Your roof is an awesome component of your commercial building – providing watertight protection, season after season for (hopefully) 15 years or more. Here are a few tidbits of information about commercial roofing that you might find interesting.
Your flat commercial roof isn’t exactly flat. At least, you should hope that it isn’t. All roofs require slope and drainage to prevent water from collecting on the rooftop, which can promote mold growth, increase the likelihood of leaks, and eventually create structural damage. Over time, roofs can sag for a variety of reasons, and water will stop flowing toward edge gutters or central drains. A commercial roofer can possibly correct this problem by installing “crickets,” which are triangular structures placed on the surface to re-add drainage slope to the roof.
Your roof system could help lower your energy bills. Much like a white car is cooler to the touch than a dark one on a hot summer day, a reflective roof remains cool by reflecting solar energy. This reduces the amount of heat transferred into the building, lessening your HVAC load and corresponding utility bills. If you’re in the market for a new commercial roofing system, pick one that can deliver energy savings as well as long-term weather protection.
Different roofs have advantages in different settings. There’s a common belief that all commercial roofing systems are pretty much the same, but that’s not the case. New commercial buildings are commonly constructed with exposed metal roof decks because they’re cheap to install, durable and require minimal maintenance. EPDM membranes are relatively inexpensive to install and have low repair costs. Single-ply PVC systems are both highly reflective and excellent choices for manufacturing facilities because they’re resistant to a fire and a variety of industrial chemicals. Spray-on coatings can help lengthen the life of a deteriorating roof.
Your commercial roof deserves professional attention. Unless you employ a full-time professional roofing crew, Installation, maintenance, and repairs to your system are best left to a commercial roofer. A contractor has the know-how and tools to diagnose and address any problems with your current roof, and, when the time comes, propose a new system that will work well on your building.
At Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation, we look forward to working with you on your next roofing or insulation project. Please contact us if we can be of service. Our service areas include all of the upper peninsula of Michigan.
