Our Built Up Roof (BUR) Solutions | Kirberg Company

Built-Up Roofing (BUR)

Our BUR roofing services keep your low-slope and flat roofs in excellent shape and keep your building safe from the elements.

Built-up roof systems, once referred to as tar and gravel roofs, give roofs solid protection and improve buildings’ energy efficiency. This type of roof system has been used for over 100 years, so we can use our 100 years of roofing experience to apply the right BUR roof system for your building.

How Do Built-Up Roofing Systems Work?

Built-up flat roofs consist of layers of bitumen, such as gravel or modified bitumen, alternated with reinforcing fabric on top of the roof decks. When you install a BUR system, you have a ply roof system. The word “ply” refers to how many layers are in the roof membrane. If your BUR roof has three layers of reinforcing fabric, also called ply sheets, then you have a three-ply built-up roof. These fabrics, also called roofing felts, hold the membrane together. The first fabric is called the base sheet, and it’s often mechanically fastened to the roof deck.

close-up-of-blueish-asphalt-texture

Types of Built-Up Roofs

There are a few different types of built-up roofs that you can choose from. These roof systems vary in the types of bitumen they use. For example, an aggregate BUR roof uses gravel, coal tar, modified bitumen, or hot asphalt in between and on top of the reinforcement fabrics. On the other hand, you can also use cold-applied BUR adhesive, which consists of solvent-based asphalts that don’t need to be heated to be applied on a roof. We can provide you with either option, depending on which one best fits your roofing needs.

Take Advantage of Our Commercial Roofing Services

If you want to install or repair your commercial built-up roof, reach out to us to do that with our commercial roofing services.

Benefits of Built-Up Roof Systems

Built-up roofs offer multiple benefits that keep your flat roof in excellent shape. For instance, BUR systems are well-sealed, making them waterproof and weather resistant. BUR roofs are also fireproof and resistant to damaging ultraviolet sunlight. They also trap heat within your building, so it doesn’t escape through the roof. This feature creates energy savings for your building and your business. A BUR roof is also a cost-effective roof type because it has low maintenance needs, and it lasts for decades.

How Long Do Built-Up Roofs Last?

Built-up roof membranes can last for 15 to 30 years, and sometimes they last up to 40 years with proper maintenance. This lifespan means that when you install a BUR roof, you’re making a long-term investment in your roof’s operation and your building’s overall condition. When you select a built-up flat roof membrane, make sure you’re ready to maintain the roof for multiple decades. Luckily, you don’t have to maintain the roof alone. Partnering with Kirberg Company gives you access to expert roof contractors who can help you make the right maintenance and repair decisions for your BUR roof and your building.

Why Choose Kirberg?

Built-up roof systems were first developed over 100 years ago, and Kirberg Company is 100 years old. We’ve been installing BUR roofs since they were new, so we’ve watched how BUR roofing methods, techniques, and materials have changed over the past century. We have extensive experience installing and maintaining this type of roof, so you can trust us to provide top-quality results.

Trust Kirberg With Your Built-Up Roof

If you’re ready to install or repair your built-up roof, reach out to Kirberg Company today. We have the knowledge and experience to give you the roof installation, repairs, and maintenance to help your roof maximize its lifespan. We can help you reap the benefits of a built-up roofing system today.

Discover the Brands We Work With

Kirberg works with all the top roofing brands and manufacturers. Find out how we use brands such as Siplast to develop long-lasting BUR roof systems for our customers.

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