Trends For Commercial Roofing in 2020
As the owner of a commercial building, its roof represents one of your biggest investments. You need one that’s sturdy, durable, and requires minimum maintenance, all while protecting your building from storm damage, especially water damage. If you think you must sacrifice aesthetics for functionality, however, think again. With today’s roofing materials and styles, you can make your building look appealing and up-to-date,
Here are the top 5 trends in commercial roofing.
1. Increased Use of Roofing Technology
Perhaps the most consequential trend in commercial roofing is the ever-increasing use of technology to more quickly, efficiently and accurately do the work it once took days to do. For instance, new computer software allows your roofing contractor to precisely measure your roof’s surfaces, more easily customize your orders to your specifications and streamline the entire roof installation process. In addition, the use of drones for roof inspections reduces the risk of falls and other accidents for which you could be held liable.
2. Flat Roofs
If your commercial building houses a bar, restaurant or special events space, installing a flat roof can give you additional customer seating to increase your revenue stream. People love to gather, eat and drink outdoors, and if your rooftop provides a spectacular view, so much the better. Flat roofs saw a remarkable increase in popularity among commercial building owners last year, and we expect this trend to continue. Even if you don’t want or need rooftop seating, a flat roof is both economical and versatile. It’s perfect for installing solar panels or HVAC equipment. Adding a reflective coating will deflect the sun’s heat and save you energy costs.
3. Green Roofs
Green roofs represent another big commercial roofing trend. Your roofing contractor installs this environmentally friendly roof by starting with waterproof membranes. He then adds a few layers of topsoil and finishes up by planting the shrubs, small trees and other vegetation of your choice. Not only does a green roof enhance the appearance of your building, it also protects the surface of your roof, helps absorb and drain rainwater after a storm, requires low maintenance and insulates your building, thereby reducing your energy costs.
4. Solar Roofs
One of the green roof options quickly gaining in popularity is the solar roof. Long gone are the enormous cost, clumsy appearance and inefficient energy production of the first-generation solar panels. Today’s solar commercial roofing products include not only solar shingles but also photovoltaic shingles, both of which are designed to give the appearance of conventional roofing materials. If you want to reduce your energy bills while helping the environment at the same time, today’s solar roofs are viable long-term investments.
5. Nontraditional Roofing Materials
While asphalt shingles remain a popular choice for commercial roofs due to their relatively low cost and the wide variety of colors and styles in which they come, one major trend in commercial roofing is the use of nontraditional materials such as the following:
- Metal roofing: Metal roofs combine aesthetics with functionality and come in a wide variety of styles, types, and colors, possibly including one that matches your brand color.
- SBS impact-resistant roofing: Made of webbed styrene-butadiene-styrene, these shingles offer better resistance to the elements and falling tree limbs than asphalt shingles.
- Polymer roofing: These shingles feature man-made composite materials designed to look like slate, clay, concrete or cedar, but cost considerably less. In addition, they’re fireproof, water-resistant and 100% recyclable.
- Tile roofing: Always popular, terracotta tiles provide the finishing touch to your Mediterranean, Spanish or Southwestern commercial building. Today’s concrete tiles, however, offer you the same styling at a more affordable cost.
You have more commercial roofing options today than ever before. The trends profiled here show every indication of continuing on into 2021 and beyond.
If you’d like to schedule an inspection of your roof today, please call (734) 531-7327. You can also contact us online for more information on the services we provide.
