Types of Roofs for Commercial Buildings

Metal holds up well against the southeast’s heat, humidity, and storms, which is why you’ll find it on warehouses, retail centers, clubhouses, and mixed-use buildings across the state. It works on both steep-slope and low-slope rooflines.

Built-up roofing, sometimes called tar and gravel, is one of the oldest systems still widely used on flat and low-slope buildings. Alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabric give it strong resistance to water, foot traffic, and UV.

BUR is heavy and labor-intensive, so it usually costs more upfront than single-ply. In return, owners get a long-proven system that performs well on large flat footprints like distribution centers and strip retail.

Modified bitumen is a multi-ply asphalt system built for low-slope roofs with heavy foot traffic or rooftop equipment. Each reinforced layer adds another line of defense against punctures and impact that single-ply can struggle to match.

That durability makes it a common pick for schools, apartment communities, and light industrial buildings. The added redundancy can mean fewer emergency repairs over the life of the roof.

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) is one of the most widely installed single-ply membranes. It’s lightweight, reflective, and puncture-resistant, and it reflects heat rather than absorbing it, which can help keep cooling costs down.

TPO typically costs less than PVC and installs just as fast. It fits flat and low-slope roofs on office parks, retail buildings, and light industrial sites, making it a common choice when energy savings and budget both matter.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a single-ply membrane built for demanding rooftop conditions. It resists grease, oils, and harsh chemicals, which makes it a common choice for restaurants and food service buildings with rooftop exhaust.

PVC also offers strong fire resistance, so it often shows up on properties with strict safety requirements. For buildings with heavy or exposed rooftop equipment, that added protection can be worth the higher cost compared to TPO.

Spray-on silicone is a coating, not a full replacement. It’s applied over an existing metal, BUR, or membrane roof to seal seams and extend its life. It goes on seamless, resists ponding water, and can add years to a roof that isn’t ready for a full tear-off.

For owners looking to stretch a repair budget or avoid the disruption of a replacement, silicone is often the fastest path to a watertight roof.