You want a safe home. You want a warm home. And of course, you want an energy-efficient home. Do you know what can help you achieve all of these goals? Your roof. That's right, if you call up a roofer and tell them about your desires, they can recommend some roofing repairs or materials to help you achieve those desires. They may recommend a metal roof, or they might recommend adding zinc strips to the roof peak. It all depends. One thing we can promise, though, is that learning more about roofing is a good idea. This blog is a good resource, but we recommend looking for other ones, too.
Talk To A Commercial Roofer About The Suitability Of A Rubber Membrane For Your Building's Roof
Commercial roofs are often flat, and one reason for this is so the roof can be used to set up equipment, such as an HVAC. Since the roof is flat, there is always the potential for rain to collect on the roof rather than roll off. That eliminates some types of roofing, such as shingles and tiles that are used on residential roofs.
Flat roofing options include rubber membranes, plastic membranes, and built-up roofs. Here's why you might prefer a rubber roof and some things to discuss with your commercial roofer when you need a new roof on your building.
Rubber Roofing Is Affordable And Durable
If you need to watch your budget, then rubber roofing could be a good choice. It costs less than PVC and thermoplastic membrane roofing. Rubber roofing is also puncture resistant and has a longer lifespan than other types of membrane roofing. Its long lifespan gives the roofing added value when you need to watch your roofing budget.
Rubber roofing is made from recycled materials and it can be recycled when it needs to be torn off and replaced. It's also fairly lightweight so your roof shouldn't need additional support for the membranes. Rubber roofing can be ballasted when it's installed, which means it can be held down with gravel. That can give the roof a more attractive appearance.
A Commercial Roofer Can Help You Choose A Roof
Rubber roofing is a good choice for most commercial roofs, but it might not be the right choice for your building. Things to consider and discuss with a commercial roofer include the threats to the roof, such as fire from frequent brush fires and grease from vents. The environment around the roof plays a role in how long the membrane lasts. A commercial roofer considers this when recommending the best membrane for your building.
Another consideration is the thickness of the rubber. The thicker the rubber membrane, the more expensive it is. However, thicker rubber is also more durable. Your roofer can help you decide on the right thickness and color for your roof. Rubber roofs can be white or black. White can keep your building cooler in the summer while black might reduce heating bills in the winter.
You might also talk to the commercial roofer about the repairs you can expect to need with different types of membranes and how the repairs are made. Rubber roofing resists punctures, but it's not completely puncture-proof. If the material is punctured, the membrane can be repaired with a rubber roofing patch and adhesive. Repairs are fairly simple, and that keeps costs low and makes repairs easy to keep up with.