2022 might just be the perfect time to rethink your current commercial roofing system. Why is that? The discovery and integration of innovative, advanced technologies have rapidly changed industry standards (in a good way) and ushered in a new era of commercial roofs.
So if you’ve been thinking about repairing or replacing your roof, you might as well go for the most cutting-edge solution. The good news is that we have already done all the heavy lifting for you.
Allweather Roof has been closely following all the new developments to identify the best areas of opportunity for our clients. We can ascertain that some of the recent trends in the roofing industry offer a value proposition previously unheard of in commercial roofing.
To help you make the best decision for your business, we have compiled a list of the top five commercial roofing trends to watch out for this year so you can take advantage of them when the time comes to upgrade.
INTEGRATED COMMERCIAL SOLAR ROOFS
Commercial solar roofing is becoming increasingly popular, and in fact, solar power is now the fastest growing electricity source in the United States.
Data from the Solar Energy Industries Association shows that the average price per watt for a commercial solar system has dropped dramatically, from about $5/watt in 2009 to less than $2/watt today.
This data, combined with the more favorable economies of scale and increasing use of cell technology, has made industrial solar roofing a viable option for businesses to reduce their power bills and carbon footprint. Perhaps the fastest growing trend in commercial solar roofing this year is the use of solar shingles. These components can be classified under building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and allow the roof itself to harness solar energy rather than using external panels. These building-integrated photovoltaic components can be designed to look like conventional commercial roofing materials, making them less obtrusive.
COOL ROOFS
Until recently, the main focus was on thermal insulation – commercial roofs were designed to reduce heat gain. However, in recent years it has become apparent that energy consumption for cooling is much higher in the summer months than in the winter months.
This has resulted in commercial cold roofs becoming a big trend in 2022. These roofing solutions have been shown to provide significant heating cost savings by reducing the need for air conditioning during the summer months. And since the AC does not have to work as much, its life is inevitably extended. So how do cool roofs work?
Instead of absorbing infrared radiation from the sun, cool roofs reflect most of the rays back into the atmosphere. The most common are white roofing products which tend to stay the coolest in the sun and reflect about 60-90% of the sunlight. However, for those who do not want white roofs on their building, new technologies and modern design allow for colored roofing materials with similar reflective properties.
Also, it is essential to hire someone who has experience with these types of roofing products, because if they are not installed correctly, they can often have the opposite of the desired effect and put more stress on your AC.
GREEN ROOFS
As more and more studies point to the benefits of green roofs, the demand for this type of roofing has only continued to grow in 2022.
Green roofs, also known as garden roofs, differ from all other roofing systems in that they are designed to allow plants such as grass and moss to grow on them.
Green roofs offer a number of benefits to property owners, including
aesthetics, stormwater management, minimizing the urban heat island effect, and improving energy efficiency.
They also positively impact the urban environment by increasing usable amenity and green space for employees. That means installing a green roof could be one of the best ways to make use of the empty space atop your commercial building.
ECO-FRIENDLY SYNTHETIC ROOFS:
As we all try to do our part to move toward a sustainable future, eco-friendly roofs have become more common in 2022.
Popular eco-friendly roofs use recycled synthetic materials such as rubber, plastics and polymers. While each composite material has its own characteristics, most are resistant to fading, lightweight, low-cost, and durable enough to withstand extreme weather conditions. Plus, they can be recycled again when they need to be replaced. This roofing trend is a win-win for both you and the environment.
Another great aspect of these roofs is that they can be customized to meet your specific requirements, making them great for commercial structures such as stores and warehouses.
GET THE BEST COMMERCIAL ROOFING
If you are in the market for new commercial roofing, consider this information. Advanced materials that have less impact on the environment, last longer and require less maintenance, as well as other benefits such as aesthetics, are becoming more common in roofing projects.
While new roofing materials are visually stunning, they also offer long-term value and cost savings for your business. Allweather Roof is an innovative leader in commercial roofing technology and can help you choose your next commercial roofing project based on the needs of your business. We use only the best materials for our roofing projects, for the benefit of our clients. Talk to us today!