Rolled Roofing Vs Modified Bitumen – Which Is Best?

Roofing is arguably the most critical aspect of any house. It’s clear to see why. A roof protects your home from the elements of mother nature. From freezing snow to pouring rain to blaring sun and more, a roof is meant to protect you, your loved ones, and your home. Choosing the best roof for you is a decision that you need to take seriously. 

Nowadays, there are many different types of roofing available. However, some types of roofing are better than others. Two of the main types of roofing available that you can have today are rolled roofing and modified bitumen. These two types of roofing are very different from each other but can both be excellent choices for roofing for your home. So which one is better? Here are a few things to know about rolled roofing and modified bitumen so that you can find out which one is the best choice for you. 

Modified Bitumen roofing is better than asphalt roll roofing materials in both longevity and durability. The most significant advantage of modified bitumen is that it is durable and lasts 20 to 30 years. However, the disadvantage is that it’s harder to install and repair, making labor costs higher. As a result, some roofing contractors don’t work with modified bitumen materials.

What Is Rolled Roofing?

Rolled roofing is one of the best types of roofing for your home that you can have today. 

Rolled roofing consists of using a large roll of material to cover the main exterior surface of your roof. Rolled roofing is meant to be a quicker way to protect your roof in place of applying individual shingles. 

The most popular rolled roofing rolls material is oil-based asphalt. However, you can also make other materials into rolled roofing rolls. These other materials can include pure rubber, rubber mixed with sawdust and slate dust (also known as EPDM), and a coherent mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene based rubber (also known as TPO).

Rolled roofing is easy to install as it only consists of a single layer. As well, rolled roofing can be quick to install as you only need to firmly attach one layer of a rolled roofing roll to the exterior surface of your roof. 

The average rolled roof lifespan is 5 to 20 years. However, the average lifespan of a rolled roofing roof can vary depending on the roof endures’ weather conditions. In addition, the average lifespan of a rolled roofing roof can vary depending on how well the contractor installed it. 

Rolled roofing is a low-cost choice for your roof. The materials that go into making a roll of rolled roofing are inexpensive. The extra materials that you need to have to install your roll of rolled roofing are also inexpensive. Some types of rolled roofing have a paper-lined underside which can be peeled away and stuck directly to the exterior surface of your roof. In this case, you don’t need to buy or use any other roofing materials at all!

What Is Modified Bitumen?

Modified bitumen is one of the best types of roofing for your home that you can have today. 

Modified bitumen consists of using many layers of regular roofing material (such as those used in rolled roofing projects; however, there are others) to cover up the exterior surface of your roof. However, these individual rolls of roofing material are sandwiched between layers of felt that have been coated with modified bitumen. These layers are referred to as cap sheets or polymer layers. Modified bitumen is meant to be a more enforced way to protect your roof in place of applying individual shingles. 

Modified bitumen is mainly made of hot asphalt that is combined with plastic and rubber-related materials. 

Modified bitumen can be hard to install as it consists of multiple layers. In addition, modified bitumen can take a long time to install because each layer needs to be applied to your roof correctly and one at a time. 

The average lifespan of a modified bitumen roof is anywhere from 20 to 30 years. However, the average lifespan of a modified bitumen roof can vary depending on the weather conditions that the roof endures. In addition, the average lifespan of a rolled roofing roof can vary depending on how well the contractor installed it. 

Modified bitumen roofing is a high-cost choice for your roof. The materials that go into making the multiple rolls of modified bitumen are expensive. In addition, the extra materials that you need to have to install your multiple rolls of modified bitumen roofing are also expensive. As you need to apply many rolls of roofing materials to the exterior side of your roof, you will need to buy each layer. As well, as you need to apply many rolls of roofing materials to the exterior side of your roof, you need to buy and use other roofing materials to successfully and firmly attach each layer of modified bitumen roofing to your roof. These other materials include flashings, nails, cement, and primers.

So What’s Better For You, Rolled Roofing Or Modified Bitumen?

As you have read, both rolled roofing and modified bitumen can be excellent choices for your roof. Although rolled roofing and modified bitumen are similar in numerous ways, a few differences separate these two types of roofing. 

To help you choose which is the better roofing option for your roof, modified bitumen or rolled roofing, you should look at the advantages and disadvantages of both types of roofing.

You should choose rolled roofing if you want to save money, install your roof yourself, or if you want a quick and easy roofing project. However, you shouldn’t choose rolled roofing if you want a roof that will last a long time and is durable against extreme weather conditions. 

You should choose modified bitumen roofing if you want a roof that will last a long time and is durable against extreme weather conditions. However, you shouldn’t choose modified bitumen roofing if you want to save money, install your roof yourself, or if you want a quick and easy roofing project.