Types of Flat Roofs

Being a business owner is one of the most challenging things. You must care about your assets, people, decisions, and money.

One of your vital assets is your business headquarters or any of your property, and one of the most crucial decisions is what type of flat roof you will put on top of them.

If you’re looking for a Roofing Company in Lowell, MA, to replace your flat roof, you must know the different types of flat roofs and how they work, like the first step in the entire process.

There are many options out there. We will cover some of the most reliable commercial roofing systems used today.

Pros & Cons of the 5 Most Reliable Types of Flat Roofs:

TPO Roofing (Affordable & Eco-Friendly)
PVC Roofing (Fire-Resistant)
BUR Roofing (Built to Withstand Harsh Weather)
Modified Bitumen Roofing (Wide Range of Colors)
EPDM Rubber Roofing (Lasts 30+ Years)

Learn About the 5 Preferred Types of Flat Roofs for Commercial Use

1. TPO Roofing

I wouldn’t dare to start this article without mentioning TPO roofing first. As a commercial roofer, TPO is one of my favorites.

Most business owners have noticed how beneficial this type of flat roof is, making it their go-to choice when needing a new commercial roofing system.

TPO stands for “ThermoPlastic Olefin.” This roofing membrane results from a combination of rubber, ethylene, and propylene.

This type is a single-ply membrane layer composed of synthetic components and a fabric-reinforcing scrim.

The scrim stabilizes and strengthens the membrane for improved and increased performance.

Pros of TPO:

This roof type provides good insulation value.
It resists damage from UV rays.
TPO is resistant to chemicals such as oil or gasoline spills.
TPO also has lower up-front costs than other types of roofing materials.
Sheets come in different sizes, making it faster for roofers to install them.

Cons of TPO:

It requires more maintenance over time due to its short lifespan.
TPO lasts between 15 to 20 years.
Being so new on the market, not all roofing contractors can install it.
It is not fire-resistant.

2. PVC Roofing

Most of the names could be more exciting, exciting, and technical. But we put it here just for you to know. So, what does PVC stand for? PolyVinyl Chloride. This option is a synthetic material.

It is a plastic blend of ethylene (detected in crude oil) and chlorine (found in regular salt).

The result is a resin into a roofing membrane.

Pros of PVC Roofing:

PVC is very resistant to tears and punctures.
PVC is resistant to UV radiation.
The white PVC is excellent at reflecting the sun’s rays, keeping cooling costs down.
PVC has a life expectancy of about 20 to 30 years.

PVC has proven to be more fire-resistant than TPO & EPDM. Take a look at the video below to see PVC not catching fire!

Cons of PVC Roofing:

Older PVC roofs are challenging to repair.
Removing the older roofs entirely and cleaning the surface incurs higher labor costs.
It performs poorly in cold weather.

3. BUR Roofing (AKA Tar and Gravel Roofing)

I know there are many acronyms in this article. But these are just things you should learn.

BUR stands for built-up roof. BUR is a bitumen-based roofing system that has been used on low-slope commercial roofs for more than 100 years now.

Its name is self-explanatory. This roof is built from the first layer up to the third layer.

The base layer provides waterproofing at the bottom of your roof, preventing water from sinking in through the porous surface of the concrete roof structure.

The base is also an adhesive layer for attaching the other two layers to your commercial building.

The intermediate layer consists of bitumen mixed with aggregate particles such as sand or gravel to create pieces called “bundles” laid down flat on each other in alternating patterns throughout this part of the roofing installation project.

Once laid out and covered by another type of material known as friction course blocks, finish it with shingle or tile sheeting placed over all three previous materials mentioned above.

Pros of BUR Roofing:

It is affordable.
BUR roofing is rugged and built to withstand harsh weather.
It is durable, lasting about 20 to 30 years.
It is not expensive to install.
Tar and gravel roofing is easy to repair.
Built-up roofing is typically a low-maintenance option.
It creates protection against UV rays, helping to maintain a cool building temperature.

Cons of BUR Roofing:

Prone to water pooling after heavy rains.
When water infiltration in the inner layers occurs during the installation process or due to leaks, it causes blistering.
Leaks can be difficult to find in tar and gravel roofing.
When heated, bitumen or asphalt produces toxic, hazardous fumes.
Gravel can clog the drain, making this roof system more vulnerable to water pooling and mold.

4. Modified Bitumen Roofing

Modified bitumen roofing is a better, modern version of BUR roofing.

The primary material of this type of roofing is a mixture of asphalt and polymer resins.

Then, it is reinforced with fiberglass to create a rugged yet flexible waterproof sheet.

Modified bitumen roofing is a popular option for flat or low-slope roofs.

Pros of Modified Bitumen Roofing:

It is easy to install.
Modified bitumen can help you save money on your energy bills.
Wide range of colors.

Cons of Modified Bitumen Roofing

It is not fire-resistant.
Modified bitumen roofing is more vulnerable to pooling water.
It absorbs heat in the summer, adding to the heat island effect.
Lighter colors reflect more light, yet they tend to be more expensive.

5. EPDM Rubber Roofing

We know many acronyms, and here we go with the last one. EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer.

Its two principal components (ethylene and propylene) are both derived from petroleum.

EPDM consumes a fair amount of energy through high pressure and heat to manufacture, so it is not an eco-friendly material.

This roofing membrane offers some elastic properties. So, it expands and shrinks with the sun’s exposure.

So, you need to hire an experienced roofing company to install it. You just need to dial our phone # and talk with our experts!

Pros of EPDM Rubber Roofing:

It is less expensive to install than TPO and PVC.
EPDM rolls are comprehensive and extensive, with fewer seams and possible leaks.
It is easier to repair than TPO and PVC due to fewer seams.
It can last more than 30 years.

Cons of EPDM Rubber Roofing

Perforate easily.
EPDM comes in black and white only.
Poor petroleum resistance.
Over time, EPDM can shrink due to exposure to the elements.
Poorly trained roofing contractors are the main weakness of this rubber roof.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Now, you’re ready to choose the best type of flat roof for your property.

Remember that these are only some of the most accepted flat roofs on the market today.

Many more roofing options work better for your particular needs.

Stay tuned for more helpful content like this. Till next time!

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