Commercial roof systems in Hollywood, FL, compared by heat, ponding, wind and repair access: single-ply, bitumen, metal, foam and liquid-applied coatings.
Each roof system moves heat and water differently. In the 1991 to 2020 NOAA record for Hollywood, August afternoons average close to 90 degrees, and June and September each average close to nine inches of rain. A membrane has to survive that surface temperature, shed that water, and hold its seams through the daily expansion and contraction between them.
TPO roofing and PVC roofing are heat-welded white sheets that reflect sunlight and form strong seams. EPDM roofing is a rubber sheet with adhered or fastened seams, and KEE roofing blends a ketone ethylene ester into PVC for roofs exposed to oils and chemicals. Seam probing, flashing terminations and ponding depth are the main inspection points.
Modified bitumen roofing and built-up roofing stack plies and surfacing, so the top layer takes the sun and traffic. Granule loss, blisters and splits at laps show where heat and movement have worked on the assembly.
Standing seam metal roofing and metal roof retrofit rely on clips, fasteners and sealants that accommodate thermal movement. Edge condition and fastener backout decide how a metal roof performs in strong wind.
Spray polyurethane foam roofing adds insulation and a continuous surface that needs a protective topcoat. Silicone roof coatings and acrylic roof coatings renew a sound roof surface. Silicone tolerates standing water better, which suits a roof that holds a shallow pond after a heavy downpour, while acrylic depends on better drainage.
The right system comes from the existing deck, the drying potential of the insulation, the drainage plane and the way the building is used. Core samples and moisture mapping answer those questions, and the answer can differ between two neighboring roofs in the Downtown Hollywood area.
Records matter as much as materials. The assembly layers, the date of the last repair and the location of any prior patch tell the next crew which products are compatible, so the inspection report names the system and lists every transition between different materials.
