When you work on designing a commercial building, it can be difficult to tell what the best material is for a given situation. Commercial roofs have a unique design and they require more consideration than a regular residential roof.
Read on to find out what how you can choose a commercial roof and hire a roofing contractor to install it.
Top Considerations for a Commercial Roof
When you’re installing a commercial roof, there are a number of things that you need to take into consideration. These are the most important things you need to think about.
Building Usage
What is the building going to be used for? Is it a warehouse where inventory will be stored? Is it going to be a public space?
These are important questions to ask because a public space will need insulation, while a warehouse will require resistance over leaks.
Weather Considerations
The location of the building will have a big impact on the commercial roof that’s best for your project. You could be in a location that’s exposed to extreme weather conditions. There may be building codes in your location to make sure that the structure is sound.
Will the Business Grow?
Are you working with a business that plans to grow in the next few years? You want to make sure that you have a roof that will grow with it. You don’t want to put the business in a position where it has to replace the entire roof again for a building expansion
Different Types of Roofing Systems
Let’s take a look at the different types of commercial roof materials that you can use for your project.
The first is a metal roof. A metal roof replacement is a good option because it’s durable and can withstand high winds. They can be used in a low sloped design, a standard slope or flat roof repair.
Asphalt is another popular choice for a commercial roof because it’s less expensive to install than other materials. It may be less expensive now, but it usually requires more maintenance throughout the life of the roof. You’ll also likely to have to repair it after bad weather events.
How to Choose a Commercial Roofing Contractor
Once you know how to choose a commercial roof, it’s time to find a roofing contractor to work with. This choice is just as important as the roofing materials you choose. You need to make sure that
Hiring a bad roofer to install the roof will result in an unstable roof. It’s also likely to have a negative impact on your work as a civil engineer. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.
Licensed and Insured
In most states, roofing contractors are required to have a license to operate. They should also carry insurance. Yet, for one reason or another, there are roofing contractors who don’t carry insurance.
This can put everyone on the job at risk if there’s an injury. If a worker gets injured on the job and the roofing contractor doesn’t have insurance, the property owner could be held liable. They would then have to pay the injured worker’s medical bills.
That would turn the entire project into one major mess. You can avoid this nightmare situation by asking to see the contractor’s insurance policy.
You also want to make sure that they’re licensed to operate in your area. This is easy to do. You can just look up their license number and check with your state’s roofing board. This will ensure that they’re licensed, and that license is in good standing.
Warranty of Work
A number of commercial roofing contractors have some kind of roofing warranty. Most of the time, this warranty is on the actual roof itself, which can be for about 10 years or more.
You want to make sure if there’s an installation issue after the fact, you have some method to get it fixed without spending more money on the project.
Be sure that you understand exactly what is covered and not covered in the warranty.
Protection of Property
Replacing a commercial roof is a dangerous and sometimes messy job. In the replacement process, roofers can throw old parts of the roof onto the ground or in the surrounding parking lot.
You’ll need to make sure that the roofing contractor has some kind of system in place to protect the property during the installation. That could result in a bigger mess that you might have to remedy after the installation.
Ask Questions
When you’re working with a roofing contractor, you need to be able to ask questions to ensure the safety and stability of your project. You also want to make sure that your project gets completed on time and under budget.
There are two important questions that you can ask. The first is whether or not the contractor works in inclement weather. The second is who the point person is on the job. That will ensure that you have one person to speak with and get questions answered.
Install a Commercial Roof the Right Way
Whether you need to replace or install a commercial roof, you need to know a few things. You have to be aware of the different types of commercial roof systems. That will depend on the location of the business, the type of structure, and the weather patterns there.
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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
