While serving the same ultimate purpose, there are key differences between commercial and residential roofing. As such, when you start researching contractors, one of the first questions potential roofers will ask you is whether you are hiring a commercial or residential project. From structural and design elements to materials and even costs, the differences between commercial and residential projects are multiple.
First, the structural needs of a commercial roof are different from those of a residential roof. Obviously, commercial ceilings can be considerably larger – imagine the size of a ceiling in a mall compared to the ceiling size of your home, and you get the picture. Plus, load requirements, fixtures, and even materials will vary significantly between commercial and residential roofs. For example, commercial roofs must have a higher carrying capacity than residential roofs often only because of the materials involved in their construction. Similarly, the installation of a commercial roof requires much larger equipment than residential roofs simply because it is a bigger job.
Regarding roof function, commercial ceilings tend to have more ridges than residential ceilings. While a residential roof may need to accommodate fireplaces, skylights, and some other protrusions, commercial projects should also consider ventilation systems, fireplaces, pipes, roof entryways, and mechanical needs. In addition, there are specialized construction specifications for commercial and residential roofs. For example, commercial roofing materials are often chosen based on the function of the commercial building; If the commercial building has heavy machinery, the roofing material must be able to withstand heat discharge. On the other hand, residential roofs are generally built with respect to the owner’s personal preferences regarding appearance, durability, and maintenance.
The scope of copper cliff roofing projects requires specialized knowledge and skills of potential roofers, but residential roofers also have important skills. While commercial roofers must consider the function of the commercial building and the unique specifications that affect roof construction, residential professionals must be informed about the particular needs of their clients. Obviously, both types of roofs need to be built to withstand the region’s climate, but residential types tend to be built with aesthetic and commercial roofs in mind with a mind for functionality.
Most importantly, due to the differences between the 2 types, you will find that contractors also have different needs. Commercial roofing is generally considered a much more complicated, if not difficult, job, and finding skilled workers for the job can add to the cost of projects. The fact that these projects tend to be considerably larger than residential projects also means that commercial teams are larger, and many residential contractors are unable to accommodate the manpower required to complete a commercial job.
So, as you can see, there are many differences between commercial and residential roofs that affect not only the way the roof is built and the associated costs, but also the design, materials, and skilled labor to manage the project.







