Modern building owners have a myriad of options when selecting material for any part of their building. The case of roofing is no exception.
Despite the availability of many options, modified bitumen roofing is one of the most common choices for commercial properties. A type of membrane roofing, modified bitumen roofing is a step further than built-up roofing and offers all the same (and more) advantages.
Modified bitumen roofing installation cannot be done without the help of a professional and the job may turn out to be more expensive than the other roofing material options.
Yet, it remains a popular choice because of the advantages it offers. However, before we move on to discuss the advantages of modified bitumen roofing, let us first understand what it really is:
What Is Modified Bitumen Roofing?
Modified bitumen roofing makes use of layers of reinforced roofing fabrics with layers of bitumen, creating layers that are quite similar to the built-up roofing system.
These layers are usually used in a 2-ply or 3-ply form and are usually held in place with the roofing deck to ensure stability and structural integrity.
Now that we understand what modified bitumen roofing is, let us understand what makes them a popular choice among commercial property owners:
Benefits And Advantages Of Modified Bitumen Roofing
The unique layered membranes of bitumen roofing, combined with the reinforced roofing fabrics give such roofs some unique advantages:
Easy Maintenance
Most modified bitumen roofing systems use fiberglass or polyester, making them extremely resistant to tears. With fewer tears and a sturdy roofing system, property owners are not required to put a lot of effort into maintaining and repairing the roof.
Even if a tear occurs, modified bitumen roofs can be easily patched up with some bitumen. Even leaks around flashes can be easily filled using some extra bitumen.
The life of modified bitumen roofing can be easily prolonged with regularly scheduled inspections undertaken by a roofing contractor.
Sturdy
Besides being tear-resistant, most bitumen roofing structures are very sturdy. In fact, when it comes to bearing load, no other roofing material outperforms modified bitumen roofing.
This incredible load-bearing capacity and tensile strength of modified bitumen roofing systems make them an ideal choice for commercial properties that expect to see a lot of footfall on their roof.
Water-Resistant
Bitumen rose in popularity as a choice for roofing material because of its water-resistant properties. With thorough sealing, combined with multiple layers of modified bitumen, commercial property owners can rest assured that their building is protected against all forms of water damage.
The best part is, even if your roof develops cracks after years of use, the roofing contractor will be using water-resistant bitumen to fill up these cracks, improving the roof’s ability to keep water damage at bay!
Incredible Insulation
Multiple layers of a modified bitumen roof offer superb insulation ability. To enhance this ability, property owners also have the option to add solar reflectors and a thermal emission system to give the insulation properties of their bitumen roof a boost.
This ability to effectively insulate translates into efficient energy consumption and in turn, lower energy bills.
Flexibility
The flexibility of bitumen doesn’t only give your roof more tensile strength, it also gives it an improved ability to deal with the changes in the surrounding temperature.
Bitumen has the ability to expand or contract (depending on the temperature) without losing its shape. This means, your modified bitumen roof is designed to withstand whatever the surrounding weather throws at it.
Conclusion
As you can see, modified bitumen roofing is perhaps the most ideal choice of roofing for a commercial building.
What kind of roof does your commercial building have? Share with us in the comment section below!
