The Tiny house Blog

Can You Use Commercial Roofing Systems For Residential Properties?

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
June 11, 2024
Can You Use Commercial Roofing Systems For Residential Properties

Image Source: Canva

People who are not familiar with roofs think that every room is practically the same. Well, that's actually not the case. There are several differences between a commercial roof and a residential roof.

However, there’s one thing that’s common to both types of this room and it’s related to the damage they sustain, meaning that in both instances, you’ll be dealing with pretty hefty expenses.

Aside from that, both of them require high-quality materials, along with the right installation that must be done by a professional. Now, if you would like to know more about the difference between these two, then just stay tuned to find out more!

For Starters, Let’s Discuss A Commercial Roof 

One of the biggest differences between a commercial roof and a residential roof is in its design. A commercial roof frequently comes with a very low slope or is completely flat and much bigger than the residential version.

Flat roofs are generally more demanding in terms of maintenance and include repairs of bigger areas that are installed in sections. Speaking of design, there are several factors that you must consider, like the weight of the equipment that is situated on the roof, and the need to cover a bigger area.

Those who opt for residential roofs are usually less stressed over design and do not need to worry too much about the maintenance, since these sorts of roofs are easier to replace, fix, and maintain. These are just the basics as far as the commercial roof is concerned, if you would like to get more information about it, then maybe this complete guide might just give you the answers to some questions. Now, let’s dive into this topic (related to the differences) a bit more!

Learning More About Various Roofing Materials

One of the things that distinguishes one from the other is the material that is utilized. It varies depending on several elements, such as:

  • Roof type – A commercial roof, as previously concluded, is normally flat due to various reasons like plumbing and HVAC because they are typically installed on top of it. Technicians who work with commercial roofs pass through its access hatch in order to repair different systems and that's something that they cannot do with a slopped roof. That's one of the main reasons why commercial roofs are flat in most cases. On the flip side, a residential building doesn't require a flat roof, unless homeowners demand it. Houses that do not have a flat roof usually have a slopped roof because it's capable of directing water directly into the house's gutters. It's worth mentioning that the slopped roof offers an attic that you can turn into storage if you want to.
  • Weather conditions – When it comes to commercial buildings, they typically require a roofing material that's going to keep them safe from various external elements that can be detrimental to their house, such as heavy rain, cold, and heat. In these types of situations, contractors opt for flat roofs or asphalt because they extend depending on the weather conditions, making sure that the internal structure of the roof doesn't alter. On the other hand, residential buildings do not require maximum protection (referring to the features). Furthermore, a vast majority of residential building roofs can properly function with steel roofs which are perfect for slopped roofing. Metal roofing is also a great choice for any homeowner who wants to efficiently insulate their space.
  • Moving on to expenses – Commercial buildings require a specific kind of roofing that is capable of providing top-notch features. There are different roofing materials that are on the pricier side, like Built-Up Roofing Membrane, and Thermostat Roof Membrane. Keep in mind that the roofs that are designed for commercial buildings are normally more expensive in comparison to the roofs that are intended for residential homes. When it comes to residential buildings, you do not need to spend a substantial amount of money in order to have a first-class type of roofing. Homeowners in these instances, typically select wooden shingles or asphalt and both of these alternatives are relatively affordable, yet will ensure you feel safe and comfortable in your house.

What Needs To Be Said About The Roof Installation?

There’s a major difference between the roofing projects that are intended for private residencies and the ones that are meant to be implemented on commercial buildings. When it comes to commercial buildings, you first need to take into account the projects' size before taking any actions, which doesn't need to be the case with residential buildings.

As far as the installation is concerned, roofing companies need to invest a lot more time and effort into commercial buildings than in residential ones, plus they also require a lot more resources.

Diving More Into Maintenance

Even though maintenance was briefly discussed previously, it doesn’t hurt to dive deeper into this topic. When it comes to maintenance, there's a big difference between residential and commercial roofs and it's all by virtue of their size.

As concluded above, commercial buildings usually require more maintenance because they have a larger surface area, and because of the numerous systems and equipment that are installed on them.

If you want to make sure your commercial roofing serves you for many, many years, and, simultaneously, decreases the chances of dealing with some expensive repairs, then you need to maintain it on a regular basis and conduct professional inspections too. 

That’s something that must be done at least every six months, if not even more often. Now, if you decide to hire a professional to inspect your roof, then you won’t need to do it more than once a year. 

Why is it important to inspect it on a regular basis? By doing so, you’ll be able to spot any minor issues and repair them before they turn into something more serious because then you’ll be dealing with huge costs.

Now, that the topic regarding commercial and residential roof systems is covered, we hope that things are a bit clearer as far as this is concerned and that you won't have any doubts when it's time to opt for one of these two.

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