Roofing solutions have come a long way since their early days of merely nailing extra shingles down. Nowadays, a home or business can rely on a plethora of options to create an effective barrier between the elements and their building. One such solution that speaks to modern advancements is liquid rubber roofing.
What is Liquid Rubber Roofing?
Liquid rubber roofing was invented to handle leaky roofs that let the elements in. Whether it was rain water, drafts or even some vermin, roofs that don’t keep the outside world on the outside simply aren’t doing their job. Instead of replacing the whole roof or large sections of it, rubber roofing can be applied to ensure an airtight seal.
The History of Liquid Rubber Roofing
Though it’s certainly a modern marvel, the origins of using rubber roofing go back at least a couple of centuries. Bitumen, a natural occurring form of concrete, was combined with other materials like straw and felt to create a weatherproofing solution for homes.
Over the next hundred years, techniques would advance until the industrial revolution brought about mass-produced methods in the early 1900s. This would be the beginning of liquefied rubber as a treatment for weatherproofing roofs and roofers who could apply the material and charge for the service.
By the 1970s, the solutions used had continued to advance, with materials like acrylics, acrylic emulsions, styrene butadienes and certain polyesters being applied. The result was a better product that was even more weather resistant and durable against the elements. 1975 saw the first rubber coatings for roofs being introduced. Although the method continues to evolve, rubber-based solutions are still the standard.
The Benefits of Rubber Roofing
One of the main reasons people turn to a rubber roofing solution is that it saves money. When applied to a preexisting roof, owners can expect the coating to last for over twenty years. This is a tremendous value, especially when compared to the alternative. Using liquid roofing is estimated to be as much as 70% cheaper than replacing a building’s roof.