Looking to install a new roof on your commercial space? Before you start putting together your budget for this, you need to understand the difference between residential and commercial roofing. Commercial roofs are far more complex and, therefore, need specialized labour and a bigger budget. Let’s learn more about each type of roofing and the main differences between the two:

Purpose

Residential roofing usually only serves one purpose: to protect the home from the elements and drain water and snow out towards the gutters and away from the structure. Commercial roofing, however, is built according to the needs of the building. These are usually flat in design, so they can store HVAC equipment, gardens or solar panels on top. Special built-in drainage features are also commonly included with a commercial roof. 

Roof Types and Materials

Residential

Asphalt shingles are Canada’s most common type of residential roofing, but they’re far from the only option. You can also choose from shake, wood, or metal roofs. These materials are designed to work best on the mid to high pitches of residential homes and are less commonly found on flat roofs. 

• Asphalt offers a wide variety of colour and style options. This material is also very suited to Canadian weather and is cost- and energy-efficient.
• Shake is very durable and attractive, potentially boosting your home’s resale value.
• Wood is eco-friendly and provides great insulation for cold Canadian winters.
• Metal roofs are long-lasting and energy-efficient, reflecting more of the sun’s UV rays to lower the surface heat and your cooling costs.

Commercial

Commercial roofs are often flat or have a low slope, creating different needs from their roofing materials than residential buildings. Depending on the purpose and budget of the building, these are some common commercial roofing materials:

• Built-up roofing membrane (BUR) is a tar and gravel mix that is built up in multiple layers on a low slow for maximum stability and protection. It’s known for being fire and weather-resistant, helping to protect the building from the elements.
• Modified bitumen is a hybrid asphalt, rubber, and fibreglass material, making it sturdy and able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
• Metal EPDM roofing uses a rubber membrane to create a cost-efficient, lightweight, and long-lasting roof.
• TPO is a membrane that reflects heat, helping increase your home’s energy efficiency.
• PVC is a lightweight, single-layer plastic roofing material. It’s easy to install and maintain, making it very cost-efficient while still being weatherproof.
• Green roofing refers to any ‘living’ roof, such as a lawn or garden. These are great for environmentally friendly businesses, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve overall air quality.

Installation Costs

Commercial roofing is often more expensive than residential roofing to install, and not just because of size. Depending on the type of roof, commercial projects often require more expensive materials, specialized equipment and tools, and highly skilled labour. Commercial roofs can also require smokestacks, external piping and airflow systems. All of these factors combined can equate to higher costs over the lifetime of the roof.

Installation Time

A residential roof can be fully replaced in a matter of days, whereas a commercial roof can take weeks. Roofing contractors will also take more care when installing a commercial roof because any flaws in the installation process can shorten its lifespan significantly. 

Maintenance

Both residential and commercial roofs require maintenance, but a commercial roof will need far more care over its lifespan. Flat roofs also require more maintenance and repairs, especially if water starts to pool on its surface. If proper drainage is not installed or maintained, a commercial roof will start to leak. Routine inspections and maintenance are necessary to ensure that any small issues with the drainage systems, ventilation or membrane are quickly fixed. HVAC systems are also highly complex. Only a professional who knows what they are doing should be taking care of the HVAC on the roof. 

Neglecting a commercial roof can result in major issues down the road. Even something as simple as a small leak could end up costing thousands in repair if left unattended, so always consult with a professional and have a routine maintenance plan in place. 

Durability

Commercial roofing needs to be more durable than residential roofing, as foot traffic from maintenance workers or other repair professionals is likely as they need access to different systems within the building. This roofing also often has a larger surface area, catching more debris and damage from the elements. 

With residential roofing, you have the freedom to choose a more attractive but less durable option if that’s the look you prefer. It may last just as long as the highly durable commercial roofs because it doesn’t get walked on quite as much!

Overall Design

The difference in design of most commercial and residential roofs is immediately apparent. 

• Residential roofs tend to have a mid or high-pitch, with gabled roofs being the most common roofing style. 
• Commercial roofs, by contrast, are often completely flat or have a low pitch. 

A major factor in the design of commercial roofs is structure size, with these buildings generally having a larger surface area to cover. This can also be true of large residential homes or smaller commercial buildings, as these spaces would have a similar need for roof access related to repairs and maintenance.

Types of Repairs

Commercial and residential roofs will have many of the same repair needs over their lifespan, though commercial roofs will likely need these at a larger scale. Repairs that are more common with commercial roofs include:

• Blistering: This occurs when heat from inside the building causes condensation on the inside of the roof, which then creates a ‘bubble.’ 
• Shrinkage: This causes damage to the roofing membrane, which can occur due to poor installation or escaping moisture.

For residential roofs, some common repairs include:

• Wind Damage: This is caused by the increased surface area of a high-pitched roof catching the wind; it’s more common to lose shingles in a strong storm.
• Ventilation System Damage: This happens when humidity and heat have built up underneath the roof, causing mould and mildew to grow in the home.

Roofing Services

At Top Hat Home Comfort Services, we have a variety of roofing services to lend a hand, whether you have a residential or commercial property. These include:

• Shingle roofing, whether it’s repairing or replacing your shingles, our team can help you find the right style and material that will boost your home’s curb appeal while fitting your budget.
• Repair and maintenance of any roofing problems that pop up. We can also help develop a maintenance plan to help get ahead of future issues, increasing the longevity of your roof.
• Leak assessment and repair. If you notice water spots or mildew, it’s best to act quickly, and our expert roofing team can find and fix any roof leaks that may be causing the damage.
• Snow and ice removal is important in severe Canadian winters to keep you safe. We can help remove any snow or ice that’s weighing down your roof or causing any risks to passers-by.

Residential and commercial roofing both require highly skilled, licensed professionals to install and maintain. Contact Top Hat Home Comfort today to find out how our expert team can help install, repair, or maintain your roof to keep it in great condition for years to come.