One major commonality between commercial and residential roofing is that they are both built to protect the building they are placed upon. Besides this, their designs may differ because of the nature of these two different types of buildings.
Concrete, modified bitumen, a built-up roofing system, and tar, and gravel are usually the materials used in the making of a commercial roof. In contrast, residential roofs are usually made up of shingles and tiles.
What are some important aspects of commercial roofing?
- The first important aspect of commercial roofing is its installation itself. The installation depends upon a lot of factors, including labor work, the difficulty level of the job, materials, and budget.
- The second aspect requires the inspection of the roof. This may include looking for vulnerable areas such as drains, cracks, vents, etc. A word of advice is that this rule applies to installing residential roofing as well.
- Last but not least, maintenance is the key to keeping anything as new as ever. Proper maintenance includes periodic cleaning of drains, treating water damage or leaks, and ensuring the material is in excellent and healthy condition.
Different types of commercial roofing
When it comes to roofing styles, commercial buildings do not have as much variety to offer as residential buildings. But according to the environmental and work-related factors, one can identify three main styles of commercial roofing:
- Flat roofs are the most popular when it comes to commercial roofing as they are very strong and dependable and have been in trend in the U.S. for around 100 years. They have a built-up roofing system, which means that a flat roof is built by adding several layers.
- Another popular style that we get to see among commercial buildings is the design of low-sloped roofs. This design forms a low-angle arch typically made from metallic sheets. This design is perfect for big industrial buildings or a building to hold large vehicles as it helps for rainwater and snow to slip off without taking too much space above ground level.
So, what is the main difference between commercial and residential roofing?
As we come close to the conclusion, we have seen quite a few similarities between commercial and residential roofing. So, the differences remain to be unclear. But a few key differences between these two types of roofing are: –
- The design has to be the most obvious point when differentiating the two. Even if residential and commercial buildings have a pitched roof, the latter would comparatively have a lower-pitched one.
- Although the materials in both types of roofing have to remain durable, commercial roofing requires a change in these materials as the roof has to cover a huge part while maintaining good ventilation. But the complications reduce in residential buildings.
- Installation and maintenance of roofs make a huge difference because firstly, the bigger the size, the costly the installation would be. And similarly, maintenance is also more demanding and challenging when it comes to commercial roofing.
The Bottom Line
Since now you know the difference between residential and commercial roofing, now you can choose which roofing type will suit your purpose the best.
