The ability to avoid inclement weather is why residential homes often have sloped roofs; the design helps protect the building from storm damage. This is because flat roofs provide a level surface for workers to move around or to place equipment. Have you ever wondered why flat roofs are common in commercial buildings when most house roofs are sloped? After all, commercial buildings are going to accumulate more water and snow because of their size. The reason why house roofs are sloping is because water, leaves and snow drain away.
So why are flat roofs common in commercial buildings? It is very likely that you have already seen these roofs, as they are very common in commercial buildings in the United States. HVAC and other weather-resistant systems can be installed on the roof to save interior space in commercial buildings, which is a sales pitch for many building owners and managers. A sloped roof would have to be sloped very low or it would have to be astronomically large. Another important reason why there are so many commercial buildings with flat roofs is that they are more cost-effective.
Now that we've explained why flat roofs are such a common option for commercial buildings, let's look at some of the materials that are frequently used to build these low-slope roofs. This means that fewer materials are required to install a flat roof, which can make a big difference when it comes to a 20,000 square foot commercial building. In addition, the types of roofing membranes used on flat roofs work well with modern materials commonly used in commercial construction., such as concrete and steel. The architecture of a traditional sloped roof is actually quite complex and it's a lot of empty space that isn't used otherwise.
The Department of Energy, single-layer membranes, constructed roofs, modified bituminous membranes and SPF roofs have “cool” options available that can help keep roof temperatures down and buildings cooler during the summer. Flat roofs provide a number of benefits that are particularly significant for commercial properties, such as energy efficiency, ease of access, and affordability. There are many flat roof options for building owners interested in saving money on their utility bills during the summer. Flat roofs also offer additional space for equipment storage, are quick and easy to install, and are well suited to modern commercial construction materials and methods, to name a few.
In addition, building owners often choose to have their structure aesthetically adapted to that of other buildings in the area, and a commercial building with a sloping roof would really stand out in a place with many large commercial structures with flat roofs. If you're building a new commercial building, you might wonder why it's so common for this type of structure to have a flat roof instead of slanted.
