The Factors that Affect the Lifespan of a Commercial Roof 

For many business owners, the repair and maintenance of their commercial property are fairly high on their list of concerns. The building where the majority of the business aspects occur, whether it is a tiny cottage-style coffee shop, or a multi-story corporate headquarters, must be properly maintained for the company to continue and for money to be made. Part of that care and concern should be dedicated to the roof. Commercial roof repairs in Sterling Heights can be quite costly if there is a large amount of damage.

It’s important to keep track of a roof’s condition, so small issues don’t escalate to much bigger problems. Even so, a roof will eventually wear out, no matter how well it is maintained, and the business owner will need to call the roofers. Sterling Heights business owners can make smart choices when installing a new roof, and avoid calling for roofing repair quite so often.

In this article, business owners or property owners will find an explanation of the various factors that affect the lifespan of a commercial roof. This information may help them better understand the importance of choosing materials and keeping the roof properly maintained in order to avoid costly commercial roof repairs in Sterling Heights. The following factors can substantially affect the longevity of a roof.

Material Choices

Any roof, whether residential or commercial, is only as good as the materials that it is made out of. Commercial property owners need to discuss the material choices in great detail with their roofers in Sterling Heights. There are pros and cons to all of the different material choices, and they all have different expected lifespans. The most common types of roofing materials used on commercial buildings include:

  • Asphalt Shingles: This type of roofing material is more commonly found on residential buildings, but it can also be used on commercial properties. Most roofers in Sterling Heights will say that an asphalt roof can last anywhere between 15 to 40 years depending on the slope of the roof and quality of the shingles.
  • Metal: Many commercial building owners opt for metal roofs because metal is such a durable material. These types of roofs do not need commercial roof repairs very often if Sterling Heights business owners complete the suggested routine maintenance. The lifespan of a metal roof is typically 30-60 years, but depending on factors like the finish of the metal and the slope of the roof, they can last even longer than average.
  • TPO or Thermoplastic Olefin: TPO is the traditional roof used when the commercial building has a flat roof. Large buildings like malls, warehouses, and hospitals tend to have flat roofs made from TPO. In general, this type of roof can last 30 or more years with proper maintenance from roofing repair companies in Sterling Heights.
  • EPDM or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer: Also used on large buildings with flat roofs, EPDM is made of synthetic rubber and is extremely durable. The lifespan of this style roof is usually 25-30 years.

The Slope of the Roof

Roofers in Sterling Heights know that the slope or pitch of the roof can also have a dramatic impact on the lifespan of the roof. The slope determines the roof’s ability to get rid of water. The better a roof is at getting rid of water, the less a business owner will need commercial roof repairs. Sterling Heights buildings with shallow or low-sloped roofs cannot shed the water as quickly as roofs with a steeper pitch. The longer amount of time water stays pooled on a roof, the more structural damage can occur, thus cutting down on the lifespan of the roof. Flat roofs need to have a proper drainage system in place that will allow a large volume of water to drain from the roof very quickly.

Weather in Sterling Heights

While the slope of the roof is important for getting rid of water, the climate in the area where the commercial building is located can also dictate the lifespan of the roof. Rain, snow, wind, and ice can erode the roofing materials. Sterling Heights gets on average 33 inches of rain and 32 inches of snow per year. That is a lot of precipitation for the roofing system to handle.

Sun exposure can also play a role in a commercial roof’s longevity. The darker the color of the roofing material, the more sun damage the property owner can expect. Roofing repair may be needed more often if Sterling Heights has inclement weather like extreme winds, blizzards, or other weather phenomena.

The Installation Process

This is arguable the most important factor in determining the life of a roof.  It’s why property owners must chose high-quality roofers in Sterling Heights when having a roof installed, because a poor installation is one of the main reasons a roof will fail before its time. A property owner will have to constantly call for commercial roof repairs in Sterling Heights to fix even minor flaws that are allowed to occur during installation.

Roof Ventilation

A commercial roof must be properly ventilated to maintain a long lifespan. Ventilation is so important for several reasons. During the summer months when the temperatures are high, hot air can be trapped underneath the roof. This heated air can cause damage because it “cooks” the material the roof is made out of.

Warm weather isn’t the only issue when it comes to ventilation. Cold weather can also cause damaging effects by creating a buildup of ice on the roof. Moisture can also get trapped under the roof due to poor ventilation which can rot the structural elements of the roof, causing costly commercial roof repairs that must be fixed by roofers in Sterling Heights.

Roof Maintenance

The final factor that can determine a roof’s lifespan is neglect. Any commercial roof should have regular routine maintenance done by roofing repair specialists in Sterling Heights. Regular inspections can ensure that small problems don’t become major issues. These inspections are especially important after inclement weather or other possible damaging incidents like falling tree limbs.

It is important that a property owner takes these key factors into consideration when having a new roof installed on a commercial building, because they can truly expand the years in between every new roof installation. Regular maintenance and a few repairs from year to year, can help postpone the need for a complete roof replacement.

To schedule a roof maintenance inspection with one of our experts, contact Kanga Roof at 586-566-0308 or click here!