When it comes to commercial roofs, the material options available are varied, but the first decision that the owners of commercial roofs need to make refers to the shape of the roof and in that respect, the choice comes down to picking one out of only two options: a flat roof and a sloping roof. The shape of the roof will determine all the other decisions related to the roof, including the material to use for building it, even its color, so it is a critical decision, indeed. Both sloped and flat roofs come with lots of distinct pros and cons – here is why weighing them all is essential for the future of your entire building.
The Related Costs
The budget is among the most important factors that determine the choice of roof type. Out of the two major roof types, flat roofs or roofs that slope at a very low angle are more cost-effective for the simple reason that less material is needed for building a flat roof than for a roof that slopes at a steep angle. Flat roofs are also quicker and easier to install, which also means that building owners needs to pay fewer work hours to get the new roof.
Maintenance and repair are also cheaper for flat roofs than for sloping roofs. Most flat roofs can be safely walked on and cleaned with a broom, without requiring any special tools or procedures, which makes roof maintenance quicker and cheaper than in the case of a pitched roof.
The Challenged Posed by the Climate
Water is among the most common enemies of any roof. If your building is located in a climate region where rain and snow are issues, a pitched roof makes a better choice because water, whether coming from rain or from snow, can roll down on the slope of the roof, making water shedding more efficient. Flat roofs are more suitable for dry climates, partly because they might be severely affected by being exposed to ponding water for a long time and partly because they can be damaged by excessive amounts of snow accumulating and staying on their surface.
Other Features
Both sloping roofs and flat roofs can be used for enhancing the energy efficiency of the building they are on by being covered in solar panels, but flat roofs come with the additional benefit of being able to accommodate other installations as well. A knowledgeable flat roof commercial roofing contractor Kansas City MO specialist confirms that a flat roof can free up lots of interior space and it can enhance the appearance of your entire property by allowing you to move the exterior units of your air conditioners and your satellite dishes up on the roof. If your building allows it, you can also use your flat roof as extra relaxation space – all you need is a couple of chairs and your employees will have a wonderful little corner where they can unwind for a couple of minutes during their lunch breaks.
Aesthetic Appeal
Flat roofs are not visible from the ground, therefore they do not affect the exterior appearance of your building. Sloped roofs, on the other hand, play a very important aesthetic role as well, so you also need to consider aesthetic aspects before you pick the material and the color of your pitched roof.