There is not one a single best roofing system; each solution should be customized for each project. There are eight major families of roofing. including steep slope (inclusive of shingle, tile, shakes, etc…), built up roofs (inclusive of asphalt and coal tar), modified bitumen roofs (APP and SBS varieties), metal roofs (standing seam, architectural, and pre-engineered), coatings (acrylic, silicone, ceramic, etc), sprayed-in-place foam roofs, thermoplastic single ply membranes (PVC, TPO, EP, CSPE, etc…) and thermalset single ply membranes such as EPDM.
Each of these roof systems has its own distinct advantages. A critical factor to a successful roofing project is using a contractor who is both familiar with and capable of installing each type of roof system, and who can provide you with the right recommendation for your project. Your contractor should evaluate your facility and the particular roofing characteristics of the building to then suggest the system(s) that meet your needs.