One of the more common roofing solutions for residential properties is the asphalt shingle. This may be due to their budget friendly prices or the familiarity of the roofing material, but asphalt shingles are not always the best solution unless the cost is the deciding factor. This is mostly because of the thin sizes that many shingles have and the way that this affects the reliability of the product.
Thin asphalt shingles can dry out quickly and this can result in cracking or more serious damage from high winds or severe storms. In fact, the typical service life of budget-grade asphalt shingles ranges between ten to twenty-five years. Once they fail, it is time for a roof replacement in Nassau County NY.
The same applies to commercial buildings that use a flat or low sloped roof. Flat roofs are normally covered with a roofing solution known as BUR (built-up roofing). That is, the roof covering is made from multiple layers placed over each other. The first layer in a BUR system is the decking and this is then covered with a membrane such as roofing felt. The membrane protects the decking from moisture, but it is not all that strong.
To reduce the chance of damage the membrane will be covered with at least one layer of asphalt and a small aggregate for weight. The thing that makes the BUR system stand out is the repair and resurfacing of the roof. Eliminating leaks typically requires an extra layer of fresh asphalt and is normally applied once each year. As the roofing dries out, it becomes more susceptible to damage and could force the property owner to invest in Roof Replacement in Nassau County NY.
One thing to consider when replacing a roof is what kind of material can provide the best coverage for the longest amount of time. In most instances this may not be an asphalt product. For instance, a flat roof can use products such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) for roofing membranes and end up with a roof that will last for years. For the pitched roof, there are alternatives such as fiber-cement and stamped steel that create a roof that could last for several decades. Browse our website to discover more information about roofing solutions.
