LEADING UK LIQUID APPLIED ROOFING SUPPLIERS

Click here for an easy-to-use listing of leading UK suppliers of liquid applied roofing, provided by Archbone.

Liquid applied roofing membranes are made from a range of bitumen-based and polymer-based materials. Although sometimes installed in new work, liquid applied roofing is mainly used for remedial action on failed existing flat roofs. They may be appropriate when the exact point of entry of water cannot be identified, or when re-roofing is impractical because of the disruption it would cause.

Before treating an existing roof with liquid applied roofing, any failures in the substrate must be identified and rectified. The surface of the existing material must be free of loose material and dust to ensure good adhesion with the liquid applied roofing, which can be applied by brush, roller or airless spray. Solar reflective white and other colours are available. Without further treatment, roof which have been treated with liquid applied roofing should only be subjected to light maintenance pedestrian traffic.

Bitumen-based liquid applied roofing will normally require two or three coats, with a solar reflective finish being applied after the liquid applied roofing has fully dried. A layer of glass-fibre reinforcement is usually incorporated during application to give dimensional stability.

The range of polymers used for liquid applied roofing is wide, including acrylic resins, polyurethanes, polyesters, silicones, rubber copolymers and modified bitumens. Glass-fibre or polyester mat is used as reinforcement within the membrane layer. Additives to improve fire resistance can be included.

Other useful links relevant to liquid applied roofing:

National Federation of Roofing Contractors

DETAILED INFORMATION RESOURCES ON SINGLE PLY ROOFING

We recommend the following websites, with building product information including manufacturers' specs, standard specifications, and CAD details: Barbour Compendium, RIBA Product Selector Plus, ASC Bricsnet, Building Products Index, British Board of Agrément, British Standards Online.