What Are the Top 5 Commercial Roofing Materials?

If you get into the commercial roofing industry, you will likely have to talk to your clients about some different roofing materials they might want if they are starting a construction project. The kind of roof they want will depend on how much money they have to spend, what they want the roof to look like, and various other factors. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the different options in order to give these clients a full range of options. 

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Roofing services are always widely available in virtually any locale. Whether you’re the one building a roof or you need one for a structure you’re putting up, you should know about the most common commercial roofing materials. We’ll discuss five of them in the following article.  

Metal Roofing 

We’ll start with metal, one of the most desired roofing materials for commercial buildings. Metal roofing costs more than some others, but it will also last longer than many other options. You can often get up to 70 years out of a metal roof. 

Metal roofs are also fire-resistant. They don’t leak very much, provided they’re installed correctly. On the negative side, they dent easily if branches fall on them. Violent hailstorms can damage them as well. 

Asphalt Shingles 

If you go with asphalt shingles for your roof, you will pay a lower price than for some other options. They are also quite quick and easy to install. You can choose from among many different styles and colors as well. 

On the negative side, they have a shorter lifespan than some other options. Their environmental impact isn’t so great. They also require periodic maintenance. 

Built-Up Roof 

A built-up roof is sometimes called a hot tar roof. If you go this route, you should know this material is fire-resistant. It also does not require much maintenance. It’s durable, and it’s resistant to UV rays as well. 

There are some distinct negatives, though. The installation process can be both lengthy and messy. This kind of roof is also heavier than some others, so you need to be sure the rest of the building can support it. 

Modified Bitumen 

Modified bitumen roofs can stand up to many different kinds of severe weather, including heavy snow. They are fairly easy to install and energy-efficient. They are resistant to leaks. They also are versatile. You can get them in many different colors and styles. 

Unfortunately, it is more of a fire hazard than some other roofing materials. These roofs require regular inspections. They also absorb heat in the summer rather than repelling it.   

Single-Ply Roofing 

Single-ply roofs have durability on their side. They are lightweight. They are flexible, and they don’t require much maintenance.

 As far as cons go, single-ply roofs can be easily punctured by sharp objects. This material is also considerably more expensive than some of the other options on this list. Wind uplift can also be an issue if your building is located somewhere that gets very windy during certain parts of the year.