What materials are used to build a roof?
Guide to Modern Roofing Materials
- Metal. Metal roofing is popular for its durability, lifespan and weathering. ...
- Single-ply. A big plus of single-ply PVC roofing membranes is they’re easy to install. ...
- Green roofs. These coverings are great for blending a house into the landscape or to soften the appearance in an urban setting.
How do you build a roof?
The installation process involves the following actions:
- Installation of supports. To do this, you need to put two posts at a distance of 5-7 ft from the wall. ...
- Installation of the rafter system. Opposite the supports in the wall make a recess, into which the beams are inserted with one end, the other end is placed on the ...
- Visor cladding roofing material.
- Trim the bottom of the roof over the porch. ...
What type of roof is built up?
There are 3 types of Built-Up-Roofing, which include:
- Ballasted asphalt built-up
- Cold built-up
- Hot built-up
How to build a roof on a porch?
Instructions
- Attach the Ledger Board. Strip siding and sheathing from the house to expose a section of band joist or structural framing that is 8 feet long by 5-1/2 inches high.
- Install the Rafter Hangers. Screw the rafter hangers to the ledger board every 16 inches. One rafter hanger should be at each side of the porch roof.
- Set the Support Posts
What are the layers of a built-up roof?
Built-up roofing systems are most commonly applied with three or four layers of roofing materials to make up the complete roofing system. These layers are typically a base sheet, a fiber sheet, and then either one or two layers of bitumen.
What materials are in a built-up roof?
Built-up roofing, also called BUR, is the most common roofing material used on low-slope roofs. It is composed of alternating layers of reinforcing fabric and bitumen (asphalt) and is finished with a top layer of aggregate, such as stone or gravel.
How thick is built-up roofing?
How thick is built-up roofing? A BUR roof system comes in multiple layers, most often between two and four. The thickness depends on the materials used and the number of built-up roofing layers applied, but typically the selvage area ranges between two to four inches.
How do you remove a built up roof?
0:302:41Precision Roofing: Flat Roof Removal - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipArea by confining debris to an isolated area and accurately depositing into the dumpster below onceMoreArea by confining debris to an isolated area and accurately depositing into the dumpster below once the metal deck is prepared the precision crew lays down insulation.
What is a 4 ply built up roof?
What Are 4-Ply BUR Roofs?: 4 ply roofing systems combine 4 layers of felt that are adhered together complete with a flood coat of bitumen with embedded pea gravel to create a protective roof membrane for your structure.
How do you install a built up roof?
First, contractors attach base sheets to the roof's subsystem using roofing nails. Then, they use tar, concrete, adhesive, or asphalt to glue down felt over the top of the base sheeting. Next, roofers install a layer of gravel or cap sheets, which they then cover with a final layer of asphalt.
How thick is a 5 ply built up roof?
½” thickA 5 ply (or 5 layer) built-up or modified bitumen roof system, which may be ½” thick, will last far longer than any 2 ply (or 2 layers) built-up or modified system, which may be ¼” thick.
What is 2 ply built up roof?
#2 Built-Up Roof System Option – Ballast Roofing That means it is not anchored or adhered in any way. However, it is ballasted, generally with gravel. A ballasted roof has a loose-laid bottom-most sheet over the roof deck. Multiple membranes are then added to this sheet and the top-most layer has large stones.
What is a built up roof?
Often, the built up roof system starts with a base sheet installed over the polyisocyanurate (polyiso) insulation or cover board , typically through the use of mechanical fasteners. The base sheet serves as the bottom layer of waterproofing protection for the roof system and provides a surface that will allow subsequent sheets to be adhered with hot asphalt.
How long does a bur roof last?
Guarantees/Warranties. BUR systems may be eligible for guarantees or warranties of up to 20 years, depending on the materials used and the system installed.
What is base sheet?
The base sheet serves as the bottom layer of waterproofing protection for the roof system and provides a surface that will allow subsequent sheets to be adhered with hot asphalt. A layer of asphalt is applied over the base sheet for the installation of reinforcing felt, sometimes called a ply sheet. Many people picture kettles of hot asphalt being ...
What is a Built-up Roof?
A built-up roof is a type of “flat” or low-sloped roof made up of multiple layers of bitumen (asphalt or coal tar pitch) and reinforcing felts.
How many layers of insulation are there on a roof?
Typical built-up roofs have three to five layers, called “plies”. Built-up roof systems typically have a layer of insulation under the waterproof bitumen membrane, as well as some sort of protective surfacing, most commonly gravel.
What is the weight of gravel on a roof?
When gravel is used, it usually adds about 3 to 4 pounds in weight per square foot to the roof system.
What do contractors use to cover a roof?
For the surface layer, contractors apply aggregate material like gravel, mineral granules, or stone. In some cases, they may use mineral cap sheets or mop the surface with hot asphalt, elastomeric sealants, or aluminum roof coatings. These act as main defenses against dampness and the elements and reflect UV radiation.
What is modified bitumen roofing?
Modified bitumen roofs have a mix of rubber and asphalt, which are finished with a top layer of gravel. On the other hand, the top layer of ballast roofing is a mix of smooth river stone and larger gravel applied on a single- ply roof. Typically, bitumen built-up roofing systems have three or more component layers.
What is the bottom of a bur roof?
The bottom-most ply of the BUR system, also known as a “ base sheet ,” is fastened on to the roof deck or insulation to allow for vapor movement and prevent blisters (soft bubbles due to trapped moisture). Factory-made fully adhering base sheets are also available. These prevent membrane tearing if the insulation moves during a rainstorm.
How long does a bur roof last?
The top layer consists of stone, gravel, crushed slag, or other aggregates. Typically, a built-up roof lasts anywhere between 15 and 30 years. BURs work well in warm climates since the BUR overlays are designed to cool the roof.
What is the most common roofing material for commercial buildings?
Built-up roof systems are the most common commercial roof for commercial buildings. The most used base sheet material is asphalt. Between these layers, there are roofing felts or ply sheets.
Why do roofs tear?
Damages happen due to thermal expansion or when the underlying insulation separates from the roof deck. If unchecked, these can cause tears to the roofing materials. No matter how minor the damages are, get your commercial built-up roof repairs completed as soon as possible.
Why is green roofing important?
While green roofing needs a lot of care and can get expensive, it increases the longevity of your building. Furthermore, it improves the insulation and cools the building by soaking up the heat. It is a versatile and sustainable option that enhances energy efficiency.
What is a bullasted roof?
But on a Ballasted roof, an unsealed waterproof membrane is held in place with piles of rocks. This style of BUR roof can feature rock piles from a few inches high up to a foot high.
What is modified bitumen roof?
While a built-up roof consists of multiple layers of material piled together, modified bitumen is another option for a low-slope or flat roof.
What is BUR and Its Components?
A BUR roof consists of 3 main components - bitumen material (asphalt), ply sheets (typically 36" wide and referred to as plies), and surfacing materials - one or multiple. These materials go into alternating layers of reinforcing fabric and bitumen.
What is the sealant on a tar and gravel roof?
Another significant variation between the two systems is that on Tar & Gravel roofs, a bitumen chemical sealant goes over the top of the rocks to keep them in place. This sealant can be heat or cold applied.
Why do we need tar on a bur roof?
Because BUR roofs consist of multiple layers of tar, which is water-resistance by itself, topped by a layer of pea-sized ¼" thick gravel, it prevents water from getting beneath the materials to create leaks that can damage your structure.
What is the benefit of a bur roof?
There are many benefits to choosing a BUR roof type for your home. First, BUR roofs have excellent waterproofing. Second, the construction also protects the roof from damage against UV (ultraviolet) rays.
How much does a bur roof weigh?
The final concern about BUR roofs is the heavier weight, which may put too much strain on your roofline. A ballasted roof weighs more, with 10 to 25 pounds per square foot.
What is a truss roof made of?
For pitched roofs, the truss (the framework) can be made of wood or metal, and the outside can have wood or asphalt shingles, clay or concrete tiles, or metal sheeting. The type of truss you build will be suited for different weights, which may help you determine the exterior materials you use.
How many steps are involved in building a roof?
Understand the steps involved. Once you’ve chosen your style, design, and materials, it’s time to actually build your roof. The process can be broken down into four main steps, and they are:
How many inches does a roof rise over?
You can still walk on a 5:12 roof, which means the roof rises five inches over every 12 inches. The steepest pitch for a roof is 12:12, which creates a 45-degree angle, and where the roof vertically rises 12 inches for every 12 inches it goes horizontally.
How to choose a roof style?
There are hundreds of roof types out there, and they are all suitable for different purposes and allow for different materials. The two major categories of roof are flat and pitched, and one of the main things that will determine the actual style of roof you need is the shape of the building.
What is a Gambrel roof?
This roof style maximizes the amount of usable space in the attic or top floor. Shed roof: this is a flat roof style with a greater slope, and is most common on sheds, porches, and home additions.
How to determine the pitch of a roof?
1. Determine your pitch. The pitch of a roof is the rise—the vertical angle of the roof—over the run (the horizontal measurement). Pitch ratios range from 2:12 to 12:12. A low-pitched roof would be 2:12, and it means that over the space of 12 inches, the roof only rises two inches.
What is the most common roof style?
Some of the most common roof styles are: Gable roof: this looks like an inverted V, and is the easiest and most popular roof style in North America.
How much does a built up roof cost?
The price for the materials of a Built-Up roof system can cost about $165 to $250 per square. Which can be a pro or a con depending on your budget and if the other pros make it worth the price to you. This price isn’t bad but not great when compared to other roof materials.
What are the two types of roofs?
There are two main types of built-up roof systems the Tar & Gravel system and the Ballasted roof system.
How much does a ballasted roof weigh?
A ballasted roof can weight 10 – 25 lbs per square foot. If you decide on a ballasted roof, you will need to ensure your roof structure can support the weight. 5.
What is a BUR roof?
A built-up roof (BUR) also known as a tar and gravel roof is a popular choice for low slope roof owners.
Why is it so hard to find a leak on a roof?
Leaks can be difficult to find on a built-up roof because there are no seams to check . Roofers will have to remove the gravel to see the tar layer underneath. With ballasted roof systems they will have to dig up several inches to feet of gravel to get to the base layer to spot the hole.
How big is a gravel roof?
The gravel used is about the size of 0.25″ – 0.5″ inches (0.64 cm -1.27 cm) in diameter . Another key difference is that on Tar & Gravel roofs, the rocks are sealed down using a bitumen-based chemical. The bitumen which seals down the gravel can come in two different forms cold applied and heat applied.
What is PVC made of?
PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride and is made up of ethylene and chlorine which are derived from processed petroleum or natural gas and salt respectively. Click Here to Learn More about PVC. Modified Bitumen. Modified Bitumen is a 2-part flat roof system. It was developed in Europe around the 1960s.
What is a roof feature that projects out from the roof face?
They are always at a lower slope than the adjoining roof planes. Dormer: This is a roof feature that projects out from the roof face. It usually houses a window and adds extra space and/or light to the room inside. Abutment: This is a spot where the roof face meets the wall of the home, instead of a roof ridge.
What are the layers of a roof?
1. Shingles. Traditional or 3-tab shingles. Laminate or architectural shingles. Premium shingles. Starter shingles. Hip and ridge cap shingles. Solar reflective and thermal emissive shingles.
What is the most common roofing material in North America?
In the past, wooden and slate shingles were typical; but, for the last 100 years, asphalt shingles have become the most common residential roof covering in North America. Generally speaking, there are three styles of asphalt shingles :
How many styles of asphalt shingles are there?
Generally speaking, there are three styles of asphalt shingles: Traditional or 3-tab shingles: Traditional or 3-tab shingles maintain a uniform look on the roof because the shingles all have the same size and shape. They are a budget-friendly option that will protect your roof for years to come.
Why is it important to understand the roof?
It is critical to understand all of the parts of a house roof in order to explain a problem to a roofing professional and understand what he or she is talking about when he or she is doing repairs.
What is an abutment roof?
Hip: This is where two roof faces connect and project outward. A roof with hips will need a specific shingle, called hip and ridge shingles, to cover the hips.
What is the top of a roof called?
It is flat, but pitched or on an angle. It is also called the field of the roof. Ridge: This is the top or peak of the roof, where two roof planes meet. Valley: This is where two pitched roof faces connect and project inward. They are always at a lower slope than the adjoining roof planes.
