In cities such as Baton Rouge, New Orleans, or even Houston, when viewing the skyline, one will notice that a lot of the commercial buildings have a flat roof. Why, though, do buildings used in commerce have flat roofs? This is not merely an architectural decision regarding aesthetics, but also has practical and monetary benefits that make flat roofs great in a commercial building. Cost-effectiveness to space maximization: flat roofs have a variety of advantages that make them an attractive option to use in business premises.

The Advantages Of Using Flat Roofs In Commercial Buildings.

Flat roofs are popular in commercial buildings due to a number of reasons:

Cost Efficiency

Cost is one of the main factors why flat roofs are adopted in commercial buildings. Flat roofs are cheaper to install compared to the pitched roofs because they consume fewer materials and less labor. It can also be quite beneficial to the large buildings, the cost of which must be kept down. Flat roofs also can be made with efficient drainage systems at a reduced cost in places such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge where most of the structures are constructed to take heavy rainfalls.

Ease of Maintenance

Groups of flat roofs are also simple to maintain and reach than sloped roofs. In the case of commercial properties, this is a great benefit as HVAC systems, solar panels and other devices can be placed on the roof and also can be serviced without having to use special equipment. In Houston, which is a region that has rooftop HVAC systems, most of the businesses tend to opt to use the flat roofs so as to make installation and maintenance a painless task.

Maximize Usable Space

Flat roofs offer more space that could be used commercially. As one of the rooftops, this can be converted into a rooftop garden, patio, or solar panel systems. Flat roofs can be used in crowded cities such as downtown Houston or New Orleans where there is a scarcity of space to use, thus utilising the flat roof as a means of increasing the utility of the building without having to occupy the ground space.

Durability and Longevity

When well installed and maintained, flat roofs last very long and can even live up to decades. There are flat roofing systems that have materials like modified bitumen, EPDM ( Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer ) or TPO ( Thermoplastic Polyolefin ) that are quite resistant to the elements. In a place it can easily be exposed to extreme weather, like Baton Rouge and Houston, the correct material used on the flat roof will guarantee long durability.

Energy Efficiency

The advantage of flat roofs is that they are energy efficient, particularly when they are covered with reflective paint or material that is not likely to trap heat. This is especially relevant in hot areas such as Houston where air conditioning a building can be a great operational cost. The application of a white or reflective paint on the roof of a flat roof can be utilized to lower the cost of energy by ensuring that the building is cooler during the hot seasons.

Quick Installation

The design of a flat roof is simple and thus, the roof is less cumbersome and faster to install than pitched or sloped roofs. Time is money to business owners and less time is taken to install the business means less time the business will be down. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Houston are the cities in which the use of flat roofs is frequently suggested by contractors due to its efficiency and the ability to complete the construction of roofing on large areas in a short amount of time.

Popular Commercial Flat Roofing Materials.

The materials that are normally used in the flat roofing systems used in commercial properties are several:

TPO Roofing: TPO is very popular because it is reflective and withstands the weather; it is highly efficient in energy consumption and resistant to weather.
EPDM Roofing: The EPDM is a rubber membrane, which provides excellent protection against leaks, is known to be strong and long-lasting.
PVC Roofing: PVC is also lightweight, strong and chemical resistant hence it is a popular flat roof coating.
Mod Bitumen: Bitumen offers good weathering capabilities as well as is frequently applied as a commercial roof where durability is paramount.

Some Of The Challenges That May Arise With Flat Roofs Are listable.

Despite all the benefits of flat roofs, there are certain issues that the business owners must consider:

Drainage: Flat roofs do not drain like sloped ones and therefore proper drainage systems are necessary. Areas where there is a lot of rainfall such as Baton Rouge and New Orleans have drains vulnerable to clogging and thus when not maintained would cause pooling and leakage.
Maintenance: It is important to perform regular maintenance in order to lengthen the life of a flat roof. Flat roofs, although easier to reach, must be periodically checked to identify any damage (especially after a storm) as well.
Heat Accumulation: Devoid of reflective coating, flat roofs are able to gather more heat and this is particularly common in warm climates such as those in the city of Houston and this can push the cost of cooling upward. This problem can be reduced by installing the appropriate roofing material and insulation.

Conclusion

Why then are commercial structures such as the building flat roofed? Their solution is that they are convenient, economical, and flexible. Flat roofs have a number of benefits such as reduced cost of installation, minimal maintenance, and provide more usable area to commercial buildings in such cities as Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Houston. But just as any roofing system, it is important to have it installed well and maintained to ensure long running performance and durability.

When you think of having a flat roof on your business or even like to maintain your existing flat roof, call Simplex Roof. We have a team of professionals who are willing to offer professional services to your business requirements.