Many business owners began using built-up roofing in the 1970s for commercial reasons. Also, popularly known as tar and gravel roofs, this trendy commercial roofing material is made up of alternating bitumen layers and reinforcing fabrics, which create a finished roofing membrane. The bitumen consists of cold-applied adhesive, asphalt, or coal tar. Manufacturers use fiberglass or organic mats to come up with quality reinforcing fabrics. For surfacing, they use a wide variety of materials, such as fiberglass, aggregates, or mineral surfaced cap sheets, elastomeric coatings, aluminum coatings, or hot asphalt.
The components of built-up roofing hint why the material is commonly used on commercial buildings. Here are the main reasons:
Long-term Durability
With the quality ply layer and ballasted asphalt, built-up roofs are incredibly durable. Once a business has invested in these roofs, they are guaranteed up to 30 years of uninterrupted roofing service, particularly if it is located in a warm climatic area.
If you compare this with an asphalt roll roof that is cheap but can only serve you for about ten years, you notice that built-up roofing is appropriate if you want an affordable material that lasts for decades.
Low Maintenance
Other than the favorable money to longevity ratio, built-up roofing has incredibly fewer maintenance requirements. Expert contractors have mastered the art of installing them in large sheets with a relatively low profile.
Due to this, the chances of these commercial roofs getting damaged are incredibly low. The material is also naturally strong and durable, which means business owners are less likely to spend a lot of their hard-earned money to replace any of the individual parts.
Fire Protection
Some business owners who are concerned about the risk of fire consider ballasted asphalt as a great choice. They are attracted by the fire retardant properties as well as the attractive finish. On the same note, “cold” built-up roofing is also suitable for protecting commercial buildings from the risk of fire. They are more environmentally friendly and do not produce harmful fumes.
Ease of Access
The top layer of built-up roofing is safe, and a great choice whenever easy access is required. This roofing system can make access easy when installing or servicing HVAC systems. It can also be essential if your business wants to create a rooftop or patio deck to expand the usable space of your building.
Multi-Layer Protection
As we mentioned in the beginning, built-up roofing consist of surfacing materials, ply sheets, and bitumen. This is the multi-layer protection that ensures your commercial property has the best insulation, which keeps it cool during hot weather. But the layers also protect the property from moisture that can lead to roof damage.
Conclusion
If you are looking for commercial roofing materials that provide safety, value for your money, and long-term durability, you need built-up roofing. The sooner you get a competent commercial roof contractor with experience installing built-up roofing, the better for your business’ long-term success.