A commercial building is an asset and represents a considerable investment. You would do well to protect that investment by making the right decisions when it comes to roofing. One of the most important decisions on commercial roofing that you will need to make is which material to use. If you’ve been looking into it, you’ve probably seen the names TPO and bitumen come up quite a bit. So which material is the best choice for a commercial roof? Here’s the info you need to compare them objectively and make the best decision.
What Is Bitumen?
Bitumen is a low-cost option in roofing material that is commonly used on commercial buildings. Overall, bitumen roofing is widely considered to be an improvement compared to APP, or, atactic polypropylene. It’s cheap, flexible, and typically resistant to UV light, making it more durable and long-lasting.
Cons of Bitumen
One of the biggest disadvantages of bitumen as a roofing material is that given its resistance to UV light, it can be hard to identify cracks, leaks, and other damage until it’s too late. You can easily get around this difficulty by option for preventative maintenance. Get in touch with a reputable contractor that specializes in roofing like Premier Group, and ask about the benefits of preventative maintenance for bitumen roofing on commercial buildings.
Pros of Bitumen
There are some other advantages to bitumen roofing that you should know about. Roofs made with modified bitumen can be quickly installed, meaning you won’t have to wait long to have the roof either installed from scratch or replaced.
Modified bitumen roofing is exceptionally durable as it is mixed with asphalt instead of gravel. Bitumen is built for longevity, a bitumen roof on a commercial building can easily last 20 years without needing to be replaced.
What Is TPO?
TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin and is considered to be a more modern solution compared to bitumen roofing. As far as installation goes it can be ballasted, adhered, or mechanically fastened.
If you’re looking to capitalize on the whole environmentally friendly or sustainable image, TPO is a great option as it contains no plasticizers in the insulation. This type of roofing is recyclable, which makes it even greener. TPO roofing is popular with the owners of commercial buildings because of the many advantages and comparative lack of disadvantages that are associated with the material.
Cons of TPO
Many owners of commercial buildings have found that TPO is impressively tear-resistant, making it tough and strong. It’s also highly resistant to chemical spills and even grease spills. This is an especially important quality for some businesses.
Pros of TPO
Compared to bitumen, TPO roofing is much easier to keep clean. That’s because TPO consists of a flat, sleek surface wile bitumen if peppered with granules.
Another advantageous characteristic of TPO is that you can have it installed over pre-existing bitumen or metal roofing. As long as the underlayment is secure, you can just go right over the old material with no extra fuss and no extra cost.
Weighing The Pros And Cons
Now that you know more about the pros and cons of both bitumen and TPO roofing, it’s time to make a decision. TPO is insanely popular right now, but bitumen is still a viable option as well. Overall, TPO is the more progressive option in commercial roofing today, but bitumen still has its advantages. Ultimately it will come down to cost versus which features you value the most.
Remember, whichever material you choose for your commercial building, you can extend the lifespan of your roof by having preventative maintenance done to it regularly to prevent or offset major problems.
Don’t Just Get It Installed, Get It Installed Right!
Choosing the right roofing material for a commercial building is only half of the battle, finding a competent contractor to install it is the other. Given the value of most commercial buildings, roofing installation isn’t something to be taken lightly. A botched roof on a commercial building is an expensive mishap indeed, one that you would do well to avoid at all costs. It pays the work with the right contractor, it pays to work with Premier Group, one of the finest roofing outfits in Bloomingdale Illinois.
Looking for the best contractor to install your commercial roof? Then look no farther, Premier Group has the talent and the know-how to ensure that your roof isn’t just installed, it’s installed right! You’d be surprised how many shoddy roofing outfits out there manage to bugger up an installation by making common errors and mistakes. At Premier Group, we don’t make mistakes, period and we offer competitive pricing that makes almost any commercial roofing project affordable.
Premier Group Is The Premier Destination For Commercial Roofing
If you still need help deciding on the best roofing material for your commercial structure, call the experts at Premier Group and set up a consultation. We can assess your building and recommend the appropriate material. Once the best roofing material for your building has been selected you can count on the talented team at Premier Group to install it to your satisfaction.