One of the longer lasting roofing options for flat roofs is bitumen roofing or a modified bitumen roof. Modified bitumen is a type of asphalt product that can be applied in a number of ways to the roof in both hot and cold temperatures. There are two types of Modified Bitumen Systems:

• SBS (styrene, butadiene, styrene) systems are usually installed by means of hot asphalt or a cold adhesive. Systems applied with cold adhesive can be advantageous when asphalt odor is a concern.
• APP (atactic polypropylene) which are usually installed by means of a torch applied flame. Because there can be a fire hazard with this type of system, it needs to be installed with caution.

When installed properly, Modified Bitumen Systems can be of extremely high quality. A good fit for Modified Bitumen Systems are buildings where leakage cannot be tolerated. Examples of this would be over electronic switching equipment for phone companies or critical equipment used by electric companies. Modified bitumen roofs have a lot of advantages over other types of membrane roofing, and are often seen as the modern alternative to the built up roof.

Bitumen Roof – Advantages

There are several different advantages to using a bitumen roof on your building or home. Unlike some newer types of roofing, it has a long, proven track record that can be counted on. Bitumen roofs are one of the longer lasting types of flat roofing materials, easily lasting 20 years or more.

Regardless of how the material is applied (self-adhesive sheets, hot-mopped asphalt, or cold-applied adhesives) the seams are usually melted together which help stop leaks. Other types of membrane roofing have seams that are left open or covered with another material that can weaken over time, so the fact that a bitumen roof can be seamless is a big advantage.

Bitumen roof is also very durable. They have a high-tensile strength so they are unlikely to develop the kinds of cracks that other flat and membrane roofs are known for. They are also rated against wind, fire, and hail so they are unlikely to be damaged in the event of a storm. Included in this is usually a very long manufacturer’s warranty that can help to guarantee the roof’s longevity.

Bitumen Roof- Disadvantages

Like all roof types, a bitumen roof does have some drawbacks. The first is their black color, which can absorb rather than reflect heat. And while the material itself may not be damaged by heat or UV rays, if proper insulation is not used with it, this absorption of heat can lead to superheating of the building below.

Bitumen roofing is also available in 1, 2, or 3-ply. The 1-ply material is not durable, and if used can pose certain problems such as breaking down prematurely, while the 2 and 3-ply material roofs cost significantly more to install, which can make this one of the most costly types of flat roofing products around.

Finally, if your roof is likely to hold a lot of water or to gather puddles of standing water after rainstorms, this can prematurely age and damage the bitumen roof.

The key to getting a successful bitumen roof job done, is to make sure you are having it done correctly. This way you will far outlast the competition. We at AWM Roofing have a long tradition with bitumen installations and we know how to do it right so if you ever decide upon a bitumen roof be sure to give us a call.