AboutBrad Zacharia Expertise All aspects of residential Roofing. This includes shingles and flat (low slope) roofs. I have knowledge in the installation as well as the design of roofs from an engineering standpoint.
Experience I have been doing roofing for 40 years. This was my father's business and I took it over in 1980.
Publications I have written responses to artcles that I felt needed a response to and those responses have been published in roofing trade magazines.
Education/Credentials BSEE Drexel University
www.ZachariaRoofing.com
Question Hi, I recently bought a 1930 rowhome in Baltimore that has one section of
flat black tar roof (probably 15' x 15') with a 2 1/2 inch pitch, and with a 25
y.o. plastic skylight (that has remarkably held up but is just now starting to
leak a bit! The rest of the house is slate. Haven't noticed any leaks. However,
the roof was last tarred over three years ago, so I believe it's due.
I got an estimate from one recommended roofer for "repair where necessary
and coat with aluminum fiber asphalt" and a glass velux skylight for $1200
total ($600 for the roof). But was told by another roofer that aluminum
coatings are only good for covering rubber roofs, not asphalt. I don't know
what to believe or what to do!
I don't have much of a budget and will likely not be in the house longer than
3-5 years. Am trying to maintain to avoid costly leaks in the future. Any help
you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
~beth
Answer Aluminum coatings come fibered and non-fibered. The fibered ones are better. Aluminum coatings are asphalt based so it can be used on asphalt roofs. True "rubber" roofs are like EPDM and are not used on residential roofs. "Modified Asphalt" is the other kind of residential roof and many people have nicknamed it "rubber" but it is not. So if that's the kind of rubber you're talking about then you can use aluminum coating on that too since it is still asphalt - just modified asphalt.
