Buying metal roofing for commercial buildings comes with many choices, specifications, and standards that need to be weighed and considered. In terms of tips and guidelines on metal roofing, we find a lot of the time the discussion to be around residential properties. Today, we’re going to delve into metal roofing for commercial buildings and how to select the right product for commercial application.
Pick your Metal
There are four different metal materials among the most popular selections in roofing. There’s steel which requires a galvanization process and/or some sort of coating for further protection. There’s aluminum which requires a coat of paint or anodization to make it more resistant. Copper is durable, offers a long life, and comes in a number of unique aesthetics. Then, there’s zinc which is chosen for commercial buildings requiring corrosion resistance and a low-gloss appearance. The thickness and the costs related to thickness serve as a major influence in what a commercial building may wish to have. Also, keep in mind that the thicker and heavier it is, the more difficult it will be to install thereby increasing costs further.
Knowing the Roof Configuration and its Impact
Metal roofing can sometimes be in vertical sheets, horizontal panels, shingles, and/or tiles. The connections between different metal roof panels can be different in design, which does affect the reliability of a roofing system over time and the maintenance that may be required.
The Underlayment and Insulation
In terms of underlayments, a consumer has some different options to browse including synthetic sheets, self-adhering membranes, and asphalt-saturated felt. With regards to insulation, a layer applied underneath the metal roof panels is key to mitigate temperature and to provide some soundproofing when it rains or storms. There are many different options to choose from so it’s well worth discussing this with your professional roofing contractor who would be able to recommend some selections.
Relevant Building Codes
There are many building codes in place for these kinds of projects. They can guide everything from load bearings to panel connection and fastening standards, ventilation, flashing, and more. Ensure that any applicable building codes are being adhered to and that you don’t fall outside of the guidelines recommended in the industry.
Following these four considerations and speaking with a professional roofing contractor on them, it shouldn’t be long before you’ve narrowed down to a final choice. As a roofing material, metal is a very smart investment for any property commercial or residential. As a premium material, metal is the most durable and lasts longer when the installation is done correctly.
There are some costs to weigh as the upfront expense can be high; however, in a commercial space, any property manager is not going to want to have to replace their roof every couple decades. Though the upfront costs are higher, metal lasts typically longer, essentially double the lifespan of other systems. This makes the upfront costs worth it for most.
Choose metal roofing for your commercial roofing project and take in the merits of a premium product that looks great.