Commercial vs Residential Roofing: What Are The Differences?
Commercial vs Residential Roofing: What Are The Differences?
Most buildings have roofs, mainly to protect from the weather and to keep a building closed off to the outside, but not all roofs are the same. There are significant differences between commercial and residential roofs, but the differences may not be obvious to most. By the end of this article, you will understand which is which, and you should know which New Jersey or Delaware roofing company to choose for your next roofing project.
What is a Commercial Roof?
A commercial roof is usually flat or mostly flat, to accommodate HVAC, plumbing, and other systems your business may have that are typically installed on the roof. For commercial roofs, there is usually a roof access hatch that will allow easy access to the rooftop for repairs and maintenance, however residential roofs usually will have a slope, to help angle water into the gutters, which will also provide an attic for the homeowner which can be used for storage.
What is a Residential Roof?
Residential roofing is roofing made for homeowners, home builders, or homeowner insurance companies. In other words, it is specifically designed for residential buildings, though some of the same materials used for residential roofing are also found on commercial structures. Most residential roofs in the US are covered with asphalt shingles and are either gable A-frame or hip roofs.
How Are Commercial Roofs Constructed?
Commercial roofs will usually need special roofing materials to protect from harsh weather, as well as special materials such as a “Built-Up Roofing Membrane” (a type of roofing system that features multiple layers of asphalt applied between sheets of material; providing energy efficiency, fire resistance, and protection against water leaks), or a “Thermostat Roof Membrane” (where different layers of synthetic rubbers are joined together to almost become a single layer together) which may prove to be quite costly.
Residential roofs don’t need these extreme measures and will be much cheaper with asphalt or wooden shingles, or with metal roofing. You can even save money by finding recyclable roofing materials for your residential roof.
Commercial vs Residential Roofing: Maintenance
Another factor to consider is maintenance on your roof. Commercial roofs can be easily checked and maintained by anyone, as the flat aspect allows for easy access, whereas residential roofs are usually slanted, so anything beyond looking at the roof from the ground will probably require you to hire a professional NJ or DE roofer. Most residential roofs will last a long time without seeing a professional roofer, but a commercial roof will require regular inspections and maintenance, as well as having much more foot traffic (maintenance of mechanical equipment kept on the rooftop, regular inspections, as well as the everyday wear and tear that all roofs are subject to), which could make maintenance even more necessary.
Installation and updates to roofs will be much easier with residential roofs, as the only obstacle that usually becomes an issue would be a chimney. For commercial roofs, you would need to have a professional NJ roofer provide their services, as they would determine how best to navigate around smoke stacks, air flow systems, HVAC systems, and other external machinery that may be present on a commercial roof.
In general, a commercial roof will be much more expensive to maintain and upgrade, whereas a residential roof will not only be easier but will also be more cost-efficient (and have many options available to safely cut costs wherever possible).
Looking For a Roofing Replacement or Repair in NJ or DE?
Regardless of whether you have a commercial or residential roof, you should always contact a professional Delaware or New Jersey roofing company when repairing, maintaining, or altering your roof in any way. There are many specifics that a professional roofer will make sure are addressed, as well as the ability to help save money while not sacrificing safety or performance. No matter what your project is, it always makes sense to have a trusted professional to tell you your options and help provide you with the best and most cost-efficient solution to your roofing issues.
