Choosing the Right Commercial Roofing System: A Quick Guide

You have many options to choose from if you need a new roof for your commercial facility. In today’s post, local roofing company Mass-Tech Roofing and Building Co. shares a quick guide on how to choose the right roofing system for your commercial property.

What Kind of Facility Do You Have?

What type of facility is it and how is it used? Does your facility require moderate to heavy use of HVAC systems? Are you planning on having a rooftop cafe, a green roof or is the top floor going to be a penthouse or something similar? Some commercial roofs encounter constant foot traffic and require penetrations for HVAC systems and air vents. Others may have wide areas that could absorb solar heat. Depending on the needs of the building, various roofing systems may be appropriate or impractical. Your roofer should be able to guide you with this.

Types of Roofing Systems

There are two main categories of commercial roofs:

Built-up roofing. A built-up roofing (BUR) system consists of built-up layers of material made from alternating layers of asphalt and reinforcing material, topped with a layer of stone. Another type of built-up roofing is a modified bitumen roof, which has a heat-adhered top similar to asphalt shingles. BUR systems are ideal for roofs with constant foot traffic or a high risk of puncture.

Single-ply. A single-ply roof consists of a single layer of thin material (TPO, PVC, or EPDM) that covers the roofing substrate. The outer material can be adhered to the substrate using heat and/or adhesive, fastened at the seams in strategic places or loosely-laid and weighed down by ballast. Single-ply roofs are popular because they’re cost-effective, durable and have a long life span. They’re usually white, which makes them more reflective and therefore more energy-efficient. One caveat of single-ply roofs is they are not puncture-resistant and can be damaged by foot traffic. Airborne debris can also cause damage.

Other less-common roofing systems like metal roofing, spray foam and liquid-applied or green roofing can also be installed, but not all commercial roofing companies offer them. 

Mass-Tech Roofing and Building Co. is your leading provider of residential and commercial roof replacement services. Give us a call at (781) 512-6868. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.