The gravel in a ballasted roof helps absorb heat preventing the sun from heating the roof materials below and making.
Why do they put gravel on roofs.
The gravel can be applied in far less time than using a specially designed screw and plate fastening pattern.
The gravel prevents sun hail errant baseballs etc from damaging the membrane the all important moisture seal created by the tar paper and tar.
Tar has a low melting point.
The weight provided by the gravel is used to anchor down the roof materials therefore using far fewer fasteners to hold the materials to the decking.
Although single ply roofs inherently have sun protective qualities ballast provides an extra layer of protection from.
Also a tar and gravel roof is very rugged and safe to walk on.
Roofing granules serve several purposes.
A flat roof has a rubber membrane adhered to the decking that waterproofs the roof.
Gravel is an excellent fire retardant.
Specifically there are two main reasons to use a ballasted roof system.
Of all the flat roofing options a tar and gravel roof is the most economical.
It provides excellent protection against uv rays and is an attractive option for windows and decks that overlook the roof.
The stones keep the tar paper in place and prevent it from buckling or blowing away in a high wind.
Advantages of a tar and gravel roof.
The looser gravel helps to provide a better grip for foot traffic when your team has to access the roof or contractors are performing maintenance and repairs on your bitumen roofing system.
Gravel serves a couple purposes 1 to protect the membrane from damage 2 to provide a flat surface to walk on and place equipment like a c pumps.
The roof will also have a slight slope so as to remove water.
Installation helps to prevent the asphalt shingles from sticking together and provides an improved walking surface for installers.
Favourite answer the gravel is mostly put on flat felt roofs to serve as a heat barrier from the sun otherwise the felt would soften and blister and then when it was cold the creases in it would.
Durability granules help to ensure a lasting performance of shingles as they are exposed to harsh weather conditions over the years.
In the summer it gets pretty soft and if left to its own devices would flow to the lowest point on the roof.