What New Commercial Property Owners Should Know About Roofing: A Roofing Primer for New Business Property Owners – PART II: Understanding the Installation Process

First things first: commercial roofing is totally different from residential roofing. They are handled quite differently, particularly when it comes to installation. In this post, we share with you some information that can help you better understand commercial roofing installation and the factors involved in it.

Commercial Roofing VS. Residential Roofing

One of the significant differences between commercial and residential roofing is the length of installation. Commercial roofs can take over a month to install while most residential systems can be completed in a day or two. This is mostly due to the size of the building and the fact that commercial roofing systems are often more complex to install. For instance, flat roof layers may require days to cure, settle, and adhere to the roof surface.

Basic Installation Processes Per Roof Type

Different commercial roofing system types have different installation processes, too. Some steps may be similar, while others may vary greatly. These processes must be put into consideration as it can affect scheduling and planning.

● Single-Ply Roofs. Thermoplastic PVC/TPO and EPDM are both single-ply flat roofs. Hot air welding is one of the common techniques used in installing these types of roofs. The roofing panels have some kind of adhesive backing which joins together when exposed to hot air. Chemical adhesives are also used to hold together the roofing sheets. Several layers of the roof membranes are typically needed.

● Self-Adhering Roofs. As the name suggests, self-adhering roofing systems can attach itself to surfaces without the use of other techniques. They are basically a peel-and-stick type of roofing. They make for faster installation; however, they must be carefully applied to ensure tightness and proper adhesion.

● Liquid Roofs. This type of roofing is applied like paint. It is basically a coating that cures to form a rubber-like waterproof membrane. It can be applied over different surfaces and even other roofing types.

To better understand installation processes and techniques, make sure you consult a trusted and experienced roofing contractor.

Now that you have an idea how basic commercial roof types are installed, let’s move on to the question, who will install it? Stay tuned for the next post as we give you tips in choosing a roofer.