Commercial flat roof replacement ensures a durable, energy-efficient solution for aging or damaged roofs. This process involves removing the old roofing material, addressing any structural issues, and installing new materials like TPO, EPDM, or PVC. A professional replacement enhances insulation, prevents leaks, and extends the roof’s lifespan, safeguarding the building’s integrity.
Is it time to replace the flat roof on your commercial building? While in the past, flat roofing systems were very simple, now there are lots of different options available to you. Here is your complete guide to commercial flat roof replacement, so you can choose the option that works best for you.
Repair Or Replace Your Flat Roof?
The first question to ask yourself is whether that flat roof actually needs to be replaced, or whether it can be repaired. Depending on your budget, you may be hoping for a repair as it would be a less expensive job. There is no denying that replacing any roof is a costly venture.
In some cases, a repair job may be enough to get your roof back into full working condition. If you want to know whether repair would be enough, it’s a very good idea to have an expert roofer come and inspect your roof. They will be able to see whether there is any damage you have not seen, and advise you on whether repairs would be the right call here.
If the flat roof has a hole in one isolated area, or has not reached its typical lifespan yet, then repairing it will often be the right route. However, if there is extensive damage or it is well overdue for replacement, then replacing the roof will be your best option.
Which Flat Roof System To Choose?
There are a huge amount of flat roof options now available for commercial building owners. Here are all of the options currently available to you, and why you may want to choose them for your building.
Felt Roofing: This is likely what you think of when you are thinking of flat roofing. These roofs are made with multiple layers of felt, which are combined together on the roofing deck with adhesives.
There are two types of felt roofing you can use. Torch on felt is one of the oldest roofing systems out there, which are applied to your roof with heat. These are typically best installed by experts, as they use a naked flame to adhere that felt to your roof.
The other option is self adhesive felt, which is becoming more popular. These come with an adhesive backing on the underside, which is then stuck onto the substrate.
Both options will typically last for around 10 years, before needing to be replaced.
EPDM Rubber: This is another option that is becoming more and more popular for commercial flat roof. This rubber membrane is able to last for as long as 50 years with the right care, and will offer excellent protection for your commercial building.
If you do choose this kind of roofing, any older roofing material on the roof substrate needs to be removed, in order to allow the roofing EPDM rubber to work effectively.
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is another top flat roofing material, as it offers excellent strength with low maintenance needs. These are installed by placing wood down as a base on the roof, covering it with resin, then adding a fiberglass netting to the top, with another layer of resin. That ensures you are getting a fully weatherproof roofing material.
Green roofs: For those who are looking for a more eco-friendly way of replacing a flat roof, they may want to consider green flat roofing. These are made up of vegetation, such as grass, wildflowers, and more. These offer a large range of benefits, such as adding visual appeal to your building, improving air quality, and much more besides. Of course, they will need some more maintenance to keep them in good condition, but they are a great option for many commercial buildings.
How To Choose The Right Commercial Flat Roof Material
So as you can see, there are lots of options for you when it comes to having a new commercial flat roof installed. With so many options, how can you be sure which is the best for your building?
Budget is always going to be the biggest factor in choosing. In general, a flat roof will be more cost-effective to install than a pitched roof. If you are looking to really get the most out of a small budget, a felt roof is always a good idea. While they do not have the longest lifespan, they will offer excellent weather protection.
Speaking of lifespan, it’s important to note how long a roof material will last. If you do not want to replace your roof again for as long as possible, picking something like a fiberglass roof is a great idea. Be aware, these will come with a higher price point.
Maintaining Your Commercial Flat Roof
Once you have chosen the right flat roof for your building, and had it installed by professionals, you will need to keep it maintained to get the maximum lifespan from it. The good news here is that flat roofs are very easy to take care of, when compared to their pitched counterparts.
You will need to regularly visually inspect the roof, looking for any damage or issues that need to be addressed. For example, if flashing is coming away from the roof, or there are holes in the roof fabric, then this will need to be addressed as quickly as possible. Be sure to look from the outside as well as the inside in your attic, if possible.
If you do find any issues, the best thing to do is call on a local roofer to handle the issue as quickly as possible. The benefits of using an expert is that they will be able to accurately diagnose the problem with your roof, and carry out expert repairs that will help you get the most lifespan out of it.
Conclusion
There are lots of options for you when it comes to having a new commercial flat roof installed. This guide gives you all of the basics you need to know, so you can make the right choice for you and get what you need out of your new roof.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you! Our award-winning roofing company offers various roofing services, including flat roof installation.