Bitumen roofing

Definition:  Bitumen roofing is a roofing system which consists of bitumen as a primary ingredient. What is bitumen? It is a natural substance with a very sticky, black and viscous consistency, derived from petroleum. Roofing with bitumen is waterproof and extremely durable, making it perfect for all types of building, both residential or commercial, especially for low-slope or flat roofs.

Bitumen Roofing Types:

Modified Bitumen Roofing: the most common roofing system type of bitumen that is mixed in with polymers to enhance the properties of the bitumen making it more elastic, more tolerable to temperature fluctuations, easier to install and safer. It usually comes in rolls and is applied in layers, generally torch down or self-adhering sheets. They could be categorised as single-ply or multi-ply systems.

Built-Up Roofing (BUR): Six plies of reinforcing fabric (for example felt) and bitumen (for example tars) layers. The BUR system is topped off with aggregate (gravel) that helps with water drainage and serves as sunshade and a protective cover against physical damage. Generally, BUR systems serve for many decades.

Benefits:

• Waterproofing: The natural waterproofing capabilities of bitumen make it very good at stopping leaks, flooding and other water damage.
• Resistance: Bitumen roofing systems are resistant to environmental damage of all kinds, such as UV light, temperature variations and impacts, all of which improve their sustainability.
• Flexibility: Modified bitumen roof is flexible, which means that they can expand and contract with temperature changes without any cracking.

Application Methods:

• Torch-Down: Involves heating the membrane with a torch to melt and stick the bitumen (tar-like asphalt) to the roofing substrate. It’s quick and effective, but dangerous: there must be care taken to avoid fires.
• Cold Adhesive: The bitumen uses a cold adhesive process, that is, no heat is used in the application process. Therefore, this process is safer, less likely to cause accidents, and less likely to cause fire during installation. 
• Self‑adhering Sheets: The bitumen sheets are pre‑applied with adhesive to allow easy and safe installation for smaller projects, or for higher rise scenarios where a torch is not practical.

Low-slope and flat roofs can be roofed with bitumen roofing, which is highly cost-effective and durable with little maintenance required.