Restaurants are hard on roofing materials, so which roofing options are best for restaurant landlords and business owners? As a landlord, you want the building to be safe, free from costly leaks, and up to code. On the other hand, the restaurant owner wants an atmosphere that is comfortable, safe, and functional for its patrons and employees. The roof is a big part of the equation.
Restaurant roofing options that meet the challenges Â
As with any other commercial building, a restaurant’s roof must protect the building and business against rain, snow, Toronto’s freeze-thaw cycle, and heavy foot traffic on the roof. Restaurants have additional challenges and industry requirements. This article discusses these challenges and options for restaurant roofing.
Oil and grease are a restaurant roof’s #1 enemyÂ
Food preparation facilities use stoves, ovens, barbecues, grills, deep fryers and other equipment that release grease and oils through the exhaust system. Over 80% of food industry facilities have roof deterioration due to exhaust fans discharging onto the roof, which also affects safety, compliance, and warranty issues. Learn more about how grease and oil spills degrade roofing membranes and what you can do to prevent future damage.
Prolonging your roof also requires preventing vented grease and oils from reaching roofing materials using grease filtration units, exhaust fans, and other specialized products. Building codes also require using mechanical ventilation above all cooking equipment, along with keeping them clean and well-maintained to prevent health hazards.Â
Regulatory compliance for restaurants
Avoid the consequences of failing to comply with regulations for ventilation, fire safety, sanitation, food storage, cooking equipment, noise, material restrictions, installation, energy efficiency, and more. Make sure your HVAC contractor is doing what needs to be done and hire a roofing company that stays well-informed about evolving requirements for commercial buildings and restaurants.Â
Resources include:
- Toronto Structural Requirements for Restaurants
- Ontario Building Code for RestaurantsÂ
- Ontario Food Premises RegulationsÂ
Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability
Restaurants are heavy energy users with heating and cooling for the kitchen and dining areas plus long operational hours. Regulations keep changing for energy efficiency and sustainability. Ask your roofer about options that improve energy efficiency and promote environmental sustainability.
Aesthetic appeal
Roofing affects how the restaurant looks from the street, how it fits in the neighborhood, and how it reflects image and brand identity. For example, we recently worked on a local Harvey’s, part of a large restaurant chain. For aesthetics, the building was originally constructed with a cedar shake mansard with finishing details that matched the adjacent plaza and accommodated Harvey’s brand logo.
Logistics and coordination
The Harvey’s project mentioned above also speaks to the need for roofing expertise and experience. We needed to coordinate with other contractors to remove refuse from the roof, deliver materials up to the roof, handle rooftop refrigeration and freezer units, and disconnect/reconnect the exhaust fans – all while keeping the restaurant open for business.
The lesson? Hire a roofer experienced in the restaurant and food industry projects.
Options your roofer may suggest for restaurants
BUR (Built-up roofing)
BUR has an established reputation for dependability, durability, longevity, and affordability. The material is made of several layers of waterproof materials that resist grease, oil, and toxic chemicals. On the downside, BUR repairs use hot asphalt, which can create unpleasant odours until the product cures.  Â
EPDM roof membranes
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is affordable and durable against foot traffic from roof upkeep, HVAC maintenance, and other rooftop work. These membranes are easy to install and maintain, can be reflective to boost energy efficiency, and are resistant to drastic temperature changes, thermal expansion, and building movement. However, the thin material makes EPDM susceptible to punctures from sharp tools and objects, including screws that can be dropped when accessing removable HVAC access panels.Â
TPO roof membranes
Like EPDM membranes, single-ply TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) membranes are affordable, easy to install, and resist chemicals and oils. They are also reflective for energy efficiency and are 100% recyclable. On the downside, TPO roofs are slippery when wet, and are especially slick when there’s an icy build-up. Their extensive amount of exposed seams makes them susceptible to damage and leaks, especially in roof areas with a lot of equipment.
Keep your restaurant’s roof in good condition
No matter the roofing material, keeping your roof in good condition is essential. The best way to ensure roof longevity and long-term cost savings is two-fold. The first is to schedule twice-yearly inspections. The second is to perform ongoing maintenance. While we want to keep our roof for the full extent of its expected life, failing to replace your roof beyond that point is more likely to result in interior damage from soiled insulation to an increased degree.
Twice-yearly inspections
Schedule twice-yearly inspections to catch small problems and resolve them before they escalate and potentially impact operations. Only a professional roof inspection can uncover all existing and potential issues, especially hidden ones lying beneath the surface.
Visual roof inspections and self-maintenance Â
Regularly inspect your roof for signs of obvious damage or potential problems. If you’re unsure what to check for, ask your roofer. If a major storm hits, get a professional inspection to spot any unseen damage. Ongoing roof maintenance tasks include regularly removing debris on your roof, trimming overhanging tree limbs, removing ice dams, and keeping your eyes out for mould, pests, or drainage issues. Only perform these tasks yourself if you can do them safely.
Ongoing, timely professional maintenance
Putting off maintenance can result in serious roof deterioration, expensive repairs, shortened roof life, failure to meet all relevant codes, damaged reputation, and possibly even temporarily shutting down your restaurant.Â
Be vigilant and take care of these problems before they get out of hand:
- Suspicion of sub-standard installation
- Water leaks, moisture, mould, or mildew on ceilings or walls
- Unpleasant smells that might indicate poor ventilation
- Pest Infestation
- Drafts and uneven heating or cooling, hinting at insulation problems
- Material deterioration or blow-offs
Learn more: https://eliteroofing.com/upgrading-your-commercial-roof-when-and-why-it-is-necessary/Â
Emergency services
Emergencies can happen any time of day, and any day during the year. Find a roofing partner like Elite Roofing who can provide timely 24/7/365 repairs. Our automated response service will quickly send a crew to your restaurant, making permanent repairs if possible or temporary repairs until permanent repairs can be made.Â
What are the roof options for your restaurant?
A cost-effective roof is a long-term investment, so choose wisely. A trusted roofer experienced in the restaurant and food industry can provide expert advice about the best type of roof based on your building, budget, and business plans. Choose Elite Roofing, a family-owned business you can trust for experience, craftsmanship, and guidance about a roof that will work for your restaurant or food facility.
