Kansas City
Commercial Roofing

Commercial roofing and installation differ from residential roofing. While residential roofs can typically be done in a day or two, commercial roofs can take weeks to install. Besides being much larger, commercial roofing installations can include time needed for a product to cure or settle. The way you maintain and repair a commercial roof is also different than the way you take care of the roof on a house.

The Right Type of Kansas City Commercial Roofing

Commercial roofing solutions include a wide variety of options. Because it’s part of a business—someone’s livelihood– reliability and durability are important. What is the right roof for their specific building and budget?

Here is a quick primer on five of the most common types of commercial roofing.

1. Commercial Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing

Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is an eco-friendly roofing option for commercial, industrial and manufacturing facilities. Spray Polyurethane Foam, more commonly referred to as SPF, is sprayed on as a liquid and expands into foam, creating a solid layer across an existing roof.

SPF roofing technology has been around since the early 1960s for industrial, commercial, and residential facilities and can be used in any climate. When correctly installed and maintained, it can last over 50 years.

There are quite a few benefits of SPF roofing. It is Energy Efficient and delivers thermal, air, and moisture barriers to provide the highest R-value per inch. It is Durable as the foam material can expand and contract, decreasing the likelihood of cracks and splitting. It is Seamless and Waterproof and doesn’t require joints or seams, which removes the most common vulnerability for leaking. And it’s Environmentally Friendly.

2. Single-Ply Membrane Roofing

Single-Ply Membrane is a time-tested roofing option that involves sheets of rubber and other synthetics that can be ballasted, mechanically fastened or chemically adhered to insulation creating a layer of protection on a commercial facility. It is one of the most well-known types of commercial roofing material and there are several types to fit a budget or specific facility need. The benefits of Single-Ply Membrane are, if properly installed and maintained, it can last 30 years. It also has a Proven Track Record as it has been around long enough to have the performance studied and tracked. The customer can have a Choice of Insulation, as the single-ply membrane roofing does not include the insulation factor, which gives the customer options based on need. It is Class A Fire-Rated and can achieve Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class A fire resistance listing by adding fire retardant chemicals during the manufacturing process. It is generally white and highly reflective, which makes it Reflective or Retentive.

3. Commercial Metal Roofing

Metal Roofing is one of the oldest commercial roofing systems on the market and uses mostly corrugated galvanized steel, though aluminum or tin (and others) can also be used.  It is light in weight and can be installed on top of an existing roof and coating can be added for waterproofing, rust protection, and UV protection.

If properly installed and maintained, both residential metal roofing or a commercial metal roof can last 40 years and gives the benefits of Design in the variety of materials and colors, Stability as it stands up to high winds and snow. It is Energy Efficient and can be made from recycled material and Fire Resistant.

4. Commercial Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Everyone knows how common residential asphalt shingles are, but this roofing material typs is also often used for steep-slope commercial roofing applications. Shingles can be made out of a variety of different materials and Shingle Roofing advantages are the wide variety of colors and designs and the easy repair and maintenance. It is also very durable and some can be class IV hail rated.

5. Built-Up Commercial Roofing

Use in the U.S. for over 100 years, these roofing systems are commonly referred to as “tar and gravel” roofs. They are installed by alternating layers of asphalt or tar and supporting fabrics directly onto the roof. You can choose the number of layers (or plies) that are installed. The final layer of a built-up roofing system consists of stone or gravel. The advantage of Built-Up Roofing, if properly installed and maintained, is that it can last 40 years. Other benefits include that they are Seamless and Waterproof, they protect from UV Rays, and they are Low- Maintenance and need minimal upkeep.

Rainscape: Your Choice for Kansas City Commercial Roofing

There are a lot of choices when looking into a new commercial roof and all have benefits and drawbacks. It all comes down to each customer choosing the best for their specific needs. But no matter what material type is best for your roof, it is imperative that you hire the best Kansas City commercial roofers you can find, that have reviews, experience, a proven track record and are locally based in the KC metro area.