Modified Bitumen Roofing Vs Built Up

The modified bitumen.

Modified bitumen roofing vs built up.

Modified bitumen roofing has been around since the 1970s when it was developed to address ongoing issues with traditional asphalt roofs. Modified bitumen vs tpo it is a question on the mind of many commercial building owners. These are modified bitumen and thermoplastic polyolefin or tpo. They perform well in both extremely hot and bitterly cold conditions perfect for the weather extremes common across new jersey and nearby states.

The base layer provides waterproofing and a surface for the cap to bond to. Pros of the modified bitumen. Unlike the previous flat roof style this one is a single ply folded roof that resembles the ice and water protections shields although its surface area is saturated with a mineral based wear. Engineered modified bitumen roofing membranes originated in europe in the mid 1960 s and have been used successfully in the united states and canada since approximately 1975.

It is more durable tougher and has redundancy you don t get with a single ply. This type of a roof could be installed with the cold adhesives the asphalts or the common torch method. There is also self adhering version. Modified bitumen is a 2 part low slope roof system that is made when polymers are added to asphalt to change its properties.

Having worked with most and specified several i can tell you i prefer a built up roof with a mod. Benefits of bur and mod bit. It is fully adhered with a cold adhesive spread over the underlayment or secured by heating in place with a propane torch. Modified bitumen mb roofing is an asphalt based close cousin of the built up roof bur designed for buildings with low slope or flat roof structures.

The difference is that modified bitumen roofing is a heavier roof material with a longer life expectancy of 10 to 16 years. Generally speaking there are two kinds of commercial flat roofing systems that are most commonly found in the northeast. A built up roofing system is installed by alternating layers of bitumen and reinforced fabric. Modified bitumen is a roofing membrane consisting of asphalt and plastic or rubber polymers and is therefore widely considered an evolution of asphalt built up roofing bur.

Tpo roofs have been around since the 1990s. What are bur and mod bit. A conventional alternative to bur systems are modified bitumen roofing systems. A single ply just offers a cleaner easier solution but without the longevity of a built up roof.

Built up roofing the first layer can be adhered directly to the roof substrate. If needed a base sheet can be fastened to the roof to create a flat and safe work space. Modified bitumen displays the built in redundancy of asphalt built up as well as the uv resistance and flexibility of a modified membrane.