Advantages of
Cold Applied
Roofing Systems
Name
Position Title
DERBIGUM.
AIA/CES



DERBIGUM is a Registered Provider with
The American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems.
Credit earned on completion of the program
will be reported to CES Records for AIA
members.
Certificates of Completion for non-AIA
members are available on request.
AIA/CES



This program is registered with the AIA/CES for
continuing education.
As such, it does not include content that may be
deemed or construed to be an approval or
endorsement by the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling,
using, distributing, or dealing in any material or
product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods,
and services will be addressed at the conclusion
of this presentation.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
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Define Cold Applied Roofing
Identify the key composition of Polymer Modified Cold
Adhesives
Recognize the types of Cold Applied Roof Systems
and their advantages.
Understand the application methods
Acknowledge the precautions when using Cold
Applied Systems
What is Cold Applied Roofing?
Polymer-Modified
Bitumen
Membranes
vs.
Cold Built Up
Systems
Alternative to:
•Torch-applied
systems with
open flame
•Hot asphalt
applied systems
with use of a hot
kettle
Traditional Hot Applied System
/ Oxidized Asphalt

Oxidized Asphalt
 Introduction
of oxygen
to flux
 Benefits


Increases softening
point
Increases utility of
asphalt
 Problems
 Decreases thermal
fatigue cycle
 Increases brittleness
 and breakdowns
Cold Applied Roofing
•Employs polymer modified adhesive in
conjunction with polymer-modified bitumen
membranes
•Can be used with either APP or SBS
systems
Composition of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

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
Asphalt
Asphalt
Mineral Spirits
Polymers
Cellulose Fibers
Fillers
Cellulose
Fibers
Fillers
Base Asphalt
 Petroleum Asphalt
the base of Cold
Applied Adhesives
 Characteristics



Black
Sticky
Highly Viscous
is
Solvents vs. Mineral Spirits

Solvents
 Hot
solvents create
quicker set
 Toluene
 Xylene

Mineral Spirits
 Mineral
spirits slower
set
 Less damage to
roofing membrane
 Higher Flashpoint =
Safer Application
Polymers
 Types



SBS
APP
IPP
 Benefits


Encapsulates the light
oils
Increases the pliability
of the bitumen
Cellulose Fibers
 Adds
reinforcement to the
adhesive
 Provides strength to the
“bonding layer” of the cold
modified system
Fillers
 Functional
 Increase
Viscosity
 Adds Fire Retardant
 Improves UV
Resistance/Weatherabilit
y
 Thixotropy
 Non-Functional
 Add Bulk
 Reduces Product Cost
Thixotropy

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Thixotrophy is a fluid that becomes less viscous under shear
Ketchup is Classic Example
 It is thick when sitting in a jar but when you shake the bottle
it breaks down and flows more easily
Advantages for Cold Adhesives that are Thixotropic:
 Easily Spreads or Sprays
 More Contact with Membrane
 Prevents Slippage of Membrane
 Won’t Soak into Into Insulation/CoverBoard
 Holds Limestone in Suspension
 No Need to Stir Before Use
Thixotropy
Thixotropy
Title/general heading
7 10 +4
6 10 +4
5 10 +4
4 10 +4
Thixotropic
3 10 +4
Viscosity cP
2 10 +4
1 10 +4
9 10 +3
8 10 +3
7 10 +3
6 10 +3
5 10 +3
1 10 -1
2 10 -1
P 25 ETC
J:\2014
batches\1052017.RCO
Gap 0.500 mm
5 10 -1
1 10 +0 2 10 +0
5 10 +0 1 10 +1 2 10 +1
Shear rate 1/s
5 10 +1 1 10 +2 2 10 +2
Operator
5 10 +2
0
Types of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

Water-based
 Not
good for roofing
adhesion
 Dissolves when
introduced to moisture
 Designed as an
interior adhesive

Solvent-based
 Withstands
moisture
 Designed for exterior
building envelope use
Types of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives
Solvent
Solvent
Solids
Solids

High Solvent / Low Solid

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Toxic / High VOC
Lower Softening Point
Unable to walk on
55% Stays Behind

High Solid / Low Solvent



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
Low VOC
Higher Softening Point
User/Environmentally Friendly
82% Stays Behind
Meets SCAQMD and other
OTC Requirements
Application Methods

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5 Gallon Pails = squeegee
55 Gallon Drums = spray rig
350 Gallon Totes = spray rig
Application Methods
High Viscosity
=
Notched Squeegee
Lower Viscosity
=
Spray Rig
Application Methods

Squeegee Method
 Uses
5 gallon pails
 Efficient for small areas
 Downside = landfill
waste
Application Methods

55 gallon drums
 Easy
to transport
 Landfill waste

Option to line drum in
order to upcycle/recycle

350 gallon totes
 Reusable
 Harder
to transport
Climate / Temperature Considerations
Cold Adhesive must be applied at:
o
 A minimum of 65 F for squeegee
application
o
o
 100 F - 110 F for spray
application
 Achieved with use of mastic
heater
 Cold weather recommendations:
 Hot Box on Roof, Stair Tower,
Elevator Room
Application Considerations

Mastic Thickness
 Too thick
 Damages
membrane
 Delays cure time
 Too thin
 Improper adhesion

Normal Application Rate
– 2 gallons/sq.
membrane to membrane
 2– 2.5 gallons/sq.
membrane to substrate
 1.5
Application Procedure

Relax Rolls Prior to
Installation
 Prevents
possible
wrinkling

Roofing Membranes
Can Be Repositioned
Prior to Adhesive
Curing
Lap Welding Methods
•Only heat welding provides watertight
application the same day
−Electric hot air & roll
−Torch & Roll
Lap Welding
Torch & Roller
Lap Welding
• Electric Hot Air Welder
Lap Welding
Lap Welding
Finished Field Lap
Cure Time


Cure times vary dependent on:
 Ambient conditions
 Roof configurations and orientation
Generally between 24 and 72 hours
 Watertight once laps are torched or heat
welded
Considerations

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Not all adhesives are interchangeable between
APP & SBS
Modified Bitumen membranes MUST have sand
or liquid talc parting agent
Polypropylene parting agent WILL prevent
adhesion
Polypropylene parting agent sheets are for
TORCH USE ONLY!
Considerations
“peel” is more of concern than uplift
during cure time
 Eliminate foot traffic on new membrane if a “high
solvent adhesive” is used
 Membrane



Damages membrane surface
Displaces adhesive
SBS more susceptible to surface damage than APP due to
lower softening point
Considerations
Minimize odor from entering building
• Stage products downwind of the building, vents and
air intakes
• Schedule work near air intakes when building in
unoccupied
• Close or cover intakes only as needed
• Building Manager should communicate with building
occupants
Benefits of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

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Health & Safety
Accessibility
Ease of Application
Handling
Protection
Environmental
Benefits of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

Health & Safety
 No Open Flame or
Fire Risk
 No Kettle
 No Skin Burns
 Limited Fumes &
Odor
Benefits of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

Accessibility
 In tight constrained
areas on Roof-top
 High-rise buildings
Benefits of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

Ease of Application
 Increased Labor
Productivity
 Smaller Crews
 Minimal Application
Equipment
 Forgiving of Application
Errors
 Clean Installation
 Year Round Application
Benefits of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

Handling
 Transportation
 Storage
 Handling
Benefits of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

Protection
 Redundant Ply’s
 Watertight
 Added Thickness
Benefits of
Polymer-Modified Adhesives

Environmental
 Low VOC
 Meets SCAQMD
 UL/FM Approved
Drive for Cold Applied
•
Insurance Companies
• High Rise Buildings
• Low odor/no smoke
• No open flame
• Increased productivity
• LEED/RoofPoint
• EPA Clean Air Act
• Job site housekeeping
• Additional waterproofing layers
• User friendly
• Application Options
• Compatible with any size job
QUESTIONS
Thank You!
__________________________
800-727-9872
info@derbigum.us