PART 1: THE ADVANTAGES OF GETTING A FLAT ROOF

As they offer a range of advantages, it is not surprising that flat roofs are popular as commercial roofing options. The situation may have been different some 10 years ago but now, the flat roof has become the go-to choice for many commercial establishments. Want to know what makes a flat roof such an attractive option?

IT’S EASY TO MAINTAIN

When you’re running a business, it’s integral that you protect your investments. A flat roof allows you to do just that without incurring a lot of other expenses because it is easy to maintain. In fact, for the most part, it just needing a regular cleanup. Scheduling routine maintenance also catches problems early, keeping repair costs down because minimal work will be required.

IT OFFERS VALUE FOR MONEY

As much as possible, you don’t want to spend. But when you do, you want to make sure that you’re going to make the most out of what you will be shelling out. Ensuring that you enjoy value for your money is easy for a flat roof because it is built to last, weathering through whatever the elements can bring. It also has reflective properties that let a flat roof reduce the amount of heat a structure absorbs, stabilizing indoor temperature. This allows you to save because energy costs are reduced as how HVAC systems work are optimized.

PART 1: THE ADVANTAGES OF GETTING A FLAT ROOF

IT PRESENTS EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES

Depending on your business needs, an expansion may be part of your future plans. It’s not always easy finding space that will work for you so why go anywhere else when you can turn to your roof? A flat roof makes it possible to utilize space on top of a building, maximizing areas that normally go untouched when sloped roofs are installed. Want to create more office space? Need a greenhouse? Interested in a roof deck? You can go ahead and build whatever you need with a flat roof.

Flat roofs combine form and function to address commercialroofing needs. Learn about available options in the second part

of our e-book series!

PART 2: AVAILABLE FLAT ROOFING OPTIONS

There are different flat roofing options available to address different needs. Understanding what each one is capable of will help you gauge which flat roof will work best for you. Options include:

BUILT-UP ROOFING

BURs have been around for over 100 years in the United States, made up of alternating layers of reinforcing fabrics and bitumen topped with surfacing like mineral- or fiberglass-surfaced cap sheets, elastomeric or aluminum coatings, hot asphalt or aggregate like gravel. The flat roofing option can also be fire-resistant, but this depends on the surfacing used. Gravel, for instance, has high resistance to fire. Because it is made up of several plies of material, BURs are highly durable. However, having several plies of material also makes it more difficult to handle, making installation a bit troublesome, although the more plies there are, the longer the service life of the roof is.

SINGLE-PLY EPDM

A single-ply flat roofing option, EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer. It is the most common of thermoset membrane roofs (there are five), consisting of two compounds derived from natural gas and oil, propylene and ethylene. Sheets can go as wide as anywhere between 7.5 and 50 feet and as thick as 45 to 60 mils. Mostly available in black, EPDM is sealed at the seams with liquid adhesive or a special tape. Unlike BURs, it doesn’t require surfacing but is easy to repair.

PART 2: AVAILABLE FLAT ROOFING OPTIONS

TPO ROOFS

A thermoplastic single-ply roofing membrane, TPO (thermoplastic olefin) can be repeatedly hardened or softened, sealed at the seams through heat welding. It usually comes in white (making it an excellent cool roof option by default) and features flame-retarding and UV-absorbing properties. Each TPO sheet is typically 6 to 12 feet wide and 40 to 100 mils thick.

MODIFIED BITUMEN

A cross between BURs and single-ply roofing membranes, modified bitumen is a flat roofing option offering durability and installation ease. It expands and contracts well, allowing the roofing material to move in time with frequent and constant temperature changes to reduce wear and tear, and installs like a single-ply membrane despite featuring more than one layer of material. Typical surfacing options used in modified bitumen roofs include: smooth liquid-applied surfacing, metal foil laminate and mineral or aggregate surfacing.

Found the perfect flat roofing option? Make sure your property is ready for an installation by brushing up on a few things. Read on to learn more!

PART 3: INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR FLAT ROOFING

Make sure you’re ready for commercial flat roofing by taking note of the following considerations:

Does your roofing contractor specialize in installing flat roofs?

Proper installation is integral to making sure your flat roof functions as it should. This will also ensure you’re meeting manufacturer requirements so as not to void warranty coverage for your new flat roof.

Should you do a tear-off or roof-over?

It is important to determine whether you should tear off your old roof completely or have a new roof installed over the old one as this will dictate the extent of your roofing project. If you have an old BUR or modified bitumen roof, for example, a tear-off may be needed. Check with your local roofing contractor to see what needs to be done exactly.

Does your roof deck meet requirementsneeded by flat roofing materials?

If you’re opting for BUR or a modified bitumen roof, for instance, you should have a steel, wood, concrete or lightweight insulating concrete deck. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association also recommends that all decks for BURs or modified bitumen roofs should generally be dry, clean, and securely fastened without abrupt level changes beyond one-eighth of an inch. Don’t forget to factor in local code requirements, which you can easily address by working with a reputable roofing contractor from your area.

PART 3: INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR FLAT ROOFING

What kind of installation method will be used?

Single-ply roofing membranes, for instance, may be fully adhered or mechanically attached. Full adhesion means the flat roofing membrane will be glued directly to the roof deck or insulation while mechanical attachment consists of fastening the membrane with screws and barbed plates unto the deck.

Will you need additional structural support?

If you’re set on getting a BUR, check with your roofing contractor if you’ll need to strengthen joists. BUR is heavier than other flat roofing options so it may need structural reinforcement to accommodate its weight. If you don’t want the additional work, you’re going to have to choose another flat roof.

Take these considerations to heart to address installation concerns and soon, you’ll be on your way to making the most out of flat roofing.

The Roofing and Remodeling Company

2106 Aluminum Avenue, Suite A Hampton, VA 23661

(757) 903-0050

TheRoofingCompany.com