Residential and commercial roofs perform much the same function: protecting the building and people underneath. But this doesn’t mean they’re the same.
Both types of roofs come with their own designs and maintenance challenges. This is why it’s essential to work with a roofing expert who understands the specific needs of your roof.
Differences Between Residential and Commercial Roofs
Several key characteristics of your roof come into play when determining its maintenance needs. Residential and commercial roofs are different in several important ways:
- Materials. While asphalt shingles are by far the most common roofing material for residential roofs, commercial roofs more often use PVC, TPO, or EPDM.
- Form & Function. Most homeowners want their residential roofs to look good. Commercial roofs, on the other hand, are purely functional, and often not visible from the ground.
- Design. One of the most obvious differences in roof design is the slope. Residential roofs are often steeply sloped, while commercial roofs are typically flat. Commercial roofs usually cover a much larger surface area as well.
- Complexity. Residential roofs are relatively simple to install and maintain, but commercial roofs tend to be considerably more complex, with features like smokestacks, piping, and airflow systems needing to be accommodated for.
Roof Maintenance Requirements
For both residential and commercial roofs, it’s generally recommended an inspection be done twice every year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This being said, many of the actual maintenance requirements are different.
Residential roof maintenance generally revolves around cleaning the roof surface and gutters, making sure all the shingles are in place and undamaged, and checking all the fascia and soffits to ensure they’re in good shape. Commercial roof maintenance involves inspecting a lot more components, especially if the roof has a lot of pipes and vents, or has an HVAC system mounted on it.
Working With a Trusted Roofing Company
Residential homeowners should never get on their roof to attempt maintenance on their own. It might be possible for owners of a flat-roofed commercial property to do a visual inspection, but maintenance should still only be carried out by an experienced roofing professional. Contact us today to learn more about working with Alan’s Roofing in Central Florida. We’ve been a family-owned and operated business since 1987, and have more than 30 years of experience in both residential and commercial roofing!
