Built-up roofing (or simply BUR) is quickly becoming one of the most popular roofing methods for low-slope roofs. BUR roofing consists of several layers of bitumen surfaces and is finished with an aggregate coating layer.
Recently, built-up products started including a rigid insulation layer as a part of this type of roofing. These layers are called “ply sheets” and are usually strengthened with either organic or fiberglass mats.
Types of Built-up Roofing
Common bitumen materials used in built-up roofing systems are asphalt, tar and coal tar (as a cold-applied adhesive). Which material you’ll use depends on the size, design and, of course, the budget of your roofing project.
The three most common BUR types are:
- Hot built-up
- Cold built-up
- Ballasted asphalt built-up
Of these three BUR types, ballasted asphalt is quickly becoming the favorite option for roofers due to its abilities as a fire retardant and the finish surface it provides.
Cold built-up roofing is another good option, especially for environmentally-sensitive projects and the fact it performs better than hot built-up roofing
Built-up Roofing Pros and Cons
Built-up roofing systems have several both good and bad sides, which will help you determine if they are a good fit for your commercial roof.
Pros:
- Provides excellent ultra-violet protection
- Provides excellent waterproofing protection
- Low maintenance
- Lasts longer to water inclemency
Cons:
- Costs more to install
- Slower to install
- Includes hazard fumes and vapors when installing
- Vulnerable to water damage and wind