You may think that you can use just any roof to cover a building, whether it’s commercial or residential, but that is not always the case since there is a big difference between the two. Buildings do not always have the same design, installation cost(s), maintenance needs, and/or materials.
There are some similarities and differences between commercial and residential roofing systems.
Roofing Materials
Designs of roofs include materials that allow them to cover a wide range of surfaces and include elementary parts like air conditioning and ventilation. Materials can support the roofing structure, helping it last longer.
Generally, the following are durable materials that are used in designing both commercial and residential roofing systems:
- Wood shakes
- Asphalt, slate shingles, tile, ceramic, or asphalt
- Metal roofing
- Solar shingles
- Other supplementary supportive roofing materials
When you hire a roofing contractor, ask them about the different types of roofs they work with and ask them to share their experiences. Ask about warranties as well as suppliers of roofing materials. You might find that certain materials work best for commercial roofs, whereas others are primarily used for residential homes.
Roofing Design
A commercial roof is usually an entirely flat roof with a very low slope. You see these roof types in restaurants, warehouses, factories, and shops. A commercial roof is usually larger than a normal residential roof.
The surface of a commercial roof is intended to accommodate heavy items such as industrial pipes and HVAC blowers. This roof surface typically has fragments with many openings for things such as skylights, smokestacks, and blower outlets.
A residential roof will likely have a higher pitch than a commercial roof and will be smaller than a commercial roof. The roof surface will have minimal openings for skylights, chimneys, and vent stacks.
Maintenance
Since a commercial building is typically large and covers extensive square footage, it can be challenging to maintain its roof. Thorough and continued maintenance is usually necessary for a commercial roofing system. Residential roofs are not as hard to maintain as commercial ones.
Cost Of Repair And New Roof Installations
Commercial roofs will most likely be more expensive to install and repair compared to residential roofs. This difference is not only seen in terms of money spent but in the length of time spent to carry out a repair or replacement as well. Commercial roofing can take about a month (and sometimes longer) due to the large size and roofing layers. Residential roofing will barely take a few days to fix because structures are simpler and smaller.
Conclusion
There are some similarities and differences when it comes to commercial versus residential roofing systems. One article cannot go into too much detail, but suffice it to say that contractors approach these two types of roofs differently since they serve different purposes and have different requirements. In Blaine, Minnesota, call Arko Exteriors at 763-434-2756 when you want to work with a quality company that can handle both commercial and residential roofing services. You can also email info@arkocompanies.com.