BUR and EPDM – What They Stand For and When Gardens are Roofs

There are a lot of commercial roofing options available, ranging from the single-ply Duro-Last® system to traditional metal roofs. Other options with more obscure names or function include BUR, EPDM, and even Garden, but the interesting question is what they all mean. That’s when things start to get confusing for commercial business owners trying to decide on the right roofing material. At Roberts-McNutt we carry the previously mentioned systems as well as TPO, PVC, and Modified Bitumen. Our job is to help you understand what these different types of roofing can do so you’ll know which one is best for your business. We’re not going to break them all down right here, but we will cover BUR, EPDM, and a little bit of Garden in some quick bullet points.

BUR Roofing System

• Name: The acronym “BUR” stands for Built Up Roofing, which is a flat roofing system made up of several layers laminated together with bitumen. The material for the layers can be felt, fabric, or mats.
  • Bitumen: A tar like substance used to bind materials together by acting as an adhesive. The word is almost interchangeable with the term “asphalt.”
• Advantages: BUR roofing is one of the more traditional type of commercial roofing due to the materials used. Commonly surfaced with gravel, they are referred to as “tar and gravel” roofs. The applications can fit nearly any type of roof, but the steeper the slope, the shorter the lifespan due to the longer processing time.

EPDM Roofing System

• Name: Short for Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer, this roofing is sometimes referred to as the “rubber roofing system” since it is a single-ply rubber roofing membrane.
• Advantages: This type of roofing is resistant to damage from hail, wind, ultraviolet radiation, heat, and fire. It is also flexible to accommodate various temperatures. EPDM is best used for low-sloping roofs and is one of the most affordable commercial roofing options available.

Garden Roofing

• Name: Sometimes referred to as “Green Roofs,” a garden roof is designed to improve the overall energy efficiency of a building by helping to reduce the cost of heating and cooling. They are populated by plant life, hence the name, for both aesthetics and energy conservation.
• Advantages: Conserves energy by providing better protection against a roofs natural absorption of radiant heat. Provides greater curb appeal and fosters a peaceful environment atop the building.

The range of roofing that we offer at Roberts-McNutt each carry their own unique benefits in their design and materials. If you’re still unclear about the characteristics and benefits of BUR, EPDM, or Garden Roofs, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can answer any lingering questions you may have. We can also go into detail about our other roofing systems, such as TPO, if you’re curious about that. Above all, remember Roberts-McNutt has the answer for all of your commercial roofing needs.