You may have noticed that most commercial buildings have a flat roof, not all, but most do. There are a few key reasons why this is so.
Additional Space
Many people do not realize that a commercial flat roof can often serve as an additional floor on top of the building. There are actually quite a few uses for this space. Some buildings use it for gardening. Other flat roofs use it for entertainment, such as rooftop bars and parties or pools. A more practical use, especially on condo or apartment buildings, is for the AC units to be stored on top of the flat roof.
Less Expensive
Flat roofs are cheaper than their steeped counterparts. A flat roof does not require any additional protective measures or framing. Plus, a flat roof can stand on its own and be fully functional. The maintenance for a flat roof is also less expensive, as are total flat roof replacements.
Practicality
At the end of the day, flat roofs are also much more practical for commercial buildings than residential properties. Steeped roofs have more area to cover and become pricier, which is not something the investors are interested in concerning commercial property investment ventures. In addition, several states have height requirements for buildings, making it very impractical to install anything other than a flat roof.