The Pros and Cons of Using Different Roofing Materials

If you want your commercial building to become sustainable, you need to make sure your contractor uses high-end sustainable construction materials. Most commercial buildings you can find nowadays have them, so it’s only fair that you have them. One building material you need to choose carefully is the roofing material.

With the many kinds of roofing materials to choose from, it can be confusing for you to find what you need for your commercial building. However, you won’t have any problems choosing the right roofing material when you understand each of its pros and cons. You won’t even have to keep asking your contractor about what type you should install since you already have enough knowledge about the different roofing materials.

1. EPDM

If EPDM is a new word for you, it means Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer. It’s one out of the two membrane roofing materials to choose from, and it’s a synthetic rubber made of propylene and ethylene. It mostly comes in large sheets, and your roofing contractor can install it by gluing them down, holding them in place using a heavy ballast material, or mechanically attaching them. EPDM is also beneficial if you want the building to remain cool since it can absorb heat quicker. However, structures in hotter climates with the EPDM installed can only cause the energy bills to go up.

2. TPO

Also known as Thermoplastic Polyolefin, it is the second and newest membrane roofing. You need to know that TPO fixes the issues of EPDM, which means it reflects sunlight effectively. You have many color options for TPO and also cost the same as EPDM.

Pros

• Affordable
• It lasts up to 30 to 40 years.
• UV resistant
• Recyclable
• Lightweight
• Slippery enough to let water slide easily

Cons

• Potential leaks if not installed correctly
• Possibility of shrinking
• Screws can pass through the material.
• Fluctuating weather weakens the material.

3. Asphalt Roofing

Another material most commercial buildings use is asphalt roofing. When roofing contractors apply the asphalt, they mostly apply several different layers of it. The layers are an insulating layer, a weather-proofing layer, a membrane, and the top layer. When contractors combine the four layers, it can protect your building from all sorts of issues like leaks. If you want asphalt roofing to last long, your roofing contractor needs to install it correctly. It’s also the best mid-range roofing material you can choose from since it sits in the middle of pros and cons.

Pros

• Highly durable
• Fire and UV resistant
• Minimal maintenance needed
• Can withstand heavy foot traffic

Cons

• Complicated to install
• Difficult to find leaks due to several layers

4. Metal Roofing

Another roofing material most commercial buildings use is metal roofing. You can bend metal in any way you want, which is perfect if you're going to achieve a sloped building roof. However, you have to keep in mind your area’s building codes because it also depends on what type of metal roofing you can install. Even with the building codes, no need to fret because you still have many metal roofing options that can adhere to building codes. You can find metal roofs aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting, and requires minimal maintenance as well. Make sure you have more than enough to invest in metal roofing because it’s usually more expensive than the previous ones mentioned above.

Pros

• Extraordinarily durable and lasts up to 50 years.
• A slippery surface enables water to slide easily.
• Recyclable
• Fire-resistant
• Different aesthetic options

Cons

• Creates too much noise during rain or hail storms
• Dangerous to walk on
• Rusts easily
• Bends after a while due to temperature shifts

In the future, make sure you refer to this list that Best Roof Hatches has provided you if you want to know the best roofing material for your building. Once you get the right roofing material, you won’t have any regrets in the future.