Your roof is one of the most important elements of your building. It’s important to learn more about it so you can make educated decisions on your next roofing project. In this article, Tittle Brothers Construction will explain the differences between low slope and steep slope roofing, as well as explain how we can help you in both of those areas.
Low Slope vs. Steep Slope Roofs
There are two classifications for roof systems and materials: low slope and steep slope. The industry defines the slope of the roof by the vertical rise in inches by every horizontal 12-inch length. So a roof with 3:12 slope rises 3 inches every 12 inches. Your choice in roofing in Ann Arbor, MI comes down to your roof’s slope. Low slope roofs have a 3:12 slope or less while steep slope roofs exceed 3:12. Most single-family homes have steep slope roofs while most commercial properties have low slope roofs.
Low Slope Roofs
Low slope roof materials include the following: built-up roof membranes, single-ply membranes, spray polyurethane foam-based (SPF) roof systems, polymer-modified bitumen sheet membranes, and metal panel roof systems. Low slope roof membranes usually have three principal components: the weatherproofing layers, reinforcement, and surfacing. We can install and maintain membrane, tar and gravel roofs, and TPO & EPDM roofing systems.
Here are a few benefits of our commercial Ann Arbor roofing. Single-ply EPDM has a long service life, and we can apply it to nearly any roof surface. It is also very stable under any kind of temperature and has a long-term weathering ability. TPO is durable and resistant to punctures, tears, and impact damage. It’s flexible and adapts to the buildings’ setting and movement and can withstand harmful chemical, ozone, and ultraviolet exposure.
Steep Slope Roofs
Steep slope roof materials include the following: wood shakes and shingles, clay and concrete tile, slate, asphalt shingles, and metal. They consist of three primary parts: the roof deck, underlayment, and the roof covering. We’ve partnered with GAF to provide you with first-class asphalt shingles and their elegant TruSlate® slate roofing.
GAF has a very wide range of asphalt shingle products that come in a variety of colors and styles. They can perfectly mimic wood shake or tile’s look while providing you with asphalt shingle’s benefits. Asphalt shingles have a low lifecycle cost, are easy to install and maintain, and can adapt to any architectural style. Slate on the other hand can last for over 50 years, benefits the environment, and has a unique and timeless look that other materials can’t imitate.
Roof slope is the primary factor in roof design and affects the style of the building and the materials used. Now that you know the difference between the two, you can make better choices for your roof project. Since 2004, Tittle Brothers Construction has helped thousands of customers with their renovation and remolding projects.
We’re committed to our customers, so we use only the best products for our projects and provide the highest level of customer service. Give us a call to learn more about our products and services or to get a free in-home estimate.