Flat roofs can be constructed on commercial buildings for many reasons. A flat roof is extremely cost-effective due to its economic value. Commercial buildings frequently require electrical and mechanical equipment to heat and cool their units.
A flat roof is a perfect place for these large units. Flat Roof Contractors are very helpful in repairing, especially if the building is a high-rise.
Built-up Roofing (BUR).
A flat roof on a commercial building is likely to have been covered with built-up roofing. This is the classic "hot tar-and-gravel" design. This roofing type is called "built-up" because of the amount of bitumen (asphalt, or coal tar) that was used to make the roof.
The framing structure contains layers of waterproofing and moisture barriers that are laid in a crisscross pattern. The materials were traditionally tar paper but fiberglass sheets have become more popular in recent years.
The excessive weight of the materials means that a solid structure is required to construct it. Additionally, gravel can become loose over time and clog drains and gutters. This makes it difficult to find leaks. BUR roofing can be repaired in small areas, which saves time and money.
Single-Ply Roofing
Single Ply roofing has a distinct advantage over BUR roofing in that it only uses one layer to build the roof. This is done using a membrane made from rubber materials. It can be as thin as.045 to.090 in. Membrane roofs have a long life span and are highly water-resistant.
They come in several varieties, but most are made from synthetic rubber (EPDM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin). The Single Ply roofing is much easier than BUR roofing because it doesn't require separate waterproofing layers.
The Single Ply can be applied directly to the roof frame. Additional insulation can be added to the membrane for a greener and more efficient roof. To prevent leakage, the last step in the installation is to bond the membrane seams together. The membranes are chemically or melt-bonded together.
