Pitch is the most important factor when choosing the suitable roofing material for your home. The steepness of your roof defines its ability to shed rain and snowmelt. Some materials are deemed appropriate for residential properties while others are more associated with commercial ones. The suitability of the roofing material to the property it protects depends less on the use of the structure and more on the roof’s design.

For Exterior Building Solutions, here’s when you should consider these materials for your residential or commercial roof installation project:

Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Asphalt roofing shingles are only useful for high-slope roofs. They have the benefit of gravity to help drain the water and reduce the chances of leakage. Generally, it’s inadvisable to shingle a flat roof because the lack of pitch would cause the water to pool and pave the way for infiltration.

If you want to use asphalt for your flat-roofed structure, experienced roofing contractors recommend a modified bitumen system instead. When combining high-quality asphalt with a modifier additive, like rubber or plastic, the tough multiple layers offer excellent weather- and fire-resistant properties.

Green Roofing

In most cases, a flat-roofed structure lends itself to vegetative roof installation. Even if it covers a low-slope roof, it provides great storm-water control to reduce the volume of runoff and complement your property’s drainage. Unlike bare single-ply membranes, vegetation protects the underlying membrane from thermal shock and intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Plus, it helps regulate indoor temperature because it provides a buffer between outdoor heat and attic insulation.

EPDM Single-Ply Roofing

Unlike newer single-ply roofing membranes, EPDM rubber roofing systems have a long history of all-around performance. Time has proven they can reflect and insulate heat, waterproof low-slope roofs and hold up over time. If you hire a real commercial or residential roofing service provider that specializes in EPDM, you can get great results from this material.

Exterior Building Solutions can help you choose the most suitable replacement roofing system for your home. Fill out this form now to schedule your free consultation and estimate in St. Louis, Missouri, or call us at (314) 470-8783.