Commercial Flat Roofing in Red Deer, Edmonton, Calgary & Area
- Single Ply PVC / TPO / EPDM
- Built up tar and gravel
- Modified Bitumen / Torchdown
Selecting the correct flat roofing for your commercial application can be difficult. At RemStar we recognize that there is not one perfect flat roof system for every building. Our highly trained managers can guide you and help you make selections for the proper roofing system to fit the specific needs of your building. Whether it is Single Ply, Modified Bitumen, Conventional Built-Up or Metal, at RemStar, we have the solution.
For quick help with flat roof leak repairs in Red Deer, Calgary or Edmonton, reach out to our company's 24/7 repair line for immediate waterproofing solutions.
Obstacles in Commercial Flat Roofing
The integrity of flat roofs on commercial buildings can be compromised by various environmental factors, such as sun exposure, fluctuating surface temperatures, and severe weather conditions like hail, snow, and storms. Shifts in the roof structure, triggered by temperature-induced expansion and contraction, also pose significant risks. Minor damages, if overlooked, can escalate into serious structural issues, leading to substantial repair costs. RemStar Roofing advocates for consistent maintenance and routine roof inspections to preempt potential problems. Early detection and repair are crucial in preventing expensive damages. Common concerns that affect commercial flat roofs include:
- Water Intrusion: Aging or environmental damage to your commercial flat roof in areas like Red Deer, Calgary, and Edmonton can cause water to penetrate your building, exacerbating damage.
- Water Accumulation: Designed with minimal slope, flat roofs can fail to adequately drain water due to wear or poor installation. Accumulated water can weigh down the roof, leading to sagging, and in freezing conditions, can expand and harm the roof membrane.
- Envelope Shifts: A building’s expansion and contraction, influenced by changing temperatures, can lead to shifts that affect the roof. Given the significant temperature differences inside versus outside, particularly with high-performing HVAC systems, these shifts can result in membrane damage around flashings, drains, scuppers, and seams.
- Surface Wear and Tear: Harsh weather can cause the surface of flat roofs to crack and tear. It’s crucial for our commercial roofing specialists in Red Deer, Calgary, and Edmonton to assess and repair any damage post-storm to prevent minor punctures from turning into significant leaks.
RemStar Roofing offers expert solutions to these flat roofing challenges, including comprehensive repairs and waterproofing services to ensure your commercial flat roof remains durable against environmental threats.
Single Ply PVC / TPO / EPDM
- Durability
- Wind resistant
- Flexible
- Fire Resistant
- Environmentally friendly
Types of Single Ply Flat Roofing Membranes:
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Due to its durability, longevity and ability to withstand a build-up of chemicals, PVC is a widely used flat roofing system. PVC is also extremely easy to manufacture, install and repair. PVC membranes are manufactured from a combination of PVC resin, stabilizers, pigments, fillers, plasticizers, biocides, and various processing aids. Unlike TPO membranes, which require additives to increase fire resistance, PVC membranes are naturally fire retardant.
TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin)
Much like PVC, Thermoplastic Olefin is another commonly used material for a wide variety of flat roofing solutions. Due to the strong weatherproofing properties, TPO is often used when undertaking a green roof construction and has a life expectancy of around 20 years. TPO can be installed in a multitude of ways and with the introduction of peel-and-stick products, installation time can be reduced significantly. Like PVC, TPO remains hot-air weldable throughout its service life, simplifying repairs and maintenance.
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer)
EPDM is a versatile and flexible single ply flat roofing material that can be mechanically secured, ballasted as well as fully adhered. EPDM has excellent weathering qualities as it is 100% resistant to UV radiation, Ozone thermal shock and changing weather conditions. EPDM membranes are known for their long-term weathering ability and perform well even when subjected to fluctuations in temperature, ultraviolet rays, and ozone. The membranes are available in both unreinforced and reinforced, the latter of which increases resistance to tearing. EPDM is available in thicknesses and is offered in wider sheets that may be desirable.
Built up Tar & Gravel
- Economical
- Impact resistant
- Protection against UV rays
- Fire Resistant
Types of Built-Up Roofing:
Tar & Gravel
Tar & Gravel systems use smaller more course rocks. The gravel used is about the size of 0.25″ – 0.5″ inches (0.64 cm -1.27 cm) in diameter.
Another key difference is that on Tar & Gravel roofs, the rocks are sealed down using a bitumen-based chemical.
The bitumen which seals down the gravel can come in two different forms cold applied and heat applied.
The cold applied can be easily spread because it is liquid at standard temperatures but hardens as it cures.
The hot-applied requires a torch to melt the bitumen, then it hardens as it cools.
Ballasted
Ballasted systems use larger rocks. The size of gravel can range anywhere from 1.5″ – 2.5″ inches (3.8 cm – 6.4 cm) in diameter.
The rocks in a ballasted roof system are not sealed, rather they are loosely piled on top of a waterproof membrane.
The waterproof membrane used is not sealed down to the roof but is held in place from the weight of the large stones resting on top of it.
Ballasted roof systems can have anywhere from a few inches of rocks to a foot of rocks.
Modified Bitumen (Torchdown)
- Flexibility and Durability
- 15-20 year lifespan
- Protection against UV rays
- Fire Resistant
- Easy Repairs
Each sheet of torch-down roofing material consists of multiple membranes stacked and adhered together. These are the membrane layers of torch down roofing material, from the bottom up:
Layer 1: Thermo-fusible film.
Layer 2: Modified bitumen.
Layer 3: Reinforced polyester.
Layer 4: Modified bitumen.
Layer 5: (For the third layer of a three-layer roof) Granulated mineral surface.
A compound known as modified bitumen makes up the second and fourth membrane layers of each sheet of torch-down roofing material. Bitumen is an asphalt compound. It is used in roofing and other construction applications like road construction and repair. Modified bitumen is asphalt bitumen mixed with a plastic or rubber additive. There are two main types of modified bitumen membrane that are used to create torch down roofing material: Atactic Polypropylene (APP) and Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS).
- Atactic Polypropylene (APP)
APP is a type of plastic used to produce modified bitumen for torch down roofing. APP modified bitumen membranes are especially flexible. They respond well to both high and low temperatures.
- Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS)
SBS is a type of rubber used to create modified bitumen for torch down roofing. SBS modified bitumen membranes are also flexible, and they have a lower melting point than APP membranes. This means that SBS membranes can be used in torch-down roofing, as well as self-adhering and cold-processed roofing systems.
At RemStar, we ensure that your flat roofing investment is made with the utmost confidence and backed by thorough analysis. Our comprehensive inspections and thermal imaging services play a crucial role in this process. Through these services, we can detect underlying issues, assess the condition of your current flat roofing system, and recommend the most effective solutions tailored to your needs. Thermal imaging, in particular, allows us to identify potential problem areas that are not visible to the naked eye, such as moisture intrusion, insulation flaws, and heat leaks. This proactive approach not only aids in making an informed decision but also helps in extending the lifespan of your roofing system and enhancing its performance. Discover the benefits of our inspection and thermal imaging services and how they can contribute to the longevity and efficiency of your red deer flat roofing system by visiting our Inspections and Thermal Imaging page. This added layer of insight ensures that you are equipped with all the necessary information to choose the best roofing option for your commercial property.
For those seeking expert flat roofing in Red Deer, RemStar provides a range of options including Single Ply, PVC, TPO, Tar & Gravel or Torchdown, designed to meet the unique demands of commercial properties. Our dedication to quality, durability, and customer satisfaction ensures that your roofing needs are met with the highest standards. For further insights into flat roofing and the materials we use, we invite you to explore more at Flat Roofing and Materials. Discover the perfect roofing solution with RemStar and ensure your property stands strong against the elements.
