Built Up

Absolutely, yes! Built-up roofing systems are still one of the best ways to protect a low-sloped or flat roof against water penetration. They’re also quite durable, making them still a popular choice today.

The life expectancy of a built-up roof ranges from around 20 to 30 years. Several factors affect the life expectancy, including the quality of the materials used, installer expertise level, and ongoing maintenance.

A built-up roof is made of layers of bitumen (an oil-based, tar-like substance), roofing felts or fabrics, and a top layer of gravel or a protective coating. There are several layers of bitumen and fabric, creating a built-up design worthy of the namesake.

It depends on the design but there are typically three to five layers of materials used to create a built-up roof. If necessary, additional layers can be installed to level the surface.

Built-up roofs are tough but they do require a little bit of maintenance to get the most durability out of them. Maintenance requires inspecting the roof regularly, cleaning debris, keeping drainage systems clear, replacing missing gravel, and keeping records of all the maintenance performed. Promptly call for service if any repairs are necessary.

When our crew arrives on site to install a built-up roof, they’ll start by ensuring that they’re wearing the proper safety gear and that the roof and their tools are safe for work. Then, we clean the roof and install flashing around penetrations and any walls. Next, we apply a base layer of bitumen, then a layer of roofing felt or fiberglass mat, continuing to sandwich these layers until the roof is built up. Finally, we apply a surfacing coat of bitumen and gravel to finish the roof.

There are several purposes to a built-up roof. They’re designed to be extremely waterproof thanks to their layers of bitumen. They’re also designed to be flexible to shift with the building and not create leaks. They’re also fire-resistant and low maintenance and can even add to the energy efficiency of the building.

A built-up roof can weigh between 2 and 5 pounds per square foot. Thick roofs with several layers of bitumen and roofing felts will be heavier than thinner roofs made of fewer layers of material.