Slope Roofs vs Flat Roofs: What’s Better for Commercial Buildings

When constructing a commercial building, your first concern is going to be its longevity. To make a solid return on your investment, the building has to stay strong for as long as possible. Its longevity has a lot to do with the construction of its roof. You only have two options when it comes to its design: a sloped roof or a flat roof. According to a Garland roofing company to figure out which design is the right one for you, you must weigh the pros and cons. Then, you’ll be able to make a smart and informed decision about your roof.

Slope Roofs

Sloped roofs are often used with residential buildings, but it doesn’t mean that commercial buildings can’t benefit as well.

          Pros: Having a sloped roof will definitely set you apart from other buildings in your area. Since it draws the eye so distinctly, it may lead to more customers in the long run. Installing a sloped roof also costs less than a flat roof upfront. Sloped roofs can take hours to install, while flat roofs can take days. Also, you won’t have to install a drainage system on your roof, saving you thousands of dollars.

          Cons: When choosing a sloped roof, it brings a lot more risk. They end up requiring a lot more maintenance than flat roofs due to the debris that bounces off the roof. It becomes harder for roofing contractors to go out and make repairs since the roof is so sloped. Also, even though the roof doesn’t need a drainage system, the gutters and drain slopes that are in its place need to be cleaned out regularly.

Flat Roofs

Despite the name, no roof is completely flat. They have to be sloped in some way for water to run off of the building. Commercial buildings benefit in many different ways from having a flat roof.

          Pros: Flat roofs can last a very long time, depending on the materials that you use. For example, flat roofs with metal roofing can last upwards of 40 years. Due to the roof not having much slope, it won’t be affected much by heavy storms. Flat roofs also rarely require maintenance due to their construction. It is even more true for buildings that have proper drainage systems and devices installed. It may be several years before you’d need to repair the building in some way. When your roof does need maintenance, it’ll be easier to repair since it isn’t as sloped.

          Cons: They aren’t attractive, and definitely won’t make you stand out. If you have a flat roof installed, then you’re going to need to install some type of drainage system as well. If you don’t, the rain will gather more easily since the roof isn’t as sloped. Additionally, installing a flat roof is going to cost more upfront than a sloped roof would.

When choosing between a flat roof and a sloped roof, it’s best to evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of each. On one hand, flat roofs are built to withstand the test of time but need more of an upfront cost to do so. On the other hand, sloped roofs are more eye-catching but require more maintenance. It all depends on what you prefer from your building, and what you’d like to do to make it happen.