Office buildings usually have large, flat roofs. If you’re managing an office building, you may be unaware of the roof options you have on these larger buildings. When you dip your toe in to research your options, you’ll find there are many. So, which is best? The short answer is that TPO or EPDM roofing is usually best for an office building.
TPO Roofing
TPO stands for thermoplastic olefin. Roofing materials made from TPO are single-ply membranes, which makes them simpler to install than many other roof systems. They provide great performance, including resistance to heat and UV rays and strong seams which are less likely to fail than seams in other systems. TPO offers strong performance, but it has become so popular because it does so at a great price. If affordability and performance are a concern, this is an excellent type of roofing to choose.
EPDM Roofing
We rank EPDM second only because it is more expensive than TPO. Still, for its expense, it still offers excellent qualities, including long-term durability that can make up for its higher cost. EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. This is a rubber-like material which has excellent properties for roofing. It is lightweight and highly resistant to sources of wear. EPDM is a wide material, limiting the number of seams, which limits the chances of leaks on your roof. EPDM is also simple to install, which helps reduce its cost.
Why Not BUR?
We don’t recommend BUR roofing for an office building because it is an outdated material that has significant disadvantages, especially in buildings which have people working in them. BUR roofing is a huge challenge to repair. It requires both exploratory work to find leaks and a great deal of work to correct them. This is just too much disruption for an office building.
Why Not Green Roofing?
Green roofing is a great roof option, but in order to be worthwhile, you really need to make use of the plants you grow on it. Green roofing is heavy and a challenge to install and maintain. It can support plant life, which can make it a great spot to relax or a valuable spot to grow plants for commercial use. For an office building, a green roof is usually not worth the expense.
Why Not Shingle Roofing?
Shingle roofing is not a suitable option for any flat roof. Shingles rely on slope in order to properly drain water. If you installed shingles on a flat roof, water would stay on it for too long, destroying the material through erosion. Leaks are certain if this happens.
Why Not PVC Roofing?
PVC is a more modern roofing material and it can be effective, but it has a few disadvantages that make it less than ideal for an office building. It is among the most expensive roofing options. Adding to its cost, it also requires that you remove all of the old roofing material before it is installed. This adds to the time for installation too, which can make it a frustrating option for office buildings.
