Creating a long lasting, durable roof can often be quite tricky and this is especially true with flat roofs. Roofing construction in Oklahoma City for flat roofing systems tends to make use of only one or two roofing solutions even though there are many more than this available. For instance, the most common roofing solution in the commercial market is the BUR (Built Up Roofing) system. BUR is a series of layers designed to stop the water before it enters the building, but it is not always the best choice. One reason for this is that BUR is very thin and can be easily damaged if people aren’t careful. Another is all the roofing details that can interfere.
In the case of commercial roofing, these details can be as simple as vents or flashing to complex air conditioning and heating systems. Every detail on the roof must be carefully sealed so that water cannot seep around the roof membrane. In the case of BUR, roofing damage can occur whenever anyone is working on the roof. This includes the technicians that are servicing any comfort appliances. This is why some experts in Roofing Construction in Oklahoma City recommend other options such as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), TPO (Thermoplastic polyolefin) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer). The first two choices are variations on polymers and provide very robust roofing solutions. The latter is a synthetic rubber. EPDM may have some issues on certain structures because of shrinkage, and this option should be thoroughly discussed with the contractor before a decision is made.
Of course, not all commercial roofs use the flat roofing method. Some actually take advantage of residential roofing solutions while other make use of steel sheets. Steel is often the roofing solution of choice because it provides both long lasting protection and a durable roofing system. Metal roofs have a tendency to last longer provided the roof is properly installed. To ensure the metal doesn’t corrode, the steel is treated with a zinc galvanized coating. Zinc is preferred because it handles the elements better and takes longer before the steel becomes exposed. Be careful if the steel is not coated with zinc, not all coatings survive as well. Steel roofs typically last for fifty years or more. To learn more about commercial roofing talk to the experts at the Affordable Construction Company.
