Planning and executing a commercial roof installation is rarely a simple process. Customers and commercial roofers need to prepare carefully to ensure that the project will go smoothly. Also, businesses will want to see that their new roofs will last as long as possible. Here are four key steps to achieving those objectives.
Matching Materials to the Environment
Every commercial structure exists in an environment that will affect it. Suppose a retailer is building a new store in a coastal city. The retailer might rule out installing a metal roof because the salt in the coastal air can corrode the material. Similar issues can occur in commercial centers due to pollution.
Your chosen materials need to be good matches for the building's environment. This includes considering how the structure will hold up to the maximum levels of precipitation and wind the area sees.
Compliance
A business never wants to risk completing a commercial roof installation only to find out the structure isn't compliant with local, state, or federal regulations. Never assume the commercial roofers will know your area's rules, though. Contact the local zoning board and compliance office to find out what the regulations for a commercial roof are. Request written copies of the regulations so you and the roofers can bring the plans into compliance. Ask an official to sign off on the project so you have some legal cover, too.
Drainage
Commercial roofs are generally more complex than residential ones. The large and flat roofs that appear on commercial buildings often don't allow dirt, debris, and precipitation to easily flow down to the ground. Consequently, the roof may need a drainage system. Make sure the drainage capacity is sufficient for the worst possible weather event expected in your region.
Maintainability
When planning a commercial roof installation, you need to think about how you're going to maintain the structure. Commercial roofs are often flat or very close to flat. You might have roof access through a door to allow personnel to clear drains, sweep away debris, and check for damage. If a contractor needs to repair the roof down the road, they'll also have easy access.
Your choice of materials and roofing systems will also affect maintainability. For example, many systems use asphalt or rubber to create a seal. You can often reseal these with new layers every couple of years. With a flat commercial roof, this is often a fairly cheap way to keep the roof in good condition for decades.
For more information, contact a commercial roofer near you.
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.