What is Built-Up (BUR)?
Often chosen for
- Larger flat roofs and older buildings with existing BUR
- Roofs with foot traffic
- Owners who want a multi-ply, redundant system
Types and installation methods
| Hot-applied BUR | Plies set in hot asphalt from a kettle; the traditional method. |
| Cold-applied BUR | Plies set in cold adhesive, avoiding hot kettles. |
| Surface options | Gravel or aggregate embedded in a flood coat, a mineral cap sheet, or a reflective coating. |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
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How long does Built-Up (BUR) last?
Estimated life expectancy: about 30 years (BUR), from InterNACHI's Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. InterNACHI says these figures assume regular maintenance and normal wear and are guidelines, not guarantees. Real service life depends on installation quality, drainage, exposure and upkeep.
Signs your Built-Up (BUR) roof needs repair
- Bare spots where gravel has washed away
- Blisters, splits and alligatoring in the bitumen
- Ponding water
- Failing flashing at parapets and penetrations
- Soft spots indicating wet insulation
Repair or replace?
Localized blisters and flashing failures can be repaired by cutting out damaged plies and rebuilding the area. When there are widespread splits, saturated insulation, or several roofs layered on top of each other, a tear-off and new roof (BUR, modified bitumen or a single-ply membrane) is usually recommended.
What affects the cost
We price every job after inspecting and measuring the roof. These are the main factors:
- Roof size and structure
- Hot vs cold application
- Number of plies and surfacing
- Tear-off of old layers and gravel removal
- Insulation and deck repairs
- Access, hoisting and disposal
[Owner: optional typical price range from your own jobs. Leave out if you prefer quoting per job]
Built-Up (BUR) in Brooklyn & NYC
Many older Brooklyn apartment buildings and commercial roofs still have built-up roofs, sometimes with newer roofing layered on top. [Owner to confirm whether you install new BUR or mainly repair it and replace it with modified bitumen]
Our process
- Inspection & photos
We inspect the roof, drains and flashing and document what we find. - Written estimate
Scope, materials and options in writing before work starts. - Installation or repair
Built-Up (BUR) work done to the manufacturer's instructions. [Owner: manufacturers/brands you install] - Clean-up & final photos
Debris removed, final walkthrough and photos.
Compare other flat roofing options
TPO · EPDM · Modified Bitumen · Rolled Roofing · All flat roofing systems