When your commercial facility needs a new roof, you want to choose your option carefully as this is usually a very costly investing for a business. The roof might also be flat, so that it cannot withstand the weight of some roofing materials; on a sloped roof, that weight is dispersed down the slope, whereas a flat roof holds all the weight mostly in the center of the roof. This can affect your choice of roofing materials, so note a few of the most common options and their pros and cons.

Metal 

Metal is very durable and lightweight, so it can be a good option for a flat roof or any type of building that cannot safely support a heavier roof. A metal roof may provide better insulation than other materials since it's installed in long pieces rather than single tiles, so there is less chance of holes and leaks developing between those pieces. It's also fully recyclable and can often be made with recycled pieces. However, it is one of the more expensive options and can be costly for larger commercial roofs.

Asphalt tiles

Asphalt tiles are very affordable, easy to replace when damaged, and easy to install. They don't last as long as other options, but architectural asphalt tiles might be a good choice rather than standard asphalt. These consist of two layers of a laminate that is then bonded together with an asphalt sealant. These resemble asphalt tiles but because of being sealed, they typically last longer than standard asphalt tiles. They may also be lighter than other tiles so they're good for flat roofs and buildings that cannot hold up the weight of other materials.

Tar and gravel

This type of roofing material has a layer or layers of tar put over felt, and then a top layer of gravel added. This is often called a built-up roof, or BUR, because a roofer can add as many layers of tar as needed to protect your building, or to cover your old roofing material. The material is very affordable but not very eco-friendly as it's difficult to recycle if you need to remove it, and leaks can be hard to find when they do appear.

Membranes

A membrane is a type of thermoplastic that is usually applied over your current roofing material with a brush or roller. The membrane then hardens and forms a new roofing layer. This is a very economical choice and it offers great insulating factors, as well as being lightweight so it can be applied on virtually any building.

For more information, contact companies like A.C.R. Roofing Pty Ltd.