Commercial businesses in Toronto have a number of options as to which roof to put on their buildings but choosing one isn’t always easy. The first, major issue with roofing is the decision on whether to go with a pitched roof or a flat roof. This may not be a question in other cities, but in Toronto, a flat roof isn’t the only option. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of pitched and flat roofing for commercial businesses in Toronto:
Pitched Roof
One of the biggest advantages of a pitched roof in Toronto is its ability to withstand heavy snowfall. Now, Toronto isn’t known for having enormous storms dumping lots of snow on the city, but it does happen and should be a concern to those deciding on what kind of roof to put on their building. The simple truth is that pitched roofs can handle heavy snow better than a flat roof.
The chances of leaks are reduced with a pitched roof as the water is always flowing towards the ground and doesn’t have a chance to pool anywhere and find its way into the building. Pitched roofs also last longer and are generally more durable than a flat roof.
The greatest disadvantage to a pitched roof is cost. The materials that go into a pitched roof cost more and the construction of one is generally more expensive. This leads to a trade-off when deciding between the two. A pitched roof will last longer, but a flat roof is a lot cheaper to do.
Flat Roof
The reason why commercial businesses tend to go for flat roofs is that they are cheaper to build and usually cheaper to maintain. This can be an issue in Toronto where heavy snowfall can occur. When this does happen, the added weight of what could potentially be tons has caused flat roof collapses in the past, although this has usually occurred in areas prone to more snow, like Quebec.
Flat roofs usually require more frequent maintenance than pitched roofs as they often need new tar or tarpaper put on and they tend to suffer from minor damage. New material and innovations in flat roofing systems have allowed for stronger roofs, however, and have extended the lifetime of a flat roof to thirty years or more.
This isn’t to say that a flat roof is actually flat, however. There are designed to have a bit of a slope to them, allowing for rainwater to drain off of it. Overall, the flat roof might require more maintenance, but it’s also the cheapest alternative. Additionally, businesses simply don’t require the kind of extra space and strength that a pitched roof requires. This is probably why people tend to see pitched roofs more often on homes, rather than businesses.
The pros and cons of flat and pitched roofs are clear, but the decision on which is the better choice for a commercial roof in Toronto is not as simple. The truth, though, is that most businesses have opted for flat roofs due to their less costly price.
