Choosing the Right Commercial Roofing Material in Colorado

For a commercial building, the “right” roof depends on your roof shape, local climate, building use, and budget/maintenance expectations. Colorado Front Range Roofing helps owners choose and install the system that fits best.

Key Considerations Before Choosing a System

Before selecting a roof, clarify:

• Roof type: Flat/low slope vs. pitched.

• Structural limits: How much weight the building can safely carry (important for BUR and snow loads)

• Climate needs: Hail, wind, snow, and sun/heat reflection

• Building use: Food service, industrial chemicals, office, or retail

• Budget and life-cycle cost: Low initial cost vs. long-term durability

• Sustainability/energy: Cool roofs, insulation, and recyclability

Main Commercial Roofing Systems

1. TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)

What it is: White, heat-welded single-ply membrane (45–80 mil), mechanically attached or fully adhered.
Best for: Flat/low-slope commercial roofs seeking energy efficiency.
Pros:

• Highly reflective (reduces cooling costs)

• Fast installation, lightweight

• UV and chemical resistant
  Cons:

• Single layer: punctures are critical.

• Performance depends on product quality and installation skill.

2. Built-Up Roofing (BUR – “Tar and Gravel”)

What it is: Multiple layers of asphalt with reinforcing felts, topped with gravel or cap sheet.
Best for: Flat/low-slope roofs needing durability and heavy snow/foot traffic resistance.
Pros:

• Time-tested, strong, UV-resistant

• Easy to patch/maintain.

• Handles snow and high sun exposure well
  Cons:

• Heavy requires a structure that can support the weight.

• Labor-intensive, can be smelly during installation.

3. Metal Roofing (Industrial & Granulated)

What it is: Steel or aluminum panels, sometimes coated or granulated, for low- to moderate-slope roofs.
Best for: Warehouses, light-industrial buildings, or projects needing long service life.
Pros:

• Lifespan of 40–60+ years

• Fire-resistant, sheds snow, strong against Colorado winds.

• Can often be installed over an existing roof
  Cons:

• Higher upfront cost

• It can be noisy during heavy hail or rain without proper insulation.

4. EPDM (Rubber Membranes)

What it is: Black synthetic rubber sheets, adhered, ballasted, or mechanically attached.
Best for: Low-slope roofs needing flexibility and UV resistance.
Pros:

• Flexible, handles extreme temperature swings.

• Can go over existing roofs for fast installation
  Cons:

• Black surface absorbs heat unless it is coated.

• Seams rely heavily on adhesives/tapes.

5. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

What it is: Single-ply, heat-welded membrane, often white, similar to TPO installation.
Best for: Restaurants, food processing, and industrial roofs exposed to chemicals or grease.
Pros:

• Durable, heat-welded seams

• Naturally fire-resistant

• Reflective options for energy savings

• Resistant to chemicals and grease
  Cons:

• Higher upfront cost than TPO or EPDM

• It can be brittle in very wintry conditions if not professionally installed.

Matching Roof Type to Your Building

Scenario

Recommended System

Flat/low-slope, energy-efficient, budget-conscious

TPO or PVC

Heavy snow, high foot traffic, tank-like durability

BUR or BUR + modified bitumen

Industrial/architectural, long lifespan, hail/wind resistant

Metal

Large, low-slope, flexible & proven

TPO or EPDM

Why Work With Colorado Front Range Roofing

We help owners make smart decisions by:

• Understanding Colorado’s hail, wind, snow, and code requirements

• Installing and servicing multiple systems (BUR, TPO, EPDM, PVC, Metal) without bias toward one product

• Guiding you on initial cost vs. life-cycle cost, energy savings, and maintenance needs

• Coordinating with insurance providers for storm-related projects