When considering what sort of built-up roof to install in Spring Valley, you need to think about the specific demands of your structure and your long-term durability and maintenance goals. BUR has been a go-to for many building owners because it flat out works and handles a range of weather conditions—key in Spring Valley. Layers of roofing felt alternate with bitumen to provide a water-tight seal. That’s enhanced by a cap sheet that holds an aggregate layer. BUR is especially well-suited for flat or low-slope roofs, typical in commercial construction. To make it work in your building, you need to evaluate what kind of exposure your roof will get to the sun, wind, rain, and other elements, then spec the BUR thickness and materials that make it right for you.
An important factor in choosing the best BUR system is the kind of materials used. The impact of these materials on the roof's longevity and life-cycle cost can be significant—actually, the most significant of all the roof's components. Traditional BUR systems depend on asphalt, coal tar, or cold adhesive; each material has a specific set of properties that affects the roof's performance. Asphalt is widely used because of its cost-effectiveness and good performance. Coal tar is a great alternative in part because it is self-healing, but it has a bad odor during installation and is a potential health hazard. An eco-friendly option is cold adhesive; it has low odor (an advantage if people are in the building during installation) and is not harmful to installers' or occupants' health. With coal tar and cold adhesive, installation involves using a lot of materials, which can impact cost and roof weight; an advantage of using cold adhesive is that the roof does not have to be ballasted (covered in stones).
To guarantee a successful BUR installation, we must first understand the installation process and the expertise it requires. Choosing the right materials is crucial, but it's not enough. The job must be done correctly. We can expect a well-installed BUR to have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. A poorly installed one might not last 10. Look for a crew with a proven track record. They're hard to come by, but this is no place to cut corners. Ask to see a current insurance certificate and the company's safety record. (The latter always seems to fascinate insurance underwriters.) And beware of the unfathomably low bid—either the contractor is going to skimp on something vital, or he's using "low price" as bait for other tricks.
