We Are Ready To Create a Roofing System For Any Type of Roof
You have several types of commercial roofing systems to choose from, and our Dallas commercial roofing company, KSI Roofing, is happy to walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of each so you can make the right purchasing decision. In the event your building is brand new, there are three types of roofs that you can have installed, and they will have a role to play in determining the material you choose.
Flat Roofs
Flat roofs are the more common kind of roof for commercial buildings. With this kind, you can use it for extra space for air conditioners, tanks, or satellite dishes, or any task that requires foot traffic. If you want to use less material in building up your roof, which should help in saving costs, consider the flat roof. These are also faster to install, troubleshoot, and repair and less involved, which means even more savings in time and money. Choosing a flat roof will also allow more choice of roofing materials, which include TPO, EPDM, PVC, and built-up roofing. Moreover, with a flat roof, your personnel can easily maintain it, troubleshoot it, and safely walk on it.
The biggest disadvantage of flat roofs is drainage; the flatness keeps rainwater standing for longer periods of time which then creates the risk of ruining the roofing material and water infiltration that could cause damage to the insulation as well as the items inside the building. Our Commercial roofing Dallas TX team will install a flat roof for you using the best practices to minimize these risks and carry out any necessary repairs.
Low-slope Commercial Roofs
These are a great choice for industrial buildings like factories and warehouses and have the slightest slope. The biggest advantage of this kind of roof is the excellent drainage they offer, the pitch directing the flow of water. Unlike high-pitched roofs, material usage and time involvement are also reduced. Unlike with flat roofs, the risk of water damage is reduced, making maintenance and standing water management a less essential task. If you want a roof that allows for easier installation of air conditioning, solar panels, and satellites while offering drainage, go for a low-slope roof. You can install EPDM, TPO, bitumen, and modified bitumen on this kind of roof.
A disadvantage of this roof is that slow-melting snow will quickly accumulate on the roof and might cause buckling. You will also have to adhere to the building code regarding low-slope roofs in your locality.
Commercial Pitched Roofs
The high pitch will allow rainwater, snow, and other forms of debris to fall off quickly, which will help to eliminate the risk of mold and water infiltration. These roof types have less of a need for maintenance compared to flat and low-slop roofs. The biggest disadvantage of this roof type is that it is riskier to build. Maneuvering around the building to install the roof, repair it, install objects, and transfer materials can be more dangerous than a flat or low-sloped roof. The increased safety procedures, plus the increased material take-up, makes the installation more costly. This roof style is best for places that face high volumes of snow and rain each year. If this style of roof is right for your building project, our Dallas commercial roofing company has the right safety equipment and gear to ensure our staff can install the roof efficiently and safely at a competitive cost.
Other Considerations
In addition to the slope of the roof, we also consider additional factors when selecting the best material for your commercial system, which includes:
- Its visibility
- Possible exposure to caustic liquids like alkalis, acids, and greases
- Exposure to the sun or overall climate
- Temperature extremes
- Level of foot traffic
- Level of wind
Commercial Roofing Systems
Built-up Roofing
BUR systems are among the oldest types of commercial roofs available and are both inexpensive and durable. BUR roofing is installed by alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing felt, thus the name ‘built-up roof.’ Once the layers, which can be up to 4-ply, are installed, the system is topped with a cap layer or a gravel layer using mineral granules, glass fiber, gravel that can be covered with an aluminum coating. The number of layers influences the cost and durability. BUR is resistant to UV, and you can coat it to increase its reflectivity. It is also excellent for flat roofs with plenty of foot traffic. However, as the roof ages, troubleshooting the cause of a leak can be difficult.
EPDM
EPDM, like TPO, is a single-ply synthetic rubber material that is applied on low slope and flat roofs. Unlike TPO, however, EPDM is available in black and white. It is durable and flexible, which allows for better customization. EPDM has been in the commercial roofing market for more than 40 years and has a great track record as a roofing material. Black is a great color choice for cooler climates where the dark color allows it to retain heat while the white color will reduce the effects of the hot sun on the interior of your building. EPDM is a great choice for a repairable and restorable roofing system as well saving you time and money in the long run.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is preferred for building owners looking for a sleek neutral finish that roofing metals like aluminum, zinc, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum-silicon-steel alloys offer. Metal roofs also provide a durable roof that is resistant to temperature extremes and fires.
Modified Bitumen
Modified bitumen is a roofing material that is suitable for low-slope commercial roofing in Dallas. Do not confuse it with other similar ones such as EPDM and asphalt. Modified bitumen is made up of a mixture of rubber additives, plastic, and hot asphalt. Moreover, the materials get layered between sheets of either fiberglass or polyester.
PVC
PVC is one of the most common materials today in construction, with many building owners choosing it for its resilience against the elements. PVC is also fire-resistant, meaning that should the building catch fire, the PVC membranes will slow down its progress. PVC is resistant to acids and other caustic substances, water, and shearing movements. You can obtain PVC in bright colors to reflect off excess light and keep the building cool.
TPO
TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) is among the most commonly used materials for building commercial roofs, with its market share standing at 40%. Many choose it for being less expensive upfront and its durability and flexibility, which allows roofers to make edge-to-edge fabrication simpler. With this material, it is easier for our experts to stretch it and adapt it to fit your building’s shape as they install it using a hot air gun. This membrane is also preferred for its lightweight nature that puts less stress on the building and the ability to move water off the roof. TPO comes in red, grey, white, tan, pink, and other colors, though many roofers install it in white to reflect away UV light.