AAA Roofing by Gene, Inc.
The Commercial Roofing Experts
Why Choose AAA Roofing by Gene, Inc for your new roof?
It’s simple, because we’re the best at what we do.
AAA Roofing by Gene, Inc
Specializes in commercial Roofing:
New Commercial Roof Installations
Commercial Roof Replacements
Commercial Tenant Improvements
Commercial Roof Leak Investigations and Repairs
Commercial Roof Inspections and Surveys
What Does Apples to Apples Really Mean in the Roofing Industry?
If you get three estimates using three different roofing systems, in reality you have only one estimate (one for each roofing type, which are incomparable). Choose the roofing system for your project with a little research. Don't be afraid to ask questions from the bidding contractors. Once you have chosen your roofing system, put it back out to bid. From there, you can properly compare the estimates since they will all represent the same roofing system.
TPO roofing (thermoplastic polyolefin roofing)
EPDM roofing (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer roofing)
Modified bitumen roofing
PVC roofing
Built up roofing (tar and gravel)
Single ply roofing
Flat roofing/Sloped roofing
Skylights
Skylights are horizontal windows, placed on the roofs of buildings. Skylights are also sometimes referred to as sun tunnels or roof windows, and many have built in blinds and/or vents. When skylights are installed, it’s critical that the flashing (head flashing, sill flashing, and side flashing) is inserted properly to avoid leaking. We can install and repair skylights on all types of roofs.
Solar Tubes (Tubular Skylights)
Solar tubes, also known as light tubes or light pipes, collect natural light and distribute it into rooms. Solar tubes work well, thanks to reflective materials that direct the light rays from a collection point on the roof to the inside of the building. We can install and repair solar tubes on all types of roofs.
Smoke Vents
Smoke vents on roofs are an important component of fire protection. In case of fire, solar vents open automatically (or by hand) to let out smoke and heat. Smoke vents are typically found on commercial buildings, such as warehouses, restaurants, retail stores, and manufacturing facilities. We can install and repair smoke vents on all types of roofs.
“Daylighting” solutions have been around for centuries, but with a new emphasis on “green build” and energy efficiency, they’re becoming more popular every year.
With certain daylighting products, energy rebates are available, on the cost of parts and installation.
Built-up roof (BUR) membranes
Click on a topic for more information.
Material and system description
Built up roof membranes, referred to by the acronym BUR, have been in use in the U.S. for more than 100 years. These roof systems are commonly referred to as "tar and gravel" roofs. BUR systems
generally are composed of alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabrics that create a finished membrane. The number of plies in a cross section is the number of plies on a roof: The term
"four plies" denotes a four ply roof membrane construction. Sometimes, a base sheet, used as the bottommost ply, is mechanically fastened. Built up roofs generally are considered to be fully adhered
if applied directly to roof decks or insulation.
The reinforcing fabrics also are called roofing felts or ply sheets. Roofing felts are reinforced with either glass-fiber mats or organic mats. Felts are produced in a standard width of 36 inches and
metric width of about one meter.
The bitumen typically used in BUR roof systems is asphalt, coal tar or cold-applied adhesive. The asphalt or coal tar is heated in a kettle or tanker and then applied by mop or mechanical spreader.
Asphalt is a petroleum product refined from crude oil; coal tar is derived from the distillation of coal. Cold-applied adhesives typically are solvent-based asphalts that don't have to be heated in a
kettle or tanker.
Surfacings for built up roof systems include aggregate (such as gravel, slag or mineral granules), glass-fiber or mineral surfaced cap sheets, hot asphalt mopped over the entire surface, aluminum
coatings or elastomeric coatings.

Photo of an aggregate-surfaced BUR
A roof system composed of a built up roof membrane with two or three plies and a polymer-modified bitumen membrane cap sheet is commonly referred to as "hybrid" system. NRCA considers this type to be
a polymer modified bitumen membrane system.
Material standards
NRCA does not make any recommendations about which product or manufacturer to use; however, NRCA does recommend that bitumens, felts and mats used for BUR systems meet standards established by ASTM
International.
The following commonly referenced ASTM International standards apply to materials used in the construction of BUR systems:
- ASTM D312, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Used in Roofing"
- ASTM D450, "Standard Specification for Coal Tar Pitch Used in Roofing, Dampproofing and Waterproofing"
- ASTM D1863, "Standard Specification for Mineral Aggregate Used on Built Up Roofs"
- ASTM D2178, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Glass Felt Used in Roofing and Waterproofing"
- ASTM D2824, "Standard Specification for Aluminum Pigmented Asphalt Roof Coatings, Nonfibered, Asbestos Fibered, and Fibered without Asbestos"
- ASTM D3909, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Roll Roofing (Glass Felt) Surfaced With Mineral Granules"
- ASTM D4601, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Coated Glass Fiber Base Sheet Used in Roofing"
- ASTM D4990, "Standard Specification for Coal Tar Glass Felt Used in Roofing and Waterproofing"
Warranties
When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof membrane. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties for more
information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a certificate for your records.
Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship. Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items are
covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage; however, there is no industry standard.
Construction details
Below are links to some common BUR construction details.



