Key Roofing Considerations for Multi-Dwelling Units – Part 1: Materials & Maintenance

Successfully managing a multi-level, multi-use residential building can be quite difficult. Just taking good care of your own home is no easy task – multiply that several times, and that could probably approximate what managing a multi-story mixed-use building might be like. The scope of management required can be overwhelming unless you have a deliberate plan of action to follow.

One of the aspects you need to plan for carefully is your roofing. More than just an element of housing that serves to cap the building, the roof can affect many other aspects of the home. You roofing can directly affect the maintenance costs, energy efficiency considerations, and overall integrity of your home or building.

This is why your roof – the foremost form of exterior protection for your building – is particularly important.

Roofing for a multi-residential building poses various challenges, which makes it particularly important to carefully consider material characteristics and potential lifespan. A roof, after all, is only a good investment if it does not require changing every few years. Of the many materials and roofing systems available, here are two that appear to work best for multi-level buildings, based on their favorable physical characteristics and product life.

• Metal. Metal is already a rising star in the current array of available residential roofing materials, and your building can benefit from it, too. As covering, it can withstand inclement weather, resist damage from high winds and fire, and provide durable protection for many years. Metal roofs are also designed for maximum structural integrity. For best results, metal roofs such as steel should account for thermal insulation and span direction.

• Built-up roofing. According to the Homeowner Protection Office, most multi-family units in the country use low-slope roofs. But, that does not mean they cannot benefit from built-up roofing. Although mainly used for commercial buildings, the specific engineering of BUR systems makes for roofs that are structurally sound, as well as long-lasting.

Maintenance is also an important consideration when roofing for a building. There are two types: preventive, and reactive. Every property owner or manager is encouraged to put together a comprehensive plan that both seeks to address damage before it appears or escalates, and manage damage when it manifests.

Choosing the right season for maintenance is of paramount impact, too. In cold-region provinces, roof inspections and maintenance are best done before the start of winter, and again right after. For those living in hot climates, do it before the start of summer, and right after.

So, you now know which materials and systems last, and how you should care for them. But which of them will bring you cost savings? Find out in the second part of this blog.