Choosing the right roofing material for a commercial building in Newmarket is one of the most important decisions you will make for the long-term performance of the roof.
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Haverhill Roofers works on commercial roofs for businesses, landlords and property managers in and around Newmarket. We cover flat roofs, pitched roofs and box gutter systems on a wide range of commercial properties. We also serve surrounding towns and villages including Haverhill, Clare, Withersfield, Sturmer, Stoke by Clare, Steeple Bumpstead, Ridgewell, Poslingford, Kedington, Great Sampford, Castle Camps and Ashen. Call us to arrange a roof survey at your property.
When a commercial roof needs replacing or a new building needs covering, the choice of material matters. Each system has real advantages and genuine drawbacks. Getting that choice right for your building type, budget and expected maintenance commitment will affect how the roof performs over the next decade or more. Here is an honest look at the main options used on commercial buildings in this region.
Torch-on felt, also called built-up roofing (BUR), is the most widely used flat roof system on commercial buildings in the UK. It consists of two or three layers of bitumen-modified felt bonded together and to the deck using a gas torch. The top layer is typically finished with mineral chippings or a mineral-faced cap sheet.
Pros: Well-understood by most roofers, straightforward to repair, lower upfront cost than EPDM on most roof sizes, and individual sections can be patched without disturbing the whole membrane.
Cons: A standard two-layer system has a realistic lifespan of around 15-20 years before it needs replacing, less in areas with significant temperature variation. It relies heavily on the quality of the installation - poor bonding between layers is the most common reason torch-on roofs fail early. It is also more vulnerable to ponding water than some alternatives if the fall is inadequate.
Torch-on felt is a sensible choice for large flat roof areas where keeping the initial cost down is important, provided the deck is in good condition and proper falls are achieved. It is not the right answer for a roof that has been patched repeatedly and is already overdue for replacement.
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a single-ply rubber membrane that has become increasingly popular on commercial roofs over the past fifteen years. It comes in large sheets that can cover a significant roof area with very few seams, which reduces the number of potential leak points.
Pros: Very long material lifespan - EPDM manufacturers typically state 30-50 years for the material itself, though how long any installation lasts in practice depends on installation quality and the condition of the deck. Lightweight relative to built-up systems. Resistant to UV degradation and temperature extremes. Seams, when correctly bonded with the right adhesive, are very reliable.
Cons: Higher upfront cost than torch-on felt on most roof areas. Not all roofers have experience with EPDM, and a poorly bonded seam or edge detail will fail. Punctures from sharp objects are possible, though relatively uncommon in normal use. Ballasted (loose-laid and weighted) systems require more structural load capacity from the building.
EPDM is particularly good for commercial roofs where minimising future maintenance costs is the priority, and where the building owner expects to hold the property for many years. The higher upfront cost can be offset by the reduced need for re-covering within a typical commercial building ownership period.
TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) and PVC membranes are single-ply systems welded at the seams using hot air rather than adhesive. They are common on large commercial and industrial roofs, particularly where energy performance is a consideration - white TPO and PVC membranes reflect solar heat and can reduce cooling loads in buildings with significant flat roof areas.
Pros: Heat-welded seams are very strong when done correctly. Good UV resistance. White membranes can contribute to building energy performance. Suitable for large, complex roof areas.
Cons: Requires specialist equipment and trained installers. PVC can become brittle over time in very cold conditions. TPO is a newer material and long-term field data beyond 20-25 years is less extensive than for EPDM. Higher cost than felt.
Whatever membrane system you choose for the main flat roof area, the flashings at edges, abutments, upstands and penetrations are just as important. Lead remains the standard flashing material for commercial roofing because of its durability, malleability and ability to accommodate movement. Code 4 or code 5 lead is used depending on the application. Aluminium and stainless steel flashings are used where lead is impractical or where the building owner has concerns about lead theft.
A re-cover using a premium membrane that is then finished with poorly fitted or inadequate flashings will still leak. Any quote for commercial flat roofing work should specify what flashing materials are being used and how penetrations and edges will be detailed.
Where a commercial building has a pitched rather than flat roof, the material options are slate, clay or concrete tile, and profiled metal or fibre cement sheet. Each has its place depending on the building type, loading capacity of the structure, and the expected maintenance commitment.
Many commercial buildings have internal box gutters rather than external gutters. The liner material matters: lead-lined box gutters are the traditional solution and long-lasting when correctly installed, but EPDM-lined box gutters are increasingly used because the material is lightweight and seam-free over moderate lengths. Whatever liner material is used, the critical point is that the outlets are sized correctly and the fall is sufficient. A box gutter that holds water will always eventually fail.
Before accepting any quote for commercial roofing work near Newmarket, ask the following:
Overlaying a new membrane onto a failing existing one is cheaper in the short term but traps any existing moisture in the build-up and shortens the life of the new covering. A proper strip back to the deck gives a clear view of what is underneath and a solid base for the new roof.
To discuss material options and arrange a survey of your commercial roof near Newmarket, call Haverhill Roofers.
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