Certain environmental conditions over the past few months can warrant fixing up the roof in a big way, even that of commercial facilities showing their age. Chuck Howard and James Tuschall explains in their Facilities Net article from 2009:

Metal Roof

Retrofitting flat roofs with sloped metal roofs or replacing aging walls with new metal cladding is a concept that is tailor-made for these difficult economic times.

Of the 40 billion square feet of roofing installed annually in the United States, only a fraction entails retrofitting roofs with sloped metal systems. Yet replacement and repair continues to account for approximately 75 percent of all roofing work, and industry sources suggest that some 30 billion square feet of roofs will need major repairs in 2009.

Most metal roof retrofit work entails adding slope to an existing flat roof, a strategy that can generate a good return on investment in the form of lower energy costs and little or no maintenance for decades. In most circumstances, a new metal roof can be installed without having to remove the existing flat roof.

Palo Alto, CA, is right in the middle of Silicon Valley, where several top companies occupy some of the U.S.’ most expensive commercial real-estate. Even then, they can only stand so much against the forces of nature. If you feel that your roof is in line for a reroof, a Palo Alto roofing expert like one from Shelton Roofing will be up to the task.

A key to laying the foundation for a successful metal-based reroof is to determine the slope angle of the upper surface and calculate the expected area with your preferred commercial roofer. Howard and Tuschall said many metal roofing warranties are workable even when the slope gradient is no less than 0.25 inches per foot. The final area for the material will be computed by multiplying the length and width then multiplying the product against the slope; be sure to add 10% for excess roof material.

The windy conditions in the Bay Area compound the difficulty of pulling off a commercial reroof, especially if the facility barely follows the codes for wind uplift. A solution would be to fill a gap between the reroof and the original roofing system with added insulation. The authors state that the gap allows for continuous cooling from the eaves to the ridge, which results in natural cooling that can help reduce power expenses.

In the end, a reroof carried out through a roofing company from Palo Alto will certainly be worth the effort. You increase the protective value of your facility in the process and ensure the safety of everyone in it.

(Source: Metal Roof Retrofits can Offer Energy Efficiency, Durability Benefits, Facilities Net)