Category Archives: Roofing Materials

Transforming Commercial Building Roofs: Exploring Innovative Rooftop Spaces

Are you looking to maximize your commercial property’s rooftop space? Or maybe you’re renovating your building and want to give it a new look. When you’re ready to embrace a new way of looking at your commercial property, call the roofing professionals who know the ins and outs of innovative rooftop spaces. We can help you determine what new and exciting uses for your commercial building roof’s space are appropriate for your building.

As a commercial property owner, you should research and understand your building’s zoning laws. If you have the freedom to re-use and re-discover your commercial rooftop space, you should take the time to consider some of the impressive and innovative rooftop spaces used by building owners just like you.

Create an Oasis with Rooftop Gardens

A low-angle view of a rooftop garden with raised garden boxes.

Green roofs and rooftop gardens provide your commercial building roof with attractive and energy-efficient spaces. Gardens and plant-focused innovative rooftop spaces can help mitigate what is known as the urban heat island effect. This term describes how cities and urban landscapes have poor heat mitigation due to abundant concrete, asphalt, and other artificial materials. These artificial materials are heavily used in a city and typically don’t dissipate heat like trees, grass, and other greenery can.

Rooftop gardens provide a way to improve urban biodiversity and energy efficiency by countering this ‘heat island’ effect. Additionally, this can provide benefits such as sustainability, improved air quality, and the use of rainwater. The downside to these commercial building roofs is that the functional plants require upkeep and management, which causes more work for you or your office management team.

Invite More Visitors with Rooftop Dining Spaces

Many restaurants and dining establishments have creatively used their innovative rooftop spaces for outdoor dining spaces. This functionally adds to the number of customers you can manage but can require heavy renovations and re-design of your commercial building roof. You should pay particular attention to the zoning and safety of the spaces to ensure an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.

Another consideration is that the rooftop dining space won’t see much use throughout the winter. However, having additional space for visitors through the summer can pay for itself over the years. This provides ample opportunities to create a restaurant aesthetic that can quickly become a landmark in your city.

Enhance Your Green Image with Solar Panels

A flat roof that has multiple rows of solar panels installed on top of it

With climate change continuing to be a hot topic, installing solar panels on a commercial building’s roof can easily improve a company’s reputation. Solar technology has continually innovated, removing many past challenges to rooftop solar installations.

Solar panels, shingles, and other energy solutions have experienced design and technology improvements that reduce weight, increase efficiency, and prevent damage to your rooftops. Solar solutions can enhance your building’s energy efficiency and give your business the image of being forward-thinking and eco-friendly.

Explore Your Options with Recreational Spaces

Many residential facilities use their innovative rooftop space to provide recreational space. Residents often cite amenities as a major draw for their apartment choices, which can improve camaraderie and tenant retention. Commercial rooftops can see many benefits when creating a committed recreational space, such as employee time spent on-site, employee retention, and happiness.

Some standard options for recreation space on a commercial building roof include rooftop gardens, play areas for children, or even smaller sports spaces like pickleball or squash courts. Embracing your roof as a common space is a great way to enhance feelings of community for those who spend time in your building.

Benefit Your Health and Focus with Rooftop Relaxation

A rooftop space with small potted shrubs and four lounge chairs around a small table.

Provide employees with an oasis by adding a rooftop relaxation space to your commercial roof. A dedicated space for short breaks throughout the day can benefit employee retention, happiness, and productivity. Simply providing your outdoor spaces with durable seating and covered areas for shade and protection from the elements can add to your aesthetic and curb appeal.

This type of space doesn’t just benefit offices. Residential buildings, such as nursing homes, can also help the well-being of residents. Fresh air is always good for health, especially in locations with good weather. Hotels can benefit from providing guests with more ways to spend their vacation and travel in a relaxing ambiance.

Design Your Vision with Heidler Roofing

When creating a new space on your commercial building roof, you want to make the most of it. Your team, your residents, or your visitors will want to know that you are a person who considers the little things, from the plants you choose to the design you create. Let us help you make your building a place that people across your city will point to and want to know more about.

We at Heidler Roofing take pride in our work and process and want to share our expertise. We want to empower you to make the most of your roof, whether bringing nature to your team or providing your company with a new way to bring in business. So call us today and help us understand what you envision for your buildings, and we’ll help make that dream a reality.



The Future of Commercial Roofing: Exciting Advancements to Look Out For

Would you trust your car with a mechanic who doesn’t keep up with the newest advancements in the automotive industry? Even the oldest industries make consistent innovations, spurred on by the creative use of new technologies. That’s why you should only trust your business with a roofing company that looks to the future of the commercial roofing industry for inspiration and long-term goals.

The commercial roofing industry is always advancing, even if it doesn’t look that way from the outside. While traditional roofing materials have been used for centuries, there are always ways to improve the tools, techniques, and technologies used. Call us today, and we can tell you all about the future of your business’s roof—or read on and learn about the future of the commercial roofing industry at large!

Solar Panel Shingles

Solar technology continues to be one of the most popular ways to showcase an environmental initiative. The benefits of solar power have been long discussed among commercial property owners. Still, continuing advancements in battery storage technology will make solar panels and solar shingles more viable for businesses of all sizes.

Solar panels are becoming more well-integrated with roofing systems because they offset energy costs. Current solar shingles and commercial solar roofing systems have issues with bulk, weight, and efficiency, but these continue to see rapid advancement.

Green Roofs

One of the most common focuses of roofing advancements is the environmental impact. Many of the most common commercial roofing materials involve synthetic materials that can last for decades and eventually break down. These products can have a long-term environmental impact and as a result, many businesses are turning towards metal and green roofing systems.

The urge to use more eco-friendly materials has driven many architects and builders to lean into green roofs, which integrate living plants into roofing materials for a more environmentally friendly roof without the same type of maintenance or winterizing needs. This characteristic brings an excellent curb appeal, provides an easy public image win, and can be longer lasting than common multi-layer roofing materials. Green roofing systems will continue to see more use across commercial roofing. As technology advances, these will likely grow in the commercial roofing market.

Synthetic Roofing Materials

A close view of a low-slope tile roof with an AC unit on top

Synthetic roofs are not new to commercial roofing trends, but there have been consistent advancements in synthetic materials. The roofing industry has difficult demands on durability, water resistance, and insulation. Composite materials can provide unique benefits to roofing systems, ranging from insulation to lower energy costs.

Reinforced polymers can be used alongside other synthetic materials to create roofing systems that resist extreme weather conditions and the harshest environments. Lastly, synthetic materials tend to be lighter and easier to install than more cumbersome materials. Advancements in materials capable of self-healing, weathering, and other useful benefits are likely to be seen in the industry.

Metal Roofing Advancements

Metal roofing systems have always been very popular for commercial roofing thanks to their ability to use recycled materials, strong structural integrity, and more. Smart roofing systems will increasingly use advanced metal alloys that build upon the benefits of metal roofs.

Commercial roofs often demand timely repairs, improved cost savings, and better energy efficiency. Advanced roofing material innovations in both synthetic and metal roofs have already developed their own space in commercial buildings, and you can likely look forward to seeing new materials on the market soon.

Cold Roofing

‘Cold roofing’ is a system that emphasizes a high thermal resistance index and heat dissipation. This characteristic leads to dramatically decreased cooling costs for commercial properties. This energy-efficient roofing decreases energy consumption during the summer and reduces heat loss during the winter.

Energy efficiency is one of the most useful ways to prioritize environmental initiatives since energy costs are a major concern for most businesses, and energy use is a large cause of greenhouse gases. Cold roofs will be one of the best steps towards reducing energy consumption, especially compared to traditional roofs. Cold roofing components are one of the latest commercial roofing trends.

Drone Roof Inspections

A closeup of a drone in flight with a row of commercial buildings in the distance below

Proactive maintenance is one of the best ways to get the most out of our roofing systems, just like a yearly checkup lets you stay ahead of health issues. Therefore, drone technology will likely begin to see more use in the roofing industry.

Drone roofing inspections will allow a roofer to avoid risking injury from rotting wood or weak spots in a roof while also protecting the roof itself from the potential damage of a roofer exploring its surface for damage. For large commercial spaces and roofs, a drone can cover more space in less time, saving money for everyone involved.

Look Forward to the Future of Commercial Roofing with Heidler Roofing!

Commercial roofing contractors need to stay up-to-date on the latest roofing innovations to provide the best service possible. High-quality and professional roofing services don’t happen without the hard work to stay up-to-date and knowledgeable. You need to ensure you have the best materials and techniques on hand. This is why we are always looking to the future of commercial roofing.

If you are a commercial operation in the Mid-Atlantic region, you should look to Heidler Roofing for fast and friendly commercial roofing services. We will discuss the needs of your building, providing you with a new, restored, or renovated roof as fast as possible. Call us today!



A Comprehensive Guide to a Commercial Roofing Material Comparison

If you are building a new commercial building or are preparing to remodel your current one, you have a critical decision to make: What roofing materials will you use? Nearly a dozen materials are commonly used for commercial buildings, making it overwhelming to choose the right one for you.

This is why we have put together a commercial roofing material comparison list to help you organize and understand the differences between roofing systems. If you still have questions after reviewing this list, don’t hesitate to reach out and get our professional opinion!

Shape of Commercial Roofs

Roofing systems can be broadly categorized into low-slope or steep-slope. A commercial roofing system is typically a low-sloped roof but can be steep-sloped depending on the building and zoning. The shape of your roof will depend on the location, the building’s purpose, and other considerations.

Low slope roofs

A low-slope roof being after inspection and repair

Most people recognize low-slope roofs as ‘flat roofs.’ A roof system is never truly flat, as this would lead to pooling water and other drainage issues. Low-slope roofs are very useful for warehouses, big box stores, shopping centers, and other large-scale commercial buildings. Flat roofing is typically more accessible for large HVAC units and other rooftop equipment. Flat roof types include EPDM, PVC, and TPO roofing materials.

Steep slope roofs

Steep-slope roofing materials include metal roofing, slate, tile, and traditional asphalt shingles. Small commercial buildings often resemble residential buildings. However, many commercial roof types and materials have different needs and requirements from residential roofs.

Types of Commercial Roofing Materials

Because commercial roofing systems are typically low-sloped roofs, this list will begin with materials that are more suited to this roof shape. Here is your low-slope commercial roofing material comparison:

TPO

One of the most common low-slope roof systems in America, Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO), consists of a single rubber membrane layer, typically a polypropylene polymer and ethylene-propylene. This roofing material is very reflective and efficient for your building’s energy costs.

The primary benefits of TPO are the low cost and ease of installation, which make it an extremely economical choice. Additionally, TPO can be made in several colors to match your building’s appearance and aesthetic needs.

PVC

A contractor spraying a coating onto a low-slope roof

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the world’s most commonly produced polymers and is an extremely useful commercial roofing material. PVC roofing systems use two layers of PVC with a layer of reinforcement between them. This simple construction makes it relatively easy to install but also means it doesn’t insulate like other roofing materials.

Thanks to its reusable nature, PVC roofing is durable, fire-resistant, and more eco-friendly. Damaged membranes can be recycled to create a new batch of roofing.

EPDM Roofing

EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer, a compound that is elastic, durable, and low cost. This synthetic rubber roofing system is created from natural gas and oil products. This material works well against the elements and balances many roof needs well.

The primary drawback is that this material is made primarily from oil, making it far from eco-friendly. However, the additional lifespan and strength make it popular for commercial building owners.

Built-Up Roofing

BUR systems are created by layering upwards of five layers of materials on a roof. This process is a much more intensive installation than other commercial roofing types but results in a very well-insulated building. This trait is very useful for locations that experience various weather conditions from winter to summer.

This roofing system has been used for nearly a century and can be seen as a sort of ‘old reliable’ material. It will not last as long as others, but it will suit nearly any low-slope roofed building.

Cedar Tile Roofing systems

Tile roofing systems are more common in the southwest and arid locations but have slowly spread nationwide thanks to their sharp appearance. Tile roofing systems come in many styles today and have many pros: long life, resistance to fire, rot, insects, and is environmentally friendly. Wooden tiles are typically very good for insulation as well.

However, tile is a very fragile material. More care is taken during installation, leading to slower processes. While tile is designed to resist the elements, larger hail, and falling branches can lead to more expensive repairs.

Slate Roofing systems

Slate is among the longest-lived roofing systems. It isn’t uncommon to see a slate roof that is older than most of a home’s residents. Slate is environmentally friendly in addition to being insect, rot, and fire resistant, and has a sharp aesthetic.

But slate is incredibly heavy, requiring a building to be reinforced or built specifically to support the additional weight. These roofing systems are also much more expensive than typical systems.

Metal Roofing

A steep-sloped metal roof

Metal roofs are a unique material in roofing systems as they are used in both low-slow and steep-slope roofing systems. The smooth appearance and flexibility of metal roofing are only outdone by its long lifespan. Many metal roofing systems are made, including corrugated galvanized steel, Aluminum, stainless steel, and copper.

However, metal roofing does have major drawbacks that prevent it from being an easy first choice: Noise, cost, and weakness to weather damage. Rain and hail will rattle loudly against a metal roof, the initial installation cost is high, and hail and wind can damage metal roofing.

This list is not a complete list of all commercial roofing materials. Still, it is a great overview of the most common and useful materials to consider for your commercial roofing project. Reach out to our professional roofers for more information and to get an estimate on the project you have in mind.

What to Consider When Choosing a Roofing Material?

Now that you’ve seen our commercial roofing material comparison, how do you choose the right material for your roofing system? Every commercial property or building is unique, and everyone has different preferences. That said, there are a few major facets to consider when you are looking to replace, install, or construct a new building’s roofing system.

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Cost

The raw cost of materials should be the primary focus, but you should also consider the cost of installation and future repairs. Some roofing systems require specific foundations and higher initial installation costs.

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Durability

Weather and nearby trees threaten the health of your roofing membrane. If you live in an area prone to heavy wind, hail, or falling tree branches, you should consider more durable roofing systems.

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Lifespan

Durability can factor into the lifespan, but some roofing systems will fare better against typical wear and erosion. Your business might last as long as you live, and your roofing systems should last at least as long.

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Insulation

Heat rises, which means your roofing is a major area of temperature transfer. Insulation is a major saving to your energy bill and should be a part of what you consider for your new commercial rooftop.

These four considerations are key to enjoying a commercial roof system that suits your needs. Your building’s health and longevity will rely upon this roofing system, so take careful consideration and work closely with your roofing contractor to find the perfect fit!

Call Heidler Roofing for Help with Your Commercial Roofing Material Comparison

Don’t be overwhelmed by roofing material options – a commercial roofing system needs to be energy efficient, durable, and have a long lifespan. Roofing materials are designed to prioritize these in different ways while balancing costs. For your next commercial roofing project, take the time to really consider your building’s essential needs.

Building owners don’t often think about their commercial roofing system – at least when it works well. So, after our commercial roofing material comparison, we hope that you have a better idea of what you are looking for in the end results of your commercial roofing project. Call us today, and we’ll discuss how we can make your vision a reality!