Gravel Ballasted Roof

The single ply membrane and other roof components including thermal insulation are loose laid.

Gravel ballasted roof.

When it comes to estimating the weight of an existing roof field verification of the in place construction is necessary. It is very important to note that the amount of gravel being applied to a roof must be precise it depends on the specific roofing spec being used and the building type. The stones used in ballasted roofing are generally 1 5 2 5 inches in diameter and applied in a thicker layer. A built up roof for example will typically include the built up membrane itself with or without gravel as well as some kind of insulation and cover board which will vary in thickness from roof to roof.

The buildup is ballasted with a gravel layer of at least 50 mm and 80 kg m 2. Ballasted roof systems have been installed since the early 1970 s. Somebody walking on the roof will undoubtedly step on the ballast and put a hole in the membrane. However other ballasted systems use pavers which are easier to walk on and can be.

Ballasted roof systems are simultaneously a roofer s best friend and arch nemesis. The gravel in a ballasted roof helps absorb heat preventing the sun from heating the roof materials below and making the roof more energy efficient. Ballast tar gravel roofing. On the other hand ballast roofing might be the right choice for your commercial property if you live somewhere with a ready source of ballast rocks gravel of the appropriate size and you prefer the aesthetic look and texture of the larger stones.

For built up roofing the gravel was generally 25 5 inches in diameter. Simply put a ballasted roof is easy to install and basically guaranteed maintenance work for a roofer. Gravel ballasted roofs with sikaplan or sarnafil single ply membranes are conventionally installed. The gravel used in built up roofing what the roofing contractors were used to was not the same as that used in a ballasted roof.

Stone ballasted roofs are easy to confuse with bur roofs since the latter are also commonly topped with crushed stone or gravel. Despite the positive qualities associated with a ballasted roof system there are some challenges. Some commercial single ply roofs are ballasted with gravel this report does not apply to these gravel roof advantages most gravel roofs are inexpensive to build offer some protection to vulnerable asphalt against uv damage and the stones are very durable. Holes mean roof leaks and roof leaks mean call the roofer.

However bur roofs use small stones embedded in tar or asphalt in order to serve as protection from sun rays whereas ballasted roofs use large loose unembedded gravel in far greater quantities and weight from 10. Magazine and roofing southwest although single ply roofs inherently have sun protective qualities ballast provides an extra layer of protection from uv rays.