A New Cold-Process Roofing System: Description and Performance

A new cold-process built-up roofing system is described and evaluated. The basic system consists of asphalt-saturated and coated membranes bonded together with fibrated asphalt cutback and surfaced with mineral granules. The adhesive is applied with mechanized spray equipment which improves labor productivity. Finished roof weight is 266 lb/100 ft² (13.0 kg/m²). Performance is evaluated in terms of field experience over a five-year period and laboratory test procedures. Field data show resistance to blistering, slippage, shrinkage, and splitting. Laboratory data show tensile strength increases and flexibility decreases with age, as the adhesive cures. Level of volatiles after several years' exposure is significant, and it is concluded that they provide a long-term plasticizing effect.