Commercial Roofing Types: What’s Most Common in Minnesota?

What are the considerations in deciding on a commercial roofing type?

When building a new commercial building, architects and contractors typically decide the type of roofing system used. They will consider many factors, including energy efficiency, lifespan, durability, maintenance requirements, environmental factors, and of course, budget. 

Some types of commercial roofs are less expensive to install than others but may be more costly to maintain over the roof’s lifespan.

What types of commercial roofing does Mint Roofing install?

At Mint Roofing, we work primarily with three types of commercial roofs:

Built-up Roofs

Single-Ply Membrane Roofs

Sheet Metal Roofs

1. Built-Up Roofs

Built-up roofs, as their name suggests, consist of multiple layers of material. Most commonly, they consist of layers of tar and gravel. Multiple layers increase the durability of a built-up roof but increase the cost with each layer.

One of the oldest types of commercial roofs, built-up roofs withstand foot traffic well but require a stable foundation with minimal vibration to preserve their integrity. Built-up roofs are resistant to UV damage.

Pros: Durable
Cons: Average lifespan

2. Single-Ply Membrane Roofs

Single-ply membrane roofs consist of a metal substructure covered with a material that covers the entire roof surface. Mint Roofing has years of experience installing the most common types of single-ply membrane roofs.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer) is a synthetic rubber material that provides average durability and resists damage from sunlight and most pollutants. It has a long life and is relatively easy to install as a new or replacement roofing material. EPDM is available in white or black.

Pros: Long lifespan
Cons: Low durability

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) are well-suited options for extreme environments. They perform well in extreme heat and cold and are resistant to UV, most chemicals, oils, fats, and punctures. TPO and PVC roofs withstand strong winds and reflect heat away from the building in the summer months.

The popularity of these materials has led many roofing contractors to cut corners and use cheaper knock-off materials. Rest assured that Mint Roofing uses only the highest quality materials 

Pros: Long lifespan
Cons: More expensive

3. Sheet Metal Roofs

They have a long life expectancy, but some are susceptible to corrosion, particularly in our harsh northern climate. Months of accumulated snow cover can lead to oxidation and corrosion, increasing the likelihood of leaks. To prevent this, metal roofs are often treated with a protective coating.

Pros: Long lifespan, fire resistance
Cons: Susceptible to corrosion

Mint Roofing will help you find the perfect roof for your needs.

From built-up roofing materials to single-ply membranes to sheet metal – Mint Roofing performs every job in-house and works directly with contractors and their design teams to help them choose materials that provide energy efficiency and durability.

Mint Roofing Has Top Industry Credentials

With 75 years of local experience in commercial roof construction, Mint Roofing holds many industry designations:

• Elevate (formerly Firestone) Commercial Roof Master Contractor
• Firestone Inner Circle of Quality Contractor
• GAF Commercial Roof Master Select Contractor
• Certified Commercial Roof Contractor for Johns Manville
• Minnesota State-Approved CPV Contractor
• ES1 Certified Sheet Metal Contractor

When it comes to commercial roofing, there’s only one name contractors trust! MINT!