Are you a commercial building owner who needs flat roof installation and repair services? A well-built, durable flat roof can add years to the lifespan of your building while saving on energy costs and upkeep. However, choosing the right materials for your flat roofing project can be overwhelming, with many options available. To help make things easier for you, this blog post will highlight the four best materials for constructing a flat roof that fits within an average budget.
How To Choose the Best Flat Roofing Materials for Your Budget
Choosing suitable flat roofing materials for your budget can be difficult, particularly if you want to stick to specific financial constraints. You should always consider both the cost of the material and its lifespan when making a decision. Investing a bit more upfront can save you money in the long run. Other factors to consider include how easy each material is to repair, its resistance to aging and weathering, and local building requirements. It’s important to do your research to make an informed decision on which materials best fit your budget and purpose.
To give you a possible ballpark figure, it usually costs between $14.00-17.00 per square foot for smaller membrane flat roofs and around $17.50-19.00 for larger commercial roofs. The cost might go lower or high depending on your roof size, insulation, and labor costs.
Here is a quick overview of the four best flat roof materials for an average budget:
EPDM Membrane Roof
EPDM membranes are popular for commercial flat roofs due to their low cost, fast installation, and long-term durability. They can withstand fluctuations in temperature and ultraviolet rays, resulting in improved energy efficiency. Installation methods include ballasted, mechanically attached, and fully adhered. Advanced EPDM is combined with polyester fleece backing for increased puncture and tear resistance and improved performance over time. Its warranted lifespan has reached 30 years and its expected lifespan has reached 50 years.
Metal Roof
Metal commercial roofs are an effective and attractive choice for commercial buildings, both on pitched and flat roofs. They are one of the most environmentally-friendly options as many metal roofing materials contain up to 60% recycled content, which can be 100% recyclable. In addition, scrap metal from old roofs can be sold off to recover some of the original material costs. Metal commercial roofs can also resist fire, strong winds, hail, and other extreme weather conditions, with a long lifespan of up to 50 years when properly maintained.
TPO Roofing
TPO roofing is a popular commercial roofing material consisting of three layers: a TPO polymer base, a polyester reinforcement scrim middle layer, and a TPO polymer top ply. It typically comes in three standard thicknesses (45 mils, 60 mils, and 80 mils), with most colors being white.
It makes it reflective and cool, reducing the building’s heat island effect and solar heat gain. It can be fully adhered, mechanically fastened, or ballasted and has high seam strength compared to other commercial roofing materials, making it an ideal choice for commercial flat roofing. TPO commercial roofs also provide excellent resistance to puncture, tearing, and fungicide. Commercial property owners get a warranty of up to 20 years with TPO commercial roofs.
PVC Roofing
PVC roofing, or vinyl roofing, is a membrane made from Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is heat-welded and formed into a watertight bond. It is reinforced with fiberglass non-woven mats or polyester woven scrims, making it highly durable and flexible. PVC roofs provide an energy-efficient option due to their light coloring. They maintain flexibility over their lifespan by having a larger reservoir of plasticizer than other commercial flat roofs. PVC can be used in waterproofing applications for flat roofs. They typically come with a warranty of up to 25 years.
No matter which material you choose for your commercial flat roof project, always consult an experienced professional who can help guide you through selecting the right materials that match your budget and needs. With the right commercial roofing contractor, your flat roof will be as strong and durable as possible!
Need help selecting the perfect material for your flat roof?
Contact Eskola Roofing Contractors today for commercial roofing consultation and installation services! We are commercial flat roofing experts and have been serving the commercial industry in the area since 1985. Let us help you make an informed decision regarding commercial roofing options.
