New Building
Building a business is a major investment that must not be taken lightly. Every aspect of the business must be well thought out including the physical structure. Taking into consideration that your investments must be protected, it is expedient to hire only the best hands.
The company must be one that has integrity and insists on the following:
- Ensuring that they follow all the laid down regulations and building code of the city.
- Install roofs that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
- Deploy premium quality materials and workmanship for durability.
- Move with the times and maintain the standards of architectural styling
- Ensure that the assets of the client are safeguarded.
- Stay within client’s budget
The above then begs the question of how you would get such a company; here are some tips to help you:
- Search online or ask for referrals from friends, acquaintances and family.
- Ensure that the company is certified and licensed. This would show that they have the required knowledge and skill for the job
- In addition to the above, they must be insured. This saves you any hassle and costs if any accident should occur in the course of your project. It also safeguards your assets.
- Proximity is also a very crucial issue to consider. The company you choose to use should be located in the region.
- Their track record in the industry should not be overlooked. If the company is in your locale, you can easily find out previous jobs that they have done and assess them. Similarly, customer reviews on some independent business review sites can also give you a clue of their rating in the industry.
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Conclusion
Commercial roofing is a different ball game from residential. So it is important that you get the right professionals to execute your project to ensure that you get good returns on your investment.
We believe that the information shared here would be of great help to you in your building endeavor.
