When determining if black or white roofing membrane is a better choice for your commercial building, there are a few common misconceptions many people encounter. The first being that white membranes are more durable than black membranes due to their lower surface temperature. While accurate in some cases, this is not true for all. Every building is different and what membrane is durable for one, might not necessarily be the best choice for another. In this way, it’s always best to have an experienced contractor take a look and determine what’s best.
Another misconception many people believe is that black roofing reduces the cost of heating in cooler climates. Again, in some cases this is true as it depends on the amount of sunshine your region receives. However, an important consideration is that many commercial buildings in cool to temperate climates do not always have air conditioning. So if the building receives a lot of sunlight year-round, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of a reduced heating cost in the winter and possibly a higher indoor temperature in the summer.
It’s also important to remember that the decision to choose black and white roofing membranes is by no means set in stone. There are many ways of retrofitting commercial roofs through coatings that increase solar-reflectivity or cap sheets that can be applied to existing membranes to create a white roof. In any scenario, your best bet when it comes to determining the right roof for your building is to consult a professional commercial contractor.
Flat Roofers Coating Services Inc. is a 100% WSIB-insured commercial roofing contractor, whose managing partners have experience dating back to 1985. Flat Roofers has a superior knowledge of the roofing industry and supports the concept of retrofitting where applicable, as opposed to a complete replacement of the commercial roof, providing a cost-effective solution.
For a comprehensive free rooftop inspection, analysis and follow-up report call us at 1-800-307-3719
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