As a business owner, you occasionally need to make improvements to your brick-and-motor locations. These improvements can make your building more secure, attractive and approachable.
If this sounds like you, then you’ve probably thought about fixing, upgrading or replacing your current commercial roof. Although this may seem like a simple task at first, you’ll quickly realize that it’s a time-consuming endeavour.
Before investing in a new commercial rooftop, you (and many other business owners in the Pickering area) probably have some questions that you’d like to have answered.
But who is qualified and experienced enough answer these questions? Our team at Metro Roofing.
For those that aren’t familiar with us, our team at Metro Roofing specializes in inspecting, fixing and replacing commercial roofs — this is why we have been known as Pickering’s commercial roofing experts for 35 years and counting.
Our objective isn’t to be the largest or most profitable roofing company, but we do want to be the most reliable! Our family-owned-and-operated business is always impressing clients. This is thanks to our one-of-a-kind service and unbeatable work ethic!
Continue reading to get the answers to some of the most frequently asked commercial roofing questions.
1 – How Do I Know If It’s Time for a New Commercial Roof?
Your roof will start to tell you when it’s time to be fixed or replaced. However, if you don’t have prior experience with commercial roofing, you may not know how to listen to your roof.
Some signs are less difficult to spot than others. If you’ve noticed any of the following issues, you’ll want to get your roof repaired or replaced immediately:
- Water stains on the walls (in rooms that don’t have access to water)
- Water stains on the ceilings (in rooms that don’t have access to water)
- Mould growing in unusual places
If you notice any of these signs, you’ll want to get in contact with a company that offers reliable roof repair services near you.
There are also some hard-to-spot issues that you can keep an eye out for while inspecting your rooftop. Some examples of these issues include:
- Damaged covers
- Bubbles in the covers
- Worn out or compromised seams
- Gaps in the flashing
Unfortunately, it’s quite difficult for an untrained eye to identify these issues. If you want to ensure that your roof is in working condition, feel free to contact us anytime — our team will be happy to inspect your roof.
2 – Does My Geographical Location Affect My Commercial Roof?
In short, yes, it does.
Your geographical location can have a considerable influence on the lifespan and condition of your commercial roof. This is primarily due to the different weather and temperature changes in each area.
Before making any changes to your roof, you need to consider the following factors:
- Annual rainfall
- Annual snowfall
- Average wind speed
If you’re looking for a roof that can withstand all of these factors, you should consider installing a commercial flat roof. Flat roofs are durable, sturdy and are a practical option for several types of businesses.
In comparison to slanted rooftops, flat roofs are less likely to get damaged in the event of a natural disaster (like a hailstorm or hurricane).
If you’d like to learn more about how your business can benefit from a flat roof, be sure to contact one of our team members — we’re Pickering’s most trusted name in flat roofing for a reason!
3 – What Materials Should I Consider Using?
Commercial roofing manufacturers and contractors have access to a variety of materials that they can use for their projects.
Here are some examples of common roofing materials and how long you can expect them to last:
- PVC membrane (15 to 30 years)
- EPDM rubber (10 to 15 years)
- TPO rolls (7 to 20 years)
- Modified bitumen a.k.a. asphalt (10 to 20 years)
- Built up (15 to 20 years)
- Spray-on (as long as 20 years)
Aside from their lifespan, these materials are different from each other in several ways. Each of these materials are sold at various price points and have different benefits (energy efficiency, wind-resistance, etc.).
Some of the materials, like modified bitumen, are extremely difficult to install and require a contractor with a lot of experience. These are essential factors that you need to keep in mind while choosing a material.
4 – How Much Does a New Commercial Roof Cost?
Unfortunately, there’s no black and white answer to this question. Several factors can influence the price of a roof, including the:
- Square footage
- Materials used in the build
- Urgency of the repair or upgrade
However, we can tell you that Canadian business owners can expect to pay thousands of dollars for a new flat roof. Although this may seem like a hefty investment, thanks to their incredible lifespan, a new commercial rooftop is worth every penny.
Being a business owner is a never-ending job — there’s an endless list of things that need to be taken care of daily. However, once you’ve checked everything else off of your list, you need to find the time to deal with your commercial roof.
If you still have questions about commercial roofing, don’t be afraid to contact one of our team members. Our team will gladly walk you through our process.
