Built-Up Roof

Built-Up Roofing Systems have good waterproofing characteristics but suffers from a loss of ductility after prolonged exposure to UV.

Known Issues

Ponding Water Retention of water on a low-slope or flat roof caused by inadequate roof drainage or structural deflection.	Alligatoring Cracking of a built up roof producing a pattern similar to an alligator's hide.	Weathering Deterioration of a built up roof caused by exposure to weather. Thermal expansion, acid rain and UV exposure all contribute to weathering.

Built Up Roof Maintenance

Annual built up roof maintenance involves inspecting and repairing penetrations like vents, pipes or ductwork. These penetrations can open up and may need to be re-sealed periodically. Additionally, repairs seams and flashings should be made. Blisters or delaminations should be cut off and repaired immediately since they will leak over time.

Leaks in built up roofs are difficult to isolate and a seamless roof coating system is the best alternative to roof replacement.

Built Up Roof Restoration

Add 10 or more years to your built up roof with our built up roof restoration system. Get a seamless roof without costly tear off and disruption. Stop roof leaks and prevent further degradation.

What's a Built Up Roof?

A built-up roof or BUR is a class of low-slope roof that consist of layers of reinforcing felt between either asphalt or coal tar bitumen.

A lot of old buildings with low slope or flat roofs are topped with built-up roofing made from layers of asphalt-coated roofing felt. The top layer is usually covered with rock or gravel, which serves as a ballast to hold the roofing material down and protect it from UV damage. Built-Up Roofs with gravel surfacing are also known as Tar and Gravel roofs. Typical lifespan of a built-up roof is 10 to 20 years depending on weather conditions.

Types of Built Up Roofs

Smooth Built Up, Ballasted Built Up, Tar and Gravel

Solar Reflectivity of BUR

The solar reflectivity of BURs depends on the color of the surface layer. Four BUR surfacing options are aggregate, smooth, mineral cap, and protective coating.

Black asphalt roofs can reach 180°F or more in the summer. The heat load of a black roof can severely degrade the performance of air conditioning equipment.

Elastomeric coatings provide the highest reflectivity and is a very popular option for building owners. White roof coatings can reflect up to 90% of the heat from the sun.