A considerable percentage of asphalt in the US is utilized for the paving of roads (87%). Approximately 11% is used for roofing. Systems and products for asphalt roofing include modified systems, saturated felt as shingle underlayment, BUR or built-up roofing systems, and ply felt, roll roofing, and shingle roofing.
Afterwards, there were numerous roofing system and product innovations. This includes the first asphalt shingle that was self-sealing which got introduced in the year 1953. Laminated and multi-layer shingles eventually got introduced in the 1970’s.
Because of the development of asphalt shingles that are fiberglass based in the 1970’s, it led the asphalt shingle products to have a better fire rating. In the past years until today, asphalt shingles are most widely used in roof coverings for the construction of new homes and home remodeling in approximately four out of five houses in the USA.
Basic Asphalt Roofing Grades:
Asphalt that is Coating-Grade
This is an asphalt that is oxidized which is used for the manufacture of roofing materials for various systems in roofing which includes roll roofing products, underlayment and reinforcing felts, polymer-modified bitumen roofing, and asphalt shingles.
Asphalt that is Mopping-Grade
Here is oxidized asphalt that got melted and utilized in the modified bitumen systems and BUR’s construction.
Asphalt that is Saturant-Grade
Here is an oxidized or non-oxidized asphalt that is used for the manufacturing of saturated felt piles which are then utilized for the construction of roofing systems such as roll roofing, organic felt shingles, and BUR systems.
Ever since becoming popular in the early 20th century to fulfill the need for a fire-resistant yet economical covering for the roof, asphalt shingles have increased recognition as an aesthetic, economical, and fire-safe product that is combined with value, longevity, beauty, and durability.
The asphalt shingle which is standard is the shingle’s square butt strip that has an elongated shape and is available in one or more tabs. The product is composed of an inorganic material such as glass fibers, or organic material such as cellulose fibers, or a base mat. The organic mate then gets coated and saturated with asphalt which is eventually surfaced with opaque mineral granules that are coated with ceramic.
It may not be necessary for asphalt shingles based on fiberglass to undergo the saturating process as it only requires a coating of asphalt. This asphalt coating is what provides it with qualities that are weatherproof. These mineral granules allow the shingles to become well protected against the ultraviolet rays of the sun and it provides the shingles with color and additional protection against fire.
Roofing Systems that are Built-Up
In the late 1800’s was the introduction of the built-up roofing and until now, it remains as the most popular system for roofing for retrofit and new markets in industrial and commercial buildings.
The membranes of built-up roofs are made of layers of adhesive that is cold-applied or bitumen that serves as the membranes’ components for weather-proofing. Installed in every layer of the cold-applied or bitumen adhesive are reinforcement piles like polyester ply sheet, glass-fiber ply sheet, and organic felt. Installed in configurations that are multiple-ply are bituminous membranes that includes cold-applied adhesive or bitumen in plies or adhesive between layers of reinforcement that construct the built-up membrane.
Rolled Roofing
Similar to what is implied by the name, roll roofing is packaged, shipped, and manufactured in rolls. Rolled roofing comes in various measures and weights and are produced with either a mineral or smooth surface. The one with the mineral surface has mineral granules embedded on the sheet’s topside. Aside from being used as a covering for roofs, roll roofing is essential as a material for flashing.
Underlayments
These are products that are made of mat or felt that came from polyester or fiberglass that may get coated or impregnated with any of the non-asphaltic polymeric, modified polymer asphalt, stabilized asphalt, and asphalt coatings or a combination of these. They are primarily utilized as an underlayment for roofing materials like roll roofing and asphalt shingles. Some of the products can also become as useful as a paper for sheathing.
The Manufacturing’s Continuous Process
When it comes to the manufacturing of asphalt roofing products, it involves a continuous process that is performed on a machine for roofing. It starts at an end with a core material in a roll and eventually reaches a conclusion at the other end when you have the finished product. The sequence of the operations allows the product to get built up in stages and adds materials as they go along the way in the monitoring of the operations.
Asphalt Products and Their Advantages
Through the years, products in asphalt roofing has dominated the market due to its proven performance that can go beyond the basic requirements in roofing to provide a covering that can shield the inhabitants of a building from the changes in weather. The following are the characteristics that allowed asphalt roofing to earn the leading position:
Resistance to Fire
Products in asphalt roofing are manufactured to become compliant with the standards of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and/or ASTM International for resistance against fire.
Economically Efficient
Because of the high production volume and the application’s cost which is relatively low, economies of competing materials for roofing find it difficult to match this. Moderate costs in installation in combination with their long life of service may end up giving products in asphalt roofing a life-cycle or annual cost that is quite low.
Resistance to Wind
Products in asphalt roofing must comply with the standards of the Underwriters Laboratories in wind resistance.
Resistance to Weather
It is proven that the products in asphalt roofing are capable of resisting ice, water, cold, sunlight, and heat.
Beauty and Aesthetics
Since asphalt roofing can be available in a lot of appealing shapes, colors, as well as dimensional depths, it can provide roof appearances that can be bold. A wide range of products in asphalt roofing have been recently introduced and they offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing the exterior building’s appearance compared to what is available for the other types of materials for roofing.
Can Get Applied Easily
Of all the materials in standard roofing, it is considered that asphalt roofing is the easiest to apply.
Suitability of Style
When it comes to any architectural style, asphalt roofing can completely be “at home” with them whether it may be traditional, modern, or contemporary.
Better Adaptability
Since asphalt can be strong and flexible, these products in asphalt may become applied on various roofing styles.
Minimal Maintenance
Whenever it gets chosen and applied properly, asphalt roofing products may require minimal or no upkeep as they can easily get repaired whenever they get damaged.
At Orezona Building & Roofing Co., you’ll get a team of contractors that have more than two decades of combined experience and treat every project like it is their own. The company is dedicated to provide excellent customer service and customer satisfaction. Aside from that, we always make sure that our prices are always honest and fair.
Whenever you are in need of roofing services in Corvallis, Albany, or surrounding areas, make sure to contact us.