Types of Roofing
Shingle Built-Up Coatings Metal Roofing Modified Bitumen Single Ply-EPDM
Shingle Roofing
Shingle roofing is one of the most popular roofing materials in America due to its low cost and easy installation. Shingled roofs provide strength and flexibility and are installed in an overlapping fashion to direct water flow off the roof. Shingled roofs are available in a variety of composition, size and color.
Built-Up Roofing Systems
Conventional built-up roofing membranes have been used for over 100 years. These roof systems consist of a distinctive layering system comprised of multiple layers of reinforced felts and waterproofing bitumen. These layers are typically adhered using hot asphalt as a bonding agent. However, compatible cold adhesives may also be used. To finalize this system's waterproofing components, a surfacing of gravel, mineral cap sheets, or smooth weather resistant coats are applied. This system provides a strong resistant barrier against the weather and its elements.
Coatings
Roof coatings are utilized in various applications within commercial and residential roofing. Aluminized coatings are used on newly installed roof systems as an additional barrier against water absorption and protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. Aluminized coatings are also used as a maintenance “tool†to prolong the life-span of an existing roof system. If repairs are needed to asphalt based commercial roofing, emulsion coatings are used. Also included in the coating family are elastomeric coating systems. These elastomeric based systems consist of combination of highly flexible saturants, fabrics, and UV resistant finish coats. When installed as a complete system, coatings have a manufacturer backed guarantee and can also offer similar durability and flexibility characteristics found in a waterproofing membrane.
Metal Roofing
Standing-seam metal roofs have been popular for centuries. Metal roofing is durable, requires little maintenance, and is energy efficient. Some of the appeal of metal roofing is its availability in a variety of designs, styles and colors to complement any type of architecture. Furthermore, this type of roofing system is economical and attractive. The most common metal of choice for metal roofs is galvanized steel. This steel is coated with a layer of hot-dipped commercially pure galvalume steel. Galvalume steel combines the metallic coatings of both aluminum and zinc. Both galvanized steel and galvalume are coated with Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000 finishes protecting against corrosion for up to 20 years. Galvanized and galvalume steel are available in a variety of thicknesses ranging from 20 to 29 gauge steel, or .032 to .040 aluminum. Galvanized and galvalume steel metal roof systems carry a twenty year finish warranty with some manufacturer's offering 10 to 20 year weather-tight warranties.
Modified Bitumen
In the late 1970's, a unique polymer blend and fabric reinforcement roofing material, known as modified bitumen, was introduced into the commercial roofing industry. Since its induction, modified bitumen has gained the reputation for being a strong, high-performance membrane. Modified bitumen roof systems are typically applied in multiple layers and adhered by either hot asphalt, torch-welding or cold adhesives. These membranes also have a variety of surfacing options, ranging from manufacturer surfaced cap sheets to smooth surface coatings. Each system is specially formulated for high durability and performance.
Single Ply-EPDM
Single ply systems (EPDM, PVC, TPO, and CSPE) are the "flexible choice" for today's roofing needs. These single ply rubber roofing membranes offers many advantages to contractors, owners and architects. One of the most common single ply systems is EPDM. This system is user-friendly and installation is performed without any heat, dangerous asphalt based fumes or heavy machinery. EPDM membranes can be produced in various colors (including black), non-reinforced or reinforced, and in thicknesses ranging from 30 to 90 mils. Various manufacturers and guarantees are available ranging from five to thirty years.
