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Pros and Cons of Torch Down Roofing

Torch Down Roofing

Introduction

A torch-down roof is durable and robust. It is a type of roofing that you can afford at a reasonable cost. It would be best if you stay careful during the installation of torch down roofing. The type of roofing depends upon the pitch of your roof. Torch down roofing is also named modified bitumen.

The material used for torch-down roofing is durable, efficient, strong, and valuable. Its weight is not more than two pounds per sq ft. There are different kinds of sheets used in this type of roofing. These are named granulated and smooth.

You can get granulated sheets in many different shades and colors. They help in keeping your house cool. These sheets also help in reducing the electricity bill. Granular sheets are more common as compared to smooth sheets. You can get smooth sheets at lower prices than granulated sheets.

What Is Torch Down Roofing?

You can define torch down roofing as the method in installing a torch down roof. It is a widespread type of roof. The life span of this roof is about 15 to 20 years. There are many bitumen membranes present in this type of roof.

There are two primary types of torch down roof. These are named two-layer and three-layer torch-down roofs. A 2-layer torch down roof comprises two items; one is the smooth cap sheet, and the other is the base sheet. A 3-layer torch down roof is like a 2-layer type. But it also consists of an extra granulated cap sheet.

The installation cost of a 2-layer torch down roof is less as compared to other types. It is a long-lasting type of roof. You can hire a professional company to get roofing services. The experts help in providing efficient and valuable facilities.

How Much Does a Torch Down Roof Cost?

The average cost of torch down roof ranges from $380 to $490. The cost of roofing depends upon its type and the material used for it. If you want the best roofing material, it will cost more than average. The cost of torch down roof also depends upon the company you choose. The estimated cost of every company is changing because every company has different methods, tools, and quality of components.

Torch down roof cost depends upon the types, quality of material, company, and tools to be used. You can get roofing services according to your budget. You can get high-quality and low-quality roofing facilities which depend upon your budget. If you want high-quality, it will cost more. The installation cost will increase with the advancement of the materials.

What Is Torch Down Roofing Life Expectancy?

The average life of a torch down roof is about 15 years. The life expectancy of a roof depends upon the quality of the material used for it. The life span of the roof also depends upon the type of torch down roofing. If it is a 3-layer torch down roofing, it will last longer than that of the two-layer type.

You must follow all the instructions regarding torch down roofing. The roofing expert must follow all precautionary safety measures during construction. If he follows all the instructions rightly, the roof will last longer.

You should use all the components at the right place and right time. You must know how to attach insulation. It is an important task to perform. The roofing experts use plates and screws for attaching insulation. You should know how to lay down the moisture barrier. Installation of the overlay board is the next step to perform. You should use a heat fusion method for applying the base sheet.

How to Install Torch Down Roofing?

You need the required tools and efficient procedure to install a torch down roofing. First, you have to prepare the area before installation. You must clean your roof before installing the torch down roofing. There should not be any debris or dust on the surface.

You can use a brush for cleaning purposes. You should remove all the leaves, twigs, and rocks from the roof. If you are replacing your old roof with a new one, you should use a hammer for the removal of old flashing.

After removing all the nails, you must lay the mesh of fiberglass on your roof. Then, cut it according to the area of your roof. You can use a scissor for this purpose. The next step is to attach the mesh using the nails. You can get the mesh from the market. You can use a drill machine for securing the mesh with nails.

How to Remove Torch Down Roofing?

You can use a knife or a scissor to remove the torch down roofing. You can also use a hook blade for tearing off the shovel. It will help if you have a stable ladder to remove the roof efficiently, quickly, and easily. An expert can perform the task of removing a torch down the roof efficiently. He knows about all the tricks and methods to use.

You have to remove all the nails attached to this roof. It will be best if you use a specified tool for this purpose. The next step is to remove the cap sheets and base sheets. You can use a caulking gun for this purpose. For removing all the old flashings, you can use a claw hammer. In this way, you can easily remove the torch down the roof of your house.

What Goes Under Torch Down Roofing?

The materials that go under the torch down roofing include polyester, fiberglass, and many other related items. We also use small granules at the top of the roofing membrane. These are helpful for UV radiation protection, color options, fire resistance, etc. You can use different types of rubbers for the creation of torch down roofing. We recommend you use SBS.

How Long Does Torch Down Roofing Last?

The average lifespan of a torch down roofing is 15 to 20 years. If you hire an ordinary person, he may use low-quality material. So, the torch down roofing will last about ten years. But if you hire an expert company, it may use high-quality material. As a result, the roofing will last more than fifteen years. It also depends upon your budget and time.

If your budget is low, you will not pay for high-quality material. It means you will not spend money to have a long-lasting roofing system. So, you prefer having a low-quality roofing system that would last less than 15 years.

What Is Bitumen Torch Down Roofing?

Torch down roofing is also known as a bitumen torch down the roofing system. Bitumen is a material that is considered necessary for waterproofing, roofing, and road construction. Bitumen torch down roofing is a type of roofing that involves the use of asphalt. It is a substance that we use for the construction of roofs. It is mainly produced with the help of crude oil.

What is Torch Down Roofing Underlayment?

The underlayment of the torch down roofing system consists of the materials that are used in it. The underlayment of flooring means a thin layer of a specified material. It can be made up of a felt, foam, rubber, or fiber. Majorly, this roofing system requires bitumen sheets. All these sheets are rolled on your roof. 

The underlayment of the torch down roofing is Ruberoid. It also consists of bitumen. You also need a polymer because you must mix bitumen with the polymer. The roofing membrane also includes some other materials. These materials include polyester and fiberglass. The major components of a torch-down roofing system include vapor barrier, insulation, base sheet, asphalt, overlay board, base flashing, cap flashing, and cap sheet.

Weight of Torch Down Roofing?

The weight of the torch down roofing depends upon the bitumen rolls that are used. There are many roles used for the installation of such roofing systems. You need one roll of bitumen for covering the area of 100 sq ft. The weight of one roll is about ninety to a hundred pounds. So, the weight of the whole roofing system depends upon the area of your roof.

If you use two rolls, the weight of the roofing system will be more than 200 pounds—the weight increases with the increased number of rolls of bitumen. The weight of nails and some other materials also add some weight to the torch down the roofing system.

What is a TPO Roof?

TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin. TPO roof is a type of roof that consists of a single layer of roofing membrane. It is a type of roofing system which consists of synthetic’s thin layers of reinforcing scrim and synthetics. The manufacturers have made TPO with the help of products that are environmentally friendly.

The primary role is to keep the roofs flat. The average lifespan of a TPO roof is about thirty years. You must hire an expert for the installation of a TPO roof. He should also provide you with a warranty on this roof. You can also save the cost of cooling due to TPO.

Conclusion

The benefits of a torch-down roofing system state that it is long-lasting. It provides an attractive look to your house. You can save your electricity bill with the help of this roofing system. But it is a more costly roofing system than a simple one.