When constructing commercial buildings, roof installation is one of the main areas that you need to pay a lot of attention to. The type of roof you choose for your building will determine how well your valuables are protected from weather extremes and how long it will be before you need to consider replacing your roof.
That is why you need to trust commercial roof installation experts with the knowledge and experience to get the job done in the best way possible.
What Is Commercial Roofing Installation?
While commercial and residential roofing installation has a lot of similarities, there are some key differences you need to know if you are considering roofing your place of business. The most important feature of any commercial roof is the type of material used. When roofing a commercial building, you would generally favor the strength and lifespan of the material rather than its aesthetics.
A commercial roof is usually made of metal, tar, gravel, concrete, bitumen, and other similar robust materials. This sets it apart from residential roofs, typically made of more attractive materials, such as asphalt shingles or concrete tiles.
How to Tell If It Is Time for New Roof Installation
Choosing to install a roof is not a decision you can take lightly. The high cost of commercial roof installation will likely leave a big dent in your company’s budget. As such, you must plan well and know the optimum time to invest in a new roof.
While hiring professional roofing contractors to inspect your roof and determine how long it will be until it needs to be replaced is the best way to go, there are some things that you can do on your own. If you want to check if it is time to replace your commercial roof, look for the following signs:
- Leaks in multiple areas of the roof or ceiling
- Sagging roof
- Growth of moss on the roof surface
- Evidence of the build-up of mold
- Missing, broken, and cracked shingles, tiles, or other roofing material
Generally, the rule of thumb is that if your commercial roof has been in place for around 20 to 25 years, it might be time to consider changing it. The lifespan is determined by the material used, so in some cases, you might have to consider installing a new roof much earlier than that.
10 Things to Remember When You Install a Roof
If you are concerned about how you will handle the commercial roof installation your company’s building desperately needs, there is no need to be. With the right guidance, you will find that installing your roof is very easy. All you need to do is remember the following tips and guidelines:
- Choose Your Commercial Roof Contractor Wisely
You will either make or break your entire roofing project based on your choice of commercial roof contractor. With the current state of the economy, there is a big temptation to simply go for the cheapest roofers you can find, but this is very risky.
Becoming a reliable commercial roofing contractor takes a lot of knowledge and years of experience, and these are not attributes that are likely to come cheap. Instead of going for the first affordable roofer you come across, consider the following when choosing a contractor:
- Qualifications and certification
- Level of training
- Availability of insurance coverage
- Scope of services offered
- Track record of providing reliable roofing services
- Positive online reviews
- Use the Right Roofing Material
When you install a roof on your business premises, it is one of those things you do not want to end up revisiting in the next few years, at least. Ensuring that your roof lasts a long time depends on your choice of material. Over the last few decades, roofing methods have evolved drastically, meaning you will likely be faced with many different options for your new roof.
However, metal is one of the most popular materials for commercial roof installation. This is due to its availability, ease of installation, aesthetic appeal, and long lifespan. If you are going for a reliable and trendy commercial roof, your contractor will likely recommend installing a metal roof. Other options include bitumen, tar, concrete, asphalt, and single-ply PVC roofing.
- Roofing System Selection
Another important consideration for commercial roof installation is the type of roofing system you choose. Here, you must choose between flat roofs, pitched roofs, gable roofs, hip roofs, etc. Your choice will depend on your location, average temperatures, and the weather patterns your roof will be exposed to.
If you are going for a particular curb appeal, your roofing system will also have a big part to play. Your roofing contractor will be able to guide you in choosing the right system for your needs and location.
- Consider Your Budget
When it comes to commercial roof installation, unless your insurance covers all the expenses, there is usually no way to avoid digging deep into your pocket to ensure the job is done properly. As such, your budget will also play a vital role in the project.
However, you can do a few things to limit the expense of new roof installation, such as choosing a contractor that offers additional services, for example, debris removal, as part of the roofing package. You can also cut costs by searching for suppliers of affordable materials.
- Anticipate Loud Construction Noises
From start to finish, your roofing installation project will likely be noisy. You must be prepared to work through the construction noises or find alternative offices for your employees until the renovations are complete. You may also need to warn your closest neighbors about the anticipated disruptions they may face over the next few days or weeks.
- Consider the Timeline
While making sure that the job is done properly is important, you also need to make sure that your roofing contractor is aware of the time they have to finish installing the new roof. Ideally, you will want your business back to normal as soon as possible, so a timeline has to be agreed upon and adhered to.
- Insist on Proper Inspections
A vital part of all commercial roof installation projects is the inspection phase. This is usually done after the job has been completed, and the contractor invites you to walk through the building to see the quality of work that has been done.
However, considering the amount of money you will have invested in the project, and the importance of having a properly installed roof for the safety of your employees, it may be wise to consider hiring a third party to conduct the inspection.
- Have a Maintenance Plan
Even after you install a roof, your work does not end there. Proper roof installation requires having a solid maintenance plan for the future. This will guide you in running routine maintenance checks and hiring professional contractors to conduct in-depth inspections every few years or after a bout of bad weather.
- Ask About Lifespan and Warranty
Before settling on any roofing installation contractors, or buying your roofing material, ask about the lifespan of your roof and any warranty offers your contractor is willing to provide. This way, you can rest assured that you will be covered if anything happens to your roof before your warranty expires.
- Enquire About Roof Removal
Finally, one of the services that a reliable commercial roof contractor may offer is roof removal. Many overlook the cost incurred when trying to dispose of roofing debris safely. Municipal regulations can make the disposal process very costly if any hazardous materials are part of your old roof, such as asbestos.
In some cases, you can avoid disposing of old roofing material by adding a new roof layer on top of the existing roof. However, this comes with its own challenges, such as the added weight your building will have to carry. If layering a new roof on top of the old one is out of the question, ask your chosen contractor whether they offer roof removal services as part of the installation package. Also Read – Choosing the Right Window Installation Company for Energy Efficiency
Hire a Top-tier Commercial Roof Contractor Today!
Proper commercial roof installation starts by choosing the right contractor for the job. By going online, you will find many companies to consider, but not all have what it takes to execute your wishes perfectly.
If you are looking for a reliable commercial roof contractor with many years of experience installing a wide variety of high-quality roofing systems, look no further than MrHomeShady. Visit the website, fill in the contact form provided, and take your first step towards installing the best commercial roof for your business premises.
