Why flat roofs reign supreme in modern commercial roofing
Flat roofs are generally considered to be commercial roof systems. A flat roof can technically be installed on a residential or industrial buildings but the flat roof products and product systems are marketed and sold for use on commercial buildings, primarily. Overall the subdiscipline of flat roofing generally falls into the classification of commercial roofing.
The picture below shows two commercial buildings with somewhat typical flat roofs.
The picture below shows common Capitol Hill flat roofs. Although these buildings are built for primarily residential use, the same buildings have been converted to commercial use and the roofing products that we install today are considered commercial roof products.
Flat roof system come in a several varieties. The highest performance systems available today are generally roll membrane systems. TPO is one of the most durable and highest reflectivity materials available, but EPDM, PVC, and modified bitumen membranes are other comprable options.
In historic times, standing seam and welded lead flat seam metal options were available. In recent years lead was banned as a constituent alloy material in the sheet metal which constitutes the majority of the roof field. Now that lead has been removed metal roofs generally do not perform as well as they did when lead was a component. Lead is dangerous from a health and environmental perspective. Although it is a strong and moisture resistant material, it’s not safe for use without extreme precaution. Even more than the health concern, the manufacturing of lead alloy sheet metals significantly contributed to environmental damage. Byproducts from the manufacturing process without exacting control can end up in waterways and ecosystems.
