WHY CANADIANS ARE CHOOSING MODIFIED BITUMEN ROOFING SYSTEMS
Overall, better long-term performance and life-cycle can be expected from properly formulated, installed and maintained modified bitumen flat roofing systems.
Easy Maintenance
Easy inspection allows damaged areas to be readily identified. Repairs may be performed with a hand torch and round-nosed trowel.
Protection from the Elements
Used as recommended, modified bitumen systems provide superior protection against water leakage and extreme weather conditions.
Quality Assurance
Stringent quality control testing ensures high elasticity, tensile strength, optimal granule adhesion, high thermal shock resistance, low temperature flexibility, high fatigue endurance, exceptional resistance to aging and weathering and excellent puncture resistance.
What is Modified Bitumen? #
Modified bitumen membranes are typically produced from partially oxidized asphalt which are then heavily modified with a polymer such as SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) or APP (atactic polypropylene). These modifications give the membrane self-healing abilities as well as other amazing qualities.
Lab tests and field experience show that torch applied modified bitumen applications offer better bond strength and durability when compared to hot mop applications, and equal or better bond strength compared to cold adhesive applications and other flat roofing systems.
Heat Welding/Torch Applications #
Heat welding is accomplished with an open flame torch or by using various types of electric or gas powered hot air welding devices specifically designed for modified bitumen applications. This method of fusing multiple sheets into one contiguous sheet membrane results in a superior flat roofing system with high resistance to expansion and long-term membrane separation, greatly reducing the chances of blister formation.
In Canada, torching of SBS-Modfied Bitumen has been the norm for almost 30 years. Since then, open flame torching has been given a bad reputation due to the fire risks associated with process. Local building codes sometimes ban torching, and some companies invoke no-torching policies on their buildings.
With a professional, fully licensed, bonded and insured flat roofing company, torch applications should be nothing to worry about. Even with rising costs of insurance for the roofing contractor, torch applications prove to be the most cost-effective installation method for modified bitumen roofing membranes.
In Comparison to Cold Adhesive/Hot Mop Applications #
Cold Adhesive
Lab testing and field experience has shown solvent based applications (cold adhesive) to have similar results to that of heat welded applications in long term performance. However, due to Canadian VOC Regulations, the cost can reach up to 3-5 times the price of torch application.
Hot Mop
Hot mop applications have the tendency to become brittle and steadily lose bond strength over time. Also, due to the high cost and changes in supply origin of crude oil over the last few decades, one would expect that the quality of mopping asphalt has changed as well.
Visit www.flatroofreplacement.ca for more information.