The roof of your business is extremely important. Not just for employee comfort, but for protecting any inventory or equipment that the structure must house. When deciding on a new commercial roof for your business, you’re going to have a few material options to choose from. Each of these will come with its own set of pros and cons, and it can be difficult to know which one is right for your needs. Considering you’ll likely have this roof for years to come, it’s important to feel confident in your decision. To this end, let’s take a look at the different types of commercial roof materials, so you can make an educated decision when it comes to the roof of your business.
TPO Roofing
A thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roof is a single-ply, reflective roofing membrane. It is used on flat roofs or roofs with a low slope. TPO has a number of benefits including:
- Energy Efficiency: TPO is most often white. This allows it to reflect more sunlight than other roofing materials, resulting in lower cooling costs for the building.
- Strong Seams: Adjacent sheets are heat-welded together to create airtight and watertight seams that are often stronger than the membrane itself
- Cost-Effective: Compared to other commercial roofing materials, TPO is extremely inexpensive, making it a great option for the budget conscious.
Of course, as with anything, there are some downsides to using TPO for your commercial roof. These include:
- Vulnerable to Punctures: TPO is single ply and relatively thin. Heavy foot traffic, dropped tools, or hail can puncture the membrane if the roof isn’t properly protected.
- Seam Separation: The primary failure mode of a TPO roof is seam separation over time, making routine inspections critical in order to catch any issues early.
- Installation Dependent: Longevity relies heavily on proper installation, correct insulation, and expert heat-welding. For this reason, it should only be installed by professionals.
These downsides do not necessarily outweigh the benefits of using TPO. It can make a great choice for those who are budget-conscious.
EPDM Roofing
An ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) roof is a single-ply synthetic rubber membrane. It is most often used for flat or low-slope industrial roofs. The benefits of choosing an EPDM roof include:
- Long lifespan: Can last 30 years or more. Of course, this is assuming that proper care and maintenance are provided.
- Weather resistant: Highly resistant to UV radiation, ozone, and extreme temperature shifts, making it extremely durable.
- Waterproof: Provides a seamless or minimal-seam barrier that significantly lowers the risk of leaks.
- Cost-effective: Generally affordable to purchase and install compared to other complex roofing systems.
These benefits make EPDM roofs an excellent choice. However, before making your decision, you should consider the cons of this roof type, which include
- Punctures: While more durable than TPO roofs, EPDM roofs can still be punctured by sharp falling branches or heavy dropped tools.
- Aesthetics: Standard EPDM is black. This means that it absorbs heat, which can increase cooling costs in the summer months.
- Seam failure: Over many years, adhesive or tape at the seams can degrade. The risk of this is minimal with regular inspection and maintenance.
Generally, EPDM roofing is a great option when choosing a roof for your commercial building.
PVC Roofing
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) roofing material is a plastic, single-ply membrane primarily used for commercial flat roofs and low-slope roofs. An extremely popular choice, the benefits of a PVC roof include:
- Strong Seams: Heat-welded seams create a completely watertight bond that is stronger than the membrane itself, making leaks extremely rare.
- Chemical & Fire Resistance: PVC resists grease, animal fats, harsh chemicals, and fire. This makes it an ideal choice for restaurants and industrial sites.
- Energy Efficiency: PVC’s reflective white surface reflects sunlight and reduces cooling costs by acting as a “cool roof”.
- Lifespan: PVC roofs can easily last 30 years with proper care.
As with the other roof types mentioned, there are some drawbacks to PVC roofs, including:
- Cost: PVC roofing can be one of the more expensive commercial roofing materials. Though many feel its benefits are well worth the extra cost.
- Potential Brittleness: If not properly maintained, PVC can shrink from sun exposure, causing cracks to form. However, this is not usually an issue for a well maintained roof.
With so many benefits and so few drawbacks, it’s easy to see why PVS has become one of the most popular materials when it comes to commercial flat roofs.
Which Commercial Roof Material Is Right for You?
There is no-one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Which one of these materials is right for you will depend on the type of business you run, the structure it is housed in, and your budget. One of our commercial roofing experts can help you determine which material will be best for your needs.