Flat roofs provide a number of practical benefits for commercial buildings. They’re more cost-efficient, which is important for large spaces. They’re quick to install and easy to maintain and repair. Arguably most importantly, they provide plenty of usable space for housing large commercial HVAC units, solar panels, and other peripheral equipment.
Unfortunately, flat roofs also come with a major drawback: they don’t drain as easily as pitched roofs. This can cause standing water to accumulate on the roofing membrane, leading to structural damage and affecting the integrity of the roof itself. Thankfully, installing tapered insulation can help by creating a slight slope that helps to guide water off the roof. If that isn’t enough to convince business owners that they should make the switch, it’s time to read on to find out about three other major benefits of tapered insulation.
Ease of Installation
Tapered insulation is quick and easy to install, especially when compared to roofing systems that require applying a layer of screed to protect against the elements. By reducing the amount of time and labor it takes to complete this essential task, commercial property owners can save money on installation costs. They just need to make sure they find roofing contractors with experience performing this kind of specialized work. Property owners can learn more here about one well-respected local company that can help.
Improved Temperature Control
All insulation improves temperature control in buildings. Tapered insulation does it better than most alternatives that can be applied at this scale, though. By improving temperature control, building owners can reduce their heating needs in the winter and their cooling needs in the summer, helping to make up for the cost of installing tapered insulation over time by reducing monthly utility bills.
Improved temperature control is one of the primary motivating factors behind installing tapered insulation not just for commercial business owners, but also for homeowners. Homeowners whose houses have flat roofs can benefit just as much from commercial property owners from installing this specialized form of insulation. Since the costs of insulating small areas of flat roofing beneath balconies and other areas are lower, residential property owners will be able to see a good return on their investments even faster than their commercial counterparts.
Reduced Weight
Tapered insulation is much lighter than any type of screed currently available to roofing contractors. That’s part of what makes it so easy to install. Contractors will have no problem transporting and handling it.
Reducing the weight of roofing materials has another benefit, especially for commercial property owners with large flat-roofed buildings. Unlike screed, tapered insulation doesn’t place much additional stress on the roof. That’s especially important given that the large flat roofs associated with commercial spaces are already quite heavy and add little to the structural integrity of the buildings they adorn. Buildings with flat roofs already have design features intended to make up for the weight of the roof, but designers don’t always account for the added weight of either screed or standing water.
The Bottom Line
Flat roofs are great when they work as intended, but they often need a little help. Tapered insulation helps to route water away from the roof so it doesn’t wind up pooling on top of the waterproof membrane and causing premature wear. They also provide an excellent return on investment when it comes to improving temperature control.