Commercial and industrial roofing are two roofing systems that serve different purposes. While there are some similarities between commercial and industrial roofing systems like metal roofing, the main difference lies in their primary function and the materials used.
Commercial roofing systems protect from weather elements, while industrial roofing systems are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and heavy use.
Understanding the differences between these roofing systems is essential for building owners, architects, and construction professionals in selecting the appropriate roofing system for their projects.
This guide will explore commercial vs. industrial roofing, including the purpose, materials, roof design, and installation time.
Commercial vs. industrial roofing overview
Commercial roofing refers to building roofing systems primarily used for commercial purposes. In contrast, industrial roofing refers to the roofing systems used on buildings mainly for industrial purposes.
What is commercial roofing?
Commercial roofing refers to the roofing systems used on commercial buildings, like office buildings, retail stores, warehouses, and other non-residential structures. Commercial roofing systems are designed to provide protection from weather elements, including rain, wind, and snow, and improve the overall appearance of the building.
Commercial roofing systems are typically installed on flat or low-slope roofs. These roofing systems are designed to be low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and long-lasting to provide a cost-effective solution for commercial property owners.
What is industrial roofing?
Industrial roofing refers to the roofing systems used on industrial buildings, such as factories, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. Industrial roofing systems are designed to withstand the harsh environmental conditions and heavy use common in industrial settings.
They are designed to resist extreme temperatures, high winds, heavy rain, and other weather conditions. They must also withstand exposure to chemicals, abrasion, and impact from machinery and equipment.
Commercial vs. industrial roofing: Materials
Industrial roofing requires more durable and heavy-duty materials to withstand harsh environmental conditions and heavy use of industrial settings. On the other hand, commercial roofing is typically designed to be lightweight and energy-efficient while providing adequate protection from weather elements. The choice of material will depend on the specific needs of the building and the environment in which it is located.
Commercial roofing materials
- Single-Ply Membranes: These are lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective membranes of TPO, PVC, or EPDM.
- Built-Up Roofing (BUR): This traditional roofing system uses multiple layers of asphalt and felt to create a waterproof membrane.
- Modified Bitumen: This roofing system combines the durability of BUR with the flexibility of a single-ply roofing system.
- Metal Roofing: This durable, long-lasting roofing system uses metal panels or shingles to protect from weather elements.
Industrial roofing materials
- Metal roofing: This is a common material used in industrial roofing due to its durability and resilience. Metal roofing can be made of steel, aluminum, or other alloys.
- Reinforced concrete: This heavy and durable material can withstand heavy loads and extreme weather conditions.
- Modified bitumen: This roofing system combines the durability of BUR with the flexibility of a single-ply roofing system.
Commercial vs. industrial roofing: Size of the roof
The roof size can be critical in determining whether a commercial or industrial roofing system is needed.
Commercial roofing systems are typically used on buildings with smaller roofs, such as office buildings, retail stores, and restaurants. These roofs are generally flat or low-slope and range from a few hundred square feet to several thousand square feet. Commercial roofing systems are designed to provide protection from weather elements, enhance the energy efficiency, and improve the overall appearance of the building.
Industrial roofing systems are typically used on buildings with larger roofs, such as factories, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. These roofs can range from tens to hundreds of thousands of square feet. Industrial roofing systems are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, heavy use, and exposure to chemicals and other substances. They are typically made of more durable and resilient materials, such as metal or reinforced concrete.
Commercial vs. industrial roofing: Installation time
The installation time for commercial roofing systems is typically shorter than industrial roofing due to the smaller size and less complex design of the roofs. However, the actual installation time will depend on the specific type of roofing system being installed and the size and complexity of the roof.
Commercial roofing installation time
- The installation time for commercial roofing can vary depending on the roofing system installed.
- Some commercial roofing systems, such as single-ply membranes, can be installed quickly and efficiently. Installation of single-ply membranes can take as little as a few days, depending on the size of the roof.
- Built-up roofing and modified bitumen systems may take longer to install due to the need for multiple layers and specialized equipment. However, these systems can take several weeks to install, depending on the roof size.
- Metal roofing systems can also take longer to install due to the need for specialized equipment and the complexity of the installation.
Industrial roofing installation time
- The installation time for industrial roofing can be longer than commercial roofing due to the larger size and more complex design of the roofs.
- Industrial roofing systems, such as metal roofing and reinforced concrete, can take several weeks to install, depending on the roof’s size and the design’s complexity.
- Spray polyurethane foam roofing can be a quicker installation option for industrial roofing due to its ability to be sprayed onto the roof and create a seamless, waterproof membrane. The installation time for this system can take several days, depending on the roof size.
Commercial vs. industrial roofing: Roof design
The roof design matters when choosing between a commercial vs. industrial roofing system. The roof’s design can impact the appropriate roofing system, installation process, and cost.
Commercial roofing systems are typically installed on flat or low-slope roofs, commonly found on commercial buildings such as office buildings, retail stores, and restaurants. These roofs protect from weather elements and enhance energy efficiency while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The roofing systems used on commercial buildings are typically lightweight and low-maintenance and can include single-ply membranes, built-up roofing, modified bitumen, and metal roofing.
Industrial roofing systems can be installed on flat, low-slope, or steep-slope roofs depending on the needs of the industrial building and equipment that houses. In addition, industrial roofs can be designed to accommodate a wide variety of specialized equipment and machinery. In addition, industrial roofing systems are heavy-duty and durable, including metal roofing, reinforced concrete, and spray polyurethane foam.
Commercial roofing vs. industrial roofing: Similarities
Commercial and industrial roofing have similarities in terms of the materials used and the need for durable and long-lasting roofing systems. Here are some similarities between commercial and industrial roofing:
- Materials: Both commercial and industrial roofing systems use many of the same materials, such as metal roofing, modified bitumen, and built-up roofing. These materials are chosen for their durability, longevity, and resistance to weather elements.
- Energy efficiency: Both commercial and industrial roofing systems can be designed to improve energy efficiency by reducing heat gain and loss, which can lower energy costs for the building owner. Roof coatings, insulation, and reflective materials can be added to both roofing systems to improve energy efficiency.
- Maintenance: Both commercial and industrial roofing systems require regular maintenance to ensure they remain in good condition and provide adequate protection from weather elements. Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs or premature replacement of the roofing system.
- Installation process: The installation process for both commercial and industrial roofing systems requires specialized knowledge and skills to ensure the roofing system is installed correctly and provides the desired level of protection. Both types of roofing systems may require specialized equipment and safety measures during the installation process.
Commercial roofing vs. residential roofing
Commercial and residential roofing are two roofing systems designed for different buildings. Here are some key differences between commercial roofing and residential roofing:
- Purpose: Commercial roofing is designed to provide protection from weather elements and enhance energy efficiency for commercial buildings such as office buildings, retail stores, and restaurants. Residential roofing is designed to provide protection from weather elements and to improve energy efficiency for homes.
- Roof design: Commercial roofing is typically installed on flat or low-slope roofs, while residential roofing is installed on steep-slope roofs. The roof design impacts the appropriate type of roofing system, the installation process, and the cost.
- Materials: Commercial roofing systems are typically made of more durable and resilient materials, such as metal or reinforced concrete, while residential roofing systems are often made of asphalt shingles, tile, or wood. The materials used for each type of roofing system are selected based on the specific needs of the building, including the size of the roof, the kind of weather conditions it will be exposed to, and the desired appearance.
- Cost: Commercial roofing systems are typically more expensive than residential ones due to the need for more durable and resilient materials, more complex design and installation, and the additional features that may be required in commercial settings.
- Installation time: Commercial roofing systems can take longer to install than residential ones due to the larger size and more complex design of commercial roofs. On the other hand, residential roofing systems are typically quicker to install due to the smaller size and more straightforward design of residential roofs.
If you have more questions about commercial roofing vs industrial roofing, reach out to our experienced Oceanside roofers.
