Torch Down Roofing Vs Shingles

Potential hazards aside from the always present hazard of taking a tumble from the roof these two roofing processes each provide different hazards for roofers.

Torch down roofing vs shingles.

Low slope roofs are qualified by having a roof pitch of less than 4 12 or 4 of rise per foot. Unlike some newer types of roofing it has a long proven track record that can be counted on. As the name implies it involves the use of a blowtorch to melt a petroleum based substance called bitumen to creat. The installation of torch down roofing involves the use of a hand held torch fed with propane from a tank.

There are several different advantages to using a bitumen roof on your building or home. If the roof is completely flat torch on roofing is not typically recommended. I ve tried to contact the roof contractor but he says he s out of the country. Roof pitch torch down vs 3 tab shingles i usually opt for self adhering modified on porches and sun rooms and the like.

What is torchdown roofing. It is not recommended by the nrca or roofing manufacturers to install asphalt shingles on roofs with a pitch less than 4 12. When contemplating a new roof many people hope to simply do a shingle over and avoid the extra cost and mess of tearing off the existing roof and starting from scratch. Torchdown roofing is sometimes also referred to as rubberized asphalt and is the most common type of roofing to be used on flat roofs.

I don t use a torch unless i have to anymore and even though self adhering is slightly more money on small areas as described above it shouldn t kill the budget. Torch down roofing is used on flat or low sloped roofs. The asphalt is melted onto the roof using a torch creating an impermeable roof that has an average life of between 15 and 20 years. This means that the new torch down roof system will with the first few hot to cold cycles begin to open at the flashing points and allow water into the system.

Although it sounds like a good idea we can assure you the cons heavily outweigh the pros. In fact the only pro to a shingle over is it s cheaper and cleaner. 12 pitch where your goals are to have a durable and long lasting roof that stands up well to the elements especially snow. It s a flat torch down roof 3 years old based on the contractor receipt unsure if this was a complete replace or just a repair.

The roof has 3 layers of plywood and fiberglass etc. Torch down roofing on the other hand consists of fewer steps and while roofers will still be exposed to the heat of the torch they will not have to use liquid tar.