There are many businesses, great and small, that have to decide on what type of roofing their business in Toronto should have. It’s not an easy decision to make, but knowing a little about each type makes it easier to decide. Here are the different types of commercial roofing available in most areas of Toronto:
Built-Up Roofing
This is the kind of roof that most people are familiar with for commercial buildings. This is a flat roof that uses layers of asphalt and tar to create a leak-resistant and well-insulated roof. It’s these roofs that are most recognizable to people for being covered in gravel.
The reason why they’re considered to be so popular is that they are waterproof, resistant to solar damage, and most importantly, they’re relatively low maintenance. Despite all of that, though, they are most commonly known for suffering from minor leaks.
Metal Roofing
This may not be the most commonly seen type of commercial roof out there, but it is one of the oldest still in use. They are made from corrugated galvanized steel in most cases, but aluminum or tin roofs are sometimes used, as well. They are light-weight, which makes them incredibly easy to install.
Many metal roofs now have a coating put on them to ensure that they are waterproof and rust-resistant. They do tend to build up a great deal of heat on hot, sunny days, though!
Shingle Roofing
This is better known for being the standard for residential roofs, but there are commercial buildings that still have shingle roofs installed, especially if they don’t have a lot of square footage to cover and it’s being placed on an angled roof. For those looking into shingle roofing, know that there are asphalt and architectural shingles available.
Asphalt shingles are deemed to be cost-effective and architectural are more expensive but they are also layered and more durable. This design is easy to repair and is a great approach for those looking for a bit of style.
Single-Ply Membrane
Membrane roofing is best known for being made of rubber or other synthetic materials and is a kind of roll-on roofing for flat roofs. This kind of roofing also boasts durability and is also among the easiest and cheapest to install. A well-maintained membrane roof can last up to thirty years. It’s also fire retardant and sunlight resistant.
Spray Polyurethane Foam
This type of eco-friendly roof is a spray-on roofing option where the polyurethane initially comes out as a liquid before expanding into a foam, which then hardens, forming a solid layer across a flat roof. This form of foam is equally viable in the cold winters and hot summers of Toronto.
Spray Foam Roofs are energy efficient, tough, waterproof, and best of all, environmentally friendly.
Many flat roofs are also being developed into green roofs to help combat climate change. The current roof is layered over with soil and then plants and even small trees are planted in them to create a kind of arboretum for people and to create a good way to absorb more carbon dioxide out of the air.
