Look at the variety of commercial roofs in this one picture–if you live or work in the San Gabriel Valley can you guess where it was taken? The answer is at the end of the post.
Commercial roofs can have the industrial white membranes and sloped with tile.
Types of Commercial Roofs
A church along Sierra Madre Boulevard has something in common with a manufacturing facility in Irwindale and those units in business parks in Monrovia. All of them are considered commercial roofs.
Just like the San Gabriel Valley has a variety of residential roofs, we’re a roofing contractor that installs and repairs a variety of commercial roofs.
No matter the type and style of roof, there’s building science that’s included in every roofing and repair job. Materials used to build a structure, how the air flows from inside where people are to the outside, and the roofing system must all fit together.
No matter what materials are chosen, a skilled roofing contractor must install properly to honor the manufacturer’s warranty.
Garvey Roofing offers free estimates and guarantees both labor and materials.
Flat Industrial Roofs
What they are: white-colored roofing with HVAC equipment is the classic industrial roof that we think of as a “commercial” roof. This is the “building envelope” – the portion that separates the natural elements of heat, rain and wind from the interior.
Warehouses, apartment buildings and retail stores are known for their flat roof design.
What we look for: challenges in commercial roofing installation and repair include working with vents and HVAC systems. The areas must be sealed properly to prevent leaks and have integrity in the roofing system.
Internal drains can easily get damaged and extra caution used when roofing.
Materials used: ever see roofers using hot tar and asphalt? Built-up roofs were once common. Applying layer after layer of tar mixed with roofing felt and topped with gravel was the popular method.
How has roofing technology changed materials today?
A variety of roofing systems are available:
- TPO Roofing (thermoplastic olefin)—this is one of the most popular commercial roofing solutions on the market. TPO is a single ply roofing system introduced in the early ‘90s that comes with three layers.
EverGuard TPO made by GAF has several benefits: cost-effective; resists dirt buildup and mold growth; it also flexes with a building’s subtle movements.
The 45-mil thickness is guaranteed for 20 years.
Special notes: early stage TPO materials had questions related to how well they stood up to maximum temperatures. Since they were newer, it was unclear how well they’d endure.
EverGuard TPO 60 mil withstood 275 degrees for 105 continuous days without cracking and outperformed competitors.
- PVC Roofing is made from two layers of roofing material with polyester in between. It rates well in UV protection, resisting tears and punctures. Seams are heat welded with this flexible material and it’s easy to repair.
- Liquid Membrane: A liquid-applied material that’s highly reflective and easy to repair. The coating cures to form a rubber-like waterproof membrane, capable of stretching and returning to its original shape without damage. Expect up to 25 years coverage.
- Modified Bitumen: is made from asphalt and a variety of rubber modifiers and solvents. There are several ways of connecting pieces of this material. In a heat application process the seams are heated to melt the asphalt together and create a seal. There is also hot-mopped application, similar to how conventional built-up roofs are installed.
- Built Up Roofing is a process used for the past century. It alternates fabric with asphalt (bitumen) and is topped with stone or gravel.
Sloped Commercial Roofs
Materials available for sloped commercial roofs are similar to what’s on the market for residential homes. The major difference is that the building is zoned for commercial use and not residential. Lightweight tile options that look like slate and lifetime shingles are some of the best options.
Solar Roofs
California has one million solar roofs as of December 2019, so call us if that solution is of interest as it is with many school districts and government buildings throughout the San Gabriel Valley. We’ll work with our solar partner to install the roof and all parts of the system including the battery.
Commercial Roof Repairs
If we can repair your commercial roof, we definitely will. A repair can be small.
Once Thomas Garvey was called for a commercial roof that was leaking in one area over the front door. He could tell right away that there was a problem with the ventilation and the underlayment. It was a quick fix.
Whether you’re concerned about the roof covering your business or your home, Garvey Roofing provides roofs for all seasons.
Contact us for free estimates– (626) 358-9208.
Answer to Image Location: The image above was taken along North Lake Avenue in Pasadena, just north of the 210 freeway.
