Built-UpRoof (BUR)Restoration
Built-up roofing (BUR) contains decades of performance — and decades of embedded risk. Blister formation, aggregate migration, felt exposure, and gravel displacement mark a BUR system approaching the end of its first life. Silicone restoration extends that life by decades without a single layer of tear-off.
BUR Restoration
vs. full tear-off.
The spec sheet
Your board
will read.
Every performance claim, documented. No marketing language.
| Performance Spec | Our SystemBUR Restoration |
|---|---|
Compatible substrates | Gravel-surface BUR, smooth-surface BUR, coal tar pitch BUR |
Aggregate handling | Removal or preparation per manufacturer specification |
Coating | 100% silicone (moisture-cured) |
Blister treatment | All blisters addressed before coating application |
Seam reinforcement | Fabric-embedded silicone at all flashings and transitions |
Ponding water rated | Indefinite standing water exposure |
UV reflectivity | 80–90% (ENERGY STAR qualifying) |
Warranty | 10, 20, or 30 years manufacturer-backed |
Source: manufacturer product data sheets + third-party ASTM aging tests. Last updated this quarter.
What we can
restore.
If your deck substrate is listed, this service is a candidate. If it's not — or if moisture content exceeds 30% by volume — we'll tell you that too.
No surprises.
No pressure.
Just documented work.
Infrared thermal imaging maps wet insulation and blister locations across the entire BUR system. Core sampling confirms ply condition and deck integrity.
Loose aggregate removed from coating areas, blisters addressed, surface cleaned and primed. All flashings and perimeters reinforced with fabric-embedded silicone.
Full-surface silicone coating applied at manufacturer-specified DFT over prepared BUR substrate. Seamless membrane covers all ply surfaces and transition points.
Manufacturer warranty issued for 10, 20, or 30 years. Post-installation inspection confirms complete surface coverage.
The
numbers
don't lie.
Per-square-foot pricing for BUR Restoration. Compared side by side with full-replacement baselines from 200+ projects.
BUR replacement runs $10–20/sq ft installed. Silicone restoration at $3.50–7/sq ft saves 50–65% while delivering manufacturer warranty coverage.
Model My ProjectCommon questions
about this service.
Pulled verbatim from assessment calls on this specific service.
01Does gravel need to be removed before coating a built-up roof?
Yes. Gravel-surface BUR requires aggregate removal from field areas before silicone coating can achieve manufacturer-specified adhesion.
02How does BUR restoration compare to full tear-off and replacement?
Full BUR tear-off involves removing several hundred pounds of aggregate and multiple felt layers per roofing square, then disposing of all of it. Restoration bypasses this entirely where candidacy allows. Restoration runs $3.50 to $7 per square foot versus $10 to $20 per square foot for replacement, and eliminates the disruption of a multi-week tear-off project.
03Can you restore a built-up roof that has blistering?
Blisters are addressed as part of surface preparation before coating. They do not disqualify a BUR from restoration on their own. The disqualifier is saturated insulation beneath the blisters. Our infrared moisture survey maps insulation condition across the full roof, confirming whether the blister pattern represents surface failure or deeper moisture infiltration.
04What does built-up roof restoration cost?
Most BUR projects run $3.50 to $7.00 per square foot installed. The range depends on aggregate removal scope, ply condition, existing flashing condition, and the manufacturer warranty tier selected. Full BUR replacement runs $10 to $20 per square foot in most U.S. markets. Restoration is eligible for Section 179 deduction; replacement is capitalized.
05Does built-up roof restoration qualify for Section 179 tax deduction?
Yes. Restoration of an existing BUR system is classified as a repair expense under IRS guidelines, eligible for immediate Section 179 deduction. Replacement is a capital improvement depreciated over 39 years. On large institutional or industrial properties with extensive BUR systems, the tax treatment difference between the two paths is worth modeling before committing to scope.
Everything
connected.
Related services, industries where this applies, and reference material.
Stop deferring.
Start restoring.
Get a documented roof assessment from a certified technician. We'll tell you exactly what your building needs, what it will cost, and whether this service makes financial sense — before you spend a dollar.