Hot tar was originally used by King Richard of England in 1189 as a way to torture men! He created “tar and feathering”! After many centuries, however, hot tar was put to a more practical use when it was discovered that after cooling the tar hardened and became a fantastic waterproofing agent. Using it for roofs began in the late 1800s and has continued to this day.

You would think that a technology conceived in the 1800′s would have been dramatically improved upon by now. It is difficult to find another field that has remained as unchanged as the hot tar roofing industry. They’ve obviously improved on the materials and formulas over the years, but the basic technique and raw material remains the same.

People usually resist change. This push back is fueled by those who stand to lose if change occurs. The businesses in the hot tar industry – including contractors who sell hot tar roofing for a living – stand to lose a lot if tar is replaced by more innovative processes and materials. But as the video cassette gave way to the DVD and the internet replaced a multitude of things, hot tar is a fading memory of the past – just like the dial up modem or rabbit ears sitting on an old black and white TV.

“Single Ply” is the cutting edge technology in flat roofing. It is based on developments in plastics and innovative chemical techniques. These sheets of material can last 40 or 50 years in some cases. The material is also recyclable and is very reflective – further enhancing its energy efficiency. The material is dramatically lighter than hot tar materials and typically costs about the same to install.

Many big companies (such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc.) changed their roofs to single ply several years ago, but most flat roof buildings still use the old technology.

When the internet first came out, no one knew how it would apply to them until more people began adopting it. So it is with “Single Ply” roofing. Although not as dramatic as the Internet, it’s a giant leap forward in keeping water off of your head, and money in your pocket!

Do you need more information about Single Ply, then visit T & G Roofing serving Burbank, California and surrounding areas.