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Many people think all roofs are the same, whether it is on their home or the gas station down the street. There are several differences between residential and commercial roofing in Atlanta that require experienced roofers to install each type. Roof Design One of the biggest differences between the two roofing types is the design. In the case of a residence, the roof is part of the architectural design. Taller roofs allow for more living space in the attic while modern architecture uses a flat roof to convey the clean, geometric lines. The roof also does double duty by routing rain to the gutters and away from the house. A commercial roof is most often flat because of the large size of the building. The wide open space of the building requires long spans for the ceiling joists. A pitched roof is heavier, requiring a stronger structure to hold it up. Mechanicals The long spans that the roof has to cover are not the only consideration in having a flat roof. Much of the mechanical items in a commercial building are on the roof because that is the only area with enough space. In a house, HVAC equipment is smaller and can be set up in the basement. A large commercial area needs a larger unit to keep the interior comfortable. Usually, the only place with enough open area in a commercial building is the roof. In the new century, many businesses are investing in solar technology on the roof to supplement their electric bills. The wide open area is an ideal location for the solar panels because they have an unobstructed view of the sun for most of the day. Materials Because of the flat design, commercial roofs need to worry more about standing water and how it can ruin the roof. The slope of a residential roof carries the water away. Some materials like wood shingles will decay faster on a flat roof because the water does not drain away quickly. Typically, a commercial roof is made of only a handful of materials that stand up well to the water. The most common type is a water membrane that is rolled over the roof and joined together with a special tape. Tar or asphalt is then spread over top of the membrane to fill in any holes that water can seep through. Metal is the other common material for a commercial roof. It adds more strength to the roof, supporting more weight from mechanical units as well as ice and snow. Metal roofing can be made from copper, steel, iron or aluminum. Each tile is overlapped with the previous one and sealed with an epoxy making them water-tight. Finally, the roof can be made out of concrete, whether a poured slab or pre-made tiles. Concrete is the most sturdy, but requires the most support because of the heavy weight. In general terms, residential and commercial roofing in Atlanta do the same thing. They both protect the inside of the building from the elements. There are, however, major differences that make each unique.
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