There comes a time for most commercial buildings where the roof and external cladding become a real business issue instead of background infrastructure. Water ingress, increased energy costs, and temperature complaints from employees are a few of the many issues that are not self-resolving. Surprisingly, these issues remain a low priority for upgrades until the problem is too critical to ignore.

Here we look at the issues that cause the owners and managers of commercial buildings to take action. It explains the futility of taking a wait-and-see approach.

Water Ingress and Leaking

There is little debate that that the most common cause for roof upgrades is because of water ingress. Flat commercial buildings are especially vulnerable to water ingress. Ponding water, failed seams, and cracked membranes are just a few of the issues that create roof entry points. Roof lights and penetrations are not immune to deteriorated flashings.

Leaks are particularly frustrating because the visible damage inside the building is often uncorrelated to the issue on the roof. Water travels and the source of the damage can be several meters away from the visible water drip. Workstation drip repairs can only buy time for the more serious issue. Unless repairs are undertaken on the roof membrane, leaking roof repairs will only be a temporary.

The replacement of leaking roofs is performed by commercial roofing and cladding contractors and is typically a membrane replacement. Modern membranes are more reliable, and as a system, are more reliable than older materials. Modern membranes also typically come with guarantees.

Thermal Performance of the Building is Poor

As a result of a lack of emphasis on insulation, older industrial and commercial buildings frequently perform poorly thermally. Buildings from the 1980s and 1990s, which feature metal-cladding, are particularly susceptible to cold bridges, low insulation values, and condensation.

One method of enhancing a building’s thermal envelope is to improve the insulation of the  commercial roofing and cladding. Solutions involving new insulated panels and new roofs (installed above existing roofs to avoid expensive demolition) will improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss during winter and reducing solar gain during the summer. For companies with large manufacturing and warehouse spaces, costs associated with heating and cooling the facility will be reduced and the space will be more comfortable for employees.

Thermal upgrades are often a result of new building regulations rather than a desire to lower operational costs and improve comfort. The regulations related to commercial real estate’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings will be stricter.

Damage from Weather and Cladding Deterioration

External wall cladding is subject to a number of different elements, and in particular, UV light, wind-driven rain, and freeze-thaw cycles. These elements will cause the cladding to corrode, the fixing to fail, and the edges of the panels to break.

There are a number of problems that result from failing cladding of a building. The outside appearance of the building will be neglected, which can be particularly detrimental for a business. More importantly, cladding that has failed will allow moisture to penetrate the walls and lead to insulation saturation and eventually structural issues.

Commercial Roofing and Cladding systems have evolved in the past decade or so. New technologies in metal roofing and cladding have improved overall service life and weather resistance.

Noise Penetration

People don’t typically consider the sound penetration properties of a roof. However, it can be a significant consideration in an office or workspace. Metal decks and roofs used to be a very poor choice in terms of sound separation. A rain event can cause a steel deck to be very loud and distracting.

Choosing a roof with sound attenuation features can dramatically improve the work environment. While it may not be the primary motivator for replacing the roof, it can be a valuable benefit once the work is completed.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

It’s a simple fact that doing nothing adds to the damage that water can cause to a roof. The insulating layer can become waterlogged due to the damage caused to the roof, and, in turn, deteriorate. The roof can become overloaded and even corrode the structural components.

The initial motivator for fixing a commercial roofing and cladding system is usually one clear issue. However, the advantages of replacing a roof tend to tackle multiple issues. Coordinating the repairs to address numerous issues at once typically is the best way to optimise the building.

A condition survey by a qualified specialist is the best way to start if you are unsure of the current state of your building.