Commercial roof repairs and installation need attention to building science
From industrial to steep-sloped, commercial buildings from Lake Avenue in Pasadena to buildings along Historic Route 66 in Azusa, have a variety of roofs.
Garvey Roofing is a local contractor with work spanning the historic homes of Heritage Square off the 110 freeway south of Alhambra, contemporary residential roofs in Bradbury, and commercial buildings of all sizes.
Thomas Garvey has over 30 years’ experience in the roofing industry and the focus is a roof for all seasons. A properly installed roof keeps the interior of the building cool in the summer while its warm and dry in the winter months.
Now, let’s answer a question that not as obvious as it seems.
What’s a commercial building?
Drive along Sierra Madre Boulevard between Madre to Baldwin Avenue.
What do you notice?
A few churches, apartment buildings and low-profile office and retail buildings. Those are all good examples of commercial buildings with different style roofs.
Most are the typical flat roof, or low slope, and have drainage from the rooftop, but others have a steep pitch and drain externally just like homes.
Commercial roofs can have the industrial white membranes and sloped with tile.
Each one requires a different roofing strategy.
In Duarte along Huntington Drive, condos and town homes with tile roofs offer a completely different style of roof.
Craftsmanship for commercial roofs
Roofing isn’t just a commodity. You don’t just contact anyone and get the same results when installing a new roof or repairing an existing problem.
As Thomas Garvey says, “Every [commercial] roof has a distinct purpose.”
On the many low-slope commercial roofs, sealing the drain properly is critical to avoid leaks inside the building. Thomas Garvey demonstrates sealing techniques on his YouTube video page.
Garvey Roofing has four roofing licenses:
- Roofing
- Installation – including fire proofing and preventing leaks
- Solar
- General contracting license—to handle any carpentry-related tasks a job may need including structural framing and woodwork.
Choosing the best commercial building roofing materials
Let’s start with the decking like the wood and insulation. This is the starting point in installing a commercial roof that’s going to last and serve the building owner for decades.
Options for on top of the decking include TPO one of the most popular low-slope roofing systems, used by GAF—the nation’s leader in manufactured roofing materials.
- Reflective properties mean the roof repels, instead of absorbing, the sun’s UV rays.
- Count on it lasting up to 25 years or more
- Used on flat roofs of all sizes
Commercial buildings with slopes may use shingles or tile that are similar to a residential roof. A healthy roof always starts with the right decking, insulation, and proper use of ventilation.
Therma Sheet is another material with highly reflective properties and “provides an excellent thermal and moisture barrier under a variety of roofing materials.”
When done properly, a new roof offers as much or more energy efficiency as a solar roof and the cost can cost substantially less.
Why Garvey Roofing
Roofing is a trade and requires knowledge of building science.
Thomas Garvey started roofing as a teenager and after serving in the army launched Garvey Roofing with main offices in Monrovia and operating in all cities of the San Gabriel Valley.
For commercial building owners and home owners, Garvey Roofing likes to know the customer’s goals, like how long they plan on owning their property, their budget, and desired appearance.
All estimates are free.
Garvey Roofing provides a unique guarantee in the industry: all labor and materials are fully guaranteed as peace-of-mind protection.
Garvey Roofing installs a roof for all seasons. And, as Thomas says, “When it rains or the high winds blow, my phone doesn’t ring.”
Contact them with your roofing needs and questions.
