Types of Built-up Roofing Systems and Their Advantages

Built Up Roofing Installation - Geissler Roofing

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:

  1. Hot built-up
  2. Cold built-up
  3. 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

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