If you live in a primarily urban area, you might have noticed one thing about the commercial buildings around you – their roofs are flat. Unlike residential buildings, you will notice that schools, factories, grocery stores, hospitals and the like all have flat roofs. So why are commercial buildings designed with flat roofs? As it turns out, there are actually quite a few good reasons for it. The exterior services pros explain them here.
Cost
First, let’s get it out of the way – cost is a primary concern that dictates the design of commercial buildings. Pitched roofs generally require more materials, which adds to the overall cost of construction. Considering that commercial buildings are larger than residential ones, the added costs could easily run into tens of thousands of dollars.
Practicality
Designing and constructing sloped roofs comes with unique challenges that are more apparent with larger buildings. For one, stability is an issue. Building a sloped roof on a commercial building would require a roof with an extremely tall peak or one with multiple peaks and valleys. Doing a minor roof repair on it may even be more dangerous and difficult. These restrictions are impractical at best or downright risky to implement at worst. The added time, cost and effort are better allocated elsewhere.
Added storage space
Commercial buildings require multiple HVAC units to regulate internal temperatures. Several states have building codes that don’t allow the installation of heavy HVAC equipment at ground level due to numerous safety and security issues.
In addition, installing heavy hardware at ground level comes at the cost of valuable floor space that can be used for other purposes. Flat roofs are a perfect solution for both concerns, as flat roofs provide storage space for HVAC units and other heavy equipment while preserving floor space.
For your commercial roof repair or installation, turn to BSR. Call us today at (607) 229-1280, or fill out our contact form to get a free estimate. We serve clients in Vestal and Binghamton, NY, as well as nearby areas.