Month: September 2018

roofing

The Different Options of Commercial Roofing

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There are many types of commercial roofs in Birmingham. In fact, newer types are being discovered, while older types are making a comeback. However, what may look good in your eyes or suitable for your premises may not offer the required service. It may start to disintegrate due to the nature of operations, may undermine the functionality or beautiful appeal of the structure, or may be complicated to fit in your building. Rather than installing, a roof and later realizing later that it does not serve its purpose properly, you are always advised to engage a professional and competent roofer. This will save you time, effort, money, and associated stresses. The following are the different options of commercial roofing available in Birmingham.

1. Flat Roof
This has to be the most common roofing for commercial buildings. It has been around for many centuries and continues to draw a huge following. The roof does not comprise a ridge that connects two sections. Instead, it comes in a flat piece with one side slightly raised than the other. This allows rainwater, dust, dirt, leaves and other things to fall to the ground. It is made of different materials but the most common are iron sheets, tiles, bituminous rubber, EPDM and more.

The advantages of the flat roof are that it’s easy to install, requires minimal maintenance, takes little space, and is cost affective. However, it isn’t very noticeable especially if the slope or incline is little. It also can be hard to install in a very large building and will require a strong support framework. NB: Choosing the right pitch or slope is critical when selecting a flat roof. Too shallow and rain water, animal excrements, bird droppings, leaves, grass clippings may remain on the roof for too long.

2. Metal Roof
Metal roofing is also common in Birmingham and is used in both commercial as well as residential applications. It has been around for centuries and is liked for its simplicity, sturdiness, and durability. The earliest types were made of materials such as lead, bronze, and copper. However, the materials were prone to corrosion and rust. Later on, materials including aluminum, stainless steel, and galvanized steel became the preferred choices. Galvanized iron is the most common covering material that is used. It outscores the other options in regards to its lighter weight, better resistance to corrosion and rust, and handles different environmental factors quite well.

Nevertheless, the popularity of this roofing is declining as people go for more energy efficient roofs. It is also more expensive than other cheaper options like plastic. The main pros of the roof are easy installation, long lasting, affordable, and require less labour to install. The cons are that it produces more noise during the rains, it is not super strong, and isn’t the most attractive.

3. Bituminous Roofing Systems
Bituminous is commonly used on flat commercial roofing. The material is used as a substitute for galvanized iron, aluminum, tiles, zinc, and other materials. The material comes in different designs to suit various needs. You will come across long strips that come in form of rolls, short square /rectangular pieces, modified bitumen as well as hybrid. To lay the roofing system, Birmingham roofers also incorporate other materials such as self-adhering membranes, cap sheets, and base sheets. For extra strength and longevity, modern types are reinforced with ply sheets (organic mats) or glass-fiber mats.

key merits of bituminous roofing are that it is energy efficient and will absorb the heat to create a nice warm interior, it doesn’t produce noise in windy environments or heavy downpour has good resistance to high puncture, and has good waterproofing and weatherproofing characteristics. The main demerits are that it is a little technical to install and is heavier than some other options.

4. Single Ply Roofing (SPR)
Single ply type of roof comprises flexible sheets made from compounded synthetic materials. The main categories are thermoplastics and thermosets, both of which are manufactured in strict environments to ensure they are eco-friendly and safe for human beings. Thermoset membranes comprise of rubber polymers (with Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). Thermoplastic membranes are compounded from polymers and will become hard when it is cold and soften during the hot days.

They are highly flexible and can be fitted in tight spaces or corners with ease. They also have good impact resistance and can handle the harsh environments well. When properly installed by a competent roofer, they will last for many decades and do not require frequent maintenance. Versatility, strength, durability, attractiveness are some of the advantages of this roofing type. Some consumers, however, say that they are not completely green and are heavy.

5. Plastic Roofing
This roofing type is becoming more popular by the day. Credit goes to the discovery of better materials and the invention of superior technology. Generally, plastic is very light meaning it will place lesser strain and weight on the structure. The building will, therefore, suffer from lesser wear and tear. The bonds between the plastic materials are also stronger and this leads to a waterproof and weatherproof roof. Common forms of plastics include Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO), and alloys of PVC.

Advantages of plastic roofing are that its lightweight, easy to install, creates tough bonds, aesthetically appealing, and is easy to repair. The disadvantage is that they can crack or break if stepped on too frequently. Also, some forms of plastic will fade over time.

About Us
We  take pride in offering the best services in regards to roofing in Birmingham. We have been in operation for many years and pride in not only being a leader but among the reputable roofers in the region. Our company boosts experienced and dedicated roofing experts who will deliver nothing but the very best. These include new installation, repairs, and maintenance of commercial roofing. We work with leading firms to ensure you get quality, reliable and long lasting. To learn more about our company and the kinds of services we offer, visit our website at bmroofers.co.uk. You can also get in touch with us by sending an email or calling one of our representatives.

a picture of birmingham city centre

The Five Most popular Roofing types in Birmingham

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If you are keen on roofing, you probably have noticed different types of roofing. In fact, you may be a little confused on what is perfect for your home. The truth is that selecting a good type has many challenges. Firstly, you need to make certain it matches your home design and structure. Secondly, it should put up with the harshest weather/climate and last for a long time. Thirdly, you want a piece that will enhance the overall looks of your home. Fourthly, it should be made from environmentally friendly and safe materials. Fifthly, the installation should be easy and require minimal maintenance. In this article, we will briefly examine the five most popular roofing types in Birmingham.

1. Flat Roofing

a picture of a commercial flat roof in birmingham
This is undoubtedly among the most popular roofing options in Birmingham. You will see it in residential, commercial as well as industrial building. One unique aspect about it is that it has no ridges between two roof sections. Instead, you great a continuous roof that follows the same slope. One edge is raised a little higher than the other for easy flow of water, dirt, debris, snow, pebbles and other things. The pitch or gradient varies from roof to roof and this is influenced by the property design and individual preference.

The common materials of construction include iron sheet, concrete, and tiles. For cladding, Birmingham Roofers use bituminous felt or rubber. Advantages of this kind of roof include easy installation, lower cost of installation, easy maintenance, saves space, and compatible with most buildings. The downside is that it can be a challenge to fit in it very large buildings.

2. Pitched Roof


Another common roofing type is the pitched roof, which is also known as the sloped roof. It comprises of two sections that are connected together at the highest point known as the ridge. The pitch or slope varies from roof to roof and may be as low as 20 degrees or as high as 70 degrees. the greater the incline angle the faster the flow of water, snow, hailstorms, leaves, dirt, dust and other debris. The two sides may be of the same dimension or different. A roof that has more slope will take more materials as opposed to one with a lesser pitch.

The main positives of this roofing type are that it is strong, doesn’t encourage debris to stand on the roof for too long, and is more aesthetically appealing in comparison to the flat type. The negative however is that it takes up more space and materials. Interacting with a seasoned and trustworthy Birmingham roofer will assist you in deciding if it’s a good option for your home or office.

3. Gable Roof
The gable roof is classified as a pitched roof and is at times referred to as a peaked roof (particularly in the US). It comprises of two sloping sections that are connected together at the top via a ridge. However, the sidewall, which is the narrower part of the structure, will have a flat design. If you were to observe the roof from this angle, you will only see the wall and the top section will be triangular and the fascia. The roof itself will not be visible. Common types of gable roof include Side, Crossed, Front and Dutch Gable. Concrete ties, clay tiles, iron sheets, Terra Cotta tiles are the common materials used in the construction.

Main reasons why consumers love it are the good looks, structural integrity, suitable for many property designs in the home, office, warehouse and more. It can be modified to incorporate an attic for extra living space or beauty. However, it can be ripped away by very strong winds if it isn’t installed properly. This is particularly likely to happen if you leave too much overhang on the sidewalls.

4. Hip Roof
This roof is a modified version of the gable type of roof. It features two sloping sides joined at the ridge, and the pitch angle is variable. However, the main difference is the sidewall, which lacks the top triangular wall section. Instead, you have the roof taking its place. When viewed from the side, you will be able to see the roof. In total, you will have four sloping sections as opposed to two sides in the gable. Hip roofs come as Simple Hip, Cross Hip, and Half Hip.

A Dutch gable blends a hip and gable roof. And To maximize space and beauty, you can include a dormer crow’s nest.
The roof is more tolerant to high winds since it does not have an overhang, looks more attractive, and is compatible with most properties. The drawback is that it takes up more material and space, and needs extra expertise. Nevertheless, qualified roofers in Birmingham should be able to deliver a good job.

5. Gambrel Roof
This is also a type of pitched roof that is still common in many homes. It brings out a unique and classic appeal but is little harder to install in comparison to the flat, gable or hip roof. The gable or hip has two sections (one of each side). However, a gambrel has four sections (2 per side). Due to this design, it creates more space. The Mansard roof, which is also known as French roof, is a modified version of the gambrel and incorporates windows and attics within the roof structure.

Advantages of this roof include elegant and extra living space. The downside is that it requires more expertise, takes up more space and material, and needs a stronger structural support.

Listed above are the 5 most popular roofing types in Birmingham. They can be seen in residential industrial as well as commercial properties. What may be suitable for another property may not be fit for your home, office, workshop, godown, and other places. And as you know, poor installation or wrong choice of materials may spell doom. The roof may not be able to handle the harsh climate or weather, may lose its elegance sooner rather than later, may start leaking, or may not be safe for people and the environment. Rather than taking chances, it is better to deal with credible and experienced roofers.

Birmingham Roofers is a leader when it comes to roofing installation, repairs, maintenance, and general consultation. The firm has for many years served the people in the region and beyond and is always at hand to offer you helping hand. They offer a wide array of services to suit any need and boasts of a highly skilled team of professionals. For more information about the different roofing in Birmingham or the company, visit their website at bmroofers.co.uk or give them a call.