6 Popular Commercial Roofing Systems

Choosing the right roofing material for your commercial property is imperative as it protects

your investment for decades. A wrong roofing system results in costly repairs, early tear-off,

re-roofing or damage to the building. There are many commercial roofing structures that you

can deploy, which makes it imperative to contact a professional roofing contractor to gauge the

suitability of the probable options for long term results. The blog post discusses the most

common types of roofing systems you can use for commercial property.

1. Built-Up Roofing System (BUR) Built-up roofing system (BUR) is the oldest and affordable roofing options. Places with extreme

weather conditions use the traditional method of installing flat commercial roofs. BUR systems

consist of two or three layers of waterproofing material and hot tar. The upper layer is covered

with gravel, which holds the material down and protects it from UV damage. The layering

system used in BUR systems provides additional strength to the roofing structure. The

downsides of BUR systems is the bulkiness along with a messy and smelly installation process.

2. Photovoltaic Solar Panel Roofing Energy costs are on a constant upsurge in the US, making photovoltaic solar panels a pivotal

choice for commercial roofing needs. PV solar panels installed on a rooftop combined with glass,

membrane or roof-mounted tile absorb sunlight and convert it into energy. Though it is not

much in use, PV solar panels help to save energy and help in controlling the power costs.

3. EPDM Roofing EPDM roofing systems are durable, resistant to wear and tear and are ideal for sloping roofs.

The superior versatility and durability make it one of the longest lasting commercial roofs.

EPDM roofs are easier to install, repair and maintain than other roofing systems as compared to

the other commercial roofing options.

4. TPO Roofing Thermoplastic roofs (TPO) provide resistance against ultraviolet and ozone depletion. The

roofing material has a high tolerance to fires, punctures, chemicals and extreme weather. TPO

roofing systems don’t use plasticizers during the manufacturing and have a life expectancy of

more than two decades.

5. Green Roofing Commercial property owners are switching to green roofs that are covered with partial or

complete vegetation planted on a waterproofing membrane. Green roofs soak up the heat and

improve the insulation value of the roof by increasing its overall lifespan and help to save energy

costs.

6. PVC Roofing Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic roofing material that provides protection against

elements and increases energy efficiency. Plasticizers infused into the roofing material provide

flexibility. PVC roofing may also contain polyester or fiberglass, resins, pigments or other

thermoplastic material. PVC roofing systems are highly UV resistant. The drawbacks of PVC

roofing is the brittleness caused due to the loss of plasticizer material with the passage of time.

The Way Forward

Business owners need to deal with a number of factors while selecting the right roofing solution

for the commercial property. Whether you are in Dallas or any other part of Texas, ensure that

you take the help of commercial roofing experts ensure that you select the right roofing

materials taking into consideration the various factors such as ease of installation, inspection,

maintenance and repair of the roofing material.