Commercial VS. Residential Roofing

While one might normally think that a roof is a roof and they are all basically the same thing, that is not true. Not only are there differences and discrepancies between different residential roofs made of differing materials, there is also a pretty big difference between commercial Vs. residential roofing. Because of this, it is important that you understand what differences there are between the two before you hire a roofer in order to make sure you are hiring someone who is actually best equipped to handle the job you need done. 

When it comes to the differences between commercial and residential roofing, they are mostly broken down into three major categories: Design, material, and installation/maintenance requirements. Here we will take a quick look at these major differences between commercial Vs. residential roofing to give you a better understanding.

Roof Design

One of the most obvious differences between commercial and residential roofing is the basic design. When it comes to commercial roofs, you tend to see more flat designs or ones with very subtle slopes. You can typically see these types of roofs on warehouses, restaurants, factories, and other shops. These also tend to cover a lot more space than residential roofs do and can usually store a lot more heavy materials on them such as industrial HVAC systems and even piping. Often these roofs are broken up with smokestacks, and blower outlets. 

On the residential side of things, you tend to see a much higher pitch on the roofs. These small roofs also tend to not have anything placed directly on them besides solar panels or skylights, and they usually have minimal openings. 

Roofing Materials

While in both commercial and residential roofing projects the material used will largely be dependent on the roof design, budget, and environmental conditions of the location, there are some particulars that come into play when differentiating between the two types of roofing jobs. 

For residential roofing jobs, asphalt shingles tend to be one of the most popular materials due to their easy installation and cost-efficient nature. However, some jobs will also use metal, clay, slate, ceramic, and even wood to get the job done and when appropriate. 

During residential roof builds, you will normally see a plywood layer nailed down to the rafters in order to create a roof deck, which will then get a protective underlayment placed and then shingled. Whereas, the more flat or low-pitched roofs you tend to see in commercial builds are not well-paired with these typical residential materials and methods. Commercial roofs are to be covered with tar, gravel, bitumen, or sprayed with foam. When it comes to commercial roofs, there are actually a lot more options for materials than there are in residential builds. This is because it is important if you have a commercial roof installation project, you have someone with specific skills and training with commercial roofs, and not just a residential roofer.

Roof Installation and Repair

The installation process between residential and commercial roofs are vastly different. Where commercial roofs can take up to a month to install thanks to their mass and span, a residential roof can usually be installed within a few days. Roof repairs can end up being massive, costly projects. However, the skills needed to repair commercial roofs greatly differ from those needed for residential roofs. While residential roof repairs are costly and important, they can usually be tackled within a few hours or days, while commercial roof repairs require a lot more work and a multitude of options need to be worked through in order to repair them. It is a much more specialized situation. 

The Right Tool For The Job

Whether you have an issue with a commercial roof or residential roofing, it is important that you get them taken care of quickly. Issues such as leaks can rapidly grow and cause a lot more damage if left to fester and grow. Now that you know the basic differences between the two types of roofs, you will know what kind of roofer to call in when you need issues tackles. If you need a residential or commercial roof repair or replacement then contact us today! We have the skills to tackle both.