Commercial Low Slope Roofing 101

Commercial low slope roofing, colloquially known as flat roofing, is commonly found on commercial and industrial buildings such as factories and storage facilities. However, many residential buildings such as apartments and townhouses also utilize low slope roofing.

The term "slope" refers to the incline of the roof. In commercial low slope roofs, the incline should be less than 3 inches per foot. That means that for every horizontal foot, the roof level should go up less than 3 inches vertically. All roofs need to have some slope for this facilitates proper water drainage. When it rains, water cannot remain on the roof, but should be directed to drains. Small areas such as crickets and saddles can help direct water to these drains.

Drains in low slope roofs are located at low points called valleys. A valley is where two slopes meet. Essentially, there are two types of drains: interior and exterior. At times, interior and exterior drains are used simultaneously. An overflow scupper is one example. A scupper is an exterior drain that can handle water drainage when an interior drain gets clogged.

There are literally thousands of commercial roofing Lincoln configurations for clients to choose from. There are numerous types of roof decks, insulation requirements and roof membrane requirements to consider during the roof installation process. In addition, factors such as materials, roof incline, and drainage should be customized to create a roof that not only protects a commercial or residential building from the ravages of weather, but provides excellent water drainage that preserves the integrity of the roof.

A knowledgeable roofing Lincoln contractor should be there to assist the building owner during the customization process. The best roofing systems will meet current ENERGY STAR and California 24 Requirements by utilizing energy-saving new technologies such as solar-reflective surfaces. In addition, the best roofing contractors will be certified by Gold and Silver Star Contractor programs. These programs certify roofing contractors that have met the strictest standards such as financial credibility, excellent workmanship history, and scrupulous business practices.

Moreover, the best roofing Lincoln contractors have manufacturer’s warranties that protect the building owner’s investment. Good roofing contractors only utilize the best roofing materials that come with full manufacturer’s warranties. Indeed, the employees should be certified and factory-trained by the manufacturers themselves to ensure that the roofing project is undertaken successfully and that the warranty has full coverage.