Find Out About the Most Durable Commercial Roofing Products

Durability is one of the most important features that anyone planning to have a new commercial roof installed should take into account when choosing roofing materials. While all roofing materials are intended to provide lasting protection from the elements, they are not the same in terms of the duration they can spend on your building. Here are some important details of the expected lifespan of the most common roofing materials and some aspects that can influence that lifespan.

The Longevity of the Most Common Commercial Roofing Systems

Here are some of the most popular roofing materials and the amount of time you can expect each of them to spend of your building:

  • Metal – perhaps the most durable commercial roofing material, the metal sheets used on commercial buildings can be expected to last for 35-50 years. Metal systems come made from many different alloys, such as galvanized and stainless steel, aluminum, copper and zinc-coated varieties, all of them being very durable and strong;
  • Built-up roofs – these systems consist of multiple, alternate layers of tar and gravel and are known to be among the most economical and most reliable roofing systems used on commercial buildings. The solution can be expected to last for at least 20 years;
  • Single-ply membranes – TPO, PVC and EPDM are the most common examples of modern commercial roofing solutions, preferred not only for their resistance to the elements and easy installation, but for their durability as well. TPO roofs can be expected to last for around 20 years, PVC can live for around 30 years, while the lifespan of EPDM roofs can last for up to 50 years.

Aurora commercial roofing

Other Aspects that Have an Impact on the Longevity of Your Commercial Roof

Choosing the material that comes with the longest forecasted lifespan is just one factor that will influence how long your roof will live. Here are some other aspects to keep in mind as recommended by Aurora commercial roofing professionals:

  • Your climate zone – the material that you choose for your roof needs to be suitable for the weather conditions that your roof will be exposed to. Not all materials are suitable for very harsh solar radiation or for the prolonged exposure to rain and snow, so make sure to check these features before picking your roofing material;
  • Correct installation – no roofing material can perform to its fullest capacities if the installation has been incorrect. To be able to use your roof for as long as possible, get it installed by professionals;
  • Maintenance and repairs – to ensure that your roof stays strong and healthy for as long as possible, you will also need to have it properly maintained at regular intervals. Ideally, you should get your roof inspected and cleaned by a professional roofer two times a year and the issues detected during the inspection also need to be addressed in a timely manner. Maintenance should be extended to the gutters as well as to the landscape – the drainage system attached to your roof will need to be cleaned, inspected and repaired, while the trees that have limbs overhanging the roof will also need to be checked and trims to prevent any damage caused by fallen branches.