All About Flat Roofing
Living in New Mexico means unique architecture, clean air, and choosing between red and green. You’ll not only see flat roofs on commercial buildings, but you’ll also see them on many residential homes. That’s why finding roofing contractors experienced in installing, repairing, and maintaining flat roofs is essential.
At AAA Roofing Co., we’ve been servicing flat roofing in Albuquerque since 1991. That’s why we want you to know about the advancements in flat roofing materials and how these advancements protect your home and business better than before. We’ll also give you some questions to ask roofers to help you find the best one for your roofing needs.
Flat Roofs in Albuquerque
Today’s flat roofing systems offer greater protection against ponding water than before. Implementing slight slopes helps water drain more efficiently. Newer, lighter, and more durable materials resist leak formations better. Most importantly, these newer roofing systems last longer, offering UV resistance and possible energy savings.
Flat Roofing Materials
Single-ply membrane roofing systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their low installation cost, ease of repair, and minimal maintenance requirements. These membranes come in a variety of materials, including TPO and PVC.
All offer excellent protection from the elements while being relatively lightweight. Single-ply membranes are also highly reflective.
Materials Used for Flat Roofing in Albuquerque
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) Membranes
Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membranes are becoming increasingly popular for flat roofing in Albuquerque due to their affordability, durability, and energy efficiency.
TPO membranes are made from a highly flexible single-ply material that helps to resist tears, punctures, and ultraviolet radiation.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) Membranes
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes are single-ply synthetic membranes with 2 layers of polyester added in between to give them durability. This flexible material comes in white, allowing it to resist UV rays and helping to keep your building cooler.
PVC resists oxidation, can be fire resistant, and also provides additional protection against chemical exposures. This makes PVC membranes perfect for industrial use.
PVC is also recyclable, and its heat-welded seams create a better barrier against leaks.
Benefits of Flat Roofs
One of the most significant advantages of a flat roof is its ability to be fairly low maintenance. It’s generally much safer to stand on a flat roof, making inspections, cleaning, and repairs easier.
Yearly maintenance usually includes clearing debris, inspecting for rips or tears, and rinsing off the membrane to ensure dust isn’t impeding its reflective properties.
Flat roofs are highly preferred for commercial buildings. Since many commercial buildings are larger and need more substantial equipment, flat roofs make installing and maintaining rooftop appliances easier.
Do flat roofs really have slopes?
While it’s hard to detect, even when standing on one, flat roofs should have a slight slope to help with water drainage.
Different roofs have different slopes, but generally, the pitch can be anywhere from 1-10 degrees. This roughly translates to 1/4 inch of slope per foot.
Questions to Ask Your Roofer
A simple Google search for flat roofers in Albuquerque produces countless results. Choosing the best one for your project can be challenging, but asking the right questions can narrow down your choices.
How long have you been in business?
This question helps you determine the amount of experience a company has. You want a roofer that’s been around for several years. That way, if there are any issues with your roof, you can easily track them down.
Do you have any references?
Every reputable roofing company can provide you with references. This helps you get a first-hand account of their workmanship and how easy or hard they were to work with.
What does your warranty include?
Experienced and confident roofers in Albuquerque provide 2 warranty types. The first includes manufacturer warranties that cover defects in materials. The second is a workmanship warranty. This covers defects caused by labor issues.
Having both of these in place helps you rest assured that any issues with your roof occurring soon after work is done should be addressed at no charge.
Do you regularly install, repair, and maintain this type of roofing system?
You’ll want to ensure that the roofer working on your building has extensive previous experience installing, repairing, and maintaining the type of roofing material you have. In fact, when you ask for references, see if the roofer can provide you with references with the same roofing system and material you’ll be installing.
Ready to get an estimate for your flat roofing in Albuquerque?
At AAA Roofing Co., we want to help protect your homes and buildings by using the highest quality materials available. We also offer material and labor warranties, so you can rest assured that your new roof is covered against material defects.
Contact us today to schedule your Albuquerque flat roofing estimate!