A bitumen roof could be the perfect solution for your building
If you are building a new commercial facility or looking to install a new roof on an existing commercial building, a bitumen roofing system is likely the ideal roofing solution.
You might not be familiar with the term bitumen, but you likely know its more common name: asphalt. Roofing systems using asphalt have been common for a very long time, but modern bitumen roofing systems for commercial buildings have advanced to be durable, UV resistant and flexible, and they’re the top choice for many buildings today.
Our company is based in Houston and we’re proud to have been the roofer of choice for installs, replacements and maintenance of commercial buildings all over East Texas and Louisiana.
When it comes to bitumen roofing systems, the vast majority will fall into one of two categories. Put simply, asphalt is either combined with a plastic material or rubber material in these two categories.
In this article, we will look at the features and benefits of these two choices and help you determine which one might be best for your facility.
Atactic Polypropylene (APP)
Atactic Polypropylene is the name of the type of plastic which is combined with asphalt to form this type of roofing membrane. Because it uses plastic, these roofing systems are more commonly referred to as plastic asphalt.
These roofing systems are flexible and UV resistant and they are more ideal in colder climates when compared to SBS systems. From an installation perspective, these roofs are easier and often cheaper than SBS roofs because they can be installed with just one layer in certain situations. Their ease of installation often makes them the less expensive option.
Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS)
The synthetic rubber (SBS) used in this roofing system gives it a stretchy quality, leading to its common name: elastic asphalt. As you might imagine, since SBS uses rubber it’s more flexible than an APP roof, which means it is less susceptible to tears or cracks.
In some climates, SBS roofing systems are not an ideal choice because they can harden in extreme cold. In Houston, this is something we rarely have to worry about. Even though this is the case, in times of extreme rain these roofs can become softer and could be damaged easier.
Since SBS roofs require multiple layers to be installed, you will likely pay more on the front end for the roof but usually these roofs last longer than APP systems due to their increased flexibility.
We have experience installing both of these roofing types, and which one a building owner chooses often comes down to the needs of the space, budgetary concerns and the characteristics of the building itself.
Both SBS and APP roofing systems offer significant UV protection, soundproofing options and anti-slip surfaces which can support foot traffic for maintenance.
If you have a commercial roofing need in Houston, or anywhere in West Texas or Louisiana, please give us a call. We would be happy to provide more information about bitumen roofing systems or a quote for your building. We would love to be your commercial flooring partner for installation, repair and maintenance.
