Flat Roofing Options for Building Owners | Commercial Roofers in Dallas, TX
Commercial Roofing Company, Flat Roof Repair, Flat Roof Replacement
Posted on April 14, 2017 by Anderson Industrial Roofing
Building owners have a ridiculous amount of decisions to take regarding all aspects of their businesses. With so much to do, and such little time, it’s no surprise that the roofing in Dallas, TX of several buildings often gets neglected. In most cases, the variety of options available for building roofing systems also makes it very difficult for building owners to choose the right one.
To make the process of installing new commercial roofing in Dallas, TX into your building a lot easier, we’ve put together 5 of the most popular flat roofing options available today.
1. Modified Bitumen
Back in the day, single-ply roofing had to be installed by rolling the substances onto the roof directly and then a blow torch would be used to provide enough heat in order to allow adhesion. Contrary to the traditional method of single-ply flat roofing in Dallas, TX, modified bitumen – single-ply flat roofing – is installed by applying the materials onto the roofing surface but without the use of a blow torch.
This new method of installing modified bitumen is a much safer option as compared to the older method since it eliminates the possibility of any risk, such as the blow torch setting fire to the roof. Modified bitumen is highly reflective and also returns the UV rays of the sun back into the atmosphere, which is just one of the main advantages of it. This is highly beneficial due to the fact that the roof sends the energy back out rather than absorbing it, which would result in the building getting really hot.
However, the modified bitumen flat roofing might not be the best option for you if there’s a lot of foot traffic on your building’s roofing in Dallas, TX, since the material is not particularly resistant to abrasions. If you were to get it installed by roofers in Dallas, TX and there was a lot of walking on the roof, it would start to show signs of deterioration much faster than other flat roofing options.
2. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl Chloride roofing systems have a lot of positive properties that make it an ideal option for flat roofs. PVC roofs are highly durable, lack in water permeability and are highly reflective too. This type of roof is not seamless which may be the cause of a few complications but nonetheless, the lack in water permeability make it a good option for areas where it rains more due to the fact that PVC roofs can resist standing water, given that the seams are properly installed.
As mentioned before, the seams of the PVC roofs are definitely the main disadvantage of it. Similar to modified bitumen roofing systems, PVC roofs are also installed in rolls that must be adhered on to each other, as well as to the roof. Water leakage is common in PVC roofs where the seams are not effectively taped or properly installed.
3. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is another kind of single-ply flat roofing membrane that is made out of a flexible rubber material. The high strength and advanced flexibility that EPDM offers is what makes it such a popular choice among building owners. The superior flexibility allows it to easily contour to any shaped roof, regardless of how unusual. This makes it incredibly easy for roofers in Dallas, TX to install it.
Quite popular for its durability, EPDM flat roofing in Dallas, TX can still become quite a burden for facility managers due to their seam system. Similar to other flat roofs such as the modified bitumen and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), EPDM roofing systems have seams that have to be stuck to one another. The bonds on these seams are vulnerable and often fail, resulting in leaks and failures.
4. Spray Applied Coatings
There is a variety of spray applied coatings in general, such as silicone, polyurea, aluminum, acrylic, etc. Each specific spray applied coating will have a different set of strengths and weaknesses. However, there are some basic advantages of spray applied coatings that pertain to all kinds of spray coatings.
The key advantage is that spray applied coatings are seamless since they are spray applied and don’t need a blend of materials to change the entire roof. Seamless roofing in Dallas, TX, is one of the key components of having a durable and reliable roofing system, because seamless roofs have no leakages, as long as the installation is done correctly. Spray applied coatings are absolutely waterproof, granted that they are prepared and applied accurately by professionals.
Most spray applied coatings are impermeable and totally resistant to standing water on roofs, unlike roofing in Dallas, TX, with seams that may not give in to the standing water at first, but sooner or later, roof systems with seams always succumb to it.
The one main disadvantage of spray applied coatings is the high price tag that it carries. Of course, so many advantages cannot come cheap. Although the cost of the material is relatively higher, the installation costs are a lot less than those of normal roofing in Dallas, TX.
However, due to the fact that you will not need to tear out the entire existing roofing system, spray applied coatings have a much lower cost in total comparatively. The installation is a lot easier too.
5. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)
Among all the various kinds of commercial roofing in Dallas, TX, that building owners can install in their buildings, the one that stands out the most is the spray polyurethane foam. While the SPF roofing has a plethora of advantages, it’s worth mentioning that there are only a select few drawbacks of it too.
A mixture of specially formulated chemicals is prepared in a special kind of spray gun, after which the material is applied directly onto the surface of the roofing in Dallas, TX. The mixture, which is initially liquid, turns to foam almost instantly as it is applied to the roof. If not done carefully, the surface of the roof might be uneven from some places.
The application of SPF roofing is extremely simple for professional roofers in Dallas, TX. However, it is not recommended that you attempt to do so yourself, but instead hire a professional to do so for you. The complicated procedure of creating a mixture with formulated chemicals needs to be done efficiently. Moreover, this is the best choice for flat commercial roofing in Dallas, TX due to the durability and the plethora of benefits that you get with it.
If you are interested in installing new commercial roofing in Dallas, TX, into your building, then contact Anderson Industrial Roofing to get the best professional commercial roofers in Dallas, TX.