What Is The Best Commercial Flat Roof Material

It is only a matter of time before your commercial roof requires replacement or repair.

Here in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania, property and business owners have their choice among many industrial roofing systems.

At Anthracite Roofing Systems LLC, we specialize in consulting with the owners of Pennsylvania buildings who are seeking the most effective and most affordable commercial roofing material to protect their assets. We often have this question: What is the best commercial roofing material in the market?”. The answer to this question requires some explanation, so we have dedicated this article to it.

Roofing Material Pros and Cons

If there were a commercial roof material that was the cheapest, most resilient, and most versatile, we would have an easy answer to our question. If only it were so easy!

The reality is that there are at least a dozen fundamental commercial materials to choose from, and each has its list of pros and cons.

Some of the most popular commercial roof materials used in Pennsylvania include modified bitumen, metal roofing, BUR membranes, thermoset, and thermoplastic. Let’s dive into each one.

Thermoset Roofing Membrane

EPDM is the most popular thermoset roofing membrane on the market today and has gained a reputation for its versatility and durability. EPDM cover membranes typically built with a single layer of rubber. It is also ideal for roofs in climates that fluctuate a lot.

These commercial roofs are also an excellent choice for their energy-efficient properties. They are available in various colors and reflective coatings that help protect the building against exposure to UV and thermal energy exposure.

These roof systems rapidly degrade under conditions that expose them to oil or other hard chemicals, and therefore, where possible, avoid rubber roofs for restaurants and some manufacturing businesses.

Thermoplastic Commercial Roofs

TPO and PVC are common types of thermoplastic commercial roofing systems. These materials have a particularly high resistance to strong winds and fire, which adds more peace of mind.

TPO is a very popular type of roof, and it is also among the best flat roof materials to install. A TPO roof is a cheap option, but it has a lifespan between 10 and 25 years. Besides, these white-coat roofs all have the same energy-saving properties as PVC roofs. Also, they require less maintenance than EPDM roofs, as seams are heat welded to avoid leaks.

For many projects, PVC roofing is our preferred option as the best flat roof material on the market. PVC roofing is a bit more expensive than other single-ply commercial roof materials, but it offers a wide range of price advantages. First, the reinforced membrane makes PVC roofs resistant to the damage caused by the impacts and the crack that normally shortens single-ply roofs’ lifespan. One of the best flat roof materials is PVC roofing because it is low maintenance with a long lifespan. Here at Anthracite Roofing Systems LLC, we offer a 25-year warranty on the new PVC roofs we install. Also, like the TPO roofing, PVC is a reflective white color that is useful as it greatly reduces the business’s energy bills.

Modified Bitumen

Modified Bitumen commercial roofs represent some of the oldest and most proven commercial roofing technologies. Perfect for low or flat-sloped roofs, a modified bitumen commercial roof consists of two basic ingredients: gravel and asphalt. These two combine to form a unified layer which is often applied more than once to ’ build up’ the roof.

BUR roofing systems are comparatively cheap, durable, and very easy to repair. However, they may be unpleasant to install, and they are not as energy-efficient as some of the alternatives available.

Metal Roofing

Pennsylvania business owners love their metal roofs, and for a good reason! The metal roofs last very long, they are aesthetically pleasing, and they do an excellent job of protecting against rain leaks and snow shedding. They are also very easy to clean, and they install quite quickly.

However, metal roofs may be on the most expensive side, especially if you choose a higher-end metal. Some of the options include:

• Corrugated steel

• Aluminum

• Tin

• Silicon-coated steel

• Metal tile

Unfortunately, metal roofs are not perfect for certain roof shapes, including low or flat-sloped ones.

A commercial standing seam metal roof is the ideal option for building a roof slope of more than 2 inches. Metal is different from most other types of commercial roofing materials for a few reasons. Because of the nature of the material and the expert installation process, metal is the most expensive type of roof to have installed. However, metal roofing has the longest lifespan, which lasts between 25 and 30 years. Metal is a very durable material and is immune to cracks that affect single-ply roofs. However, metal roofs may be susceptible to leaks around the seams and edges of the roof.

Modified Bitumen

Modified bitumen is like the BUR roofing as the construction of the material is similar. However, bitumen membranes are presented in large rolls, often melted onto the roof in big swaths.

This type of commercial roof material uses a fabric base as a support for the protective layer. In this way, it is extra-sustainable and is an excellent option for high-impact roofing applications. It is also widely available, and most professional commercial roofers are comfortable working with it.

Compared to other commercial roofing materials, the modified bitumen stands out as the most budget-friendly option. The modified bitumen roofs use an asphalt membrane as the base of the roof itself. This surface is sensitive to cracks and blistering, which reduces the usual lifespan to just 10-15 years. Although the lifespan is less than the most advanced options, the price itself can make modified bitumen one of the best flat roof materials for some businesses.

Note what kind of manufacturing you do when you decide on a roofing system. Contact Anthracite Roofing Systems LLC today if you need help choosing the right one for your commercial building. We can help you choose a roof, explain how to maintain it, and take care of the installation for you.

What’s best for you? Contact Anthracite Roofing Systems LLC to learn more!

Replacing the commercial roof is not like buying a new blended coffee for the office — you don’t make such a big decision on a whim. Whether you are looking to replace the roof on your business or one of the buildings you handle, do your research, and you will find the best flat roof materials for your needs and budget.

The best commercial roofing material will vary according to the customer’s needs and the climate in which the roof is located. The budget, the size of the roof, the use of the building, and other factors also come into play.

Only a qualified and professional roofing company such as Anthracite Roofing Systems LLC can really match you with the commercial roofing system that is the best for your building. For more information on how our team of experts can help you choose the best roof for your low slope or flat-roof commercial building, contact us right away.

If you are located in Edwardsville or Lehigh Valley and the surrounding areas, we have the team, the tools, and the proven experience you want in a roofer. We can’t wait to work with you! Contact us today for a free quotation.