Is Flat Roofing the Only Type of Roofing You Should Use for Your Atlanta Building?

Superior Commercial Roofing & Contracting

While flat roofing is the most common type of roofing used on commercial buildings, preferred for its capability to support food traffic as well as for providing extra space for your commercial facility to install features like outdoor AC units, flat structures are not your only option. Highly regarded Atlanta contractors at Superior Commercial Roofing & Contracting confirm that there are some other roof types to choose for your commercial facility in Atlanta:

  • Sloping roofs – the types of roofs that you can mostly see on residential buildings, the ones that consist of either one slope meeting a wall at the top or consisting of two or more slopes that meet at their highest points, can be used on commercial facilities as well. The option will give you the benefit of creating an attic-like space underneath the roof, suitable for creating offices or for storing archives. Getting a sloping roof for your building can also come for your facility an appearance that makes it similar to residential buildings.
  • Arched roofs – this type of roofing structure is very popular for warehouses and for other applications that need extra height. Arched structures can take special forms that allow for opening the roof as well and they can be constructed partially from glass or from plexiglass to let even more light in.

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How to Care for Rubber Roofing in Atlanta

Atlanta commercial roofing contractors

Rubber roofing consists of vulcanized membranes, offering unmatched ozone and ultraviolet radiation resistance. Because these membranes do not contain flame retardants or plasticizers, their characteristics stay unchanged and stable over time, making them durable solutions to be used for roofing.

The main advantages of a rubber roof include:

  • High flexibility and elasticity – These membranes remain flexible up to temperatures of 45°C and have an elasticity of over 300%, which ensures their resistance to building movements and temperature changes.
  • Low operating costs – Rubber roof membranes require a low level of maintenance. Even after a long period of exposure, they can be easily repaired.

In this context, should you worry about caring for your rubber roof? Shortly, yes! If your roof has minimal maintenance requirements, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.

Caring for your rubber roof in Atlanta should involve a periodic maintenance contract with a licensed roofing company. Practiced Atlanta commercial roofing contractors will check the roof once or twice a year to make sure everything is in order, and if minor problems are identified, they will be fixed before they get worse. The roof will also be cleaned.

Extra care is required when there are roof penetrations (HVAC units, solar panels, etc.).

What Is the Best Flat Roof to Install in the Atlanta Area?

When it comes to flat roofing, traditional roofing materials such as concrete tiles or asphalt shingles are out of the question, because they’re very likely to leak. So what are your best flat roof options then?

Atlanta commercial roofing contractors

One of the most popular options in Atlanta is the TPO membrane, which is comprised of three bonded layers and manufactured with fillers such as carbon fiber, talc and fiberglass that add to its durability. The main advantage of TPO is that it is an inexpensive material that can make for a durable roof. TPO membranes can last up to twenty-five years and are fire resistant. Moreover, TPO roofs are also reflective, which means they will keep the building cool during hot Atlanta summers.

Another popular material for flat roofs is EPDM membrane, commonly used on medical and commercial buildings. EPDM is not reflective, but it is incredibly durable and can last for even more than 4-50 years if installed right.

Last but not least, PVC membranes are also popular options, used both in commercial and residential roofing. PVC roofs are very similar to TPO in terms of both installation and durability (about 25-30 years if installed correctly). The only big difference is that PVC membranes are slightly more flexible than TPO.

Choosing between the various flat roofing materials popular in Atlanta ultimately depends on your specific needs and your budget. Contact your local acclaimed Atlanta commercial roofing contractors to help you decide on the best flat roof for you.

 

What Is Rubber Roofing Best Suited for?

rubber roofing Atlanta

If you did some research on the commercial roofing industry in Atlanta, you’ll find that the typical Atlanta commercial roofer will recommend some type of rubber as the most suitable roofing material for your new installation. There are a number of reasons for that, and most of them tie into the fact that rubber is such an impressive material when faced with adverse conditions:

  • Rubber is strong, and it’s less likely to be as easily damaged in a storm as other roofing materials. It doesn’t crack as easily during extreme weather conditions, and it’s significantly less high-maintenance in comparison to even some of the more expensive roofing systems.
  • A rubber roof is generally better suited for flat roofing systems. However, according to experienced rubber roofing Atlanta companies, because of its unique qualities, it can also be adapted to low-pitch roofs and its properties make it more resilient and impact-resistant than even some of the best sloped roofs.
  • One of the most important qualities of rubber is its increased flexibility. Although it normally wouldn’t have the same tensile strength as metal or slate, its flexibility makes it an ideal roofing material for fending off hail and strong winds. In fact, a well-designed rubber roof will require fewer repairs over time than the aforementioned roofs, whether they are used on commercial or residential buildings.
  • Synthetic rubber is generally cheap and long-lasting. It doesn’t easily allow for the growth of mold and moss, and the maintenance work will not cost you as much compared to wood, asphalt or slate.