There are differences when it comes to commercial roofing applications and installations as opposed to residential roofing systems and many individuals are unaware of those contrasts. Commercial businesses deal with a whole set of varying parameters when it comes to choosing materials, repairing, replacing and maintaining a commercial roof. Those differences need to be explained to those who are not acquainted with commercial roofing.
Commercial Roofing Variances in Materials
One of the obvious differences between commercial and residential roofing systems is with the actual roofing materials available to businesses and individual homeowners. Homeowners generally use the most popular of materials in asphalt shingles as well as concrete, clay tiles, slate, metal and some plastics.
Business owners and building managers have a number of options in roofing system choices, which means they have to look at those possibilities and invest considerable time in researching what best suits their particular building and roofing situations.
The most common of commercial material choices include:
- Polyurethane foam (sprayed)
- Single-ply systems in TPO, PVC and EPDM
- Restoration coatings
- Modified bitumen
- Concrete
- Build-up
- Tar
- Gravel
Commercial Installations
Installation of a commercial roof differs from residential roof installations with the main differences being the amount of time necessary for a commercial installation along with the increased number of individual roofers necessary to install a commercial roof.
Most commercial roofs can take more than a month to install. A residential roof installation can be completed in several days with a few individuals completing the installation.
The time involved with a commercial installation is attributed to the larger size of the installation area. There are also complexities and difficulties due to the materials and processes used that necessitate curing, settling and gluing as well as other details that are time consuming. Commercial roof installations simply take more than a few days to finish. It’s not a slam-dunk process.
Commercial Roofing Problems
Roof problems are considerably different with a commercial roof. Leaks, wind damage, snow and ice build-up, environmental issues and other problems are all on a larger scale and may affect different sectors of a roof. For example, a leak on a residential roof may only require patching one area; whereas, with a commercial roof, patching may be necessary in a specific area, or the entire roof may need a complete coating. A leak on a larger roof may mean big problems that require roof replacement, or it might be a more simple issue with flashing.
Whatever problems occur with commercial roofs, it is worth taking note that those problems cannot be compared to those of residential roofing predicaments. Commercial conditions and circumstances are usually going to require different solutions in comparison to residential roofing situations.
Understanding Commercial Roofing
Understanding and knowing the particulars of commercial roofing is important and making comparisons with residential roofing should be limited, as there are marked differences. It is best to understand that servicing, maintaining, repairing and replacing a commercial roof are all in relationship to the commercial roofing systems used and the installation procedures applied.
If you have additional questions concerning commercial roofing applications and installations, complete the online contact form and a commercial roofing specialist will get back to you with the information you need to expand your knowledge of commercial roofing.
