- Asphalt roofing is the most widely used roofing material in the US, and is available in rolled or shingle varieties. Traditional asphalt roofing begins with a layer of heavy paper or roof felt. This base layer is sprayed with asphalt, a bituminous product derived from petroleum manufacturing. While the asphalt is still wet, the surface is sprayed with some type of gravel or aggregate product to increase the material's strength and durability. Newer asphalt roofing products are laminated, rather than sprayed. They are made from multiple layers of fiberglass sandwiched between layers of asphalt paper. This helps to improve their durability while improving their texture and visual appeal.
- Clay roof tiles are made from natural earth, sand, and water. The clay is subject to high levels of pressure to evenly distribute its moisture content throughout the material. Next, the clay is passed through a vacuum system, which removes most of the air and increases the density of the material. It is fed out of the vacuum as a thin ribbon, where it is wrapped around a die or placed in a mold to form tiles. The tiles are dried very slowly to prevent cracking, and are placed in a kiln after several days to remove the majority of the moisture.
- Built-up roofing (BUR) is one of the primary materials used on flat roofs. It is made from multiple layers of mats and bituminous binding layers. The mats may be made from fiberglass, polyester or roof felt, while the bituminous materials are made of tar or asphalt. Alternating layers of mats and asphalt or tar are layered to create a water-proof membrane. More layers, or plies, are generally associated with more effective roofing systems.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -