Low-Slope Commercial, Industrial, & Institutional Roofing
Low-sloped roofing, also known as “flat roofing,” encompasses thousands of configurations. There are various roof deck types, insulation requirements, roof membrane requirements and other factors that can make it difficult to determine what you require. Professional roofing contractors simplify the process, helping you select the roof system that’s right for your needs.
Several types of roofing membranes are used on low-slope roof assemblies
There are two major types of BUR (built-up roofing), which are distinguished by the kind of waterproofing material they use in between plies of reinforcing felt: coal tar pitch or asphalt.
Modified bitumen membranes are BUR hybrids. Pre-manufactured in the factory, they come in rolls and add rubber to the asphalt or coal tar system. This lowers the temperature and elongates it. These products typically use a built-up membrane underlayment before application of the final modified bitumen membrane. Modified bitumen membranes can be torch-applied, self-adhered or mopped in place with hot bitumen. They are always surfaced with some type of topping system.
Single-ply roofing systems are made from several types of polymer plastics and rubbers.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is manufactured into large sheets for application to insulation on a roof. The material can be loose laid and ballasted with rock or pavers to hold the membrane in place. It= can be fully or partially adhered as well. Seams and the membrane are adhered with contact adhesives, while the seams are sometimes covered with a sealant. Toppings may or may not be required by the manufacturer in many cases. This product is available in black.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is manufactured into large sheets for application to insulation on a roof. The material can be loose laid and ballasted with rock or pavers to hold the membrane in place. It= can be fully or partially adhered as well. Seams and the membrane are adhered with contact adhesives, while the seams are sometimes covered with a sealant. Toppings may or may not be required by the manufacturer in many cases. This product is available in black.
Terpolymer Olefins are fleece-backed sheet membranes that are adhered to insulation. They’re typically white in color, and may be reinforced. There may or may not be a topping system used.
Garden Roofing, AKA “Green Roofing,” has been used for centuries in Europe as a way to reduce the need for air conditioning in buildings. While it is a relatively new concept in the United States, the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association has been leading the way in applying the concept over here.
Sometimes, these roofs meet code requirements for reflectivity of roofing in urban area, reducing the heat-island effect. That said, asphalt roads, parking lots, and building facades all radiate as much (or more) than roofing systems, which means that garden roofs sometimes only solve one piece of a larger problem.
Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source. Current tax incentives give Florida residents and business owners the opportunity to minimize upfront costs, meaning you can recoup your investment more quickly and start saving money. That said, these incentives are only for early adapters, and we don’t know how much longer they’ll last. Complete Roofing Solutions offers four different solar power systems: solar panel (photovoltaic) electricity, solar hot water, solar pool heating and attic ventilation systems. Whatever you need, we’ll find the right solution(s)!
