Two Roofing Top Trends

Fiberglass reinforced, felt mat (l) and Flat metal roofing (r).

In every category under the sun you can always find an emerging trend. Reds are trending in hair color, low gas mileage trends in cars, and the beach is always trendy when it comes to vacations. Did you know even roofing materials have trends?

Built up roofing is still in vogue but there has been a shift in the type of materials that are used in commercial roofing. The two new developments in commercial roofing materials are fiberglass felts and rubber modified asphalt. When it comes to the fiberglass felts the widely used version is Type IV and the new stronger version is Type VI. This may sound like gibberish to you but it is handy knowledge to have when speaking to a roofing contractor that is working on your commercial or investment property.

Metal roofs are also making a comeback. They are far superior to old fashioned metal roofs you may have seen on a dilapidated barn. Metal roofs are not the best choice if you are roofing a structure that will require frequent re-roofing though.

When choosing a material for your commercial building, consider your options. Modified bitumen is a popular choice that is made out of asphalt. Normally they are applied with heat but you can now get them applied with cold in areas where using heat is not advised.

Some manufacturers currently offer modified bituminous systems in a built up style. These types of roofs do require a drainage system and have proven to be quite durable.

For something slightly cheaper, consider a single ply system. Single ply systems are what they sound like; a single layer of roofing. They are comprised of an elastic/plastic material and can be adhered in multiple ways. If choosing the single ply roof, which tends to be cheaper when it’s applied directly over an existing flat roof, consider several issues. If you have a lot of wind, make sure to get high quality heavy duty fasteners and be weary of leaks.

When looking at the latest roofing trends, be sure to consider your price range, building code restrictions and the appearance of your property.

For more advice, talk to a professional at JB Wholesale Roofing & Building Supplies. You can visit them at www.jbroofing.com. They are located at 1095 S. Fair Oaks in Pasadena. You can reach them directly at (626) 799-0440.