There are a variety of reasons that commercial property managers and business owners hesitate to secure the roofing repair or replacement services they need. Some worry about lengthy disruptions to their business operations, while others fear that the complexity of their roof layout will present challenges. And many others are simply worried about the bottom line, fearing that the work will simply be beyond their current budget.
But fortunately, there is a commercial roofing solution that minimizes these issues. It’s called a liquid applied roofing system (or liquid applied membrane), and it is one of the best solutions for many Michigan-area commercial facilities.
A liquid applied roofing system, or LARS, is a waterproof coating, often used for commercial structures with a flat or low-slope roof. The key difference between liquid applied roofing systems and other options, such as metal sheeting or single-ply membranes, lies in the name – LARS are applied in liquid form via brushes, rollers, or sprayers.
Once applied, the liquid is then cured, ultimately producing a smooth, seamless, and rubber-like surface. Once completely dry, the surface is extremely durable and capable of resisting UV rays, water intrusion, and everyday wear and tear.
Liquid applied roofing systems can be made with a variety of materials, including silicone, acrylic, polyurethane, or hybrid combinations of these materials. Each one presents a different set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to consult with a roofing professional who has experience working with these materials, like the experts at Cherry Town Commercial Roofing.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
While liquid applied roofing systems are a great option, it is critical that you work with a roofing service provider who has the skills, expertise, and experience necessary to ensure you end up with high-quality results. That’s not a problem when you opt to work with the professionals at Cherry Town Commercial Roofing.
Led by a founder with more than 30 years of roofing experience, our team of roofing experts can install your new liquid applied roofing system quickly, efficiently, and in accordance with industry-accepted best practices. This will ensure that your new roof performs well and lasts for decades.
Contact Cherry Town Commercial Roofing today to get started!
Many other roofing materials, such as metal panels and single-ply membranes, come in sheet-like form. This means that the finished roof will have seams where the individual sheets meet. And unfortunately, these seams can be difficult to seal perfectly, which leads to leaks.
But because liquid applied roofing is rolled, brushed, or sprayed on and then dries in place, it doesn’t create seams. Instead, your entire roof will be covered in a solid layer of material that prevents leaks from occurring.
Liquid applied roofing systems can often serve as an alternative to complete roof teardown and replacement. This means the entire process can be carried out in a much shorter period of time, which will eliminate the need to vacate the building while the new roof covering is applied.
These things help to ensure your business can continue to operate while the roof is being applied. This prevents you from having to move your team to a temporary workspace, as you may have to do when having a roof completely replaced.
Because liquid applied roofing can often help you avoid the need for a full roof replacement, it provides an excellent way to save money and reduce your building maintenance costs. In fact, liquid roof replacement often costs only a fraction of what a complete teardown and rebuild would cost.
Additionally, because liquid applied roofing is less likely to present some of the ongoing maintenance issues some other roofing materials cause, you’ll also save more money over the long term.
Unlike some other kinds of roofing, liquid applied roofing needs only minimal maintenance. Aside from annual inspections and routine cleaning to remove debris, there’s not much else you need to do. In fact, you should avoid using the kinds of harsh cleaners that are necessary for maintaining some other roof coverings.
In the unlikely event of a water penetration, repairs can usually be made easily, either by applying more liquid and allowing it to cure or replacing damaged flashing around HVAC units and similar places.
By their very nature, flat and low-slope roofs often develop places in which water pools. Called “ponding” by roofing professionals, this can cause serious problems for many types of commercial roofing materials, leading to premature breakdown and leaks.
But liquid applied roofs — especially those made from silicone — are remarkably resistant to ponding damage. You’ll still want to address areas that routinely collect large quantities of water, but you don’t have to worry about leaks occurring as quickly as they do with other roof types.
Many liquid applied roofing materials are resistant to UV rays. This not only helps to reduce the heat load on the roof, but it also helps prevent the materials from breaking down prematurely. This provides additional protection from leaks and helps ensure that the roof lasts for decades.
In fact, some liquid roofing formulations are designed to reflect the sun’s rays. This not only helps prevent UV damage, but it may reduce your energy costs as well.
While the process of applying a liquid roof coating is certainly not a DIY job and requires the proper skills, knowledge, tools, and techniques, it is generally easy for experienced roofers to install. This helps to keep the costs associated with a liquid roof installation low, and it also means that the work can be completed relatively quickly.
Additionally, because of the liquid nature of the product, it is much easier to use on complex roofs with intricate architectural features.
While aesthetics usually aren’t the primary driving force behind the selection of a commercial roofing material, most property managers would prefer that their new roof looks attractive. This is another area in which liquid applied membrane roofs shine, as they provide a slick-looking, seamless roof appearance.
In fact, techniques have been developed for adding interesting textures to liquid roofs.
Liquid applied roofs can work very well for Michigan-area businesses. In fact, because liquid applied roofs can withstand the repeated freeze-thaw cycles we commonly experience, they are an excellent choice for businesses in the Great Lakes State. And on the flip side, the UV resistance provided by LARS helps them to withstand our area’s harsh summers.
Additionally, liquid applied roofs can provide a cost-effective method for restoring aging roofs without the need for a complete replacement.
Unfortunately, many commercial property managers and business owners don’t recognize the signs indicating that roof repairs or replacement are necessary. This means that any damage present continues to worsen, ultimately increasing the costs of the necessary repairs.
So, be sure to look for the following signs that may indicate your commercial roof has suffered damage and needs to be inspected by a professional roofer.
It’s always important to have your roof inspected if you notice leaks. Unless you have the leak repaired, the problem is only likely to worsen, potentially leading to extensive roof damage and placing your equipment, inventory, and staff at risk.
Any type of visible issue on the roof surface is cause for an inspection. However, blisters, bubbles, and cracks are some of the most common signs that indicate a problem is present. UV damage or discoloration are also important signs that indicate your roof may require repairs.
Ponding water is a relatively common problem for low-slope roofs, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore it. Left unchecked, ponding water can damage the roof coating and even lead to structural damage. So, monitor your roof regularly and solicit the help of a professional if you see water remaining for more than 48 hours.
As a roof ages and the coating breaks down, more heat will be able to penetrate the roof. This will cause your business’ HVAC unit to work harder (and longer) to maintain comfortable temperatures, resulting in a sharp increase in energy bills.
While roofs may occasionally outlast their intended lifespan, most will start breaking down and developing problems once they reach about 15 to 20 years of age. Roofs that have been in place for this long should be inspected, whether or not you’ve noticed other problems.
Unfortunately, leaks don’t always lead to visible signs like dripping water – but that doesn’t mean damage isn’t occurring. This means you’ll always want to note musty odors or the appearance of mold inside your building, so you’ll know its time to call in a roofing professional.
If you’re convinced that a liquid applied roofing solution is the ideal option for your commercial property, contact the professionals at Cherry Town Commercial Roofing. We have the experience, equipment, and skills to provide the kind of high-quality roofing solution you deserve.
Contact us today and see for yourself why so many other property managers and business owners have placed their trust in Cherry Town. We will treat you, your staff, and your property with respect, complete the work in accordance with the agreed upon timeline, and be sure that you’re completely satisfied with our work before considering the job complete.
You can do so by calling us as (231) 272-8578 or by submitting a brief form on our contact page. One of our team members will then reach out and contact you as soon as possible (generally within one business day).
We’ll arrange for a convenient time to visit your facility, so that we can assess your current roof condition, discuss your needs, and answer any questions you may have.
We’ll arrange for a convenient time to visit your facility, so that we can assess your current roof condition, discuss your needs, and answer any questions you may have.
We’ll source all of the necessary materials and schedule a date to begin the work. Our crew will arrive at the predetermined time and get busy providing the professional roofing services you require.
Once the work has been completed, our crews will clean up the entire job site, ensuring that it looks just as beautiful as it did the day we arrived. We’ll also review the work with you, answer any questions that you have, and ensure you’re completely happy with the results.
Many business owners and property managers have difficulty finding high-quality roofing repair and installation service providers. But that’s easy for those located near Traverse City, as they can simply contact Cherry Town Commercial Roofing – northern Michigan’s leading commercial roofing service provider.
A few of the things that have helped us build a reputation as the commercial roofers Michigan business owners can trust include:
Led by an owner with more than 30 years of commercial roofing experience, our team has the knowledge and expertise to provide the roofing solutions you need. Experience is a critical factor to consider when choosing a commercial roofer, as no two buildings or roofs are exactly the same.
But while less experienced roofers may be stumped by the unique features or characteristics of your roof, our roofing experts have undoubtedly seen similar situations before and already learned how to overcome the obstacles they present.
Unfortunately, too many commercial roofers already know what products and services they’re going to recommend before they conduct an inspection or confer with the client. These kinds of one-size-fits-all roofers tend to prioritize profit margins over providing customized roofing solutions, and their customers are the ones who suffer.
That’s not the case when you contact Cherry Town Commercial Roofing. We always take the time to discuss our clients’ needs, inspect the existing roof, and provide a custom-designed roofing solution that is ideally suited for the situation.
One of the key things that distinguishes Cherry Town Commercial Roofing from some of our competitors is our relentless dedication to providing high-quality roofing services. We want to ensure that all of our clients are left with a roof that performs well and lasts for decades.
To accomplish this, we use only the finest equipment and materials available, and we always utilize industry-leading practices. We also invest in our staff to ensure that they are not only well-trained and skilled but also aligned with our customer-first philosophy.
Cherry Town Commercial Roofing simply wouldn’t exist without our customers, and that’s something we never forget. We treat each and every one of our customers in the same way we’d want to be treated — it’s just the way we do things.
This is also part of the reason we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We’ll always take the time to review the work with you once we’ve finished the job and answer any questions you may have. We’ll also ensure that you’re completely happy with the results before we consider the job complete. If there’s an issue, we’ll do whatever it takes to fix it.
Still have questions about liquid applied roofing? Want to learn more about them? We answer some of the most common questions our customers have below!
Feel free to leave your contact information on our online form. A consultation is always free, and it’s the first step towards finding a roofing solution for your business!
