Over the last decade or so, manufacturers have been making new and improved roofing materials for do-it-yourselfers. The latest product is the easiest yet – essentially a “peel and stick” roofing material that, installed correctly, should last many years. Self-adhering modified bitumen roll roofing is designed for “flat” roofs with a pitch or 4/12 or less, typically found over shed-type garages and second-floor porches. As with other types of modified bitumen materials, the cost may be a bit higher than traditional asphalt roll roofing, but the additional price is justified by how easy the product is to install and how long it will last.

Several companies make self-adhering modified bitumen products, and you can usually find them at retail home centers and building supply stores. The system is designed to have at least two layers. You’ll need a special “base sheet” designed for the self-adhering material, plus a “cap sheet” that you install over it. (Read more….)