MATERIALS

Better Materials Mean Better Results

Thanks to advanced technology, today's roofs perform better than ever. New and traditional materials, stronger adhesives, and improved application techniques have added years to the life span of a roof. Roofs are more durable, moisture resistant, and provide better insulation than ever before.

J&B Roofing and Sheet Metal uses top quality materials from manufacturers whose products and warranties have proven to be dependable. J&B's roofing experts are familiar with all the newest, high-performance roofing products, and they assist customers in making choices about roof systems and materials.

Sheet Metal

Just about every type of roof requires sheet metal work to provide needed protection in valleys, around vents and chimneys, and in edge details. J&B has the capacity for custom-fabricating all types of sheet metal, including steel, painted steel, copper, and others. In-house sheet metal fabrication means J&B delivers sheet metal that fits the measurements and contours of every roof it installs.

Roof Systems

Many factors influence the choice of materials for each roof system, including design, degree of slope, and the type of climate it must withstand. Other considerations are the weight it is expected to bear, whether or not materials can be nailed into its surface, and how much foot traffic, if any, to which it will be subjected. Once these variables are identified, the designer considers the properties of the materials that could be used. Among the most important are tensile strength, elongation, ozone resistance, and tear and puncture protection.

Next, the designer studies the physical and chemical compatibility of the materials chosen, and the interaction of different roof components with each other and with the substrate of the roof. For best results, substrate, membrane, and adhesion methods must all work together, creating an entire roof system.

Choices

In general, there are three categories of roofing systems, and each has unique characteristics. They are the:

• Single-Ply System
  Factory-fabricated in sheet form, single ply membranes are ballasted and either adhered or attached mechanically. Membrane choices include thermoplastic, which employs plastic polymers, or thermoset, made with rubber polymers.

• Built-Up System
  A conventional bituminous roofing system created by layering alternate sheets of reinforced felts that are covered with a protective surface.

• Modified Bitumen System
  Rolls of factory-made membranes are applied to the substrate and lapped with heat welding or with hot asphalt. There are two kinds of modified bitumen systems, one in rubber and the other in plastic.

Roof designers at J&B Roofing & Sheet Metal are well acquainted with the features and benefits of each system. Experienced J&B designers and roof mechanics help customers make informed choices about their best options.