Have you been thinking of adding a built-up roof to your building when it's time to replace the existing roof? If so, it will help to be familiar with all the pros and cons of this roofing material. A built-up roof is created by installing layers of fabric sheets, tar, and gravel to form a waterproof layer of roofing material, which is sealed to protect it from the weather. It's a unique kind of roofing option, and because it's so different from other types of roofs, there are several pros and cons to be aware of.
Pros of a Built-Up Roof
You'll find that a built-up roof will be incredibly durable and can take on a lot of wear and tear from the weather. This includes fluctuations in temperature, rainwater, and wind. Thanks to there being several layers of roofing material, the roof is able to withstand minor damage without causing water to get underneath the roofing material.
The durability also means that you'll have no issues walking on the material when necessary. If you are installing a built-up roof on a commercial building, you are able to easily walk on the surface to access and maintain HVAC equipment. You can even transform the roof into a rooftop deck since it has the strength to withstand foot traffic.
In terms of maintenance, there's very little you need to do over the years to maintain the roofing material. The main thing you'll need to do is add gravel in places where it is missing due to people walking on the roof.
Cons of a Built-Up Roof
Many buildings cannot withstand the weight of a built-up roof without some additional reinforcement. This is due to adding layers of roofing tar, which can be quite heavy on a surface that wasn't built with the roofing material in mind. Your roofing contractor will be able to tell you what kind of reinforcement you need to get a built-up roof to work.
Another potential problem will be if your building is located in a region that sees very cold temperatures during the winter. Tar is once again the problem since it can become quite brittle if it's regularly exposed to sub-zero temperatures, which can make the roof weak and potentially develop a leak.
Not sure if a built-up roof is right for you? Reach out to various local roofing companies and contractors for more information about this type of roof.
One day when we were all sitting in our living room, I thought I felt a drop of water fall onto my arm. At first, I figured it was my imagination, but when the second one fell, I knew we had an issue. Although it wasn't raining that day, it had rained the day before, so I started looking for the source of the problem. After looking in my attic, I could tell what the problem was, and I knew I had to fix it. I started looking for ways to stop the water immediately, but it just wasn't working for me. Fortunately, roofers came out, fixed the problem, and showed me what I needed to do to clean up the mess. Read more on this blog.