You might think a roof is a roof irrespective of what building it is on. Still, there are enough differences between commercial roofing and residential roofing to consider before deciding between the two. Danforth Roofing Supply Ltd has been in the roofing business long enough to tell you exactly what the differences are. In this blog, you can learn five key differences between commercial roofing and residential roofing.
1. Material Commercial roofs need to be very durable and weather-resistant as they are on tall buildings that are more exposed to harsh weather conditions. So, BUR membrane, metal roofing, modified bitumen roofing, EPDM roof membrane, PVC and TPO roof membrane are commonly used in commercial buildings because of their high durability. Residential roofing includes asphalt shingles, wood shingles, metal roofing and roof tiles along with the more durable commercial roofing materials. Commercial roofing materials can be used for low slope roofing in residential buildings as they are much more durable and cost-effective. 2. Design Commercial buildings are generally tall and the roof structure is flat or on a very low slope, which keeps the roof hidden from sight from the ground. This means the roof cannot add to the look of the building. So, commercial roofing is generally just functional. The design of the roof plays a huge role in the look of a house. Depending on the vision of the owner, residential roofing has a wide range of designs to choose from. The shingles for residential roofing are also designed to look pleasing. 3. Cost Commercial building roofs occupy a large area, which requires a lot of roofing material. The procedure for installing the roofing systems is a bit more complex than for residential roofing and this increases the labour cost. Roofing products are also relatively more expensive. The roofs are typically built flat or on a very slight slope to reduce the cost and the amount of material needed. Residential roofing tends to be on a high slope, which increases the amount of material that is needed for the area. So, even though the labour cost is low because the installation is fairly simple, the overall roofing project costs are increased because of the expenditure on materials. 4. Installation Residential roofing is easier to install, given there is only one chimney to work around. And as it is a small area, the job can be done in a day or two. Commercial roofing requires skilled and experienced professionals to work around the smokestacks, ventilation systems and pipes. Also, because the area of the roof is large, it might take a month to install the roofing system. 5. Maintenance Commercial roof structure is built flat or on a low slope making it easy to access for maintenance and repairs. However, without regular maintenance, low slope/flat roofs can get damaged as snow and water can easily pool on it. Residential roof structure has a high slope, which doesn’t allow snow or water to sit around and cause leakage. But, if there is any damage or even for regular maintenance, a professional is necessary as the roof is steep and dangerous to work on without proper equipment. Learn about quality commercial roofing options on our blog. Danforth Roofing Supply Ltd has been providing quality roofing products throughout the Greater Toronto Area since 1946. Our long history of service is a testament to our reliable service. Contact us today for residential or commercial roofing products and services.