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Roofs are essential structures and need to be taken care of accordingly. The roof is the main structure in your home or commercial building that covers and protects the insides from harsh weather conditions like rain, hail, snow, and other similar ones.
The roof also prevents water from leaking into and damaging your interior walls while repelling heat, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard.
A well-designed commercial or residential roof can last for a long time. It means that you should take care of it as much as possible and ensure that it is always in good condition. The longer the roof lasts, the less money you will spend on maintenance and repairs.
5 Differences Between Commercial and Residential Roofing
Commercial and residential roofs are both critical, but they have subtle differences. Some residential roofs are designed similarly to commercial ones, but they do not have the exact specifications. The following is a list of some differences between the two types of roofs:
1. Flat vs. Low Slope
A flat roof is preferred in commercial buildings because it is easier to install and repair. Low sloped roofs are the most common type of residential roof.
When it comes to flat roofs, there are two types. A simple flat roof is a membrane that makes up most of the surface on a flat surface without a gutter system or an eavestrough.
A complex type flat roof will have more characteristics that resemble a pitched roof than anything else. It might have a gutter system running along its edges and additional features.
2. Weatherproofing
They build commercial buildings to last for many years, and they have to construct their roofs similarly.
A commercial roof is made from metal or concrete and needs to be fully weatherproofed to prevent leaks, keep out any water, and protect the building from harsh weather conditions. A residential roof might be more delicate, but it does not need to be weatherproofed as much as a commercial one.
A residential roof needs to withstand the normal wear and tear of living in a house and can usually be repaired with fewer obstacles than a commercial roof.
3. Dimensions
Commercial and residential roofs have different dimensions for their foundations and their ventilation packages, butter, and skylights.
For example, you expect a commercial building to have more square footage than an average residential one. For a commercial building to support the extra weight, a commercial roof needs to be able to carry the load.
For this reason, commercial roofs have more layers in the foundation. They design more enormous skylights and vents to handle more hot air, reduce energy costs, and make the top more rigid.
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4. Maintenance and Repair
You should know that a commercial roof will have higher maintenance costs than a residential one. It is because they expect these designs to last longer, and they need to be able to support heavier weights.
Commercial roofs can also have higher repair costs if they design them poorly or if there is a mistake in the installation. Residential roofs will only require less maintenance and repair costs because they aren’t usually carrying heavy loads and materials.
5. Warranties
They offer commercial roofs with more extended warranties than residential ones. It is because commercial roofs usually require unique materials and more layers for them to be able to carry heavyweights.
They design residential awnings with lightweight materials, so the top does not weigh down the home or building and sometimes even collapse.
The warranty can significantly impact your decision when choosing a commercial or residential roof. If they give you a warranty, you can explore the costs of repairing and maintaining your roof.
Conclusion
Roofs are built differently and with different materials, but the results are usually similar. You should always thoroughly research your options to make a wise decision.
Residential and commercial roofs need to serve a specific purpose. You need to build these two types of roofs for unique housing situations.
A roof restoration company will work with you to design the best top possible for your home or commercial building. It is essential to decide if you want a commercial or residential roof, depending on your needs.
Author Bio:
Jim Pulman has extensive knowledge and experience in Home Building, Construction, and Design. He writes articles in his free time and partners with content creators to share his expertise with the online community