Roofing contractor performing commercial roof installation.

What’s in a roof? A lot more than you might think! There are various commercial roofing materials available to serve the needs of various business types. While none of them are necessarily bad products, each has their own pros and cons and is more suited to certain situations.

Before you call a commercial roofing contractor, let’s take a look at some of the popular types of commercial roofing materials and talk about their strengths and weaknesses.

Membrane Roofing

Membrane roofing is a popular type of single-ply roofing for low sloped or flat commercial buildings. There are various materials that roofers use to build membrane roofs; two of the most common are EPDM and TPO.

Let’s look at those.

EPDM

The full name of this roofing material is a mouthful, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. Let’s stick with calling it EPDM.

EPDM is basically a synthetic rubber roof made of ethylene and propylene. It is a single-ply membrane comes in large sheets, and roofers have a few options for attaching this roof coating. They can glue them down, attach them mechanically, or hold them in place with a heavy ballast material like gravel.

It only comes in a dark color, which can be an advantage in cooler climates because it absorbs heat and therefore could lower your energy costs. In hotter climates, it may cause your cooling bills to be higher. 

Pros

  • Great for commercial flat roofing
  • Durable and resilient, can last 30-40 years
  • An inexpensive choice
  • Resistant to damage from UV rays
  • Resistant to hail damage
  • Is flexible enough to adapt to structural movement
  • Is recyclable
  • Is lightweight
  • Is slippery so water slides off easily

Cons

  • Will leak if not installed correctly
  • Can shrink and put pressure on the seams
  • Dramatic temperature fluctuations can weaken the material until it cracks
  • Screws can back out of the roof deck and puncture the material

TPO

TPO or Thermoplastic Polyolefin is a newer but similar type of rubber membrane roofing. Unfortunately, as a newer material, there is less long-term data on the durability of these roofing membranes.

This particular roofing material was designed to address some of the common issues with EPDM roofs. TPO reflects sunlight and is chemically adhered. It comes in a variety of colors and, in general, costs close to the same as its EPDM counterpart for material and installation.

All-in-all, TPO roofing has quickly become one of the most popular commercial roofing options for commercial roofing systems.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing systems are another popular option for commercial buildings, and are even becoming popular for residential roofing. Roofers can use it in a variety of situations: from low sloped roofs to steep slope roofs. 

Building codes in your area may dictate which type of metal is best for your roof, but choice is not limited, since this roofing style comes in several different metals, including tin, aluminum, galvanized steel, zinc, and copper.

People love metal roofs because they look sharp, last a long time and require little maintenance. They require a bit more of an upfront investment, but this often pays itself back in longevity and lower maintenance costs.

Pros

  • Durable, can last about 50 years
  • Many aesthetic options
  • Slippery, so rain and snow slide off easily
  • Is recyclable
  • Is reflective, thus lowering energy bills
  • Fire resistant
  • Not appropriate for flat roofs

Cons

  • Rain or hail on the roof is noisy unless heavily insulated
  • Slippery, dangerous to walk on
  • Prone to rust (although coatings can help)
  • Bends over time with drastic temperature changes
  • Higher upfront costs

Asphalt Roofing

There are various types of asphalt roofing that commercial buildings can use. The two main categories are built-up roofing (BUR) and modified bitumen systems.

Asphalt roofs consist of several layers.

There is usually a weather-proofing layer, an insulating layer, a membrane, and a top layer to finish it off. Because of all these layers, asphalt roofing is durable and very resistant to leaks.

Asphalt roofs don’t have the longest lifespan of all the roofing material options out there, but when installed correctly, they can last for decades. Additionally, its moderate upfront cost makes it a good option when you have to be budget-conscious.

Pros

  • Durable, can last about 20 years
  • Fire resistant
  • UV resistant
  • Low maintenance
  • Holds up well to foot traffic

Cons

  • Difficult installation process
  • With all the layers, it can be hard to find the source of leaks

Slate and Tile

Now we’re getting back to basics. People have been using natural slate and tile roofs for thousands of years. Slate is quarried and tile is fired and shaped into handsome, durable shingles.

Natural slate and tile have an extremely long lifespan, around 150 years or so for slate and 100 for tile. You can also get synthetic slate and tile, but they tend to only last around 50 years or so.

Pros

  • Long lasting
  • Looks sharp
  • Durable, even in extreme weather conditions
  • Fire resistant
  • Pest resistant
  • Energy efficient
  • Low maintenance

Cons

  • Expensive to install (though it pays for itself over time)
  • Difficult to install, tiles can break easily when struck
  • Doesn’t support foot traffic
  • Is very heavy

The Right Commercial Roofing Materials

Finding the right material for your roof replacement project doesn’t have to be a headache. It’s merely a matter of sitting down and determining a few factors. Consider what the climate is like at your commercial property and what type of roof installation cost you can afford (Because, obviously, these should be major factors in choosing the type of material you should use.)

A slate or tile roof might be a snazzy option, but it comes with a snazzy price tag which may not be cost-effective for many building owners. Plus, you may have to put even more money into reinforcing the structure of the building for it to be able to handle the weight.

On the other hand, asphalt or membrane type roofs offer a great value without compromising too much on durability. Having a hard time choosing the best commercial roofing material? Feel free to contact us today! We can answer your questions and help you with all your commercial roofing needs.