Discover New Innovations in Commercial Roofing Technology
Evolution is a key part of every industry, and the roofing industry is no different. Commercial roofing systems and technologies have changed, including methods of roofing maintenance and installation.
Many new roofing materials have been developed, just as tools and software for roofing have been created, making the process of commercial roofing more seamless, safer, and more efficient than in past times.
Environmental friendliness is also an important aspect that innovations have paid attention to when creating new commercial roofing technology. Let’s explore some of the new tech innovations to watch out for as far as it concerns commercial roofing technology.
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Solar Roofing Systems
Solar energy has become one of the leading topics of discussion as far as renewable energy is concerned. With more business owners embracing solar energy, solar roofing systems are being created to deliver a seamless way to generate solar energy. The solar panels are integrated into the design of the roof such that they don’t stand out like a sore thumb.
Having solar panels on your roof offers you an opportunity to not only save energy costs but to generate clean energy for your building. More commercial building owners are opting for solar roofing systems because they help businesses cut energy costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and even improve their building value.
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Cool Roofs
Heat absorption is often a problem when you’re dealing with traditional roofing materials, but innovations have made cool roofs available. These roofs are made from reflective materials including bright-colored or white coatings or tiles that reflect sunlight to reduce the amount of heat the building absorbs. With less heat absorption, you spend less on cooling costs. These reflective materials also reduce the effect of UV damage and thermal shock on your roof, thereby making it last longer.
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Self-Healing Roofing Materials
Just as more roofs are made with cooling materials, latest innovations in roofing technology have made it possible to make roofs with self-healing materials. These roofing materials have microcapsules that release liquid polymer to seal holes and cracks on the roof.
These self-heating materials also reduce heating costs, reduce the incidence and cost of maintenance and repairs, and extend the roof’s lifespan.
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Infrared Scan technology
You might wonder why infrared scans would be on building roofs, but they have a very important function. These scans use an infrared camera to inspect the roof and identify the buildup of moisture or heat loss on the roof.
Infrared scan technology helps with the quick detection of leaks or damage to the roof before they get out of hand so that the building owners can get roofing experts to address them quickly.
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Drones
Similar to infrared scans, drones are used by commercial roofers to inspect the roof and check for signs of problems with the roof, instead of climbing on the roof using ladders. Drones improve safety during roof inspections as they can access all areas of the roof and transmit videos and pictures in high resolution to help the roofer assess the condition of the roof and decide on the next course of action without climbing the roof.
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Green Roofs
Green roofs are sought after in the commercial building industry these days because they have several benefits, including better insulation, improved air quality, reducing cooling and heating needs. Green roofs also go a long way to beautify the outdoor space and even offer a sort of accommodation for wildlife.
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3D Printing
Who said commercial roofs had to have single, boring colors? 3D printing has brought a new revolution where commercial roofs can be designed using 3D printing designs and styles that you wouldn’t usually find on roofs, especially the very complex designs. With 3D printing, it has become possible to achieve the production of custom-made roofing components, quicken manufacturing time, and reduce the associated waste.
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Advanced Software
When we talk of advanced software developed in the commercial roofing industry, we are talking about software that assists designers and architects in their jobs of designing long-lasting, efficient, and well-performing roofing designs and materials. Roofs created using advanced software are often more cost-effective, longer-lasting, and energy-efficient.
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Advanced Coatings
Roofs are often exposed to the elements, whether harsh or not, throughout their lifetime, and these elements often cause damages that happen in no time and cost a lot of money to fix.
Advanced coatings added to commercial roofs serve several functions, including moisture protection, protection against UV rays, as well as temperature management. Roofs with advanced coating also have a longer lifespan because they are protected from thermal shocks that negatively affect the roof.
Conclusion
The evolution of the roofing industry is something that should be watched with keen interest. As the industry constantly evolves, we hear of new tools and technologies that support positive changes.
Whether you’re particularly interested in self-healing roofs, green roofs, or solar roofs, the innovations are available to support the creation of durable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly roofs.
These innovations help roofing companies and professionals to stay safe on the job by helping them ensure that roof inspection, maintenance, and installation processes will be safer and more timely. Thanks to infrared scans and drones, roofing inspectors don’t have to climb on the roof and expose themselves to danger such as injuries or accidents while they are up there.
As far as roof manufacturing goes, 3D printing ensures a speedy manufacturing process, supports the manufacturing of complicated designs and materials, as well as improving cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Both the owners of commercial buildings and the commercial roofing experts are looking for a way to ensure roofing material sustainability while saving cost, and the innovations in commercial roofing technology have helped make these goals achievable.
Businesses will save a lot of money, especially on energy savings when they opt for roofs with advanced coating, solar roofs, cool roofs, and the like.
Even as we expect the demand for sustainable and improved practices in the commercial roofing industry, we look forward to having more commercial roofing technological advancements that make the process easy for both the building owner and the commercial roofer.