History of Roofing

The New Roofing Materials

Invisible to most people, roofing materials have undergone a dramatic transformation during the last decade or two. Certainly, the quest for lower cost and better performing buildings has influenced roofing material requirements.

The use of polymers has played a large part in enabling the fulfillment of these requirements for bituminous roofing materials. Bituminous waterproofing has been re-invented to become an advanced, proven, reliable and resilient waterproofing material that is fit for purpose over a large climatic temperature range, exhibits longevity and is user-friendly during application.

Kraton polymers have been at the forefront of this revolution, with their first application in roofing felts in the early seventies. Kraton Polymers continues to push the boundaries providing solutions for developing challenges.

Photo: courtesy of Andersons Waterproofing

Before

Corrugated iron, turf or thick layers of liquid applied, straight run bitumen is what most people associate with flat roofs of old.

Leaks and surface cracking add to the rustic image most people remember of these dark grey bituminous roofing materials. And regular maintenance using pots of fuming bitumen contributed to the old fashioned image.

Flat roofs typically were only applied to sheds and other simple buildings. How things have changed!

Photo: traditional turf roof houses in Iceland

Today

Flat roofs have now become accepted as a reliable and lasting roof construction solution for commercial and residential buildings. This has been achieved because high quality roofing materials, such as Kraton polymer modified roofing felts, have long been used and applied in a professional fashion.

The extensive and often legislated use of insulation materials has also resulted in exposure of the roofing membrane to much more extreme temperatures, because of the lack of moderation from heat flows to and from the building. Unmodified materials could not therefore continue to be used. The formulation of roofing felt using the wide variety and versatility of Kraton polymers allows an adaptation of the product to hot, cold and to climates with large temperature extremes. Elasticity and toughness obtained when using Kraton polymer modified roofing felts will help maintain performance over long periods of time.

Aesthetics have become more important in recent years. The use of colored chippings or thin metal overlays have changed the look of products.

Changes for the Future

Future requirements are expected to go beyond the waterproofing function of the membrane. Aesthetic, safety, cost and environmental requirements will drive change in the coming years.