Why Choose Modified Bitumen For Your Flat Roof?
Different Types Of Shingles: Should You Consider
Modified Bitumen (Rolled Roofing) For Your
Colorado Flat Roof?
There are many different types of shingles you can utilize for a new roof or roof replacement — from asphalt shingles to wood shingles, slate shingles, architectural shingles, metal roof, slate tile roofing shingles, rubber roof shingles, laminate shingles, wood shake, stone slate tiles, and others. When considering roofing shingles for your Colorado Flat Roof, consider Modified Bitumen.
Modified Bitumen is a popular roofing material option for Colorado Flat Roofs, as it has modifiers added to it in order to give it plastic or rubber-like properties. Modified Bitumen has been successfully used on roofs in the United States and Canada since 1975.
Common Types of Modifiers Used for Asphalt Roofing Shingles
The most common types of modifiers used are APP (Atactic Polypropylene) and SBS (Styrene Butadiene Styrene).
Atactic Polypropylene Roof Shingles
APP-modified bitumen is a roofing membrane typically applied to asphalt shingles with a torch. The APP added to an asphalt shingle roof gives the asphalt some plastic properties. The process resembles mopping, in that a roofing contractor must spread the membrane across all sections of the roof. The back of the sheet has extra asphalt on it that, when heated, will bond to the substrate. Once applied, you have the option of leaving the roof’s surface smooth or adding granules, which helps keep the structure cool during hot summers. This is also a great product for Denver homeowners and commercial roofers to utilize, particularly for more cut-up roofs because less room and equipment is needed on site to torch-apply a membrane.
An APP-modified bitumen asphalt shingle roof is less expensive than other roofing materials. In addition to the lower cost, this type of roof shingle will last for decades. Most manufacturers offer warranties for APP-modified bitumen asphalt shingles ranging anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
Furthermore, because there are no seams on APP-modified bitumen asphalt shingle roofs, they rarely leak, making this material a great waterproof roofing option. In addition, as the material is very flexible, a hail storm is unlikely to cause cracks, dents, or other damage. Because of its durability and low cost, APP-modified bitumen remains an excellent choice for most commercial buildings and homeowners looking to replace their roof shingles or for new construction builds.
It’s important to note that if the roof lacks a proper drainage system, these types of roof shingles are not ideal as the standing water will wear down the shingles. APP-modified bitumen is also not suitable for roofs that see a lot of foot traffic. For example, if your commercial building or multi-unit housing has a rooftop patio, you should consider different types of roofing materials.
Roof Worx is an experienced roofing contractor in installing APP-modified bitumen roofs so you can be assured that our work will be done properly.
Styrene Butadiene Styrene Roof Shingles
When blended with bitumen, SBS has excellent abrasion resistance and aging stability, making it the ideal modifier for achieving flexibility and elastic properties. Because of its ability to retain shape after stretching, this material is widely used in modified bitumen roofing and other applications.
SBS rubber is added to asphalt to give it a rubber consistency. There are a wide variety of reinforcements used with SBS including fiberglass or polyester mats and scrims, or combinations of both. This type of reinforcement depends on the material’s performance requirements. SBS membranes can be hot asphalt-applied, torch-applied, or cold-process applied.
SBS is compatible with all types of flat roofing applications and resistant to most extreme weather conditions such as high and low temperatures, rain, snow, ice and the freeze-thaw process. Even after aging, SBS bitumen membrane retains its pliability and elasticity, again making it the ideal flat roofing materials solution.
It also has a high resistance to mechanical damage and puncturing in comparison to alternative flat roof coverings. Extreme resistance variants are available depending on the traffic requirements of the surface.
A popular SBS product that Roof Worx regularly uses on their Denver flat roofs is CertainTeed’s Flintlastic® SA Cap. This product is a self-adhering SBS modified bitumen that is available in seven colors and is reinforced with a polyester/fiber glass scrim combination mat. Its self-adhering SBS modified bitumen roofing material is suitable for use in accordance with CertainTeed specifications for most low-slope roof system applications. Additionally, Flintlastic SA Cap white meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR® requirements for slopes greater than 2:12″.
About Roof Worx – Denver Roofing Contractor
We specialize in all types of roof shingles for residential and commercial properties. We will assess your needs and determine the best roofing materials to utilize. This may include asphalt shingles, architectural shingles, wood shingles, dimensional shingles, metal roof shingles, composite plastic roof shingles, luxury asphalt shingles and other premium shingles. You can rely on our experience and professional roofing contractors for your new or replacement roof.