Deciding on a new commercial or industrial roof can be a difficult task. Most commercial property owners will tell you that getting a new roof requires careful planning, and most importantly, it requires seeking professional industrial roofing contractors to get the job done right.

Before you’re able to make a good choice, you’ll first need to understand that installing a new flat roof is a large project. After all, it will stay with you for the next 20 years or more, so it’s definitely not a job that should be rushed.

With that being said, we understand most industrial property owners require the fastest turnaround time possible when it comes to installing a commercial or industrial flat roof, which is why we wanted to take you through what the process of installing a new flat roof looks like.

Below, we’ll look at some of the commercial roofing systems available and what the installation process looks like for each of them.

Built-Up Roofing (BUR) Installation

The installation of Built-Up Roofing (BUR) generally occurs in four steps. During step one, roofing contractors will attach sheeting to the roof’s existing subsystem. This will act as the roof’s base. After the base sheets have been attached, tar, concrete, adhesive, or hot asphalt is placed as a form of  “glue,” which is used to fasten felt over the top of the base sheeting. Next, a layer of gravel is laid down before the final layer of hot asphalt goes down.

When the BUR installation process is complete, the commercial building will have an impassable covering, making this flat roofing system one of the most durable systems available on the market today.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Installation

EPDM roofs are made of synthetic rubber that’s flexible, yet durable. When it comes to installation, EPDM membranes are generally applied in three thicknesses: 45 Mil (thousandths of inch), 60 Mil and 90 Mil.

EPDM roofing systems can be a great option, as they are both cost-effective and sturdy. They are also comprehensively easy to install, and because the EPDM material is lightweight, there’s no need to further strengthen or reinforce any decking on the roof.

Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) Installation

The most prevalent method of TPO installation is known as The Mechanically Attached System. During installation, roofing contractors will use fastening plates to secure membrane on the decking. We have found great success with this installation method, as it provides faster turnover times without the use of adhesives and seam tapes.

Another method of TPO roof installation is known as The Fully Adhered System. It’s a lightweight, flexible roofing system that provides sufficient adhesion. The Fully Adhered System is suitable for asymmetrical roofs or any roof with limited load bearing capacity.

Commercial Roof Installation in Toronto

With commercial roofing, there’s no one size fits all solution. In other words, every roofing system installation will require different steps and measures for completion. Depending on the material and system you choose, the installation method and duration can vary greatly from one flat roof to another.

In short, the time frame of installing a new flat roofing system can vary depending on pre-existing roof conditions, property size, weather conditions, etc. Smaller projects can take as little as a few days for completion while bigger installation projects can sometimes take several days.

With that being said, our team of experienced commercial roofing contractors know what it takes to complete your flat roofing project effectively and within your desired timeline.  Above all, the most important factor to consider when installing a new commercial or industrial flat roof is quality. That’s why hiring a professional commercial roofing company will be your biggest responsibility.

At Crown Industrial Roofing, we specialize in building and installing all of the high quality commercial flat roofing systems, including BUR, EPDM, TPO, and others. We are among the most experienced and efficient commercial roofing contractors in the Greater Toronto Area, and it is our guarantee that you’ll have complete peace of mind knowing your flat roof will be installed properly and on time.

Get in touch with us today for your free inspection.