Nailing This Down

Posted on: 20 January 2022

Commercial roof construction methods are determined by the slope of the roof of the building. If your building has a roof slope similar to what you see on homes, then roofing materials are applied differently than if your building has a flat roof. Many commercial buildings are flat, so membrane roofs are quite common. Here's a look at what they are and how they're constructed.

The Membranes Rest On Insulation Boards

Before the membrane roofing is put down, the roofer might cover the roof with insulation or cover boards. These boards provide some insulation and they give the membranes something to rest on. These boards also help protect the structure of the roof since they soak up rain if a membrane starts to leak. Soaking up rain ruins the boards, so wet boards need to be replaced when you get a new roof.

Roofing Membranes Are Thin Sheets

Membrane roofs are quite thin, but the sheets are tough and durable. The roofing material is delivered to your building in a huge roll, like a big roll of carpet, and then the membrane is spread over the roof. It may take several of these unrolled sheets to cover your entire roof. The membranes might be made of plastic materials or rubber. Each of these roofing types has its good and bad points, so your roofer can help you choose the right one.

Membrane Roofing Is Seamed Together

Since membrane commercial roof construction is composed of several individual sheets, the sheets have to be seamed together to keep out rain. This is done in different ways depending on the material the sheets are made from. The seaming method could even make a difference in your decision on the type of roofing to buy. Some seams are glued together while others are welded together with heat.

Membranes Attach To The Roof In Various Ways

The final step in membrane commercial roof construction is to adhere the membranes to the insulation boards. Some might be attached with screws and others may be held down with gravel. Your roofer can help you select the attachment method based on the risk of it causing leaks and how it affects the appearance of your roof.

Commercial roof construction progresses quickly, but if you have a large roof, it could still take days to complete the job. Once the roof is installed, it should be inspected regularly to watch for punctures to the membrane and loose areas along the seams so repairs can be done promptly to keep water out of the insulation boards.