Since the early 1800’s built-up roofing has been the tried and true option for providing extremely durable low-slope roofing systems. The most common built-up roof with aggregate surfacing is especially in demand where heavy rooftop maintenance of equipment is expected, such as in the healthcare market, bio-med research, food processing and heavy manufacturing, to name a few. Originally composed of multiple layers of organic felts and pine tar or coal tar pitch, built-up roofing has evolved over time to include fully reinforced asphalt plies, adhered in both hot and cold process adhesives, and even now include granule surfaced cap sheets and “hybrid” built-up membranes with fluid applied surfacing. Built-up roofing systems can meet many design and performance challenges and is still considered to be one of the longest lasting low-slope roofing materials on the market today.

This live remote presentation will review the evolution and development of the tough and durable built-up roof system as well as featuring case studies of Boston Children’s Hospital struggle with failing single ply systems, and their ultimate switch to the use of multi-ply built-up roofing systems to provide more durable and longer lasting roof systems. Included will be a variety of project examples spanning the evolution of built-up roofing from its gravel surfaced built-up origins to the transition to multi-ply built-up with granulated cap sheets, and the incorporation of hybrid fluid-applied surfaced systems. The presentation will also look at what is next for re-surfacing and maintaining existing built-up roof systems to further prolong service life and sustainability as a long-term roofing solution.

This presentation will review the development and evolution of the tough and durable built-up roof system as well as providing some case studies of a major Boston Based Medical Center’s struggle with failing single ply systems and their switch to the use of multi-ply built-up roofing systems. Included will be a variety of project examples spanning the evolution of built-up roofing from gravel surfaced to hybrid fluid-applied, including a look at what is next for re-surfacing and maintaining existing built-up roof systems to further prolong service life and sustainability as a very long-term roofing solution.

Geoff Davis attended Babson College in 1981 and joined Tremco Roofing in 1988. Over his 32-year career as a Field Advisor he has managed over $180 Million dollars’ worth of roofing projects, including many very difficult healthcare, educational and commercial projects. Geoff began working with Boston Children’s Hospital in 1991 assisting with roofing projects on their multiple campuses, and over the last 29 years has become a trusted roofing advisor for this rapidly growing and highly sensitive healthcare account.

Steven Hughes AIA joined Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance in July of 2011 as Architectural Program Manager for the Northeast Region. Steven’s role with Tremco is to provide continuing education, outreach and roofing product design and technical support for the Northeast Region’s A&E community.

Steven received a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1986 and became the first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) accredited professional within the State of Rhode Island. Over his 30+ years in the profession he has worked on a broad range of project types incorporating sustainable design. Steven’s LEED Certified Projects include the first LEED Certified Supermarket for Shaw’s, Inc., RI College Residence Hall, RI State Police HQ and RI School for the Deaf. Steven was one of the founding members working in the establishment of the US Green Building Council Chapter in RI and served on the RI Chapter Board of Directors as Vice Chair and director of Advocacy for six years. Steven still currently serves on the state appointed RI Green Buildings Advisory Council to help support Rhode Island’s commitment to increasing sustainability in public construction projects.