When doing a roof, it makes sense to be sure your company is making the most of asphalt and tar roofing materials. While both commercial roofing materials work extremely well, their applications aren't necessarily interchangeable. One of the commercial roofing materials is impervious to heat and gravity, and the other uses the sun and heat to repair itself, but would drip from the roof if the roof's slope was over 1/2 of an inch. Consider these options to find the asphalt and tar roofing materials that work best for your business.
1. Let the roof's pitch decide the commercial roofing material.
2. Make the most of a tight budget with your commercial roofing materials when the pitch of a roof is not an issue.
3. Discover the wonder of asphalt diamond shingles and faux slate when your budget is more generous.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Consider the roof's pitch when you pick your commercial roofing materials
If the roof is pitched beyond 1/2-inch, the choice between asphalt and tar roofing materials is made for you. Roofing tar is an excellent commercial roofing material, and it works well in most commercial roofing applications. Tar roofs and tar shingles are durable, require little maintenance and can last for decades. They even heal themselves, so to speak, by running when the heat makes them soft. However, that very feature means that tar roofing materials need roofs pitched no more than 1/2-inch with organic felts as an underlayment, or ¼-inch if tar coated glass felt is the underlayment.
I recommend: Koppers Commercial Roofing has an extensive catalog of tar roofs, as well as excellent information, while
Cleasby manufactures kettles in which roof tar can be heated.
Explore three tab asphalt shingles when the budget is tight
Though three tab asphalt shingles do not share the variety of shapes like designer shingles, they have a wide color pallet and offer decades of protection. The three tab asphalt shingle is a durable product that is not afraid of steeply sloped roofs. Because asphalt has a higher softening point than roofing tar, the concern for the asphalt running on a hot day is non-existent. The asphalt roofing material withstands high winds, foot traffic as well as offer fire protection. While the three tab asphalt shingle doesn't come with the specialty shapes, its varied color palette allows your company to create one-of-a-kind patterns.
I recommend: Top manufacturers of three tab asphalt roofing supplies include
TAMKO Building Products and
Owens Corning.
Get creative with designer asphalt shingles when the budget allows
Enjoy decades long protection and imaginative shapes with designer asphalt shingles. When your budget allows, you can explore the various shapes offered in the designer asphalt shingle line. There, your company will find asphalt shingles that make a roof resemble those of Loire Valley chateaux, slate and wood shakes. These designer asphalt shingles also offer textures and shadowing that the three tab asphalt shingles cannot.
I recommend: Explore the designer asphalt shingles by
Atlas Roofing and
GAF Materials and your company will never look at asphalt shingles in the same light again.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Making the most of asphalt and tar roofing materials means working within your company's budget and within the certain limitations. Asphalt and tar roofing material suppliers will be more than willing to work with your company to help you decide the best roofing materials that will work for you.
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