Understanding Commercial Roofing: A Glossary of Technical Terms & Definitions
At Structure Roof & Wall Solutions, we believe an informed client is an empowered client. The commercial roofing industry uses many specialized terms, and we want to ensure you have a clear understanding when discussing your project needs and our proposed solutions. This glossary provides definitions for some of the common technical terms you might encounter on our website or in conversations with our Houston-based roofing experts.
- Acrylics: Liquid applied coatings that offer good UV resistance and are often used as a protective top coat for various roofing systems.
- APP (Atactic Polypropylene): A type of thermoplastic polymer used to modify asphalt in bitumen roofing products, enhancing its UV resistance, durability, and performance in high temperatures.
- Asphalt Emulsions: Liquid coatings made of fine asphalt particles dispersed in water, often used in FARR systems and other waterproofing applications.
- Asphalt Shingles: A common roofing material composed of a base mat (typically fiberglass) saturated with asphalt and coated with colored mineral granules, primarily used on sloped commercial or residential roofs.
- Bitumen: A black, tar-like, viscous substance (such as asphalt or coal tar) used extensively in roofing as a waterproofing agent and adhesive.
- Built-Up Roofing (BUR): A traditional flat roofing system constructed on-site with multiple layers of bitumen (asphalt or coal tar) alternated with reinforcing fabrics (plies or felts).
- Clay Tiles: Roofing tiles made from natural clay, fired at high temperatures. Known for their exceptional longevity, distinctive aesthetic, and resistance to fire and wind.
- Concrete Tiles: Roofing tiles manufactured from a mixture of cement, sand, and water. Valued for their durability, strength, and variety of available profiles and colors.
- EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer): A durable, synthetic rubber single-ply roofing membrane known for its excellent resistance to weathering, UV radiation, ozone, and temperature extremes.
- FARR (Fluid Applied Reinforced Roofing): A specialized type of liquid applied roofing system developed by Structure Roof & Wall Solutions (or the specific FARR system provider, if not SRWS proprietary), typically utilizing durable, water-based waterproofing compounds reinforced with tough polyester fabrics and finished with energy-saving reflective coatings.
- Felts: A general term for the reinforcing fabrics, often made of fiberglass, polyester, or organic materials, used as plies within built-up roofing (BUR) systems.
- Galvalume Steel: Sheet steel coated with an alloy of zinc and aluminum, providing superior corrosion resistance compared to traditional galvanized steel.
- Galvanized Steel: Sheet steel that has been coated with a protective layer of zinc to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Liquid Applied Roofing Systems: Roofing solutions that are applied in a liquid form (via spray, roller, or brush) and cure to form a seamless, monolithic, and fully adhered waterproofing membrane.
- Modified Bitumen (MB): A roofing material composed of asphalt modified with synthetic polymers (like APP or SBS) to improve its performance characteristics, such as flexibility, durability, and weather resistance.
- Monolithic Membrane: A seamless, one-piece waterproofing barrier, characteristic of liquid applied roofing systems, which eliminates seams – a common source of leaks in other systems.
- No Dollar Limit (NDL) Warranty: A comprehensive type of roofing warranty, often offered by manufacturers through certified applicators, that covers the full cost of repairs or replacement due to material defects or workmanship issues (as specified in the warranty terms) without a maximum monetary cap.
- Polyester Fabrics: Strong, durable synthetic fabrics used as reinforcement layers within various roofing and waterproofing systems, notably in Fluid Applied Reinforced Roofing (FARR).
- Plies: The layers of reinforcing fabric (felts) used in the construction of built-up roofing (BUR) systems.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): A durable, thermoplastic single-ply roofing membrane known for its excellent strength, puncture resistance, chemical resistance (to oils, grease, and many chemicals), and heat-welded seams.
- Reflective Coatings: Specialized top coatings applied to roof surfaces designed to reflect a high percentage of sunlight and reduce solar heat absorption, thereby lowering rooftop temperatures and potentially reducing building cooling costs.
- Retrofits (Re-Roofing): The process of installing a new roofing system on an existing building, which may involve removing the old roof (tear-off) or overlaying the existing system if conditions permit.
- SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene): A type of synthetic rubber (elastomeric) polymer used to modify asphalt in bitumen roofing products, significantly increasing its flexibility, especially in cold climates, and enhancing its elongation and recovery properties.
- Sheet Metal Roofing: A roofing system constructed from metal sheets or panels, typically made from materials like steel (galvanized, Galvalume®, weathering steel), aluminum, or copper, offering exceptional durability, longevity, and fire resistance.
- Silicone: A type of liquid applied coating known for its excellent weather resistance, UV stability, flexibility across extreme temperatures, and ability to withstand ponding water.
- Single-Ply Membranes: Flexible sheets of synthetic polymer materials used to create a waterproofing layer for commercial roofs. They are typically supplied in large rolls to minimize seams. Common types include TPO, PVC, and EPDM.
- TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin): A popular single-ply roofing membrane valued for its energy efficiency (often white and highly reflective), durability, good flexibility, puncture resistance, and heat-welded seams.
- Urethanes (Polyurethanes): A type of liquid applied coating or foam insulation known for its excellent durability, high tensile strength, flexibility, chemical resistance, and waterproofing capabilities.
- Water-Based Waterproofing Compounds: Liquid materials in which water is the solvent or carrier, used in various roofing and waterproofing applications, including some FARR systems, to create a watertight barrier upon curing.
- Weathering Steel (e.g., Cor-Ten®): A type of steel alloy specifically designed to form a stable, rust-like protective layer on its surface when exposed to the weather, eliminating the need for painting and offering a unique aesthetic.
Can’t Find a Term? Have More Questions?
This glossary covers many common terms, but the world of commercial roofing is always evolving. If you have questions about a term not listed here, or if you’d like to discuss any of these concepts in relation to your specific Houston property, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the knowledgeable team at Structure Roof & Wall Solutions.