Energy Efficient: Most of the modified roofing systems provide resistance to UV rays. And because of this, the houses are able to maintain the inner temperature well. And It does not affect the HVAC system much. So it saves on energy bills.
Tear-resistance: Modified bitumen gives fantastic durability and strength to the roof. It provides resistance from the tearing of debris, weathering, and consistent foot traffic.
Waterproof: It also protects the house from moisture. If it is installed properly, it gives waterproofing protection to the roof. And because of its multiple layers, it is more efficient in waterproofing.
Flexible: It contracts and expands easily with changing weather conditions. It is flexible in its working method and doesn’t lose its efficiency.
Easy to Install, Repair and Maintain: It is very easy to install, so it helps the staff to install it. It is easy to repair if there are any leaks or cracks. It can be maintained well.
This process is dangerous for those who want to do it alone because it involves working with petroleum products and felting. Because of the work required to be done using fire, it must be done by professional roofing. So here is a step-by-step guide to installing torch-down modified bitumen roofing:
First, you have to check the roof properly and eliminate all the debris in the area for better results.
Overtop your decking, insulation, or old roof and install heavy roofing. Secure the felt properly by using cap nails to the rows along the top and bottom and the sheets. And repeat that for the middle rows.
Drip edge flashing should be installed in this step, and then the primer should be applied so the roofing will adhere to it.
In this step, you must roll out the roofing sheet, leaving an overhang for a few inches on all sides of the roof. Then again, allowing a few inches of overhang on the roof cut the roofing.
Adjust the roofing so it can overhang the flashing by a half-inch, and check the roofing; it should be perfectly flat. Otherwise, the installation won’t work properly. Then carefully roll back the roofing back up tightly halfway.
For this step, you must wear heavy gloves and long sleeves for protection from a propane torch.
Turn on the propane torch and spread the tip of the flame along the crease between the roofing roll and the roofing felt. Gently roll the roofing forward with your foot when you see bubbles forming during the process of installation.
The next sheet should be aligned in a way so that it can cover the edge of the sheet of modified bitumen roofing by a few inches. And after that, repeat the process again.
Press the seam between the two sheets using your foot and gloved hand. Then ensure that it is tightly sealed. A bit of melted bitumen should be oozed out along the joint.
Repeat this process for the remaining portion of your flat foot.
Seamless connections: There are three ways to install modified bitumen roofing- self-adhesive, cold adhesive, and heat. These are the reasons why the sheets are seamlessly connected properly. It has efficient adhesive nature, which makes the connection between the sheets of the roof durable.
Tear resistance: It is made by a combination of fiberglass and polyester reinforcement. Which made the sheets tear-resistant and durable. It also handles foot traffic well. Because of this, it doesn’t have to be repaired quite frequently.
Weather resistance: The modified bitumen roofing system is a composition of five-layer to withstand extreme conditions in all climates. It doesn’t allow much heat to pass through the house's roof. It is also good for cold weather. And it also works efficiently in other environmental conditions.
UV rays and heat resistance: This system is well known for its heat-reflective property. Because of the heat reflection, it protects the house from harmful UV rays, which is not only bad for the house but also for the people living in it. This reduces the house's energy bill. So it is a money-saving scheme in the long term.
Leak resistance: It is a flat roofing system that is leakproof. The materials used in this system help the area to be leak-proof for a long time. Its coherent nature made it easy to do that.
Style options: The materials used in this system have several varieties, which help you to customize it according to your taste. The color of granules in the cap sheet can choose according to the color of the shingles used in the roofing of your house. You can choose the outside look it gives because of the different types of materials used in this.
Easy to install and repair: It is easy to install. It can be done by yourself. You can easily do the peel-and-stick installation modified bitumen roofing method. There are rolled sheets 3 feet wide and up to 36 feet long, which can be rolled easily on the top of the base sheet of the roof. The repair can be done easily and quickly by using bitumen patches on the cracked surface.
Environment friendly: The sheets used in this can be recycled. You can reuse the sheets by dumping them outside. It not only saves you money but it helps in reducing the waste of material, which is good for the environment. It reduces the carbon footprint.
Lifespan: The average life expectancy of Modified Bitumen Roofing is 10-20 years. It is quite a good time for the roof, but if you compare it with other systems, it is very low time. Other types of flat roof systems sustain for more years than this. So if you want your house to be protected long-term, there are better options for a roofing system than this.
Water resistance: The absence of a drainage system on the flat roofing system makes it quite difficult for water to run down the roof. Water gets collected on the surface of the roof, which spreads the moisture in the house. Which can turn into mold or mildew at any time.Modified bitumen in comparison to other flat roof types like TP or PVC, wears down faster. It can damage the roof if it doesn’t get repaired immediately.
Torch fumes: During the modified Bitumen roofing installation process blow torch is used to extreme heat to install the sheets on the roof. Those fumes can be harmful if it comes in contact with people. It also causes some health issues. And it has a good effect on the environment.
Foul odor: It gives a strong odor after the completion of the process of installing the Modified Bitumen System. The effect of the odor depends on the area covered in the installation. It is better to relocate temporarily during the process of installation of the roofing system is going on. It will help you to avoid the foul smell of the roofing system.