The roof of a building may be its most important feature, but it does little good if it is old or damaged. Thankfully, these issues can be quickly resolved with the help of an experienced Roofing Contractor. For example, damaged shingles on a residential structure might be fixed when removing the damaged product and inserting new ones. This isn’t always the case, however, because the typical roof uses asphalt shingles and these may dry out or crack over time.
A similar concern arises in the so-called flat roofing system. Technically, this kind of roof uses a low gradient so that water will be able to shed off it. Covering this low-sloped roof is a membrane resting over a decking material such as plywood. The membrane is typically a roofing felt or similar product and acts as an extra barrier in case the rest of the roof covering gets damaged. Over the membrane will be one or more layers of asphalt and a final layer of aggregate, typically pea gravel or something similar. This method of flat roof installation is known as BUR (built-up roofing).
Alternatives to the BUR method are polymer membranes such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin). These two options offer a reliable roofing solution that requires fewer repairs versus an asphalt installation. One reason for this is the way the membranes are installed. A Roofing Contractor with experience in this area will use robotic tools so that the seams are welded tightly together. This reduces the chance of leaks due to stress on the seams. Plus, any edges and areas around roofing details are hand-sealed to reduce the chance that gaps will occur.
An alternative to the previously mentioned polymers is EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer), which is a synthetic rubber. This material affords excellent coverage in certain cases, but it may have some issues with shrinkage. An expert roofer can explain more and determine if this is a problem for the given application.
One concern with many flat roof installations is traffic on the roof. That is, contractors and technicians requiring access for components such as comfort appliances and similar items. Walking over BUR can quickly damage the roof, but polymers may have similar problems. An experienced roofing contractor like those employed at can help determine the best way to deal with this kind of problem. You can also connect them on Facebook for more updates.
