Building and Maintaining Commercial Flat Roofs
When deciding on a roof for your commercial building, you are going to find that there are several options. One such option is a flat roof. However, over the years, flat roofs have gotten a bad reputation as being the type of roof that no one should utilize. Mainly, people associate flat roofs with drainage issues. However, this is a reputation that has not been earned. Those flat roofs that do have drainage issues are having these issues because they were not properly installed.
In fact, there are some great benefits to flat roofs that every commercial building should consider. These benefits include:
· Less expensive to install
· Easier to install
· Can be more attractive on commercial buildings
· The design of a flat roof is going to allow for heating and cooling equipment to be located on the roof, more aesthetically pleasing for commercial buildings
Types of Commercial Flat Roofs
There are basically three general types, but within these general categories are several options.
1. Single Ply
Single Ply flat roofs are very popular and come in numerous materials including EPDM, PVC, and TPO.
2. Built-up
These types of roofs are more thicker as they are built up with layers of tar saturated paper or liquid tar, in addition to gravel, asphalt, or bitumen that has been modified. The roof is built with layers, given it the name. These are lower cost, but are no longer a favorite in the commercial sector. Though, it is still popular among those in residential settings.
3. Spray on or Painted on Roofs
There are two options in this category. The spray foam insulation is used with a top layer of sand or stone. The roof coating is often used when a built-up roof already exists, as a way to breathe life into the roof.
