The key to a well functioning commercial building is a healthy roof. Flat roofs are excellent options for commercial properties due to their affordability, easy maintenance, and versatile space.
Flat roofs require their own type of special care that differs from a traditional roof. But, flat roofs also offer their own benefits.
If you are looking to repair or install a new flat roof for your commercial building, contact the expert team at RGI Commercial Roofing. Our combination of experience, full licensure, and exclusivity to commercial projects make us the trusted commercial roofing contractor in Baltimore, MD.
If you’re looking to install a new commercial roof, you may not be aware that there are several types of flat roofs to choose from. Flat roofs come in a few different types, and each come with their own benefits depending on the type of material used, but all perform well against harsh weather conditions. The three different types of flat roofs include:
Single-layer membrane roofs are the most advanced of the different flat roof solutions. Within the single-layer membrane category, several different types exist, each using different materials:
Of the different types of single-layer membrane flat roofs, EPDM are the most popular. EPDM comes with strong durability, longevity, quick installation, and affordability. But, all single-layer membranes are less than an inch thick and offer extreme flexibility and resistance to temperature changes.
Modified bitumen roofs come in rolled-up sheets of material that installers lay across the top of the roof. They were developed as a solution to problems that come with built-up roofs. The 4 types of modified bitumen roofs include:
Built-up roofs were the first flat roof solution, and are still very common to this day. These roofs are great solutions for low slope industrial roofs.
Built up roofs consist of alternating layers of bitumen (asphalt) and roofing felt. The first layer involves a combination of hot asphalt tar and roofing felt that combine to adhere to the roof’s surface. These layers are built upon each other until there’s several layers.
One there’s a few layers, a top layer of aggregate stone or gravel is applied to protect the roofing materials from damage. The option to add layers on top of each other over time makes built-up roofs an attractive solution.