Category Archives: Commercial/Industrial Roofing

Learn More about the 4 Main Types of Commercial Building Roof Designs

Do you cringe every time the weather forecaster predicts rain because you know you will have to deal with leaks inside your commercial building? Not only is it annoying to place buckets to catch the water, but it also poses a safety risk if water falls on the floor and a worker slips and falls. Now you’re liable for a worker’s compensation suit, and that bit of water inside your building is to blame.

You deserve a worry-free roof, and we can ensure that happens with services from Heidler Roofing. We’ll examine your commercial building roof design and suggest the best material for your roof. We can help with the four primary types of commercial roofing: asphalt-based systems, single-ply roofing, specialty roofing, and roof coatings.

For over 60 years, building owners like you in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States have trusted us with all their roofing needs. Get started today by scheduling your roofing estimate and be on your way to a leak-free and worry-free roof!

1. Asphalt-Based Roofing

The first primary type of commercial roofing material is asphalt-based roofing. The materials most often used in this category include built-up roofing (BUR) and modified bitumen roofing (MB). Both offer superior protection, a water-tight seal, and incredible durability.

Regarding commercial building roof designs, BUR and MB roofing are constructed in layers, known as plies. The plies in BUR commercial roofing systems alternate with asphalt-based materials, like tar or bitumen. It is then topped with aggregates, like stone, or a roof coating. MB systems are a cousin of BUR. They are also constructed in layers of asphalt-based materials, but instead of aggregates, this material is held together with polymerized rubber or plastic. It is reinforced with fiberglass or polyester for strength.

2. Single-Ply Roofing

The second main category of roof designs for commercial buildings is single-ply roofing. Single-ply roofing consists of thermoplastic materials, such as thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A third type, called ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), is a thermoset material.

The best types of commercial roofing for your building largely depend on the business conducted inside, the commercial flat roof design, and your location’s climate. You need a professional roofing contractor, like Heidler Roofing, to advise you on the best material for your specific circumstance.

TPO & PVC Roof Membranes

A TPO roof is a single-ply membrane material. It provides excellent energy efficiency and it is slow to melt things like ice and snow, which can be a hazard during winter.

A PVC roof offers durability, waterproofness, and fire resistance. It is also generally better for buildings that emit grease, such as food production operations or restaurants. This material resists oils and fats that may be exhausting on your rooftop.

EPDM Roof

The most popular thermoset material for commercial building roof designs is EPDM. This roofing option has been used for over 50 years and remains quite popular among commercial roofing systems. It’s an excellent option for some buildings to restore the roof to leak-free condition.

This material is typically black, which looks absorbs heat from the sun, potentially increasing your cooling costs in the summer, but reducing your heating costs in the winter. It’s also available in white, which may help with some energy efficiency.

3. Specialty Roofing

St. Patrick’s Church in Carlisle, PA, is being restored by Heidler Roofing.

The third type of roofing we primarily work on here at Heidler Roofing is specialty roofing. This type of roofing includes everything from steep slope roofing, green roofs, roofs of historical buildings, metal, copper, cedar, and slate roofing. These roofing systems vary based on the building itself, its needs, and future uses.

You will often find steep slopes on church steeples and historical buildings at angles typically greater than 43 degrees. The roofs of historical buildings require great care from experienced contractors like us here at Heidler Roofing. We use historically faithful restoration methods, authentic materials, and skilled craftsmanship to preserve or restore the original architecture of your building.

Green roofs are found on flat roofs and consist of live vegetation. The disadvantage of commercial building roof designs based around gardens is that you would need to pay someone to regularly tend to it, including watering during dry spells and pulling weeds.  It can also be more costly if leak repair is needed.

Other roofing materials, such as metal, copper, slate, and cedar, are rising in popularity. Many of these roofing types are lightweight, durable, and can help with energy efficiency. They also look beautiful on diverse kinds of buildings—from warehouses to courthouses.

4. Roof Coatings

The fourth and final type of roof design for commercial buildings includes roof coatings. If you’re experiencing frequent leaks, a roof coating may be a viable alternative instead of a complete roof replacement. We have experience in several different roof coatings, including acrylic, silicone, polyurethane, and butyl. Each roof coating has its distinct advantages and disadvantages, so let Heidler help you choose which one is best for your situation.

Need Help Deciding on the Commercial Building Roof Design Best for You?

No matter what type of commercial roofing you currently have on your building, you need expert help in determining the best course of action for you. With the experienced and knowledgeable roofing contractors at Heidler Roofing, you can depend on us to recommend the best commercial building roof design.

Get in touch with us today to experience the Heidler difference and take advantage of our skilled craftsman and legendary service. We only use the best materials on the market to restore your roof to leak-free condition. End the frustration and dread of the rain and snow! Schedule your roofing estimate today!



How Do I Know Which Industrial Roofing Types of Materials are Best for My Business?

Busy business owners in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States know one thing for sure—they don’t want to worry about their roof doing its job properly. Keeping out the elements and providing energy efficiency are the most important aspects of a quality industrial roof. So, when you experience a leak or notice mold growth in a particular part of your facility, you instantly panic because you don’t know enough about your commercial roof to understand how to fix it.

That’s where Heidler Roofing comes in. When you sign up for roofing services with us, we’ll offer you the best advice on various industrial roofing types of materials—for a complete roof replacement, a roof repair, or a coating for your roof.

We have been experts in numerous types of commercial roofing for over 60 years. We have the knowledge, experience, and work ethic to get your roof performing at its best for years to come. Get started today by scheduling your roofing estimate!

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What Should I Look for When Requesting a Commercial Roofing Estimate?

Whether your roofing system has reached the end of its service life, sustained damage from a bad storm, or has ponding water that lasts for days after rain, you know that commercial roof replacement or repair is inevitable. As you search for a commercial roofing contractor that works on flat, low-slope, or specialty roofing materials, you may wonder what you need to look for in a roofing estimate and how the whole process works.

Today’s blog post will help you learn more about what to expect from roofing companies who offer you estimates, so you can have the peace of mind you deserve that you are selecting the right contractor for the job. After all, a roof protects your business from the elements and helps with your building’s energy efficiency. You want to ensure that you understand every component of the roofing job, starting with the estimate.

We’ve helped businesses like yours for over 60 years at Heidler Roofing. We know what it takes to repair, restore, or replace your commercial or specialty roof and have the skilled craftsman to do it. You can count on us for reliable and reasonable roofing estimates for your business. Get started today by scheduling your roof replacement or repair estimate.

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What You Need to Know About the 6 Most Common Types of Commercial Roofs

If your current commercial roof is leaking, or you’re constructing a new building and wondering about the best type of roof for you, you’ve come to the right place! Commercial roofs come in many forms, each built according to the building’s needs and the owner’s budget. Your commercial property’s roof plays an integral role in the overall health of the building and the roof’s longevity.

For over 60 years, Heidler Roofing has helped building owners just like you in the mid-Atlantic region install, repair, and maintain their commercial roofing materials. We understand the importance of a quality roof over your place of business that protects you from things like mold, leaks, and lost energy. We’ll help you determine the best commercial roofing system for your business and budget, allowing you to enjoy years of protection.

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The Ultimate Guide to Commercial Roofing

If you own or manage a commercial building – a retail outlet, restaurant, distribution center/warehouse, or even a light manufacturing facility – you are also responsible for a commercial roofing system. This important structure may not always be top of mind, however.

When commercial roofs are performing as they should and protecting your business from extreme weather and the elements, they don’t typically command much attention from a building’s occupants, but unfortunately, your roof could have problems you don’t know about. Preventative maintenance (including regular, thorough inspections) is the answer to keeping your commercial roof from becoming a major frustration for your business operations.

Here at Heidler Roofing, we’re dedicated to installing the best commercial roofing systems, as well as keeping all types of commercial roofs protected over time so your business can thrive. We’re the most capable professional roofing contractor in the Mid-Atlantic region, and we want you to think of our name whenever you think of your flat or low-sloped commercial roof, whether your building is located in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, or Washington, D.C.

For that reason, we’re starting a new post series here on the blog to show you everything you need to know about commercial roofing, from what types of roofing systems are best to how you can begin a career in the industry yourself. We invite you to stop back often to browse our newest post chapters as we roll them out in the coming months.

To begin, we’re diving into a few frequently asked questions about commercial roofing.

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Answers to Your Top Questions about Energy Efficient and Eco-Friendly Commercial Roofing

Have questions about the energy efficiency of various commercial roofing options? Or wondering whether there are eco-friendly choices available to improve your building’s roof? You’re certainly not alone!

Here at Heidler Roofing, our customers seek our expertise on ways to cut regular business costs by installing better-performing and “greener” roof materials on both new and existing commercial and industrial buildings. There are many ways to create a roof that works for your building (especially if it has a flat or low-sloped roof) – and the environment – instead of against it.

Let’s answer some of the questions we’re asked most often about efficiency performance and eco-friendliness of various materials and systems. Continue reading



Top 24 Commercial Roofing Terms Explained

It’s true that the commercial roofing industry uses a lot of technical terminology that our customers probably are not familiar with. And we never want you to feel confused by specific terms we may mention as we give inspection reports or talk with you about problems on your commercial building’s roof.

That’s why we’re taking this opportunity to define 24 terms that we often use, but also commonly receive questions about here at Heidler Roofing.

Many have to do with various roofing materials. Some are simply abbreviations we use or words you’ve heard before, but that have different meanings in our industry lingo. Let’s take a closer look. Continue reading



How Commercial Roof Inspections Help with Preventative Maintenance

As a commercial building owner or property manager, you’re probably very familiar with the concept of preventative maintenance for various systems in your building. Did you know that your building’s roof should also be regularly maintained to prevent problems and help keep leaks from forming?

Even if your building is new and you’re not having issues today, you can protect the health of your roof in the future by beginning a regular, customized maintenance routine with an expert commercial roofing service contractor like us here at Heidler Roofing.

What can these professionals do for your roof that others can’t?

The answer is roof inspections. The preventative maintenance program for your commercial building’s roof needs to include a thorough and comprehensive inspection process that puts actual roofers onto your roof to look around for current issues and document conditions that may cause problems later. With regular inspections, you can safeguard your commercial roof’s integrity year after year. And when it’s getting to be time for repairs or replacement, you will have advance warning and be able to better budget and plan ahead. Continue reading