Superior Commercial Roofs

Tips to Choose the Best Commercial Roof for Your Building in Atlanta

EPDM roofing Atlanta

The humid subtropical climate of Atlanta comes with four distinct seasons and lots of precipitation the year around. These special climate conditions expose local roofs to special conditions and challenges, which also means that the materials used on local roofs need particular qualities. Here are some of the most common choices for commercial roofs in the city:

  • Metal – available in a variety of alloy versions, the metal sheets and panels used for making flat roofs are popular due their affordability, easy installation and low maintenance needs. Metal roofs are also very durable, giving the commercial facilities they are installed on adequate protection for around 30-40 years.
  • Membranes – Economical EPDM roofing Atlanta contractors confirm that membrane solutions are popular due to their resistance to puncture, easy installation and and durability. TPO and EPDM are the two most common examples of membrane roofing materials.  TPO roofs usually come in white, grey and tan, which ensures superior heat reflectivity, while EPDM comes in black, which absorbs heat.
  • Built-up roofs – one of the most traditional solutions used on flat roofs, these structures consist of alternated layers of asphalt sheets and some kind of aggregate, such as mineral granules. The solution is popular due to the low costs and low maintenance needs.

Essential Concerns to Bring Up with Your Atlanta Commercial Roofer

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If you are in charge of a commercial building in Atlanta, having the number of a local Atlanta commercial roofing contractor on speed dial is very important. If you have recently started your activity as the building’s manager, it is even more important to arrange for a meeting with your Atlanta commercial roofer to discuss your concerns. Here are some topics that you might want to bring up:

  • The condition of your roof – ideally, your commercial roof should be inspected by a professional twice a year, in spring and in fall, to ensure the continued good performance of your roof. These inspection and maintenance visits are usually very affordable and most commercial roofers also offer maintenance programs that you can enroll your roof into, so if your roof is not yet enrolled into such a program, discuss the option with your contractor.
  • Upcoming roof repairs – knowing what is next is always important if you are a building manager, so another important topic to discuss with your roofer is whether there are any important repairs that should be completed soon.
  • The life span of your roof – having an idea about how long you can expect your roof to stay on your building without being affected by major problems is another important issue. Your contractor will provide an evaluation of your roof based on the roof’s age as well as its condition.

 

Is Flat Roofing the Only Type of Roofing You Should Use for Your Atlanta Building?

Superior Commercial Roofing & Contracting

While flat roofing is the most common type of roofing used on commercial buildings, preferred for its capability to support food traffic as well as for providing extra space for your commercial facility to install features like outdoor AC units, flat structures are not your only option. Highly regarded Atlanta contractors at Superior Commercial Roofing & Contracting confirm that there are some other roof types to choose for your commercial facility in Atlanta:

  • Sloping roofs – the types of roofs that you can mostly see on residential buildings, the ones that consist of either one slope meeting a wall at the top or consisting of two or more slopes that meet at their highest points, can be used on commercial facilities as well. The option will give you the benefit of creating an attic-like space underneath the roof, suitable for creating offices or for storing archives. Getting a sloping roof for your building can also come for your facility an appearance that makes it similar to residential buildings.
  • Arched roofs – this type of roofing structure is very popular for warehouses and for other applications that need extra height. Arched structures can take special forms that allow for opening the roof as well and they can be constructed partially from glass or from plexiglass to let even more light in.

Metal Roofing vs. TPO Roofing – Which Is Best for Atlanta?

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When it comes to the materials used for constructing commercial roofing in Atlanta, metal and TPO are the two most popular options. Here are some features that you should know about before choosing one of the two options over the other:

  • Roof life – according to manufacturers and to the studies performed by independent research groups, metal and TPO roofing materials differ considerably in terms of service life. High-end metal roofing Atlanta contractors confirm that structures built from zinc-coated aluminum can last for around six decades, however, the warranted service life of TPO membranes is usually around 25 years.
  • Wind resistance – TPO roofs being constructed from membranes that are fastened very tightly to the decking, they are considered to be stronger when exposed to high winds than metal roofs, especially when compared to standing seam metal roofs that more readily allow wind gusts to reach underneath.
  • Snow load – TPO roofs might have a hard time when exposed very thick layers of snow, metal being a better option for areas that get heavy snowing.
  • Maintenance needs – metal and TPO are both considered to be low maintenance materials. They both need to be regularly cleaned and inspected by a professional, but in most cases those maintenance visits will not reveal any major fault that needs expensive repairs.

 

How Long Do You Have to Wait Until Your New Rubber Roof Is Installed?

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Although the exact amount of time it takes for a new roof to be installed depends on certain factors, 1 to 3 days is the general average time for rubber roof installation.

Among the several factors which influence the time it takes to install your rubber roof we could mention the size of your building, the weather conditions during that time and the degree of professionalism and experience of the flat roofing Atlanta team that you decide to work with.

If the team you hire has a lot of experience working with rubber roofs, then the job can be finished even faster. This type of roofing certainly is easier to install than architectural styled roofing systems. Flat roofs require fewer materials than sloped roofs. Because they usually hold water, these roofs require proper drainage systems.

Rubber roofs have fire resistance and they are installed with fewer seams. Roofers typically lay down the rubber membrane in big sections. Because of the size of the rubber membrane, the costs and time of installation are greatly reduced.

Despite the fact that it seems easy to install, rubber roofing should be dealt with by professional roofers, to make sure it lasts for a long time and that the work is done safely.

What are the Benefits of Having a TPO Roof on Your Commercial Building?

TPO roofing Atlanta

TPO roofing was introduced about 30 years ago and it represents a very good alternative to PVC roofing materials. This single-ply roofing membrane is made of rubber-ethylene-propylene and polypropylene per se. TPO is the commonly-used abbreviation for this kind of material.

Having this type of roof for your commercial building has many impressive advantages. First of all, it is very cost efficient. In fact, it costs much less than EPDM or other commercial roofing products.

Second of all, it is very easy to install. It is lightweight and therefore it can be installed in various ways, as compared to other heavier products. At the same time, it is very efficient from the point of view of energy consumption. Eco-friendly TPO roofing Atlanta companies tell us a TPO roof can be completely recycled and it is the perfect choice for companies which are interested in greener approaches.

And last but not least, a TPO roofing system lasts for a very long time. Thus, under most circumstances, these systems last from 20 to 30 years. At any rate, the advantages of a TPO roofing system are the reasons behind its popularity in many regions all throughout the USA, and in other countries as well.