Are you confident that your business has the best roof possible? Are you sure it will hold up through the next big storm? The next sudden drop in temperature? With a new roof made from the best commercial roof materials on the market, you can enjoy a business experience without those kinds of worries.

No two businesses are the same, which is why we have so many options to choose from for commercial roofing systems. Here in the Mid Atlantic, we know how quickly the weather can change for you. This unpredictable weather is why businesses here need roofing that can withstand the sudden changes between hot and cold, wet and dry. If you feel it’s time to upgrade to a new roof for your commercial property, come to Heidler Roofing and start the discussion with a fast and easy quote!

How to Choose the Right Commercial Roof Materials

When looking for a new roof for your commercial roofing, you should carefully consider your commercial property’s needs. From energy efficiency to foot traffic to the environment, you should think about what your commercial roof materials need to withstand throughout the many years of their lifetime.

How sloped is your roof? Low slope roofs (also known as “flat roofs”) are the most common form for commercial properties and can open up your options. Maintenance and installation can be more difficult if your roof is shaped a certain way. When choosing a commercial roofing system, you must note what each material provides and how it will meet your needs.

Built-Up Roofing

Built-up roofing, or BUR, is a standard type of commercial roofing that can be compared to asphalt shingles. These types of roofing are very durable thanks to the bitumen (asphalt) layers and reinforced fiberglass fabric. These form ‘plies’ that are typically layered over each other.

Multiple layers of BUR ply can be highly durable, especially when covered with a final layer of gravel that provides UV protection. While a single ply is often enough, multiple layers offer more security and a longer lifespan. Additionally, built-up roofs are more than capable of standing up to heavy foot traffic.

PVC Roofing

Poly Vinyl Chloride – PVC – is an incredibly versatile commercial roof material. Because this material is a synthetic resin, it is particularly resistant to bacteria, mold, and algae, which are all common concerns in roofing materials. PVC is strong enough to manage high foot traffic and other stresses. The durability and resistance are marked benefits of PVC.

An additional benefit for those who choose a PVC roof is the cost-effective installation, thanks to simpler methods requiring less labor. This system is usually installed in sheets, laid down, and set in place mechanically or with adhesive. PVC also benefits energy efficiency, thanks to the white finish that reflects UV rays.

TPO Roofing

Thermoplastic Polyolefin roofing is an excellent alternative to PVC, which has many of the same benefits. Both PVC and TPO are synthetic commercial roof materials that provide high durability for lower costs and simple installation. Both are single-ply membrane systems that reflect the sun’s rays.

TPO roofs are relatively new and have many different formulations, while PVC has been on the market for more than 50 years and is more established as a material. TPO sheets are also stiffer, making them more challenging to install. This property means more risk of roof leaks and damage to the underlying structure. If you have a simpler roof design and desire a lower-cost option, TPO is a good alternative to PVC.

EPDM Roofing

Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer – EPDM for much shorter – is an excellent option for the right roof and commercial building. EPDM rubber roofing is low-cost, long-lasting, and can be given a white finish as an energy-efficient option. However, there are some downsides.

Installation costs can be higher because an EPDM roofing membrane is more flexible, leading to punctures and tears if not correctly installed. Without reinforcement, EPDM roof coatings are subject to shrinkage and ‘bridging’ at the end of their life when they begin to tighten across the roofing substrate. In the hands of a good roofing contractor, EPDM roofing material is one of the strongest and longest-lasting—but only when handled well.

Modified Bitumen Roofing

Modified bitumen is a close relative of BUR roofing. Both use asphalt as a binder and base for other materials, but where BUR uses layers of fiberglass, Mod Bit roofing systems use synthetic rubber or plastic addition. The mixture of roof materials provides a new construction with higher tensile strength, lower energy costs, and higher durability.

However, this material is not as long-lived as other roofing systems since there are more ‘moving parts,’ so to speak. These roofing systems absorb heat more readily, creating a warmer indoor environment. Lastly, the installation can involve heat-welded seams that create strong chemical odors and potentially harmful fumes.

Spray-On Roofing

This kind of roofing system is straightforward. Roofers spray polyurethane foam across the surface of your roof system. This layer of foam expands and hardens into a solid layer. This type is one of the most eco-friendly and straightforward styles of roof.

Spray-on roof systems provide insulation, thanks to the air pockets within the foam that heat can’t quickly transfer through. However, this roof needs to be installed during favorable weather without moisture, can be a bit more ‘temperamental,’ and requires at least one annual inspection. But when properly maintained, this is a desirable and unique option.

Heidler Roofing – Call Us.

You’ve been given a lot of information about commercial roof materials. If you feel a little overwhelmed, that’s understandable. Each roof system is unique and offers much to your commercial property. Durability, resilience, energy efficiency, and fire resistance are all significant factors to consider when you look for your roof.

Let us help you choose the best system for your needs. We at Heidler have over 65 years of experience installing roofs and providing regular maintenance to even the most sensitive systems. The roofing industry is full of advancements that can cause even more confusion. We can help guide you to the commercial roofing system of your dreams – Call us today and get started!

Are you looking to maximize your commercial property’s rooftop space? Or maybe you’re renovating your building and want to give it a new look. When you’re ready to embrace a new way of looking at your commercial property, call the roofing professionals who know the ins and outs of innovative rooftop spaces. We can help you determine what new and exciting uses for your commercial building roof’s space are appropriate for your building.

As a commercial property owner, you should research and understand your building’s zoning laws. If you have the freedom to re-use and re-discover your commercial rooftop space, you should take the time to consider some of the impressive and innovative rooftop spaces used by building owners just like you.

Create an Oasis with Rooftop Gardens

Green roofs and rooftop gardens provide your commercial building roof with attractive and energy-efficient spaces. Gardens and plant-focused innovative rooftop spaces can help mitigate what is known as the urban heat island effect. This term describes how cities and urban landscapes have poor heat mitigation due to abundant concrete, asphalt, and other artificial materials. These artificial materials are heavily used in a city and typically don’t dissipate heat like trees, grass, and other greenery can.

Rooftop gardens provide a way to improve urban biodiversity and energy efficiency by countering this ‘heat island’ effect. Additionally, this can provide benefits such as sustainability, improved air quality, and the use of rainwater. The downside to these commercial building roofs is that the functional plants require upkeep and management, which causes more work for you or your office management team.

Invite More Visitors with Rooftop Dining Spaces

Many restaurants and dining establishments have creatively used their innovative rooftop spaces for outdoor dining spaces. This functionally adds to the number of customers you can manage but can require heavy renovations and re-design of your commercial building roof. You should pay particular attention to the zoning and safety of the spaces to ensure an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.

Another consideration is that the rooftop dining space won’t see much use throughout the winter. However, having additional space for visitors through the summer can pay for itself over the years. This provides ample opportunities to create a restaurant aesthetic that can quickly become a landmark in your city.

Enhance Your Green Image with Solar Panels

With climate change continuing to be a hot topic, installing solar panels on a commercial building’s roof can easily improve a company’s reputation. Solar technology has continually innovated, removing many past challenges to rooftop solar installations.

Solar panels, shingles, and other energy solutions have experienced design and technology improvements that reduce weight, increase efficiency, and prevent damage to your rooftops. Solar solutions can enhance your building’s energy efficiency and give your business the image of being forward-thinking and eco-friendly.

Explore Your Options with Recreational Spaces

Many residential facilities use their innovative rooftop space to provide recreational space. Residents often cite amenities as a major draw for their apartment choices, which can improve camaraderie and tenant retention. Commercial rooftops can see many benefits when creating a committed recreational space, such as employee time spent on-site, employee retention, and happiness.

Some standard options for recreation space on a commercial building roof include rooftop gardens, play areas for children, or even smaller sports spaces like pickleball or squash courts. Embracing your roof as a common space is a great way to enhance feelings of community for those who spend time in your building.

Benefit Your Health and Focus with Rooftop Relaxation

Provide employees with an oasis by adding a rooftop relaxation space to your commercial roof. A dedicated space for short breaks throughout the day can benefit employee retention, happiness, and productivity. Simply providing your outdoor spaces with durable seating and covered areas for shade and protection from the elements can add to your aesthetic and curb appeal.

This type of space doesn’t just benefit offices. Residential buildings, such as nursing homes, can also help the well-being of residents. Fresh air is always good for health, especially in locations with good weather. Hotels can benefit from providing guests with more ways to spend their vacation and travel in a relaxing ambiance.

Design Your Vision with Heidler Roofing

When creating a new space on your commercial building roof, you want to make the most of it. Your team, your residents, or your visitors will want to know that you are a person who considers the little things, from the plants you choose to the design you create. Let us help you make your building a place that people across your city will point to and want to know more about.

We at Heidler Roofing take pride in our work and process and want to share our expertise. We want to empower you to make the most of your roof, whether bringing nature to your team or providing your company with a new way to bring in business. So call us today and help us understand what you envision for your buildings, and we’ll help make that dream a reality.

Would you trust your car with a mechanic who doesn’t keep up with the newest advancements in the automotive industry? Even the oldest industries make consistent innovations, spurred on by the creative use of new technologies. That’s why you should only trust your business with a roofing company that looks to the future of the commercial roofing industry for inspiration and long-term goals.

The commercial roofing industry is always advancing, even if it doesn’t look that way from the outside. While traditional roofing materials have been used for centuries, there are always ways to improve the tools, techniques, and technologies used. Call us today, and we can tell you all about the future of your business’s roof—or read on and learn about the future of the commercial roofing industry at large!

Solar Panel Shingles

Solar technology continues to be one of the most popular ways to showcase an environmental initiative. The benefits of solar power have been long discussed among commercial property owners. Still, continuing advancements in battery storage technology will make solar panels and solar shingles more viable for businesses of all sizes.

Solar panels are becoming more well-integrated with roofing systems because they offset energy costs. Current solar shingles and commercial solar roofing systems have issues with bulk, weight, and efficiency, but these continue to see rapid advancement.

Green Roofs

One of the most common focuses of roofing advancements is the environmental impact. Many of the most common commercial roofing materials involve synthetic materials that can last for decades and eventually break down. These products can have a long-term environmental impact and as a result, many businesses are turning towards metal and green roofing systems.

The urge to use more eco-friendly materials has driven many architects and builders to lean into green roofs, which integrate living plants into roofing materials for a more environmentally friendly roof without the same type of maintenance or winterizing needs. This characteristic brings an excellent curb appeal, provides an easy public image win, and can be longer lasting than common multi-layer roofing materials. Green roofing systems will continue to see more use across commercial roofing. As technology advances, these will likely grow in the commercial roofing market.

Synthetic Roofing Materials

Synthetic roofs are not new to commercial roofing trends, but there have been consistent advancements in synthetic materials. The roofing industry has difficult demands on durability, water resistance, and insulation. Composite materials can provide unique benefits to roofing systems, ranging from insulation to lower energy costs.

Reinforced polymers can be used alongside other synthetic materials to create roofing systems that resist extreme weather conditions and the harshest environments. Lastly, synthetic materials tend to be lighter and easier to install than more cumbersome materials. Advancements in materials capable of self-healing, weathering, and other useful benefits are likely to be seen in the industry.

Metal Roofing Advancements

Metal roofing systems have always been very popular for commercial roofing thanks to their ability to use recycled materials, strong structural integrity, and more. Smart roofing systems will increasingly use advanced metal alloys that build upon the benefits of metal roofs.

Commercial roofs often demand timely repairs, improved cost savings, and better energy efficiency. Advanced roofing material innovations in both synthetic and metal roofs have already developed their own space in commercial buildings, and you can likely look forward to seeing new materials on the market soon.

Cold Roofing

‘Cold roofing’ is a system that emphasizes a high thermal resistance index and heat dissipation. This characteristic leads to dramatically decreased cooling costs for commercial properties. This energy-efficient roofing decreases energy consumption during the summer and reduces heat loss during the winter.

Energy efficiency is one of the most useful ways to prioritize environmental initiatives since energy costs are a major concern for most businesses, and energy use is a large cause of greenhouse gases. Cold roofs will be one of the best steps towards reducing energy consumption, especially compared to traditional roofs. Cold roofing components are one of the latest commercial roofing trends.

Drone Roof Inspections

Proactive maintenance is one of the best ways to get the most out of our roofing systems, just like a yearly checkup lets you stay ahead of health issues. Therefore, drone technology will likely begin to see more use in the roofing industry.

Drone roofing inspections will allow a roofer to avoid risking injury from rotting wood or weak spots in a roof while also protecting the roof itself from the potential damage of a roofer exploring its surface for damage. For large commercial spaces and roofs, a drone can cover more space in less time, saving money for everyone involved.

Look Forward to the Future of Commercial Roofing with Heidler Roofing!

Commercial roofing contractors need to stay up-to-date on the latest roofing innovations to provide the best service possible. High-quality and professional roofing services don’t happen without the hard work to stay up-to-date and knowledgeable. You need to ensure you have the best materials and techniques on hand. This is why we are always looking to the future of commercial roofing.

If you are a commercial operation in the Mid-Atlantic region, you should look to Heidler Roofing for fast and friendly commercial roofing services. We will discuss the needs of your building, providing you with a new, restored, or renovated roof as fast as possible. Call us today!