About bitumen roofing

Here are a few pieces of information about bitumen roofing. This should help you decide if it is a good option for your home.

Substance

Bitumen is very similar to tar.

It is a thick, black and sticky liquid composed of numerous chemicals. The most representative chemical is carbon. It is usually made from the residue resulted from crude oil distillation. Because of the different types of crude oil, there are also many types of bitumen.

Uses

Bitumen can be used for roofing insulation, but because of it’s properties, it can be used for road surfaces and cladding. Because it’s waterproof it is ideal for roofing use. Most commonly it’s used for flat roofs.

Grades

The various forms of bitumen are know as grades. In a temperate climate, the bitumen will be semi-solid and will become liquid if the temperature increases. To determine the grades of the bitumen, a test must be done, know as penetration test. The test uses a needle and measures the rate at which it is able to sink into the bitumen.

Roofing types

Because it comes in many different varieties, you should find one that suits your needs. Bitumen can come in tile form, flat sheets, shingles and corrugated sheets. Also you can apply it directly on the roof in its liquid form. It is very cheap and you can use it for large roofs.

Qualities

Liquid bitumen is very efficient and waterproof, even when it’s not fully dried. One layer is enough to protect your roof from water damage. It also reflects solar rays.