Top Roof Types and Roofing Materials – Commercial Roofing GTA
Looking For A Commercial Roofing Contractor In The Greater Toronto Area (GTA)?
If you are looking for a Commercial Roofing Contractor in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), you have reached the right page. Jay Carter Roofing & Sheet Metal is a leading commercial roofing solutions provider in the GTA that serves Barrie, Newmarket, Vaughan, Brampton, North York, Scarborough and the surrounding areas.
What Is The Best Commercial Roofing Material?
How is the weather today? If you can tell it’s hot and sunny (or rainy!) just by sitting in your windowless office, it’s time to take a look at the condition of your business roofing system.
When looking for a new roof, the most crucial factor to consider is the building’s general health. Roof lifetime, regular weather changes, and energy efficiency are all significant considerations.
Each business roof style has advantages and disadvantages, and choosing one is more challenging than ever before due to the range of alternatives available.
Continue reading to learn about the seven most frequent alternatives and the circumstances in which they work best.
Durability, Energy Efficiency And Cost
A commercial roof system may last from a decade to more than 50 years when properly constructed and maintained. (Climate and sub-roof conditions may significantly reduce or raise these estimations.)
For many years, efficiency has been a buzzword, and many towns have incorporated energy efficiency standards into their licensing procedures. Of course, as a company owner, you’re worried about energy efficiency as well because it may save you a lot of money in the long term.
Finally, and frequently most importantly, the entire cost of new or replacement roofing will undoubtedly be on your mind. Some systems are less expensive to install, but be sure you’re not losing durability or efficiency to save a few dollars upfront.
Commercial Roof Types
The top seven commercial roofing materials are listed below:
- Metal Roofing
- Green Roofing
- Shingle Roofing
- Spray-On Silicon
- Thermoset EPDM Roof Membrane
- Built-Up Roofing (BUR) Membrane
- Thermoplastic PVC & TPO Roof Membrane
1. Metal Roofing
Because of its 40- to 60-year lifetime, durable metal roofing is a popular business roof choice. Metal roofing systems are available in various styles, some of which have integrated solar or snow removal methods.
Metal commercial roofing materials include the following:
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Tile sheets
- Aluminum, zinc, and tin
- Coated or stainless steel
- Corrugated galvanized steel
Metal roofing may have a polished appearance, high fire resistance ratings, and is more durable and long-lasting than many other alternatives.
Downside: Metal is susceptible to corrosion.
Modern metal roofs have protective surface layers added to manage damage from exposure, moisture, pollution, and other environmental conditions resulting from this problem.
2. Built-up Roofing Membrane
Built-up roofing, which is built of alternating layers of tar and gravel, has a lifespan of 20 years or more with proper care. The number of layers influences durability and (in the end) cost. It is one of the oldest and most adaptable roof kinds, and it is affordable and straightforward to maintain.
This seamless roofing withstands foot traffic well but relies on a solid understructure to support the weight and vibrations of movement. It is resistant to UV rays and maybe coated to deflect heat.
Downside: BUR roofing has one of the shortest lifespans available, and it can be challenging to pinpoint the cause of a leak as the roof ages.
3. Green Roof
A green roof can last between 30 and 50 years. They are made out of a robust waterproof membrane that is fully covered with green plants. These environmentally friendly masterpieces increase air quality and frequently include a green place for employees to unwind and recharge.
Protection from the weather, potential usefulness and government subsidies, and increased aesthetics are all advantages. They frequently have advanced water and drainage management, temperature control, and sensor capabilities.
Downside: Green roofs do require constant maintenance and monitoring.
4. Spray-On Roofing
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is a substance that begins as a liquid spray and rapidly expands into a foam that dries into a solid layer. This type of eco-friendly roofing is laid on top of an existing roof and, though not widely known, has been around since the early 1960s.
An SPF roofing system both waterproofs and insulates. It may be utilized in any environment and will endure for up to 50 years if properly installed and maintained.
Downside: The installation window for this type of roofing is restricted to ideal weather conditions (no snow, ice, or water), and SPF roofing should be evaluated once or twice a year once installed.
5. Thermoset EPDM Membrane
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer) is a roll-based, long-lasting synthetic rubber roofing membrane. An EPDM roof system, also known as Thermoset roofing, is highly resistant to sunlight and pollutants. It’s durable, adaptable, and simple to set up.
EPDM is available in white and black rolls. In addition to being resistant to the sun and pollution, this single-ply rubber is also resistant to many common solvents such as alcohol and acids.
Downside: EDPM is not always the “prettiest” choice on the market, and it is easily punctured (think falling debris or people walking on the roof).
6. Thermoplastic PVC and TPO Roof Membranes
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) roofing systems are resistant to harsh weather conditions. UV radiation, substances such as fats and oils, and bacterial development degrade these types of roof membranes slowly. They’re light, heat-reflective, and puncture-resistant.
Other advantages include strong air-welded seams, fire resistance, and the ability to withstand high temperatures and severe winds.
Downside: Be wary of low-quality items. Because TPO has grown in popularity, numerous small manufacturers have attempted to develop their product lines, causing quality to fall through the gaps. Make sure that you buy this sort of goods from a reliable company.
7. Shingle
Shingles are most usually seen on residential structures (perhaps your own), but they are also employed on commercial systems, particularly those with steep rooflines.
Shingles are available in various materials, including asphalt, architectural, slate, plastic, and ceramic (just to name a few). This material is reasonably simple to install, inexpensive, and adaptable.
Downside: It depends on the bran; the lifespan is not as long as other commercial roofing kinds. If your structure is in a shaded region, shingles are also subject to mildew and moss.
What’s The Right Roof?
If your commercial property needs a new roof or you’re investigating all commercial roofing material alternatives for new construction, evaluate what would be best for you.
Is your roof:
- facing the sun
- visible
- exposed to temperature extremes
- walked-on
- exposed to high wind
- exposed to grease, acid or chemicals
Different climates and building types should influence your decisions.
Consider the roof’s lifespan and yearly maintenance costs. Consider the energy expenses of different types and colours of roofing materials as well. Cold-weather workplaces may find that a dark-coloured roof lowers their heating expenditure, whereas warm-weather workplaces may choose a white roof to lessen the load on their air conditioner.
Ask an Expert
We are serving businesses and homeowners in the GTA and surrounding area for more than 20 years. Jay Carter Roofing is an industry-leading, full-service standing seam metal roofing solutions provider.
Metal roofing is increasingly becoming a popular choice for homeowners and business owners alike. It has a plethora of advantages and is highly cost-effective. What distinguishes us from other metal roofing businesses is that we have our metal fabrication shop, which allows us to design a personalized metal roof for your house or company, panel by panel. We can not only create your roof custom piece by piece, but we also provide complete metal roof installation.
We are the only company you will have to work with to get the high-quality commercial roofing you have been dreaming of. Jay Carter Roofing & Sheet Metal serve Barrie, Newmarket, Vaughan, Brampton, North York, Scarborough and the GTA surrounding areas.
