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3 Benefits of Installing a PVC Roof

San Bernardino is a great place to live if you’re not a fan of winter! But in the summer it can get hot, and if you’re running a business, you need a roof that can withstand the heat. August brings an average high of 96°F and a PVC roof can endure that year after year with no problems.

But apart from withstanding the heat, what other benefits are there to getting a PVC roof? There are a few surprises that make it the ideal choice for box stores, restaurants, and more.

Let’s explore 3 key benefits together.

1. PVC Is Super Durable

PVC has been around for over a century. It was first used commercially as a water-resistant coating for fabrics. Fast forward a few decades and it was further developed to be incredibly temperature resistant.

Both of these qualities make it an ideal material for commercial roofing and are two of the reasons why it is so durable. 

Another excellent property of roofing PVC is its resistance to animal fats. We may wonder why this is a big deal on a commercial roof. That’s because of all the animal fat that gets belched out of commercial restaurant exhaust systems.  Fat and grease suspended in the steam that comes out can cool and form droplets on your roof.

If you’ve got a restaurant or another food business, a PVC roof is ideal. You just need to clean the roof regularly. The animal fats won’t eat away at the PVC roofing.

Southern California isn’t exactly famous for heavy rain, but PVC is still up to the job when it does come. One of the key PVC benefits is its welded seams. These form an excellent seal that is impervious to water ingress. 

This construction also makes it virtually windproof. A PVC roof can also stand up to hail and snow if needed. The welded PVC sheets effectively form one large sheet covering the entire roof.

The final result is safe to walk on. 

What Kind of Roofs Are Suitable for PVC Roofing?

PVC roofing is a great solution for all sizes of commercial buildings. They’re ideal for flat roofs, also known as low slope roofs. It’s a lightweight solution and is suitable for single-ply roofing.

Single-ply roofing is installed in one layer. They’re very flexible and resistant to weathering. You won’t have issues with them peeling and cracking a few years down the line. 

How Cost-Effective Is PVC?

PVC is one of the most cost-effective roofing materials out there. But that does not mean that it’s the cheapest initially.

PVC can cost more than other materials, such as EPDM. But if you see it as a long-term investment, it soon pays you back.

It generally has a longer lifespan than other materials. It’s also more chemical and puncture-resistant than other available options. 

When correctly installed, regularly inspected, and well-maintained, a PVC roof can last for 25 years.

2. Has Some Environmental Credentials

PVC can’t claim to be a totally environmentally friendly product. It does give off some toxic chemicals during production and when it is heated during installation. But after that, it can do some environmental good.

It can be used to produce cool roofs. A cool roof can often be laid on top of your existing roof without the need to rip it off. It usually consists of a white, reflective layer applied to the existing roof structure.

According to the EPA, cool roofs reduce heat islands. In layman’s terms, this means they reflect more of the heat of the sun and keep the building beneath considerably cooler.

This means that you can use less electricity on air conditioning and still keep your workers and customers cool. You’ll thereby reduce your business’s emissions of greenhouse gasses.

The EPA quotes a California study that found that cool roofs provide an average yearly net savings of $0.50 per square foot. This factors in the cost of the cool roofing products.

An additional feather in PVC’s cap is that it can be recycled. This can reduce your carbon footprint and earn your business LEED credits toward certification. 

3. Fire Resistant

Sadly, we all know that the San Bernardino National Forest is very prone to wildfires. Buildings in the wider area are also at risk from fire. The arid climate creates the perfect conditions for fires to start and spread.

This is another reason why PVC is a great roofing material for Southern California. It is fire-resistant and self-extinguishing.

It is much more fire-resistant than wood, being able to withstand much higher temperatures before it ignites. When the source of ignition is removed, it then extinguishes itself more quickly than some other roofing materials. 

Some PVC roof types are rated Class A or Class B. Talk to your roofing contractor about options that are available for your commercial buildings. This will help you achieve the highest level of fire protection possible. 

Trust HP Roofing Pro With Your PVC Roof

With so many types of roofing available, it can be hard to make the right choice. But if you’re looking for fire-resistant, cool roof options that can save you money, a PVC roof may be the perfect solution for you.

At HP Roofing Pro, we’re proud to provide outstanding commercial roof solutions for the businesses of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties. We have a wide range of roofing options available for you to choose from.

Call us today at 800-842-8029 or reach out online to schedule a free roof inspection and assessment.