Most people don’t understand how complicated commercial roofing can be. Unlike residential roofing, commercial roofing involves many more complexities to ensure a commercial property is well protected against elements such as rain, snow, and strong winds. Each property requires a roofing company in West Hartford, CT, to approach every commercial roofing project differently. 

Most roofing companies deal with low-slope roofs, and below are some of the most common types of roofing systems they have. Each has its unique properties, advantages, and disadvantages. So if you’re a commercial property owner looking to reroof your building, check out the roofing systems below.

1. Single-Ply Roofing

Single-ply roofing is one of the most common commercial roofing systems today. They’re manufactured off-site, and the ingredients and materials are incorporated into rolls. Released in 1985, it’s still one of the most sought-after roofing systems because of its properties and benefits.

Benefits

• Proven track record throughout the years
• Customers can choose their preferred insulation materials
• Reflective/Retentive 
• Easy to install
• Lightweight and flexible

Drawbacks

• Installation around penetrations (HVAC units, vents, etc.) requires a unique approach
• Seams are vulnerable to leaks
• It can be easily punctured
• UV rays can degrade it quickly

There are two main types of single-ply roofing, mainly:

Thermoset Roofing. This type of single-ply roofing incorporates chemically-linked polymers. Once applied by a roofing company in West Hartford, CT, on commercial roofs, it’ll quickly turn rigid. It is often referred to as EPDM roofing because it uses a synthetic rubber material called ethylene propylene diene monomer. Thermoset or EPDM roofing is durable, cheap, and fire and weather-resistant. It can last between 15 to 20 years.

Thermoplastic Roofing. This versatile roofing system hardens when cooled and softens when heated. Thermoplastic roofing is available in two different types based on the material it’s made from. First is TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), which is strong, durable, and energy efficient. The second is PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which can handle a fair amount of weight and is slightly more expensive than TPO.

Roofing companies in West Hartford, CT, recognize that both subtypes of single-ply roofing are suitable for commercial applications. TPO and PVC roofing are impact and chemical-resistant, and they can last for about 20 or more years.

2. Built-Up Roofing (BUR)

Commonly referred to by roofing companies in West Hartford, CT, as BUR, built-up roofing is an old yet very effective roofing system that is still utilized to this day. A BUR roof involves the application of tar and gravel for protection and using multiple layers of reinforcing fabrics. This method is slow, hot, and labor-intensive. Even with such downsides, many commercial property owners still choose BUR roofing because of its affordability and the ability to put redundant layers of protection as needed.

Benefits

• Impact resistant
• UV resistant
• Not dependent on the weather
• Low-maintenance
• Easy to repair

Drawbacks

• Difficult to spot leaks
• Weight
• Lifespan (20 to 30 years)
• Difficult to install
• Installing hot tar and gravel produces toxic fumes

3. Modified Bitumen Roofing

This commercial roofing system is similar to BUR roofing but with extra steps. It is designed to be the better version of BUR roofing that can withstand the harshness of extreme weather conditions. Roofing companies in West Hartford, CT, create this type of roofing system by combining five different layers of roofing materials, like:

• Insulation
• Plies
• Modified Bitumen Membranes
• Adhesives
• Surfacing

Roofing companies in West Hartford, CT, recognize modified bitumen roofing as one of the most trusted roofing systems for flat roofs today.

Benefits 

• Performs well in cold weather
• Self-adhering
• Has low VOC (volatile organic compounds) levels
• Recyclable 
• Energy-efficient 

Drawbacks

• Slightly expensive 
• Can be vulnerable to UV damage
• Leaks are hard to detect
• It only lasts for around 20 years or so
• Smells strongly during installation

The Best Roofing Company in West Hartford, CT’s Thoughts on Low-Slope Commercial Roofing

The three most common types of low-slope commercial roofing systems mentioned above emphasize how complex commercial roofing can be. Luckily for you, expert roofing companies like the Roofing Contractor of West Hartford are experts on all things commercial roofing. We can help you inspect, repair, install, and maintain your commercial roofs and make them perform as intended. 

Roofing Contractor of West Hartford

30 Lilley Rd, West Hartford, CT 06119

Phone: +18606063905