What You Need to Know When Comparing Roofing Systems

When it comes to overhead foot traffic and weather, the roof is the most important part of a building. Making the right choice among multiple roofing systems means understanding how they work. Here is a look at the pros and cons of common roofing materials.

Spray-Applied

Though technically considered a coating, some companies do offer this as a roofing system option. Whether this works for your roof depends on the existing material since the coating needs to bond with what is already present. The fluid can hang in the air up to 100 feet away and any cars in the area must be moved before work begins.

Foam Roofing

This system uses two materials that, when combined, expand to fill gaps in your roof. This gives a roof with no seams that works as a great insulator. However, it can be hard to identify leaks when they happen and common repair techniques may fail to solve the problem.

Asphalt Modified Bitumen

Sometimes called a rubber roof, this system handles foot traffic quite well and goes on easily with just a torch or hot air welder. The rolls of asphalt are three feet wide, so there will be regular seams. Proper installation can make those seams less of an issue over other roofing systems.

Thermoplastic and PVC

This roofing system is great for roofs that pool a lot of water. It’s also lightweight and comes in colors for aesthetic uses and for practical ones, such as a white roof for extra cooling. The material is very flexible, which is good when installing it but can be problematic if the roof gets a lot of foot traffic.

Roofing systems serve a variety of functions, from insulation to aesthetics. Choosing the right system for your building means considering all the factors involved. Once you know which type of roof material you want, it’s time to interview local contractors to find the one with the best installation record.