An Introduction to Roofing Technologies

We sometimes hear people state that they are thankful simply to have a “roof over their head,” and with good reason. Roofs serve the fundamental job of protecting us from the elements, and they are often taken for granted until a leak or other structural deficiency manifests. As building professionals, it is our job to understand not only how to construct and repair roofs, but to know enough about the roofing membrane material and application methods available to us to ensure we are installing long-term protective solutions that will last in a given environment.

All images courtesy of SOPREMA

What you need to know about SBS-modified bitumen roofing.

While there are a number of roofing membrane technologies available on the market today, not all are created equal, nor are they created to necessarily excel in the same applications. If we attempt to categorize the membrane systems available, the simplest way to do so would be to bucket them into “single- ply” and “multi-ply” technologies. Single-ply roofing typically consists of a synthetic sheet material that is factory-manufactured and is most often comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) polymer formulations. Multi-ply, or “built-up” roofing systems are comprised of various protective layers, and generally rely on some form of asphalt to provide waterproofing performance. This content will focus primarily on multi-ply roofing systems, and will examine the nuances of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified bitumen systems in particular.

The following topics will be covered:

• Advantages of multi-ply roof membrane constructions.
• The history of SBS-modified bitumen membrane usage.
• SBS-modified bitumen membrane composition.
• SBS-modified bitumen application methods.
• Recent developments in SBS-modified bitumen materials.

Advantages of Multi-Ply Roofing

Let’s start with a fairly basic question: why would we choose multi-ply roof membranes over single-ply options? The answer: they all provide protection through redundancy. Redundancy is the duplication of critical components or functions with the intention of increasing reliability of the system, usually in the form of a backup or fail-safe mechanism. Bullet-proof vests have multiple layers of Kevlar, hospitals have backup generators and equipment, tires have multiple plies to prevent punctures, and the space shuttle has hundreds of examples of redundancy from heat panels to the internal systems. These items are integral to the protection of people and equipment, and they’re more effective because of redundancy.

What do all four of these items have in common? They provide safety and protection through redundancy, much like a multi-ply roofing system.

The chief responsibility of a roofing membrane system is to protect the building and everything in it from water intrusion. As is the case in the examples above, redundancy keeps the people and valuable items inside a building dry. A single-ply roofing system is not always adequate to withstand all the elements and conditions that are sure to attack the roof membrane, whereas a multi-ply system is better equipped to handle all conditions. Unlike relatively “disposable” mobile phones and computers, roof membranes must endure all that man and Mother Nature can dish out, and they must perform for decades, not merely a few years.

This article will chiefly cover SBS-modified bitumen and multi-ply roofing systems. SBS-modified bitumen refers to the specific composition of the roofing membrane. These membrane materials are often combined with additional layers of SBS-modified bitumen, PMMA liquid-applied membrane, PVC synthetic single-ply membrane or other materials to provide buildings with layers of robust protection against the elements. Before we get into the technical aspects of these systems, it’s important to understand the basic history of modern roofing systems to fully grasp what materials we have at our disposal today, and how that came to be the case.

Roofing Materials, Market and History

Today’s Low-slope Roofing Market

In the U.S., about two-thirds of the market is made up of single-ply membranes comprised of materials such as TPO, EPDM, PVC, plus a few others. Why is this the case, if we started out by saying that multi-ply roofing systems offer better protection? There are a few reasons. The growth in single-ply membranes over the years has been primarily price-driven. Also, single-ply membranes have fewer barriers to entry for contractors because there is less equipment required than other systems and it’s thought to be easier to install.

Recent findings show demand for plastic roofing has risen sharply over the past decade, spurred by rising consumer interest in self-adhesive TPO membranes that reduce the time and cost of roof installation jobs. Also, plastic roofing technology is expected to advance most rapidly, supported by continuing consumer interest because of its favorable performance properties and ease of installation. Additionally, rising interest in improving energy efficiency will encourage building owners and managers to install cool roofing materials, such as white- or light-colored TPO or PVC membranes, that deflect sunlight and minimize the heat transfer from the roof to a building’s interior.

Commercial reroofing in the United States spiked in 2016 following a season of severe storm activity. Low-slope roofs that were damaged by hail, prolonged exposure to moisture, heavy snowfall, and freeze/thaw cracking had to be repaired or replaced. Through 2021, reroofing will account for the majority of low-slope roofing demand in the U.S. as many structures feature roofs at or near the end of their expected product lifespans.

Reportedly, growth of the low-slope roofing market will be supported by the expected increase in commercial building construction spending. Rising construction of office complexes, retail sites and lodging facilities will boost low-slope roofing demand, as many of these buildings have large roof expanses. The institutional segment will also promote demand for low-slope roofing, as the nation’s aging population will encourage builders to construct hospitals, medical facilities and senior living complexes to meet the needs of this expanding population segment.

According to the 2014–2015 NRCA Market Survey, SBS-modified bitumen made up approximately 23 percent of the low slope roofing market in the U.S., and the “other” materials made up the last 11 percent of the market include foam and metal. Outside the U.S., however, multi-ply systems are far more common.

• In Canada, low-slope roofs are primarily covered with SBS-modified bitumen membranes. Part of the reason is SBS-modified bitumen systems’ ability to stand up to the continental climate of Canada that leads to winter temperatures between 5 and -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 and -40 degrees Celsius).
• In much of Europe, the market is also dominated by SBS-modified bitumen. Modified bitumen membranes originated in Europe in the late 1960s, with many countries developing their own formulations and applications, leading to a strong modified bitumen market built on a track record of proven success.

By 2018, data collected and combined from the Single-Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) showed SBS-modified bitumen had dropped to 12 percent of the market share while single-ply jumped to 83 percent.