The roof on a business may be its most important feature, especially when the building is used for housing valuable materials or meeting with important clients. Unfortunately, the types of commercial roofing can vary and this makes if difficult to repair a failing roof without inspecting the property. An expert Commercial Roofing Service in Philadelphia can often find the easiest solution once they examine the situation. For instance, a leak in a flat or low-sloped roof may be due to aging asphalt, but it could also be the fault of the sealant around roofing details such as vents or flashing.
There are various kinds of commercial roofs. One of the more common of them is the BUR (built up roofing) system. A BUR installation performed by a Commercial Roofing Service in Philadelphia can last for years and it is an easy surface to fix when a repair is required. The BUR begins with a layer of roofing felt placed over the roof decking. This is then covered with a layer of asphalt and the process repeats until enough material is on the roof to provide complete protection. The final layer of material is an aggregate such as pea gravel that provides just enough weight to keep the roofing in place.
For example, the use of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) can offer a durable roof that generally lasts longer than BUR. One reason for this is the way that polymer roofing is installed. These products usually require automated tools during installation to ensure the seams are completely welded.
An alternative to polymers is EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer). EPDM is a synthetic rubber roofing that affords great coverage in certain situations. One concern with this material is the possibility of shrinkage. A trained installer can allow for this possibility and determine if EPDM is the right solution for the job at hand.
Alternately, the property owner may choose a material such as steel panels. Steel products come with a zinc or zinc/aluminum galvanized coating, but some types may be protected with a fluoropolymer-based paint. These protective products help steel roofing products last for decades. Click here to learn more about commercial roofing solutions.
