There is a big difference between the roof problems of a residential building and those of a commercial building. Commercial buildings have many different problems and require much more maintenance and care than residential buildings. This is especially true for the roof of a commercial building. The roof of a commercial building has to last much longer than that of a residential building. It needs to be able to withstand weather, wind, and natural disasters for years to come. It also needs to ensure that it protects the tenants in that building because if it doesn’t, that would mean that thousands of dollars worth of damage could occur in a day. Below are 4 ways a commercial roof differs from a normal residential roof.
Style Factors
When it comes to commercial roofs, roof designs are more complex than residential roofs. Commercial roof design can be both complex and difficult to construct. This is because commercial properties are usually larger than residential properties and have a different architectural style. Commercial buildings are not always designed by an architect, which means that there are specific standards for each region of the country that must be followed when constructing a roofing system. Commercial properties are much more likely to leak than residential properties due to the sheer size of the roofs.
The fact that commercial roofs often have flat roofs also make them more prone to damage from pooling water and the weight of snow. Without that run-off, water will find the path of least resistance through the roof if necessary. This means that keeping up those run-off paths and gutters is extremely important with commercial properties, especially in areas where you get a lot of weather. You also want to make sure you are getting regular examinations and updating the waterproofing regularly to make sure that even if water pools into one area over another, it won’t make it through into the building itself and cause further damage.
Repair Access
When it comes to fixing a problem with a commercial roof, it takes a larger team and more time to fix the problem. The structure of commercial buildings is delicate and can have weak spots that need to be reinforced or replaced, such as beams, joists, rafters, or even the roof itself. Commercial buildings tend to be larger than residential buildings, which means that more material must be used when replacing roofs on these buildings. When a commercial roof is damaged, it will take much more time to repair because there are many other issues that need to be checked first.
When repairing commercial roofing, you want to make sure you have lots of scaffolding in place. This is not just for the safety and ease of the repair crew, but also it protects the company employees that may be passing underneath. Companies are liable for any injuries that happen at the workplace and so it’s important to provide those resources to your contractors to ensure that everyone is able to complete their work safely. Many contractors will arrange for their own scaffolding, so make sure to be prepared to accommodate that during the repair periods.
Restoration Costs
Repairing a commercial roof is more expensive than the average residential roof. The cost to repair or replace a commercial roof can be well over $50,0000 depending on the size of the roof, the complexity of the building, the amount of work that needs to be done, and whether it needs to be reinforced with beams or other materials. The materials for a commercial roof are also more expensive. For example, the metal for a commercial roof can range anywhere from $150 to $200 per square foot.
Commercial buildings also require more money in the repairs because they are simply larger. The same material being used residentially is typically used over a smaller area than commercial buildings, which means that even when using the same materials, the repairs will cost a great deal more for commercial buildings than for a home. You also often want sturdier materials for commercial buildings, as previously mentioned, because of the often flat-roofed design that commercial buildings use. It’s harder to keep water out when you don’t have clear run-off areas, so commercial buildings need stronger waterproofing.
More Features and Regulations
Commercial properties are larger and have more features than residential properties, which affects the materials that must be used for repairs. With commercial properties, a commercial roofing contractor will also take into account the area surrounding the building. The layout and features of the property can make roof repair easier or more difficult.
There are also specific regulations that must be followed when repairing the roof of a commercial property. When replacing the roof or renovating a commercial roof, it is important to make sure that the structure of the roof and building is strong enough to support the new material that will be used. The structure of a commercial property determines if a roof can be put on or if it must be taken off and rebuilt. The structural integrity of commercial properties can be more difficult to repair due to the different materials that may be present in a commercial roof.
In conclusion, commercial roofs require more attention and maintenance than residential properties. Commercial roofs can be extremely costly to repair and maintain, which is why a property owner should invest the time and money in a commercial roofing contractor who practices the proper techniques and maintenance for commercial roofs to avoid costly damage.