Flat Roofing
Flat Roofs Made With Asphalt | Tuff Roof
Built-Up Roof (BUR)
The Built-Up Roof has been around for over a century and has evolved significantly over that period of time. Although the heart of the process remains the same, the implementation has been upgraded. Built upon a sturdy foundation topped with adhesive insulation, the bitumen (better known as asphalt) is then layered multiple times with reinforcing fabric to create a waterproof membrane. Some modern BUR systems might also use alternate materials such as fiberglass for a lighter but just as durable result. And, rather than needing to apply hot layers of asphalt, there are now cold application processes available. Finally, the roof is topped with a surface layer, which is usually a layer of gravel sealed with adhesive. These tried and true roofs tend to last an average of 25 years minimum, and even longer with proper maintenance and inspections.
Modified Bitumen Roof (MBR)
As the name suggests, a Modified Bitumen Roof is derived from the same bitumen (asphalt) used in a BUR, but it has been altered in a specific way. This hybrid material has combined asphalt membranes with polymerized rubber or plastic and is reinforced with fiberglass to become a stronger and more flexible material than typical asphalt. Just like with a BUR, this roof also uses layering, but is of a lighter variety than its predecessor. For these reasons, this roof has a faster and easier installation process compared to other roofing systems.
Why Flat Roofs?
Most flat roofs are for commercial buildings, but there are also reasons to use them on residential buildings. An example would be to add an extension on a roof, in order to create a recreational space, like an outdoor patio area. Since they still have a slight pitch to allow for water drainage, they are often used in areas with low rainfall like in the Colorado Springs area. Reach out to Tuff Roof to learn more about all your available options.