Commercial Roofing Options for Small Commercial Properties Home Decoration Home Improvement by Carol Tedrick - May 11, 2016May 12, 2016 Commercial Roofing Options for Small Commercial Properties Do you have new commercial property in need of a new roof? Having a roof that provides maximum performance at a minimum level of maintenance is essential when it comes to getting the most out of your investment. This is why we have come up with four popular commercial roofing options for small businesses. Image – www.bigstockphoto.com Flat Roofs Flat roofs are roofs that have a very low pitch (it’s not completely flat as most people think) and are sometimes called low slope roofing. Flat roofs are either made of concrete, EPDM, or rubber membrane. Flat roofing is one of the most popular commercial roofing options available because flat roofs are so versatile and easy to access; AC units or vents can be mounted atop flat roofs, and this type of roof can be expanded into a second level without requiring too much modification. People working on the roof always have even footing, so slips and falls are highly unlikely. Shingles Made of asphalt or fiberglass, shingle roofing is a popular roofing option in both residential and commercial property applications featuring sloped or peaked roof designs. Available in various colors and styles, shingle roofing can complement almost any building style. This makes it perfect for small stores or restaurants that prefer a more traditional feel. Shingle roofs are energy efficient, immune to rust, and are easy to repair; roof maintenance experts won’t have any trouble replacing a cracked or missing shingle. Image – www.bigstockphoto.com Slate Slate is well known for being a high-end roofing material, boasting good looks with almost unmatched durability. Unfortunately, the weight issues and high initial price has always kept them from being an ideal roofing option for most small business owners. However, advances in slate roof manufacturing have led to the development of more cost-effective options such as TruSlate, a lighter (but still durable) variant designed for modern properties. Having a slate roof on your commercial property is now a more viable option! Metal Another roofing material well known for its durability, metal roofs can easily withstand impacts that could easily have caused cracks on other roofing options despite its incredibly light weight. Metal roofs are available as smooth or corrugated panels, or even in designs that mimic the appearance of more expensive traditional roofing such as brick tile. Like slate roofing, manufacturing processes were developed to help create metal roofs designed for modern business owners; this means less moisture damage and lower overall maintenance without sacrificing lifespan and energy efficiency. Image – www.bigstockphoto.com While these roof options are all good choices, picking the one that would give you the most value can help you save a lot in the long run. Just as in residential roofing, picking the right roof greatly relies on how much you know about your property’s roofing needs. You can’t just copy an existing commercial property’s roof and expect to get the same results. Your trusted roofing professional can let you know which option or options might be best for your small commercial building. About the Author: Carol Tedricks specializes in innovations in roofing replacement, and currently works at Tedricks Roofing, a leading company owned by her family. She frequently shares her insights on roof replacements through blog posts – guiding customers with her many years’ worth of knowledge and experience.