Commercial roofing materials often overlap with materials applied to residential roofs. Commercial roofing often needs to be more flexible and durable than those applied to homes. Considering climate, budget, and longevity are important factors when choosing a material for your business.

Commercial roofers and business owners will need to know the benefits of different materials and how they can impact the building they will be applied to. Other types of commercial roofs continue to hit the roofing market, so there are now more quality options than ever before. This blog will break down some of the most common commercial roofing materials and how they can improve your Utah business.

1- Asphalt Shingles

The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles for commercial and residential buildings. Asphalt shingles are popular because they are durable and easy to repair when damaged. Step roof lines are usually best covered with asphalt shingles because it is also relatively inexpensive to install. 

Because it is versatile, shingles are used on residential and commercial buildings even though they don’t last as long as some other commercial roofs. 

2- Flat Metal Roofs

Flat roofing options are great for commercial buildings because they pose less risk when working on problems and they require less material to install. Fewer square feet need to be covered, so a metal roof will save your business money. 

Just like other commercial materials, metal roofing comes in many different colors and reflective properties to fit your business needs. Choosing the proper color and properties for the roof can boost your curb appeal and increase sales.

There are downsides to flat roofs of any material, especially for buildings in colder and wetter climates. Snow and water can be hard to remove when a roof is not pitched, and you don’t have the help of gravity as well. 

3- EPDM Rubber Termoset Membrane

Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) is a rubber membrane that offers resistance to UV light and pollutants. It is a popular commercial roof type because it is versatile, long-lasting, and has green benefits for your business. The single-ply rubber is easy to unroll and is resistant to acids, moisture, and other pollutants that cause roof deterioration. 

EPDM rubber isn’t the most visually appealing, but will the other benefits, you may not notice the drawbacks of the appearance. 

4- PVC & TPO Roof Membrane

If you are looking for another option that is resistant to bacteria, UV light, and other chemicals, PVC and TPO are great options. They are also puncture resistant, easy to create a proper seal, and flexible, which are benefits that EPDM roofing does not have. These thermoplastics are the perfect commercial roofing material for businesses that see lots of sunlight or high winds. Protecting your business is easier when you install a Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) or Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC).

Beware of any cheap or poorly made products that are listed at a more affordable price because these can have compromised quality. Working through a legitimate manufacturer to get these materials is the safest option. 

5- Built-Up Roofing Membrane (BUR)

This membrane is constructed by alternating layers of tar and gravel to have a durable and long-lasting commercial roof. When done correctly, BUR roofs can last over 20 years and hold up well to foot traffic and sunlight. As the roof ages though, it can be difficult to determine where a leak originated from. The roof may also be coated in order to reflect more heat and keep your business cooler in the summer. 

Installing Commercial Roofing Materials With Kanga Roof

Knowing the perfect commercial roofing materials that can improve your business is the first step, but hiring a commercial roofing expert is the only way to ensure you get all the benefits of these materials. Working with a licensed and insured roofing company gives you peace of mind about the future of your company. Choosing the proper materials and the right installers is the only way to ensure your roof is of the best quality.

Our team at Kanga Roof works on a variety of projects across the state of Utah to ensure they have protected homes or businesses. We specialize in asphalt shingles and metal roofs. Our family-owned business has been serving the community for over 45 years and only offers the most quality roofing solutions. Kanga Roof offers a variety of roofing materials for commercial and residential properties. Contact us to get started on your project today!

Have you ever taken a look at the difference between commercial and residential buildings and wondered why so many commercial buildings have flat roofs? Why are commercial roofs flat when residential buildings tend to have pitched roofs? While there are certainly commercial buildings out there that have pitched roofs, the majority of them have flat roofs. There’s good reason for this. Here’s what you need to know about why so many commercial roofs are flat. 

The Truth About Flat Roofs

Wondering about the benefits of having commercial roofs flat instead of pitched? We should get one thing straight before we get into why flat commercial roofs are so common: they’re not actually flat. Calling commercial roofs flat is commonplace because that’s how they look, but in truth, it would be more accurate to say they are “low-slope”. 

All roofs need to have at least a slight slope to them in order for water to be able to drain off of them. Were commercial roofs flat, truly flat, this would result in a whole host of problems, from leaking and more, due to the fact that water wouldn’t be able to drain off of them.

Why Are Commercial Roofs Flat?

Okay, so calling commercial roofs flat may not be wholly true, but what is true is that this is the most common type of commercial roof. Commercial roofs tend to be flat for many different reasons, from cost-effectiveness to storage space and more. Here are some of the most common reasons for the popularity of flat commercial roofs.

#1. They’re Cost-Effective

It’s a lot harder to try to put a pitched roof on a commercial building than it is on a residential home. This is because commercial buildings are much bigger. Having pitched roofs on a commercial building would be far more complicated and need a lot of framing for all the peaks and valleys that would be needed, not to mention dangerous to install. Flat commercial roofs are much more cost effective because they need less materials and are easier to install. 

#2. Space Optimization

Space is everything in commercial buildings. When you have a flat commercial roof, you can use your roof to install your HVAC units on, for storage, and even to create a space like a rooftop garden. Being able to utilize your rooftop for these things helps you make the most of the space that you have. 

#3. They’re Easy To Maintain

This reason goes hand-in-hand with cost-effectiveness – as well as with safety. It’s hard to maintain a pitched roof, especially on a massive commercial building. Another reason why you see so many commercial roofs flat rather than pitched is because you can just walk right on a flat roof without needing ladders and other safety equipment like you would with pitched roofs. This makes it easier to keep your roof clean.

Plus, flat roofs don’t need gutters because they tend to use a different type of water removal system. No gutters also contribute to how flat roofs are easier to maintain, because you don’t need to worry about regularly cleaning out your gutters.

#4. Durability And Versatility

As previously mentioned, one of the reasons why you see so many commercial roofs flat rather than pitched is because of the increased space. When you have a flat roof, you can use it for additional purposes, such as storage, since you don’t need to install new foundations. 

Flat roofs are also very durable. They’re often made of very sturdy and weather-resistant materials, so that they can hold up to all of the elements for years to come. Plus, since they don’t have pitches and valleys, if they leak, it ends up causing less damage to your building.

#5. They’re Aesthetically Appealing

You want people to look at your business and think that it looks nice and well-cared for, somewhere put-together that they would like to do business. This is another reason why so many commercial roofs are flat. They’re very customizable, especially with the freedom you have with the roof space. Flat roofs give your business a solid look, and improve the skyline too. 

As you can see, there are many reasons why commercial roofs are flat rather than pitched. 

Do You Need Commercial Roofs?

Kanga Roof provides high quality roofing services, including commercial roof installation and repair. If you’re looking for a new commercial roof, our professionals are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation.