Replacing your industrial roof is a big investment and decision. You want to ensure you choose a roof that will last for years, and this can only happen if you know what options are available to you. Tri county industrial roofing is not just any roofing contractor they’re the professionals you need for top-notch industrial roofing solutions.
Different roofing materials offer varying protection levels and other features that influence their ideal applications. Here are 7 types of industrial roofing and their benefits:
1. Built-Up Roofing
Built-up roofing is an affordable option that’s perfect for flat or low-sloped commercial buildings. This system features a layer of insulation that increases the building’s energy efficiency. Then, there are alternating layers of bitumen and ply sheets. The bitumen can be either “cold” meaning it’s applied as an adhesive or hot which is applied with a torch.
The ply sheets are made of special fabric reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials. They are laid over the bitumen layers and then topped with a flood coat of asphalt or a gravel application. With so many layers of redundancy, this system offers unrelenting protection.
2. Modified Bitumen
Modified bitumen roofing is a more traditional flat roof membrane that comes in multiple layers. These sheets can be installed in a number of ways (self-adhesive, cold adhesive and heat) and their seams are often melted together for an even stronger hold.
Depending on the type these sheets may include APP (asphalt polypropylene) or SBS (styrene butadiene-styrene). Both are strong and highly resistant to extreme temperatures. They also offer UV protection. This makes a MB roof perfect for commercial structures looking to reduce their energy costs. Plus, the material is recyclable so it doesn’t contribute to landfills when your building’s roof needs replacing.
3. Metal
If you’re looking for a durable roof that will last for a long time metal is an excellent choice. It also offers a wide range of benefits, including being highly energy efficient. This is because metal roofs reflect the suns rays which can reduce midday heat gains and save on air conditioning costs.
Typically made from steel or aluminum metal roofing has the added benefit of being very attractive and low maintenance. It also offers great durability and resistance to fire. Aside from the obvious safety advantage, a metal roof can also offer business owners significant savings in repair and replacement costs over the long term.
4. EPDM
EPDM is an elastomeric, thermoset black or white synthetic rubber that’s well known for its durability. It has good resistance to moisture, UV rays, heat, alkalis and acids. It has high tensile strength and resists tearing.
EPDM can be used on low or flat slope industrial roofs and has an excellent lifespan if its properly maintained. This includes keeping workers off the roof and using the right footwear.
Property supervisors should keep an eye on restaurant tenants as they tend to make more unauthorized roof penetrations and can damage the membrane. They can mitigate grease damage by using a protective layer with a grease-resistant material and by installing a rooftop grease containment system.
5. Flat Roofs
Industrial roofs must be able to withstand the rigors of everyday use and heavy loads. They also need to be able to deal with all kinds of environmental conditions.
Flat roofs have a low slope which allows water to drain easily. However, they must be constantly monitored for standing water puddles and other signs of material degradation.
Flat roofs are commonly used on apartment buildings warehouses and other commercial properties. They offer more usable space than pitched roofs and are also ideal for solar panels allowing for eco-friendly energy generation and cost savings on electricity bills.
6. Vegetative Roofs
Industrial buildings take a beating from chemicals exhausts and residues that break down most roofing materials more quickly than normal wear and tear. As such, roofs on industrial complexes need special care to protect the structure and its occupants.
The vegetation on vegetative rooftops absorbs airborne contaminants and carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, reducing indoor pollutants. They also provide summer cooling through evapotranspiration, which reduces peak energy demand for HVAC systems.
Intensive green roofs are ballasted, requiring a layer of growing medium, plants and a waterproofing membrane over an existing roofing system. Typically planned by architects during building construction but they can also be retrofitted to existing structures.
7. Solar Panels
Solar panel systems are becoming increasingly popular with industrial facilities that want to reduce their energy costs and become more environmentally friendly. This type of system produces electricity from the sun’s rays, and surplus energy can be sold back into the grid to generate revenue.
Typically, these systems are mounted on the roof of a building using a ballasted footing mount that uses weight rather than ground penetration and can be easily adjusted to match the sun’s position in the sky. Some systems also use power optimizers to improve performance.