Industrial Roofing Types
Although it might seem that pretty much any type of roofing can be installed on any type of building, that’s simply not the case. Building materials are carefully designed to provide the right kind of protection for the type of building they may be installed on, and industrial buildings have special requirements.
While residential and commercial buildings typically have a wide variety of roofing material choices depending on their slope, industrial buildings don’t typically share those same choices. Rather, industrial roofing almost always requires entirely different materials, most of which are designed to be installed on flat roofs.
What kind of materials are we referring to? Read on to learn all about the different industrial roofing types.
Built-Up Roofing
Commonly referred to as BUR roofing, built-up roofing membranes consist of alternating layers of asphalt and fleece-backed, single-ply sheets that are assembled on site. These roofs feature a reflective cap sheet or a flood coat that consists of asphalt and small granules of gravel.
Built-up roofs have been in use for well over 100 years in the United States because their multiple sturdy layers provide excellent protection from harsh weather conditions. BUR roofs typically last about 20–30 years with proper maintenance and are one of the most affordable industrial roofing types on the market.
Modified Bitumen Roofing
A close cousin of built-up roofing, modified bitumen also features alternating layers of asphalt and ply sheets. However, this type of roofing uses fiberglass, rubber, or polyester instead of the materials used in BUR roofing.
Modified bitumen can only be installed on roofs with little to no slope, and rather than requiring layer assembly on site, this multilayer material comes in rolls and is installed as a sheet. It also features a top layer of gravel for additional protection.
Waterproof, flexible in extremely cold weather, tear resistant, and capable of handling lots of foot traffic, modified bitumen typically lasts about 20 years.
EPDM Roofing
Thermoset ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) roofing systems are constructed of a single layer of synthetic rubber material. This type of roofing comes in roll form and is welded together, which makes it easy to install and easy to repair compared to some other roofing materials.
EPDM is highly resistant to ultraviolet light, remains flexible in colder climates, and can also stand up well to certain solvents and acids. However, this material is more prone to puncturing than some others, and it’s not necessarily the most aesthetic type of industrial roofing on the market.
Thermoplastic Roof Membranes
There are two types of thermoplastic roof membranes: thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Both of these roofing membranes are highly reflective, lightweight, and resistant to adverse weather and environmental conditions, including
- UV rays
- Chemical exposure
- Bacterial growths
- Punctures or tears from falling objects
- High winds
- Fire
TPO or PVC roofing are both well suited to a wide variety of industrial building types, especially those that emit oil-based products from their ventilation systems. Both membranes resist damage from continual oil or fat exposure, so they tend to last a long time even under less-than-ideal conditions.
Metal Roofing
Like commercial and residential buildings, industrial buildings can also use metal roofing, even when their roofs are flat. Metal is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials on the market today, boasting an average lifespan of 40–70 years with proper installation and maintenance. It’s also highly resistant to fire, high winds, and rot.
Since metal can be prone to environmental deterioration with time, most types of metal roofing feature protective surface coatings designed to prevent corrosion. These coatings also help the roofing better withstand UV and chemical exposure, as well as pollution.
SPF Roofing
No, this is not a material designed to protect your industrial roof from sun damage. Rather, SPF stands for spray polyurethane foam, which is a liquid spray that immediately expands into a dense foam once it’s applied. After expanding, the foam hardens into a solid layer, which repels water and provides insulation.
Eco-friendly SPF roofing has been in use since the 1960s, and despite its long track record, it’s not very well known. This roofing type is most commonly applied on top of an existing roof and can last up to 50 years.
Get an Industrial Roofing Quote From Total Roofing & Service Inc.
Whether your Southern Vermont or New Hampshire industrial building is ready for a new roof or its existing roof needs a few repairs, contact our team at Total Roofing & Service Inc. for top-quality service. We specialize in a wide variety of industrial roofing types and are committed to providing affordable pricing, on-time project completion, premium-quality workmanship, and excellent customer care.
To get an estimate or learn more about our services give us a call at 802-236-9432 (Vermont) or 603-635-0935 (New Hampshire). You can also fill out the contact form on our site to request a quote, and a member of our team will be in touch.