Whether you’re building a commercial structure from scratch, or are seeking to replace your existing commercial roof due to age or wear and tear, it’s imperative that you select the right type of roof that will be most effective both for the building, and for the environment it has been constructed in.
While a conversation with a professional roofing contractor is the best and most reliable way to make sure you choose the right materials for your commercial roof, it can’t hurt to understand your options before doing so.
Below are 5 of the most common materials for a commercial roof:
- Metal
Cost effective and often lasting for several decades before needing to be repaired or replaced, metal roofs are an excellent choice for commercial buildings thanks to their low maintenance requirements. Should you need to replace it in the future, however, you’ll find that most of the materials can be used again.
- Thermoplastic roofing (TPO)
With its flexibility when adapting to extreme temperatures, TPO is arguably one of the most popular commercial roofing materials. Resistant to ozone, ultraviolet and chemical exposure, thermoplastic roofing also helps to reduce the need for air conditioning during the hot, summer months, and can continue to perform well for as long as a couple of decades, whatever the weather.
One additional bonus of TPO roofing is that it requires minimal maintenance.
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM)
Easy for a roofing contractor to install and maintain, EPDM is a particularly durable type of commercial roofing material, and is most commonly used for roofs that are flat or have a low sloping gradient. Durable, flexible and versatile, it’s easy to see why this material is consistently popular.
- Photovoltaic Solar Panels
Having solar panels installed on a roof can be a fantastic way for commercial enterprises to help minimize their carbon footprint, while reducing their energy bills. With government subsidies also available in many states throughout the U.S., solar panels are becoming increasingly more affordable.
- Green roofs
Also known as ‘living roofs’, green roofs are fast becoming part of the green revolution, and as well as looking attractive, they can help business owners save a lot of money on their heating and cooling costs. Soaking up the heat during the summer months, and preserving it inside the building during the winter months, green roofs work amazingly well all year round, and you can choose to cover all, or part of your roof in plants that have been specially chosen to perform such a role.
Choosing the right materials for your commercial roof isn’t something that you should rush into, and it’s important to seek advice from a local roofing company in Miami. They have specialized knowledge of the Florida climate, and will be able to give you specific guidance as to what material will work most effectively.
