What is Built Up Roofing?
What is Built Up Roofing?
Built up roofs have been around for more than 100 years. Their multiple layers can cause serious structural damage if not inspected and maintained regularly, but proper inspection and maintenance can prevent that.
Experienced commercial roofing contractors can quickly detect leaks in a built-up roof and understand its special qualities that make it so effective.
Asphalt
Asphalt is a black, sticky substance composed of aggregates such as rock, sand, and gravel mixed with bitumen (a petroleum byproduct), giving the pavement its strength while binding all materials together. Asphalt can either be applied "hot," meaning heated until it liquefies during installation, or "cold," meaning applied without heat prior to application.
PVC roofing membrane can be applied by hand or mechanical applicator such as a roof mop. Usually it arrives at its destination via bulk trucks or heated roof kettles at work sites before being applied.
BUR is a reliable choice for low or flat slope industrial and commercial roofs, and can last 30 years or more with proper climate and material conditions. Unfortunately, however, BUR does not fare well in very hot climates and leaks may travel between layers making detection challenging; therefore it's crucial that a service crew with experience working on built up roofs be hired.
Felts or Fabrics
Roof felts or fabrics (commonly known as roofing felts) saturated with bitumen are typically installed on rooftops in layers, each saturated layer being covered by mineral cap sheet or gravel to form what is known as BUR roof membrane system.
Built-up roofs typically consist of base sheets nailed or fastened to the substrate and thermal insulation installed over its concrete deck, providing this form of roofing with an average lifespan between 15 to 30 years depending on climate conditions and materials used.
Felts are constructed from either organic or glass fibers and serve as reinforcement in built-up roofing systems, helping distribute strain across an extended surface area. Elevate's Ply IV (4) and Ply VI (6) asphalt impregnated glass fiber mat reinforced roofing felts are perfect for low slope and flat roof systems alike.
Base Sheet
Base sheets are one of the initial steps in building up roof systems, serving to protect against water while providing adhering surfaces for subsequent layers to adhere to. They help create waterproof seals.
A base sheet may be constructed with asphalt, fibre sheets, or any combination thereof; additionally it may be self-adhered or attached using hot or cold application adhesives.
Black Diamond(r) BP Fibreglass Base Sheet is an economical multipurpose roofing material, ideal for flat or low slope roofs, which serves multiple functions on roofs of all kinds. It can act as the first ply/vapor retarder when combined with Black Diamond(r) RR701 Cap Sheet to form two-ply built up roof systems; or serve as an ideal surface material when applied directly on concrete roofs or ballasted BUR systems.
Built-up roofs (commonly referred to as tar and gravel roofs) are popular options for buildings with flat or low slope roofs due to their durability and protection; however, servicing and repairing these types of roofs may prove challenging due to leaks traveling between layers.
Cap Sheet
A cap sheet is the final layer of a built up roof. Composed of layers of tar-coated fiberglass layered together and sometimes reinforced with mineral granules for strength and durability, its main disadvantages are weight and durability; often called "90lb roofing," as one square measures 72lbs on average.
Cap sheet roofs feature light colors to insulate and reflect heat more effectively, helping reduce energy costs and making them an appealing option for commercial and industrial roofs.
Cap sheets may be strong and durable, but improper installation or maintenance may still lead to leaks and mold growth, necessitating regular checks for signs of damage and repairs as soon as necessary if necessary. It is vitally important that regular checks for signs of wear take place to ensure the roof continues functioning at its optimal performance and protect the rest of the structure from water damage – leaking roofs can be devastatingly costly!
What is Built Up Roofing? Built up roofs have been around for more than 100 years. Their multiple layers can cause serious structural damage if not inspected and maintained regularly, but proper inspection and maintenance can prevent that. Experienced commercial roofing contractors can quickly detect leaks in a built-up roof and understand its special qualities…