Superior Commercial Roofs

How a Metal Roof Can Withstand Rust Over Time – Advice from an Atlanta Roofer

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Metal is one of the most used materials for covering roofs, and the roof represents an essential element of any building, as it defines and completes it, but also provides protection from the elements.

A metal roof can last more than 50 years, preserving its structure, shape and beautiful aesthetic appearance, if the recommendations on proper installation, exploitation and maintenance are taken into account.  Avoiding rust is one of the main purposes of these recommendations, since rust is the biggest enemy of metal.

A metal roof can withstand rust over time if it is carefully and periodically cleaned by leading metal roofing Atlanta specialists, Unnecessary traffic must be avoided, to prevent scratches on the protective coat of paint. If, however, the damage has been done, the paint layer must be restored as quickly as possible, before water and moisture begin the corrosive process.

These are not operations to do on your own. It may not seem like a big deal to add a new layer of paint on some areas of your roof, but nothing is as simple as it seems, when it comes to a roof, and the risks of doing more harm than good, if you are not a roofing specialist, are very high and not worth assuming them.

 

What Does Commercial Metal Roofing Maintenance Involve?

Commercial metal roofing is a new trend in the roofing industry that has recently flowered across most Western countries. There are many advantages to commercial metal roofing, which is why residents usually choose this option over others. However, in order to benefit from this type of roofing, one requires their local metal roofing company to provide appropriate and easy solutions regarding roofing maintenance. A well maintained metal roof will last considerably longer, cost you less in repairs in the long term, and it will also simply look better overall – and, with commercial buildings, looks are often just as important as practicality.

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So what maintenance does a commercial metal roof typically need?

  • Regular inspections for damage
  • Regular checkups to detect corrosion and penetration point areas
  • Checking for leaks and water damage
  • Cleaning off the metal panels and removing debris from drains and gutters
  • Fixing loose panel seams and damaged flashing
  • Repairing small scratches and rusted areas
  • Trimming branches near the roof to prevent scratches or even more severe damage

These are just a few of the maintenance tasks that can be done to prolong the life and aesthetics of a commercial metal roof. A skilled metal roofing Atlanta contractor can tackle all these tasks and put together a maintenance plan for your roofing system.

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.

 

4 Reasons a Metal Roof Might be the Best Choice for Your Building

metal roofing Atlanta

Metal roofing can be the best choice for mostly any building, for several good reasons. Here are 4 of them:

  1. You get the best protection for your employees, your equipment and ultimately your investment. It is obvious that fire damage or a leak in your roof can wreak havoc on your entire building. At the same time, metal roofs can withstand harsh weather.
  2. You can choose mostly any kind of color for your commercial roofing system, no matter if you prefer vivid colors or earth tones. Many metal roof manufacturers usually pair up with well-reputed paint companies, which typically develop paint systems especially created for metal panels.
  3. You can get a recyclable, environmentally-friendly roof. Thus, metal pieces can be reused and many panels are, in fact, made from recycled materials. This can be the case for aluminum. In this respect, almost 95% of the aluminum roofing systems are made of recycled materials.
  4. You want to avoid ever having to repair or replace your roof. We cannot deny the fact that metal roofs imply a bigger initial investment. However, leading metal roofing Atlanta contractors assure that because they may not need replacement for more than 50 years, they certainly are more cost-efficient on the long term.

3 Issues to Avoid When Installing Commercial Metal Roofs

metal roofing Atlanta

Commercial metal roofs are considerably less popular than residential metal roofing. However, even though EPDM, TPO, bitumen and other types of flat roofing systems have the spotlight for the time being, metal is one of the best and arguably the most durable type of roof used for commercial buildings.

If you want your metal roof to last for half a century as it’s supposed to, you’ll have to consider its most important installation requirements and long term care considerations. Here are some of the most basic ones to remember:

1. Don’t underestimate the importance of proper coating. Many types of metal will rust when exposed to rain, and the coating you choose will prevent that from happening.
2. Make sure the roof is properly fastened. Some metal panels are quite light, and they can be dislodged by strong winds if they are not properly fastened. Talk to a trusted metal roofing Atlanta contractor about this and make sure they give you all the right information.
3. Talk to your roofers about the specific long term maintenance solutions you’ll need to take into consideration. Metal might be low-maintenance but it still requires some care. If you don’t want to deal with it, ask your roofers about their long term maintenance plan and how much it would cost.