When installing a new roof, commercial property owners must consider the employees, equipment and inventory they are protecting. With many different asphalt roofing products and installation methods available on the market, it is important to understand how to choose the right system and get the most from an investment.

What Types of Roofing Systems Are Available?

A whole-system approach to low-slope roofing utilizes long-term durability and redundant layers to provide some of the best protection and reliability available. Options include the following:

  • Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
  • Atactic Polypropylene (APP)
  • Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) modified systems

How Do These Roofing Systems Protect a Building and its Assets?

Base sheets, interplies and cap sheets work with asphalt and adhesives to create a long-lasting, durable and redundant installation comprised of multiple layers that provide a water-resistant barrier.

What Are the Different Installation Options?

Different roofing systems can be applied in a variety of ways, including:

  • hot asphalt
  • cold-adhesive technology
  • self-adhering
  • heat-welding

How Do I Ensure My Roof is Installed Properly?

Prior to work beginning, ask your installer for the manufacturers’ system specifications to make sure products are compatible. You can also request documentation of conformance to the industry testing requirements from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), FM Approvals and ASTM International. This documentation will demonstrate that the various components used in the construction of your roofing system have been properly evaluated.