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.
