Commercial and industrial buildings are mainly associated with flat roofs while residential properties have pitched or sloped roofs. However, flat roofs are becoming common in residential buildings, especially on modern homes. Both pitched and flat roofs offer different advantages when installed depending on the design of a building, preferences and personal needs of the owner. Installation of flat, sloped or pitched roofs is determined by a number of factors such as the way the roof works structurally, installation and maintenance costs. You should consider installing flat roofs on your commercial building for the following reasons:
Commercial building concerns
Commercial buildings are quite different from housing and this makes flat roofs an ideal choice. First, commercial buildings require good plumbing, heating and cooling systems and flat roofing systems not only makes it easy to install these, it facilitates easy installation and maintenance. There are minimal requirements commercial and industrial buildings have to meet before being licensed by relevant authorities. Secondly, commercial buildings usually have an annual maintenance budget set aside for residential homeowners who rely on savings and insurance covers. For a flat roof to last long in its top condition, a contractor should conduct at least one professional inspection to repair and maintain the roof appropriately.
Practicality of flat roofs
With flat roofs, industrial buildings have a range of uses and thus become practical. For instance, building lots are mainly used for parking and flat roofs offer a practical aspect by having a deck or patio with a house. In addition, with a flat roof, it is possible to build outdoor habitable areas that can be used by employees as break areas or experimental areas where experimental projects can set up.
In a number of commercial buildings, owners have installed solar panels, air conditioners and plumbing systems, generators and have rooftop gardens on their flat roof. These roofs can also be used for a cookout, offering space for an employee party if you don’t want to hire extra space. All this is possible because flat roofs are structurally very strong to withstand the weight of the materials. With limited spaces in commercial areas in cities and towns, flat roofs offer much-needed additional space.
Cost-effective
Flat roofs are less expensive to install because they require less roofing materials and labor as compared to pitched or sloped roofs. This is one of the reasons why most commercial buildings have flat roofs. It is important to understand that most industrial buildings are large and thus require a lot of roofing materials, especially in pitched roofs.
This type of roofing system requires less maintenance (once a year), and since they last long (15 – 20 years), they have fewer replacement costs. Commercial buildings are mostly used to run businesses and it is not practical to shut down a business for a long period of time to repair or maintain a roof. Flat roofs are quite practical because they are long-lasting and durable hence do not require regular maintenance, repair or replacement. However, this does not mean that flat roofs should not be maintained, inspected or get regular repairs from a professional.
Installing flat roofs in industrial buildings is highly recommended because of the numerous associated benefits. However, hiring an experienced contractor to install, inspect, maintain and repair your roof is essential.
