Metal roofing on commercial structures, and even though most are above eye level and you’d never know it. In fact, most people on the street wouldn’t give two thoughts to the roofing material of a commercial building. Like a homeowner, a commercial building homeowner, an important metal roof detail is the color.

Metal roof or not, color is important to a commercial building’s appearance, and fortunately, there is a wide choice of metal roofing colors, finishes, and textures, today for commercial structures. From a modern, natural tone to rustic finishes, the designs are plenty to fit any type of architecture style.

Matte finishes are a popular choice today for metal roofing, going with the trend of aged metal with a classic style. A Galvalume finish is natural with a real feel of contrasting beauty when paired with glossy paint or wood siding.

Today, metal roofing contractors offering colors that are cool to work with sustainable buildings. A metal roof that reflects sunlight during the summer and not absorb heat is important in areas of the country where summer can be sizzling. Besides galvalume, and galvanized, there are twenty or more gauges of colors today that are reflective and solar reflective.

Keeping in mind that lighter colors reflect the UV rays and darker colors absorb. So, if your building is in an area where there is more hot weather, going with a lighter color is recommended. Light color choices include:

• Beige
• Gray
• Light Bronze
• Peach
• White

For commercial buildings where the climate is colder, best color choices are:

• Black
• Brown
• Dark Greens
• Dark Blues

Yes, especially when metal roofing is being installed over an existing roof, regardless of what type of roof coating was applied last. Furring strips decrease condensation building up, which can damage the roofing and should be placed twenty-four inches apart.

The spaces in between the wood furring strips should have a layer of ridged insulation installed prior to the metal roofing. The insulation will help decrease the condensation and provide extra insulation too. Insulation layered under the metal roofing panels is critical to mitigate thermal bridging and provides a sound barrier.

Metal roofing is durable and will provide a long lifespan for a commercial building when it has been correctly fabricated and installed. Underlayment is an important part of a metal roofing and can be an asphalt-soaked felt, self-adhering membrane, or synthetic sheets. Metal roof to wall flashing is just as important and must be installed correctly to provide the protection intended.

When looking for a metal roofing contractor, Google a search “metal roof installers near me” and they can discuss which type of underlayment is the best for your building based on the climate and size of the building.

If the commercial building has a flat roof, the drainage system is unique than a commercial structure with a sloped roof. A gutter system is recommended on a commercial building with metal roofing to keep the water from flowing out and away from the building, allowing space for walking next to the building without being drenched.

There are several factors to consider when deciding to install a gutter system on your commercial building metal roofing. A gutter system for a commercial structure isn’t the same as it for residential properties, for starters, commercial structure gutter system are box gutter shaped and larger than that of a residential gutter system, because the roof is larger, thus more water flowing off the roof.

Traditionally, metal roofing has been insulated during install with furring strips to prevent condensation. The insulation keeps the metal roofing panels from reaching a dew point temperature that creates condensation.

If a metal roofing wasn’t installed with furring strips and insulation, there is a patent membrane product on the market that can be added afterwards. They attach this membrane to the underside of the metal roofing panels. This membrane has a rubber backing with felt-like material and will trap and hold moisture that typically results in condensation forming.

Other choices in commercial structure roofing are typical for a flat roof and include EDPM, PVC, and TPO. For a commercial building with a pitched roof, metal roofing is ideal. It can be made to look as antique and classic or as clean and modern style as the building’s architectural style.