A Look at the Various Types of Commercial Roof Materials

Kathleen Maxwell

Maxwell Roofing team members moving roofing materials

No two businesses are alike, and neither are any two commercial roofs. Commercial roofs will differ from each other from the equipment they hold to the type of materials that make up their composition. Every kind of roof and roof material has its pros and cons. 

Here, we will look at some of the most common types of materials used on commercial roofs and explore the advantages and disadvantages of each one:

Polyvinyl Chloride Membranes

Known in the roofing business as PVC, Polyvinyl Chloride Membranes are one of the most popular commercial roofing materials. PVC roofs are made up of two layers of roofing material with a polyester layer in the middle for reinforcement. PVC is popular because it is extremely durable and long-lasting. It is also resistant to fire and moisture. The main downside is that PVC can be expensive compared to other roof materials. The material can also be difficult to repair when it ages.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer

EPDM is commonly known as rubber roofing. This roofing material is easy to install, lightweight, long-lasting, and is one of the most inexpensive roofing materials. While EPDM roofs will last a long time in perfect conditions, they do puncture easily. Rubber roofs can also spring leaks easily if they are not properly adhered and leaks are difficult to detect in this material. EPDM is also not considered to be very aesthetically pleasing for buildings where the roof will be visible.

Metal Roofs

Many different kinds of metal can be used in commercial roofing from copper to galvanized steel to aluminum. Each type of metal has its own advantages and disadvantages but, generally, metal roofs are among the most durable and long-lasting roof options. Metal opens up a whole world of design options for a building, and the material is usually used for buildings where looks are a concern. Metal roofs also tend to be more fireproof than other types of roofing material, but it can be expensive.

Thermoplastic Polyolefin

In most cases, thermoplastic polyolefin, or TPO, is the cheapest roof material available. TPO is similar to both PVC and EPDM, but it is 100 percent recyclable. TPO is a lightweight membrane that is typically heat-welded at the seams rather than adhered like EPDM—however, it can also be mechanically fastened. This welding makes TPO more resistant to leaks than EPDM, but the material also has many disadvantages. TPO is prone to shrinking and cracking. The material is also not fire-resistant. 

Spray Polyurethane Foam

SPF is a plastic that is sprayed out as a foam that then solidifies and expands over a rooftop. This foam seals off gaps on the roof and is extremely insulated, helping owners save on energy bills. SPF is typically layered onto a roof underneath another roof coating. Applying SPF is a specialized skill, and not all roofing companies offer it. Applying and maintaining this material can be expensive.

Because this type of roof is difficult to repair and replace, Maxwell strongly recommends against having this type of roofing material installed. 

Asphalt

Asphalt is an older method for commercial roofs. The material is rolled out and pressed onto a roof deck. Asphalt roof systems are typically more expensive than PVC, EPDM, and TPO but are also more durable and long-lasting. They are very tough and puncture-resistant due to the multiple plies included in the system. This type of material is recommended for manufacturing plants or any roof that will have roof traffic or penetrations. 

Our roofing experts at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. are committed to helping every client figure out the best type of roofing material for their project. To learn more, contact Maxwell today.


Search Resources

Popular Tags

2020 2020 commercial roof 24/7 8th & Roast Accounts Payable Administrative Office Coordinator aerial roof moisture survey Alabama anchored article Anchored Client Spotlight Anchored Employee Spotlight apprenticeships architectural design asphalt Baker Twins Real Estate Brentwood Baptist Church budget Budgeting building maintenance building owners building permit new roof building temperatures built-up roofing BUR business owners careers in commercial roofing CDC checklist checklist for business owners Chelsey Cole choosing a roof type Chris Vogl church roofing Clean your roof after a storm clean your roof at regular intervals Clean your roof between seasons Clean your roof throughout the summer client spotlight client spotlights client testimonial clogged drainage cold Colliers International commecial roofing commercial building roof insulation commercial buildings commercial contractors commercial flat roofing contractors commercial investment property commercial metal roofing contractors Commercial Properties commercial real estate Commercial Reroof Commercial Roof commercial roof budget commercial roof budgeting commercial roof construction commercial roof damage commercial roof inspection commercial roof inspections commercial roof insulation commercial roof leak repair commercial roof maintenance commercial roof maintenance plan commercial roof materials commercial roof problems commercial roof quote commercial roof repair Commercial Roof Replacement commercial roof replacement cost commercial roof replacement process commercial roof replacement quote commercial roof value commercial roofing commercial roofing budget commercial roofing career Commercial Roofing Careers commercial roofing company commercial roofing construction commercial roofing contractors commercial roofing damage Commercial Roofing Employees commercial roofing faqs commercial roofing goals commercial roofing in 2023 commercial roofing in Nashville commercial roofing jobs Commercial Roofing Partner Commercial Roofing Preventative Maintenance commercial roofing questions commercial roofing quotes commercial roofing repairs commercial roofing service commercial roofing strategy commercial roofing technology commercial roofing terminology commercial roofing tips commercial roofs common questions competitive benefits comprehensive roof assessments comprehensive roof maintenance condensation Connection Between Insulation & Commercial Roofing construction construction managers construction misconceptions construction safety Contractor Contractor Warranties contractors cool roof cool roofing cool roofs coronavirus corporate buildings corporate roof cost savings costs courthouse roof COVID-19 customer experience customer service damage dan maxwell Design designer roofs develop talent Do's and Don't of Roof Installations documentation DOL draining system drains Drone Inspections drying durable materials Eco-Friendly Eco-Friendly Commercial Roofing Options eco-friendly roof Elevated roof moisture survey emergency helpline emergency repair emergency service employee appreciation employee spotlight employee training energy costs energy efficiency energy efficient tips energy savings energy-efficient roofing Ensworth School EPDM EPDM roofing estimates estimating estimator Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Fabrication fabricator facility managers fall checklist fall maintenance fall protection Fall Roofing Protection Basics faqs Featured Article Featured Client Spotlight Featured Employee Featured Employee Spotlight federal buildings flashing flat roof forecasting full-service roofing Full-service roofing services general contractor general contractors government agency government buildings government roof bids government roof insulation Grease Traps Green Roof green roofing gutters hail damage heat damage hiring Horrell Company how to address storm damage to roofs how to get commercial roofing jobs Huntsville Huntsville Commercial Roofing HVAC HVAC systems HVAC units ice ice damage impalement hazards improve performance Indian Lake Peninsula Church industrial building owners industrial buildings industrial flat roof replacement Industrial Owners industrial roof leak repair industrial roof maintenance industrial roofing industrial roofs industrial roofs issues Infrared Moisture Infrared Moisture Surveys inspection inspection plan Inspections Installation Insulation insurance jack ryan jackie sprout John Blue Realty John Maxwell Journey Design Group Kalen Canaday Kasey Fanton Leak Prevention Leaks licensing light-colored roofs lisa ann parr long-term maintenance long-term roof management longevity of a roof low-slope commercial roof maintenance maintenance plan Manufacturer Warranties manufacturing Martha Walden Material Warranties MAXCare Maxwell Monitors Maxwell Roofing Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal Maxwell Roofing Client Spotlight Maxwell Roofing employee maxwell roofing employees maxwell roofing experience maxwell team metal fabrication Metal Roof Metal Roofing metal roofs michael buckingham Michael Cox Mikki Zimonjic moisture retention Nashville Nashville Commercial Roofing nashville roof recovery nashville roof recovery systems Nashville Roofing Nashville Roofing Partner nashville winter National Safety Month new career new commercial roof new construction new roof new roof building regulations Next Generation Net Lease ongoing learning opportunities ongoing roof maintenance open penetrations operations OSHA OSHA standards planning for emergencies ponding ponding water pre-engineered metal roofs Prepare Your Roof for Fall and Winter Preparing for winter prevent a roofing emergency prevent seasonal damage preventative maintenance preventative roof maintenance pricing proactive maintenance project manager prolong roof life property management PVC PVC membranes PVC roofing qualified roof technician Quality questions to ask a commercial roofer questions to ask your commercial roofing contractor RCP Companies recovery systems recruitment Recycled or Biodegradable Roof Material regular inspections reliability Reputation Reroofing Project retail store owners Risk Management roof assessments roof budget roof cleaning roof coatings roof construction roof curbs roof damage roof debris removal roof diffusers Roof Drain Debris Removal roof holes roof inspections Roof Installation Roof installation tips roof insulation roof investment roof leak repairs Roof leaks roof life expectancy roof maintenance roof maintenance cost roof maintenance tip roof management roof materials roof performance roof preventative maintenance roof repair roof replacement Roof Replacement Projects roof replacements roof safety roof weatherproofing roof’s lifespan Roofers Coffee Shop Roofing roofing budget roofing care roofing careers roofing cleaning Roofing Company roofing construction questions roofing contractor roofing costs roofing employees roofing goals roofing industry roofing industry careers roofing maintenance roofing materials roofing membrane roofing mistakes Roofing Partner roofing problems Roofing Products roofing projects roofing questions roofing sales Roofing Specialists roofing trends rooftop bar rooftop deck rooftop features Rooftop grease traps Rooftop moisture survey rooftop patio rooftop penetrations rooftop safety routine maintenance safe construction Safety Samples Properties school roof construction school roofing safety school safety seasonal damage seasonal maintenance service account manager service and repair Service Superintendent services severe weather sheet metal sheet metal fabrication singly ply roofing systems skylights Skyline Replacement Skyline Replacement Tips sloped commercial roof snow Solar Panels solar roof Spray Polyurethane Foam spring spring maintenance spring weather state buildings Stephen Marbach storm damage storm damage to commercial roof Summer Heat summer kick-off party summer maintenance sun damage superintendent surface hazards temperature control The EDGE estimating software The Woman’s Club of Nashville thermal proofing Thermoplastic Polyolefin Tips for Commercial Roofing TN todd white top blogs top roofing blogs top talent TPO membranes training types of roofing Under-roof moisture survey Valerie Bibee values Walker Family Partners warehouse roof replacement warranties Warranty waterproofing weather damage white reflective roofs White Roof white roofs wind resistance winter maintenance winter weather winterizing roof

What Do Our Customers Have to Say?


Read Our Reviews