Last Updated on November 4, 2021 by Kravelv
A Garland roofing company says, to most, a roof is a roof whether it’s on a house or a building downtown. However, just like residential buildings, there are also commercial buildings with materials used in each are often different from one another, sometimes by choice and sometimes by necessity.
In this article, we’re going to look at the differences between residential roofs and commercial roofs.
Material Differences
The first significant difference between the two roofs lies in the materials. A commercial building usually houses a lot more than a residential structure, which is why there’s a difference in materials.
While it’s true both residential and commercial buildings can use similar materials, such as asphalt, most of the materials builders choose will differ depending on the structure and how durable it has to be. For example, a strip mall’s roof may be made of metal because it has to last for years and replacing it would be expensive, while an asphalt roof on a residential home doesn’t need to be as long-lasting.
People in residential areas have a variety of materials to choose from when putting on a roof, including asphalt, clay, and metal. Most commercial structures stick to the same materials because of cost and efficiency.
Design Differences
Another significant difference between residential and commercial roofs is in the design. People living in the suburbs or residential areas of a city have a wide range of choices for their house’s roofs when it comes to materials, colors, and styles, while most commercial roofs are built for efficiency, functionality, and durability rather than aesthetics. Because of this, most commercial roofs look the same, while you can see many different roofs in one neighborhood.
Cost Differences
Another big difference between the residential and commercial roof lies in the cost to build. A commercial roof costs a lot of money, not just in materials but labor. In our strip mall example, even if the contractor uses asphalt shingles similar to those used in residential applications, the cost is going to be significantly more when building the mall because of the amount of material that needs to be used, and it’s more labor intensive.
Also, roof maintenance costs are much higher on most large commercial properties when compared to a residential property. Not to mention the roof repair cost as well.
Design Differences
Each roof is designed for a specific need. Your house’s roof is designed to protect your family from the elements. However, a commercial roof may have to be specially designed based on what it’s protecting. For example, a roof covering a warehouse storing food will need a ventilation system to maintain airflow, while a roof on a mall will need to be sturdy to protect the consumers during all kinds of weather.
So, while it’s easy to say “a roof is a roof,” the fact is there’s quite a difference between what goes into putting a roof on a house in the suburbs and a roof on a warehouse on the edge of town.