Ever wondered why most commercial businesses have a different roof tan your home? Commercial roofs tend to be very flat, and forgo the peaks that you see on a residential roof. Why is that?  Well flat roofs are specifically designed so that minor repairs can be performed at a minimum cost and quickly, because these waterproof membranes tend to get a lot of small pinhole punctures, tears, and perforated seams. Like most things regarding your commercial property, your commercial roof will need to be repaired. This will happen more frequently as the membrane ages, and the cost will also increase. At this time, you will probably want to consider a new roof covering. So which option is best for you? Here is a guide to the different commercial flat roof systems:

Commercial Flat Roof Systems

Liquid Applied Roof Membrane

Liquid-applied roof membranes, or roof coatings, are waterproof roof coverings that are sprayed or rolled on the entire roof. Liquid-applied roof membranes are one continuous membrane, so there are no seams that can leak or come unsealed. The membrane can be rolled on at different rates, which will affect the thickness and protection it will provide.

Liquid-applied roofing membranes are available in different chemical makeups. Acrylic, urethane, silicone, and fluoropolymers are all standard liquid membranes. Each type has its benefits and features that make them good choices.

BUR Roof System

Built-up roof systems are roofs primarily comprised of a three-piece system, bitumen, ply sheets, and a top layer. Insulation board can also be incorporated as a fourth component of the BUR system.

If an insulation board is used, it will be installed first and then layered with bitumen, which can either be cold or hot-applied and ply sheets. After several layers have been applied, a top layer of a specialized ply sheet or a stone or gravel ballast finishes it off.

BUR roof systems have been around for many years and are one of the oldest flat roof systems.

TPO

TPO is thermoplastic polyolefin, a single-ply waterproof membrane that began being installed in the US on flat roofs in the 1990s. An insulation board is installed before the TPO membrane, and TPO can be installed fully adhered with an adhesive or installed mechanically with plates and screws, and then the seams are hot-air welded.

TPO waterproof membranes can last up to 30 years if well maintained with a proper preventative maintenance program, but other components will fail. Seams will need to be re-welded, and flashings will need to be re-sealed.

EPDM

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber single-ply waterproof membrane. While similar to TPO, it has a much different chemical makeup, and it is a durable, tear-resistant material.

EPDM is very versatile and can be used in various roofing situations, including under solar panels, and green roofs, and it can even be used in water features as a liner.

EPDM does have its issues. As EDPM ages, it may be susceptible to shrinkage, cracking, and eventual tears. Additionally, it does not have the best heat reflection as some other roof coverings like TPO.

Modified Bitumen

Modified bitumen is a roofing system comprised of two components, base sheets, and cap sheets. The roofing material is applied in two ways either torch down or self-adhered. The most common and acceptable application for commercial flat roofs is applied with heat, and a roofing torch is used to heat the bitumen that is attached to the ply material. The ply is rolled out as it is being heated, and it seals to the roof deck. Depending on the roof specs, Multiple base layers can be installed on top of each other, but only one base sheet is the most common system.

A cap sheet is applied the same way as the base sheets; the difference is that the cap sheet is granulated on top to add to the protection of the ply. Cap sheets come in several different colors, some of which are considered cool roofs which are better with heat transmissivity.

Self-adhered base and cap sheets are precisely as they sound. They have adhesive on the back and stick down to the roof deck. Self-adhered sheets are more often used on small projects or in residential roof systems.

Contact Peterson Roofing Today!

Peterson Roofing is a leading expert in many roof restoration systems. If a coating system isn’t a viable option for your property, we will be glad to discuss your options to fix your problems.

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