You will be required to make many decisions when it comes to selecting a new roof for your commercial property. Not only will you need to select from a wide range of roofing materials, but you will also need to determine which installation method makes the most sense for your space. PVC roofing has become more popular among commercial clients in recent years. A PVC roof is durable, eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and can have a long service life when maintained properly.
Roofing contractors use three primary methods when installing a PVC roofing system. If you are hoping to take advantage of the benefits that a PVC roof can offer, you will need to understand these installation methods and select the one that is best suited to meet your roofing needs.
1. Fully-Adhered Installation
The primary difference between each installation method used by roofing contractors is the way in which PVC materials adhere to the roof. Fully-adhered installation requires that PVC materials be glued to the roof deck using a specialized adhesive. This approach only works when the roof deck is made from an impermeable material, like concrete. Otherwise, the adhesive could seep through the pores of the roof decking and prevent proper adhesion.
You will also need to ensure that your roof has proper ventilation if you want to invest in fully-adhered installation. Poor ventilation can cause moisture to condense between the PVC and your roof decking. Your contractor can help you evaluate the construction of your roof and the quality of your ventilation system to determine if fully-adhered installation is the right approach when replacing your commercial roof.
2. Mechanical Installation
Mechanical installation eliminates the use of adhesives and relies instead on roofing fasteners to hold PVC materials in place. Heavy-duty screws and metal plates are utilized to secure PVC roofing to your roof decking. Mechanical installation is recommended for commercial properties located in areas with strong wind gusts. The screws and plates will help a PVC roof remain in place under most weather conditions. In fact, PVC roofing is essentially hurricane-proof when correct mechanical installation occurs.
It's important that you work with an experienced contractor if you plan to invest in mechanical installation. The PVC material must be sealed around each screw to prevent leaks from forming in the future.
3. Ballasted Installation
The final method that is used by roofing contractors to install PVC roofing is ballasted installation. The roofing industry defines a ballast as any material that can be used to weigh down flat roofing. No adhesives or fasteners are used during ballasted installation. Instead, a roofing contractor will lay down your PVC roof, then cover this material with a ballast.
The most common type of ballast used in commercial settings is gravel since this type of stone allows for proper drainage. When done correctly, ballasted installation can produce a functional and efficient PVC roof at a fraction of the cost. Your roofing contractor will be able to help you evaluate the pros and cons of ballasted installation to determine if this adhesive-free approach would work for your commercial building.
There are many factors that can affect the performance and longevity of a commercial roof. The installation method that is used is one of these factors. You must give careful thought to the climate in which your building is located, your overall roofing budget, and the design of your commercial building before choosing new roofing.
PVC roofing that is installed using the fully-adhered, mechanical, or ballasted approach will provide you with a commercial roof that is capable of lowering your energy costs and withstanding the test of time. To learn more about PVC roofing, talk to a roofing company, such as Diamond Roofers LLP.
Very few roofers would say their job is easy. In fact, many describe the work as downright tough! But that does not mean that roofers do not enjoy or value the work that they do. Many workers get satisfaction from working with their hands, and they really enjoy creating a roof from simple materials. They also like the logistical challenges, such as figuring out how to get shingles up on a tall roof, or how to most safely repair a damage gutter. If you'd like to learn more about roofing as a profession, then you've arrived at the right blog.