Commercial roofs are flat roofs because they are much more cost-effective compared to pitched roofs. It's easier to place a sloping roof in a small residential house, but to do the same in a very large commercial building would be impractical, dangerous and difficult. Another important reason why there are so many commercial buildings with flat roofs is that they are more cost-effective. Many of the materials used to build flat roof systems are affordable and easy to install, as they usually come in large sheets rather than the shingle or tile style of sloped roofs.
Industrial properties use flat roofs because they can place their ventilation and HVAC systems only on flat planes. A flat roof with such durability, such as a flat PVC or asphalt roof, is capable of supporting these devices. One of the main reasons why flat roofs are installed in industrial buildings is the lower cost. Flat roofs generally cost less than pitched roofs so that businesses can keep construction costs low.
They cost less because they have less surface area and are much easier to install, since workers can walk safely across their surface. With single-layer membranes, which normally come in white or gray, TPO roofs have become increasingly popular in recent years because they are affordable and easy to install. Flat or low-sloped commercial roofs are much easier to access, walk, and maintain than sloped roofs. That said, that's not the only reason why flat roofs are so common in these types of buildings.
In addition, placing HVAC units on top of commercial roofs greatly reduces the chances of vandalism or other damage by people in and around the structure. However, since people can only see the front wall of most commercial properties (because they're likely to be too tall), homeowners can use any material for flat roofs and get immediate curb appeal. It is very likely that you have already seen these ceilings, as they are very common in commercial buildings in the United States. There are plenty of flat roof options for building owners interested in saving money on their utility bills during the summer.
Beyond that, building owners often choose to make their structure aesthetically fit with other buildings in the area, and a commercial building with a sloping roof would really stand out in a place with many large, flat-roofed commercial structures. EPDM roofs are the least attractive flat roofs compared to the different colors available for synthetic roofs. In addition, all things being equal, sloped roofs take up more square feet than flat roofs for buildings of the same size. While the initial cost may be higher in the case of PVC ceilings, they are a cost-effective solution over the entire lifespan of a roof.
Another benefit of TPO ceilings is that they save energy thanks to their light-reflecting quality. Without a doubt, one of the reasons why so many commercial buildings have flat roofs is that they have become commonplace in the United States. For business owners who worry about the time their regular business operations are interrupted by a roofing process, faster deadlines can be very valuable.
