If you are a business owner or facility manager, choosing the right roof for your commercial building is crucial. Flat roofs offer a range of benefits that can easily improve the efficiency of the building as well as provide a long-lasting, durable alternative to sloped roofs. Flat roof repair can be effortless if conducted by a professional roofing contractor able to perform these types of repairs. They are often used for apartment buildings and other commercial real estate.
Flat Roofs
Flat roofs can be made with a range of different materials. Some are made using single ply membranes while others utilize a mixture of gravel and tar to create a seamless blend to the roof. Flat roofs are more durable than sloped roofs, withstanding extensive damage and wind to provide decades worth of quality craftsmanship. In fact, it is not entirely uncommon for one of these roofs to last owners more than 30 years before they will need to be repaired or replaced entirely. Proper maintenance of the roof is critically important, as it helps the roof to last longer and provide security for everything below in the building.
Because of the range of materials that can be used for the flat roof installation and repair, you may find that you wind up saving money by choosing this option when compared to some of the others out there.
Commercial Roofing
Flat roofs are perfect for commercial buildings for a wide range of different reasons. You will find that the large range of available roofing materials makes it effortless to pick and choose the one that fits your needs as well as your budget. Plus, the flat roof gives your building a more industrial look to it and creates interior designs not available to other structures. It withstands damage more than a sloped roof so you’ll be able to save money on repairs long-term.
The flat roof is also essential for placing air handlers and water tanks on the top of the roof for the building’s general maintenance. Workers can get up onto the roof and check these machines safely without being on an angle and it provides you with more space for the company’s equipment. Flat roofs need to installed in a way that properly drains water when it rains and they can be cleaned if you live in an area that deals with a lot of snow during the winter. By having a roofing option that prevents water damage, it is going to last longer and provide you with a more secured roofing system.
Types of Roof Repair Options
Despite how durable flat roofs can be, there may come a time when your own needs to be repaired. It is important to have the roof inspected regularly for signs of wear and damage. This should be done at least once a year and it is essential that you have a professional check the roof for you. The professional will examine the roof for signs of damage and can help in getting the repairs done at a price that you are able to afford. Once the inspection of the roof has been done, the experts can get right to work performing repairs.
The most common type of repair on flat roofs is patching areas where damage is present. The same material used to create the roof will be used in this area so that you still get a seamless look to the roof while removing the damaged areas. In some cases, more roof needs to be repaired than not and in this case, the expert may recommend having the roof replaced with a new material. Because of the range of options available for flat roofs, you will be able to get this work done easily and quickly.
It is important that you also maintain the flat roof properly by having it inspected regularly and avoiding putting items on the roof that could cause damage underneath. This is especially true if you are planning on putting air handlers and heavy equipment on the roof to prevent having to put them into the building below.
Types of Flat Roofs
There are lots of different flat roofs that you can choose for your building. Some of the most common include:
Bur Buildup Roofs –
These flat roofs are made using a mixture of tar and gravel for a textured, durable look. They offer stability and long-lasting durability to last for years. Plus, you have a more natural-looking roof that stands out from traditional cement. This roof is called a buildup roof because layers are put on top of each other to offer a thicker and fuller roofing option.
Modified Bitumen Roof
This type of flat roof is composed of asphalt rolls that are positioned roughly three feet apart from each other. The asphalt offers high-quality durability to building owners without the high cost of some other types available. An open flame is often used to fuse the rolls together for one long seamless roof that will last for decades with heavy use.
Rubber Flat Roofs
As the name implies, rubber roofs are made using rubber sheets that are fused together using an industrial-style glue. In some cases, the rubber sheets may be weighted down with heavy stones to keep them in place. Because of how durable rubber is and how long these roofs last, it’s a viable option for building owners on a budget who want to be able to replace and repair the roof easily.
Spray Polyurethane Foam Roof
This roofing option using a foam-type polyurethane that is specifically meant to create a seamless, long-lasting roof that is ideal for all types of buildings. The roof is often either gray or white depending on the specific material that has been used. In some cases, a design may be seen on the roof depending on how the installer applied the foam.
Thermoplastic Membrane
This option uses a heavy thermo-based plastic that helps to retain heat and cool air inside of the building and prevents heavy winds from infiltrating the interior. The roofing is tightened across the top of the building to provide a perfectly seamless option that resembles rubber roofs that might have been utilized in the past. Oftentimes, thermoplastic membrane roofs come in either white or beige.
Types of Commercial Buildings with Flat Roofs
Many commercial buildings have flat roofs because of how durable, long-lasting and convenient these roofs can be. Some of the types of commercial buildings using flat roofs include large apartment complexes, hospitals, medical facilities, warehouses, factories and retail stores. These buildings use a wide range of different materials to create a seamless roof that will last for decades with proper maintenance.
If you are in need of flat roof repair in Chicago, it is important that you have it done by a professional who is able to come to your building and inspect the roof to deliver high-quality results. Routine repairs can help to preserve the roof and get it lasting longer than if you simply left the roof with damage. Plus, repairing a roof can easily rectify problems with leaks and drafts that you might feel inside of the building. The experts can help discuss repair options as well as help if replacement is going to be needed concerning the flat roof.