Comments on: Roof Torch Down http://360winnett.com/2008/12/04/roof-torch-down/ Just another Jeremy Bell Sites site Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:03:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Ken http://360winnett.com/2008/12/04/roof-torch-down/#comment-278 Ken Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:36:51 +0000 http://www.360winnett.com/?p=600#comment-278 One thing you could do to help minimize unwanted summer heat absorption is to apply a liquid rubber coating that's white in colour to your existing roofing substrate to help reflect heat, not to mention increasing your waterproofing capability as it'll provide an additional rubber coat on top of your primary membrane. There's a lot of liquid rubber coating companies out there that say their product can adhere to virtually any type of roofing substrate and can easily be applied with a roller. Sounds like a potential DIY job. One thing you could do to help minimize unwanted summer heat absorption is to apply a liquid rubber coating that’s white in colour to your existing roofing substrate to help reflect heat, not to mention increasing your waterproofing capability as it’ll provide an additional rubber coat on top of your primary membrane. There’s a lot of liquid rubber coating companies out there that say their product can adhere to virtually any type of roofing substrate and can easily be applied with a roller. Sounds like a potential DIY job.

]]> By: Mike D. http://360winnett.com/2008/12/04/roof-torch-down/#comment-277 Mike D. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:14:31 +0000 http://www.360winnett.com/?p=600#comment-277 Jeremy: You are probably right about that. I have no idea. Another thing I didn't like about the torch down method is that it's black so it absorbs a lot of heat in the summer time when you least want it. Then again, maybe if you live in a climate that is really cold and sunny in the winter, that could be a good thing. Jeremy: You are probably right about that. I have no idea. Another thing I didn’t like about the torch down method is that it’s black so it absorbs a lot of heat in the summer time when you least want it. Then again, maybe if you live in a climate that is really cold and sunny in the winter, that could be a good thing.

]]> By: Jeremy Bell http://360winnett.com/2008/12/04/roof-torch-down/#comment-276 Jeremy Bell Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:38:11 +0000 http://www.360winnett.com/?p=600#comment-276 From what I understand, there are actually 2 different kinds of "torch down" techniques. The SBS modified bitumen products we're using are apparently quite good because it's essentially a rubber membrane that's "heat welded" at the seams. A similar product can also be applied with an adhesive, but I'm not sure if one installation is better than the other. There are other types of non-SBS asphalt products that apparently breakdown quickly and don't perform well in comparison (which is what I'm going to assume is what you're referring to... or at least I hope it is). I hadn't actually looked much into the roofing options prior to writing this post, mainly because our architects simply said "you'll want a torch down". I've watched enough Holmes on Homes over the years and he's always used a torch-down product for roofs like ours. Only when I started doing research did I come across sites that said "stay away from torch-down", which scared the shit out of me. We were already half done at this point, so there wasn't any turning back. I kept digging and that's when I discovered the two different methods and thankfully realized we were using the better of the two. That said, ask me again when we've finally moved in and had our first rainstorm. From what I understand, there are actually 2 different kinds of “torch down” techniques. The SBS modified bitumen products we’re using are apparently quite good because it’s essentially a rubber membrane that’s “heat welded” at the seams. A similar product can also be applied with an adhesive, but I’m not sure if one installation is better than the other.

There are other types of non-SBS asphalt products that apparently breakdown quickly and don’t perform well in comparison (which is what I’m going to assume is what you’re referring to… or at least I hope it is).

I hadn’t actually looked much into the roofing options prior to writing this post, mainly because our architects simply said “you’ll want a torch down”. I’ve watched enough Holmes on Homes over the years and he’s always used a torch-down product for roofs like ours. Only when I started doing research did I come across sites that said “stay away from torch-down”, which scared the shit out of me. We were already half done at this point, so there wasn’t any turning back. I kept digging and that’s when I discovered the two different methods and thankfully realized we were using the better of the two.

That said, ask me again when we’ve finally moved in and had our first rainstorm.

]]> By: Mike D. http://360winnett.com/2008/12/04/roof-torch-down/#comment-275 Mike D. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:00:06 +0000 http://www.360winnett.com/?p=600#comment-275 Feel free to file this under "things heard from people who have never built a house before" (me), but everybody I've talked to has said to avoid torch down roofs at all cost if you live in a climate that gets any precipitation whatsoever. Apparently, they have the highest rate of failure among most popular roof options. My neighbors to the north of where I'm about to start building even said they had theirs re-done three times over ten years before finally ripping the whole thing out and going with the white single-ply membrane stuff, which apparently has worked out perfectly. Thoughts? Were there advantages to torch down that other options couldn't provide? Feel free to file this under “things heard from people who have never built a house before” (me), but everybody I’ve talked to has said to avoid torch down roofs at all cost if you live in a climate that gets any precipitation whatsoever. Apparently, they have the highest rate of failure among most popular roof options. My neighbors to the north of where I’m about to start building even said they had theirs re-done three times over ten years before finally ripping the whole thing out and going with the white single-ply membrane stuff, which apparently has worked out perfectly.

Thoughts? Were there advantages to torch down that other options couldn’t provide?

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