Are you looking for a contractor to do, “Commercial Roof Maintenance in Tampa, Florida?”
Setting up a roof maintenance plan is a specialized service. It requires extensive knowledge about all aspects of commercial roofing materials. To inspect and perform the maintenance services we need to understand all the different types of commercial roof systems.
RoofCrafters of Tampa has been servicing commercial managers and building owners for 3 decades. We understand the importance of commercial roof maintenance. You're in the right place to learn about commercial roof maintenance.
We're certified by the top flat roofing, low slope roofing, and steep slope roofing manufacturers in the United States. These manufacturers help our team stay up to date with the latest maintenance requirements. So, we can provide you with expert commercial roof maintenance plans to help prolong the life of your existing commercial roof.
In this article, we'll cover:
- The 3 different types of commercial roof structures
- The 5 most common types of commercial roof systems
- The maintenance recommendations for each of the 5 roof types
We promise that by the end of this article you'll have a better understanding of commercial roof maintenance. And hopefully, you can make a well-informed decision about how to proceed with your commercial roof maintenance plan.
Sounds good? Ok, let’s dive right in.
The 3 types of commercial roof structures
There are 3 main types of roof designs used for constructing a commercial building.
1. Flat commercial roof construction
2. Low slope commercial construction
3. Steep slope commercial construction
Flat commercial roof construction is common, it allows an engineer or an architect many options. Such as mounting rooftop mechanical equipment, like HVAC units. Also, reduced structural requirement that comes with steep-sloped construction.
The newer roof systems require a commercial roofing contractor to slope the roof using tapered insulation. Eliminating ponding water on your roof. Tapered insulation also provides the building with a higher R-value. Which will help make your building more energy-efficient. This tapered insulation will impact the cost of the roofing construction.
Low slope commercial construction is when the architect has designed the commercial building so that the roof has a slope built in. This slope creates positive drainage and allows the water to run off the rooftop.
The downside to low slope construction is it's not always a good fit for some commercial roofing materials that are available. For example, a low slope roof that has metal installed has rooftop equipment such as HVAC units or skylights is not the best option. Choosing an inferior roofing material will result in early roof leaks. Creating maintenance issues that a better roof system would not have.
A steep slope commercial construction on a building is identical to or like residential construction. The most common construction types on steep slope commercial roofs are gable roofs or hip roofs. Gable and hip roofs on commercial buildings are constructed with metal or wood trusses. They can also be custom framed with wood 2x framing material.
Here are popular roofing materials that get installed on commercial steep slope roofs: 
- Standing seam metal roofing
- Screw-down metal roof systems
- Metal shingles
- Spanish tile
- Asphalt shingles
Now that you know the different types of commercial roof construction let's go over the 5 top types of commercial roofing products.
Top 5 commercial roof types used in Tampa
- Single-ply roofing (TPO, PVC & EPDM roofing)
- Modified Bitumen (rubber roofing)
- Built-up roof (hot tar roofing)
- Metal Roofing (standing seam & screw-down panels)
- Asphalt shingles (upgraded shingles)
Single-ply roofing - (TPO, PVC & EPDM roofs)
Single-ply roofing is one of the most popular roofing materials used on commercial flat or low-sloped roofs. Single-ply roofing is available in different thicknesses. This is to help provide options to help meet your budget and lifespan requirements.
The higher the number, the thicker the product. The thicker the product the longer the manufacturer warranties their single-ply roof material.
Single-ply TPO and PVC roof is made up of 3 layers. A base layer, the scrim layer(reinforced woven fiber layer), and thickness over the scrim layer, which is the top layer. This top layer protects the scrim layer from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
An EPDM roof comes in a 45 or 60-mil thick membrane. The difference is the laps and flashings are glued or seam taped together instead of hot air welded like the TPO or PVC single-ply materials.
The advantage of single-ply roofing is they come in white. Which makes them heat-reflective and energy-star rated. They’re also lightweight, fire-resistant, provide a high wind rating, and are resistant to chemicals. Which can be important in commercial and industrial roof applications. Single-ply roofs are easy to keep maintained and repairable.
The disadvantages of single-ply roofs are they're not the most aesthetically pleasing roofing to look at. High foot traffic could pose a threat. If other contractors are not mindful when performing work on the roof. Dropping hand tools or screws and walking on them could puncture these roof systems.
Modified Bitumen Roofing
We'd say a modified bitumen roof is the second generation of commercial flat roofing. Built-up or hot tar is the OG of the flat roofing world and we will discuss that in the next section. Modified bitumen became popular because unlike the hot tar roof that requires setting up a hot tar kettle mod-bit does not. That job alone, heating asphalt onsite, next to your building, to over 500 degrees is a full-time and extremely dangerous job.
The roofing industry has slowly been moving away from hot tar roofing. Modified bitumen roofs can be installed with hot tar but the most popular installation methods are without the hot tar.
Here are 4 main installation methods.
1. Hot tar applied
2. Cold tar applied
3. Torch applied
4. Self-adhered
Self-adhered has made installing modified bitumen roofs more popular for commercial buildings.
The advantages of Mod-bit roofs are they have multiple layers and having multiple layers can make them more durable. This increased durability can make the mod-bit a better choice for commercial roofs with high foot traffic.
The disadvantages of Mod-bit with these multiple layers are the cost of the materials and the labor to install multiple layers is more expensive. Also performing repairs and maintenance on mod-bit roof systems can be more difficult, increasing the cost.
Built-Up Roof - (hot tar roofing)
A built-up roof can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. There are so many variations or layers of roofing materials that make up a built-up roof system.
Layering the materials is how it got its name. The roof is built-up by layering plies of fiberglass roofing and hot tar between each layer. This is a short explanation of how it gets installed. The basics of a hot tar roof.
It’s asphalt heated up to 500 degrees and then it gets mopped directly on the roof deck or insulation. Yep, just like you'd mop a kitchen floor. And in-between mopping ,roofers roll out layers of fiberglass roofing while it's still hot. Many built-up roofs are done with 4, 5, or 6 layers of roofing.
The top layer is the most important layer when it comes to maintenance. It'll be what determines if it can be maintained or repaired successfully. Oftentimes the top layer is a flood coat of hot asphalt with rocks. The rocks are put in the tar while it is still 450 to 500 degrees. A hot tar roof with a rock finish makes for a challenging repair. Even for a very experienced roofer. But it can be done. If there's useful life left in the flat roof system.
It's more manageable to maintain or repair if it has a granule surface cap sheet or an asphalt flood coat as a top layer. Either way, the existing materials that'll need to be maintained need to have useful life left in them. To make any repairs that'll last any length of time.
Metal Roofing - (standing seam & screw-down)
Metal roofing is another popular roof for commercial buildings. There are 3 main types of metal roof systems:
- Standing seam
- Screw-down
- Metal shingles
Standing seam is a concealed fastener metal roof system. A screw-down is a metal roof with an exposed fastener. Both these metal roof systems have their advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of the standing seam are their longevity. Installed correct they'll easily last for 50+ years. They provide the highest wind rating. They don't blow off in severe wind storms. Standing seam metal looks great and adds value to any commercial property.
The disadvantages are they cost more because of the attachment method. It takes longer to install and requires a higher skill level to install the flashings for this system.
The advantages of the screw-down roofs are it's economical and provides curb appeal. The disadvantage is they require maintenance within the 5-year mark. With all the expansion and contraction(thermal movement) that happens with metal roofs, the exposed screws will come loose.
Metal shingles are popular. They can be made to look like real wood shakes, real slate, and real Spanish tile roofing. All of the natural products require more maintenance than the metal shingles do. It's a popular choice for owners looking for longevity and adding curb appeal.
There are 3 types of metal roof materials that are commonly installed on businesses in Tampa, Florida:
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Galvalume
There are other metal material options. But the 3 listed are economical and cost-effective. Which makes them the most popular options. They offer a wide range of aesthetic looks, longevity, and price ranges.
These metals are available in a standing seam or a screw-down profile. Shingle, slate, wood, and tile style metal profiles are options too.
Aluminum Metal Roof
Aluminum is one of our most natural energy-efficient metal roof materials. Aluminum metal comes in different thicknesses. For roofing an .032, .040, or .050 thickness is used. The higher the number the thicker the aluminum roofing will be. The .032 and .040 thicknesses are most popular on commercial roofs.
Aluminum comes in a mill finish or a painted finish. Mill finish provides a raw metal look and it'll oxidize into a naturally beautiful raw metal finish. Aluminum comes in a wide variety of painted finished colors too. The paint finishes come with a 40-year paint warranty. Some manufacturers even providing a 45-year paint finish warranty.
Steel Metal Roof
Steel roofing is the most popular metal roofing used for commercial buildings. Steel metal is galvanized steel that's hot dipped or coated in a zinc coating. Steel is less costly and can be as efficient as any of the other metal materials.
The steel material is very popular for roofing and comes in 24 gauge, 26 gauge, and 29 gauge. Don't get fooled, unlike aluminum, the lower the number the thicker the steel roofing will be.
4 of the most common steel roofing profile that is used on commercial properties:
- Standing seam metal panels (12”-18” wide panels, concealed fasteners)
- Interlocking steel shingles (slate or shake look, concealed fasteners)
- A 5-V crimp metal roof (2-foot wide panels, exposed fasteners)
- R-panels or multi-rib panels (3-foot wide panels, exposed fasteners)
Steel is a corrosive metal and it requires a painted finish. Paint finish warranties range from 20 years to 45 years depending on the thickness, type of panel, and the manufacturer of the metal.
Steel metal roofing is very cost-effective and offers a wider range of prices depending on which profile you choose, the thickness of the metal, and the paint warranty available.
Galvalume Metal Roof
Galvalume metal is also a metal that has a steel core and is coated with aluminum to prevent corrosion.
Galvalume is much like steel roofing and comes in the same thicknesses, 24 gauge, 26 gauge, or 29 gauge. It's also available in all 4 of the different panel profiles.
The main difference with galvalume is that it only comes as a mill finish metal. It's not available in a painted finish. This makes it slightly less expensive. It's also easier to work with because painted metal can get scratched during installation if not handled carefully. Galvalume is a great option to use around the ocean or near the saltwater.
Asphalt Shingles (upgraded shingles)
Yes, even though shingles are mainly used on residential homes, they are probably on your home and they are definitely on mine. Well, it is not uncommon for asphalt shingles to be installed on commercial buildings too.
The shingles we install on commercial buildings are not the basic builder-grade shingle that is used on new construction homes. The reason for this is that builder-grade shingles provide the least wind protection and they require replacing as early as 10 to 12 years. Builder-grade shingles also provide the least curb appeal.
Upgraded shingles, designer or luxury shingles are more popular in commercial buildings. They provide you with greater wind protection, enhanced curb appeal, and upgraded shingles that can last 25 to 35 years.
The disadvantage of shingles is they don't last as long as metal roofing and when it is time to replace the roof, it can be messy for a building with commercial use.
What is the right type of Roof Maintenance for your commercial building in Tampa?
As you have now learned, with the different types of construction and materials that're used on roofs. The maintenance for each of these different types will vary depending on 3 main factors:
- Type of roof construction
- Type of roof material
- Condition of existing roofing materials
If you have a steep slope roof, performing maintenance one time a year is generally recommended. If the building has gutters or any other special condition it'll increase to 2 times per year.
Depending on the roofing materials, a flat or low slope roof, we generally recommend having maintenance performed 2 to 3 times per year. If the roof has a lot of drains, through-wall scuppers, or rooftop mechanical equipment, we'll recommend 3 to 4 times per year.
Other things to consider are the age of the existing roofing materials, tree coverage, and foot traffic on the roof.
The older a commercial roof gets the more it will expand and contract due to thermal climate changes. Older roofs often need just a little more TLC to get the most out of them.
Tree coverage and high foot traffic can impact the performance of your roof if it's not accounted for. We often see building owners neglect their commercial flat roofing because they don’t see the roof. Drains and through-wall scuppers get clogged causing all kinds of roofing issues. And unfortunately, workers that service rooftop mechanical equipment drop tools or screws and then step on them. This is why high foot traffic has to be accounted for when creating a solid maintenance plan for your commercial building.
Now that you know more about commercial roof maintenance, here's the next steps to getting a commercial maintenance plan for your building.
But first, you may be asking yourself, “How much does commercial maintenance cost in Tampa, Florida?”
How much does Commercial Roof Maintenance cost in Tampa?
It depends on the type of commercial building you want roof maintenance on.
Is it a steep slope roof with shingles or a metal roof? Or is it a low slope or a flat roof with a single-ply or modified bitumen roof system?
What is the square footage of the roof?
How many drains, penetrations, or mechanical units is on the roof?
What condition is the existing roofing system in?
On average commercial roof maintenance costs between .15 cents per square foot to .30 cents per square foot. To do roof maintenance on a 20,000-square-foot building. You'd be looking at somewhere between $3,000 and $6,000 depending on the specific factors of the building and the existing condition of the roof system.
Our team at RoofCrafters has been providing commercial roof maintenance in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida for over 28 years. If you'd like to have one of our professional commercial roof estimators come out. They'll perform a roof inspection and provide you with pictures and a solution for your commercial roof maintenance. Schedule your inspection here and we look forward to serving you.
