Built-up roofs have several advantages over flat roof construction and other types of flat roofs. First, they are designed to resist fire, termites, and other insects that prey upon the wood. They are also more economical to build than many other types of roofs. This article discusses built-up roof basics and includes practical install tips and tricks from Roofing.
Built-up roofs are made up of interlocking layers of tar and gravel attached to a rigid core called the shingled section. Tar and gravel are usually applied in thin layers and layered in the same manner as a tar paper composite. Flat tar paper is used as the final layer. It is finished by a layer of gravel, such as crushed stone or clay, which acts as a water barrier. The thickness and type of tar used to determine the final look and feel of the roofing system.
There are several advantages to a built-up roof over a traditional flat roof. One advantage is cost savings. Since the roofing system consists of multiple layers, one layer is generally less expensive than individual layers. Two layers are generally cheaper than a single layer and a single-layered roof can be much more cost-effective than multiple-layered roofs. Because they are typically made of tar and gravel or other building materials, a built-up roof can also help reduce the amount of soil runoff during periods of heavy rain or snowfall.
Another advantage to a built-up roof is longevity. Depending on the quality of the underlying soil, a built-up roof can last up to two hundred years or more. This means that you can often save money on your energy bills as well as tax returns, since you will not have to replace the roof as often.
The biggest disadvantage of a built-up roof in commercial properties is durability. Since the roof is made of multiple layers, it is more likely to get damaged faster than other types of roofs, which decreases its lifespan. Also, the heavier the material used, the more likely it is to get damaged. Also, if the roof is made with old growth, it can be much more susceptible to infestation. Old growth can result in buckling, sagging, bending and cracking. These issues can cause the roof to collapse, resulting in costly repairs.
There are a couple solutions to these issues. One solution is to add a layer of ballast to the roof. Ballast, or bitumen, is similar to tar in appearance but is comprised of a thick layer of sand or clay that forms a protective barrier between the layers of the roof. This protects the layers from getting direct contact. If there are a couple of layers of built-up blubber on the roof, the ballast can help to fill in the cracks between the layers. It can also add additional weight to the roof, which can improve its longevity and reduce the amount of wear and tear the roof might experience.
Because ballast roofing can be applied in a number of ways, you need to make sure you choose a company that knows how to apply it correctly. A lot of roofing companies will slap on the layer of ballast in one fell swoop, which can lead to problems. If you want to avoid these problems, you will want to make sure your ballast company applies the coating in several layers. A good company will first do an inspection on the roof to see what kind of damage it has. Once they know the extent of the damage, they can determine how many layers to apply to strengthen the roof and make repairs.
It doesn’t matter if you have single-layered shingles or multiple layers of shingles. If your roof isn’t currently properly constructed, it could be the perfect candidate for built-up roof repair. For homeowners, it’s important to make sure your home is structurally sound and waterproof. If you have leaks and cracks in your roof, the repairs could keep you from losing your home to the elements.