Built-Up Roofing (BUR) in NJ
The classic tar-and-gravel roof, multiple layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabric topped with gravel for maximum durability and redundancy on large commercial roofs.
Quick answer: Built-up roofing, or BUR, is the traditional tar and gravel flat roof: alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing felts topped with gravel or a coating. Many older New Jersey warehouses and schools still have it. A sound BUR roof can be repaired or restored for years, but blistering, wet insulation or exposed felts point to replacement.
Time-Tested Redundant Roofing
Built-up roofing (BUR) has protected commercial buildings for over a century. Alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing ply sheets are built up on the roof and finished with a gravel or cap-sheet surface, creating a thick, redundant, and highly durable membrane.
BUR is ideal where you want maximum protection and a rugged surface. We install and repair built-up systems and can add reflective coatings to boost energy efficiency.
- Multiple redundant layers
- Excellent waterproofing
- Gravel-surfaced durability
- Great UV protection
- Proven for 100+ years
- Handles heavy foot traffic
Benefits of a BUR Roof
Maximum Redundancy
Several bonded plies deliver deep, dependable waterproofing protection.
Tough Surface
Gravel or cap-sheet surfacing shields the membrane from UV and impact.
Reflective Options
Add a cool-roof coating to reduce heat gain and cut cooling costs.
Long Service Life
With maintenance, BUR roofs reliably protect buildings for decades.
How We Install Your Built-Up Roof
Free Inspection
We assess the deck, drainage, and existing membrane with drone and infrared tools.
Engineered Proposal
You get the right system spec and a detailed, fixed-price estimate, no surprises.
Certified Installation
Manufacturer-trained crews install to spec, safely and on schedule.
Warranty & Care
We register your manufacturer warranty and offer maintenance to protect it.
Your New Jersey Built Up Roofing Experts
Industrial & Commercial Roofing installs, repairs, and maintains built up roofing for commercial and industrial buildings across all of Central and North New Jersey. From our base in Edison, our certified crews deliver built up roofing projects on warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, offices, and retail properties throughout Middlesex, Somerset, Mercer, Monmouth, Hunterdon, and Union Counties.
Great built up roofing starts with the right contractor. We install every Built-Up system to manufacturer specification so your warranty holds, price every project with a clear fixed scope, and back our workmanship long after the job is done. For independent guidance on commercial roofing standards and materials, see the National Roofing Contractors Association.
Every built up roofing project begins with a free roof inspection, including drone and infrared moisture scanning, so we see the true condition of your deck, insulation, and existing membrane before recommending anything. From there you get a written, itemized proposal, code-compliant installation by trained crews, and a registered manufacturer warranty. It is a straightforward process built to protect one of your building's most valuable assets and keep your operation running while we work.
Ready to protect your building with professional built up roofing? Call 201.397.0552 or schedule a free, no-obligation inspection and estimate today.
Standards Behind Built-Up Roofing
- ASTM D312: the specification for asphalt used in built-up roof construction.
- NRCA Roofing Manual: ply, flood-coat and flashing details for BUR.
- ASTM C1153: infrared imaging to find wet insulation before deciding between repair and replacement.
Other Commercial Roofing Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a built-up roof last?
Built-up roofs commonly last 20 to 30 years. Regular maintenance and re-coating extend service life significantly.
Is BUR outdated?
Not at all. While single-ply is more common today, BUR remains an excellent choice where redundancy, durability, and a tough surface are priorities.
Can you re-coat my existing BUR roof?
Yes. If the built-up roof is sound, a reflective coating can restore it, stop minor leaks, and improve energy performance at a fraction of replacement cost.
What is a BUR roof?
BUR stands for built-up roof: several plies of roofing felt laminated with hot asphalt or coal tar, finished with gravel embedded in a flood coat or with a mineral cap sheet or coating. The multiple plies give it redundancy, which is why BUR roofs often last decades.
Can a built-up roof be repaired?
Yes. Blisters, splits and flashing failures on BUR are repaired by cutting out the damaged area and rebuilding it with compatible plies and bitumen, then restoring the gravel or surfacing. Large areas of wet insulation, found with an infrared survey, are the point where repair stops being economical.
Can you put a new roof over a built-up roof?
Sometimes. If the BUR roof is dry, adhered and has only one covering, a new single-ply or modified bitumen roof can often be installed over it once loose gravel is removed. Building codes do not allow a new covering over a water-soaked roof or one with two existing coverings.
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes. We install to manufacturer specification so your roof qualifies for manufacturer material warranties, and we stand behind our workmanship. We register and document the warranty for your records.
Are your roof inspections and estimates free?
Yes, every project starts with a free, no-obligation roof inspection and a clear, written, fixed-price estimate.
What areas do you serve?
We serve commercial and industrial buildings across all of Central New Jersey, Middlesex, Somerset, Mercer, Monmouth, Hunterdon, and Union Counties, from our base in Edison, plus the surrounding North Jersey region.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We are fully licensed and carry comprehensive liability and workers' compensation insurance. Certificates are available on request.
Ready for a Built-Up Roof Done Right?
Get a free inspection and a clear, fixed-price estimate for your built-up roofing (bur) project anywhere in Central & North NJ.