Flat vs. Sloped Commercial Roofing: What’s Best for Your Central Florida Business?

Central Florida commercial roofing has two options: a flat roof versus sloped roofing. Both have benefits and drawbacks for your business, leaving Central Florida business owners with a difficult choice. Today, we’ll break down the strengths and weaknesses of both options to make that choice that much easier.

Commercial Roofing Repair Central Florida Options Explained

When choosing options in commercial roofing repair, Central Florida natives can start by weighing their pros and cons. Both styles of roofing are dependent on the structure of your building, but some structures could support either option. In cases like these, it’s best to know what both flat and sloped roofing offers to your business.

Flat Commercial Roofing

Commercial flat roofing is the type of roofing you typically see on big buildings like office complexes, malls, or warehouses. As the name suggests, flat roofing is flat, unlike the pitched or sloped roof of a house.

Flat roofs are often made of materials like modified bitumen, EDPM, TPO, or PVC. They’re durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. They’re also easier to maintain compared to sloped roofs. Moreover, they can be prone to leaks if not properly installed or maintained and can require frequent inspections. Overall, though, flat roofing is a solid choice for keeping big buildings dry and shielded from the elements.

Sloped Commercial Roofing

Sloped commercial roofing has some kind of slope or incline built into it. This allows rain, snow, leaves, and debris to slide off easily, preventing potential damage caused by buildup (like leaks).

What makes pitched roofing especially appealing is its versatility. There is a wide range of roofing materials to choose from, including asphalt shingles or metal roofing. Each of these materials offers its own benefits and drawbacks.

Moreover, there are aesthetic benefits and versatility to a sloped roof. Depending on your style, they can contribute to a timeless look or add contemporary flair. They’re available in a wide range of colors, textures, and designs, making it easy to customize accordingly. If you’re looking for a neat blend of functionality and style, sloped roofing is the way to go.

Commercial Roofing Central Florida: Comparing Options

Regarding commercial roofing, Central Florida businesses may still have a hard time choosing between flat and sloped options. If you’re still on the fence about what roof is right for you, here’s some more food for thought.

Flat Roofing

Flat roofing’s biggest perk is accessibility. This includes getting on top to clean or inspect it, as well as installing solar panels or rooftop gardens.

The biggest drawback to flat roofing is the relative lack of drainage. Without a top-notch drainage system, water will pool on the rooftop, potentially contributing to leaks or damage.

Sloped Roofing

Flat roofing’s biggest weakness is a sloped roof’s greatest strength. Sloped roofing’s incline encourages water to drain off away from the roof. These are especially common outside of Florida due to their better ability to clear falling snow. The same, however, is true of water, leaves, and debris. A sloped roof will keep less material on it than a flat one. 

The biggest drawback of a sloped roof is the pricing. A sloped roof can cost more upfront compared to a flat one, requiring more materials and labor. However, you might save more in the long term in terms of lessened maintenance and inspections.

If you’re still unsure which is right for your business, call a licensed roofing professional for a consultation.

Five Star Roofing & Construction — Central Florida Roofing Done Right

Central Florida businesses have no shortage of options when it comes to roofing or professional roofing companies. Don’t settle for second-best when it comes to investing in your business — call on the professionals at Five Star Roofing & Construction instead. They have the experience to help ensure your commercial roof repair job is a smooth and efficient process. Call or go online to schedule an appointment!