What is bitumen?
Posted on 17 May, 2023
Bitumen is one of the oldest construction materials that we still use today, in fact, it’s over 5,000 years old. We still use it in domestic and commercial construction projects because it’s an excellent adhesive and waterproofing material.
When used effectively, bitumen can help to create a strong and watertight structure that will last for years to come.
But what is bitumen?
Bitumen is a name that’s used to refer to asphalt. It’s a sticky, thick, but waterproof substance which is used in roofing and paving projects. The versatility of bitumen is one of the reasons why it’s so popular, in fact, 100 billion tonnes is used every year worldwide.
Bitumen usage in roofing
Bitumen has a rich history of use in DIY and construction. In fact, there are cases for bitumen being used in 3000BC as a bonding agent for the walls of water tanks. Ever since its first usage, bitumen has been a popular component used in waterproofing homes.
Now, bitumen technology and materials are a lot more advanced, and so is roofing technology. Membrane roofs are a type of roof common on commercial buildings which use bitumen as a material, however it’s becoming more common for domestic properties too.
The benefits of bitumen
The benefits of using bitumen for a project include:
- Versatility- Bitumen can be used in both roofing and paving.
- Waterproofing- Due to how bitumen is chemically composed, it’s waterproof.
- Multifunctional- Bitumen is a multifunctional material.
- Easy to maintain- Bitumen rarely needs to be maintained to be effective.
- Durable- Bitumen is a substantially durable material, which adds to the long-life span of a bitumen roof.
- Cost-effective- Bitumen is a cost-effective waterproofing solution.
- Environmentally friendly- Bitumen can be fully recycled without compromising on its functionality.
Bitumen roofs
The main types of roofs that bitumen is used for are as follows:
- Felt Roofs- A popular roofing choice for sheds, cabins, and extensions on your home. Felt roofs are built using a combination of a natural material such as wood that’s soaked with a protective bitumen layer to give it the waterproof quality.
- Asphalt Roofs- Another form of versatile roofing, whereas felt roofs use wood as a base, asphalt roofs use concrete, timber, or metal.
What Bitumen products do BC Profiles sell?
Some of our popular bitumen products and accessories include:
- Bond It Felt Adhesive- This is a popular, cold-applied adhesive which can be used to bond bitumen roofing felt to felt, asphalt, metal, and concrete.
- Bond It Bitumen Paint- A bitumen-based paint which you can apply to building materials in order to waterproof them.
- Black Jack Bitumen Roofing Emulsion- This is a bitumen roofing emulsion that you can use as a protective agent if you have a leak coming through the roof of your house.