How Long Does a Commercial Roof Last?

A roof is one of the most important investments you can make on behalf of your commercial property. Decisions you make at the start—your choice of materials, installation company, and maintenance plan—can have a big impact on your roof’s performance and lifespan down the road. 

When choosing roofing material, keep environmental factors in mind. Will your building be exposed to extreme temperatures (including cold and heat) or weather conditions, such as wind, rain, snow, hail, or tornadoes? Will roof-top equipment, such as HVAC systems, potentially add stress to the roof as well? Chances are, your commercial building is not immune to these circumstances.

There are several different types of commercial roofing materials out there - here is an overview of your options:

TPO

A blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene polymers with polyester reinforcement, TPO is typically used on flat-roofed buildings, like office complexes or warehouses.The sheets are known for being UV and fire resistant. 

Modified Bitumen

There are two primary types of modified bitumen systems: Atactic polypropylene (APP) and Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS or SEBS). A major benefit of modified bitumen roofs is that they can often be applied in a variety of ways: torch applied, set in hot asphalt, or set in cold adhesive and self-adhering systems.

EPDM

EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber roofing membrane known for its durability and resistance to thermal shock and hail. Like TPO roofs, EPDM roofs are typically installed on large, flat commercial buildings.

PVC

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) roofing is a single-ply solution; it’s the original heat-welded single-ply roofing system, having been around since the 1960s. The flexible membrane can be prefabricated, which means less scrap and waste at the installation site. PVC is used on roofs that are flat or low sloped. It’s known for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals, oils, grease, fungi, fire, and industrial byproducts.

The Lifespan of a Roof Mostly Depends on the Installer

The truth is, commercial roofs installed with any of the materials above will all last between 15 and 25 years, if installed correctly. The real difference in any of these roofs has less to do with the type of material and more to do with the installation process.

Technique Roofing specializes in the installation of Duro-Last/PVC roofing systems. As a Platinum Contractor for Duro-Last, we are experts in this product and stand behind its safety and ability to protect your property. We provide a start-to-finish installation process so you don't have to worry about gathering building permits and other prep work for your project. For more information about the benefits of Duro-Last, visit our site or contact us here.