Low-slope Products
Whether you are looking to repair roof damage or create a roof maintenance plan, it's necessary to fully understand all your options.
When tackling low-slope or flat roofing problems or maintenance, it's helpful to have clarity on the process, materials used and your options, which is why we have created this AskARoofer roofing resource. This guide aims to cover information about basic roofing products and options available so you can focus your conversations with your roofer on roof questions that pertain to your specific project needs.
Built up roofing (BUR)
These roof systems are commonly referred to as "tar and gravel" roofs. BUR systems generally are composed of alternating layers of asphalt and reinforcing fabrics that create a finished membrane. Sometimes a roll with a granulated surface on top is used.
Modified bitumen
Membranes are hybrids of the built up system, only pre manufactured in the factory. The products come in rolls, and are modified asphalt or coal tar systems with a rubber added for low temperature and elongation characteristics. They can be applied with hot tar, torch, cold adhesives or self adhered with a peel of backing.
Photo: CertainTeed
Single ply
Single-ply roofing systems are just that, a single ply of a roofing material made from several types of polymer plastics and rubbers. These three are the most common: TPO, PVC, EPDM.
Photo: Duro-Last
Spray foam
SPF-based roof systems are constructed by mixing and spraying a two-component liquid that forms the base of a roof system.
Liquid applied coatings
Liquid applied coatings are typically made of high-tech polymeric resins such as urethanes, acrylics, silicones, or bitumens which have been modified with polymers. These roofs are applied as a liquid and may or may not rely on reinforcing material, but cure to form a tough, rubber-like membrane. Liquid applied coatings are monolithic (no seams) and are typically considered self-flashing.
Photo: Polyglass
