BUILT-UP ROOFING (BUR) · GEORGIA & FLORIDA
Built-Up Roofing (BUR) in Georgia & Florida — Time-Tested Tar & Gravel
Built-up roofing is the classic flat-roof system — multiple plies of asphalt and reinforcing felt topped with gravel, layered into one thick, durable membrane. 1 Pro Roof installs, repairs, and maintains BUR roofs for commercial buildings across Georgia and Florida.
Why Built-Up Roofing
The Original Flat-Roof System
Built-up roofing — usually called BUR, or simply “tar and gravel” — has protected flat commercial buildings for well over a hundred years, and it’s still a dependable choice today. The system is built on the roof in alternating layers: hot or cold asphalt (the “bitumen”) is applied between plies of reinforcing felt, and the whole assembly is finished with a surfacing of gravel or a reflective coating. The result is a thick, continuous, multi-ply membrane that’s hard to beat for sheer durability.
That layered build is BUR’s biggest strength. With several plies working together, the roof has redundancy that thinner systems can’t match, and the gravel surface shields the asphalt below from UV, foot traffic, and general wear. For Georgia and Florida buildings with big, flat roofs, BUR remains a proven, low-maintenance option.
How It’s Built
What Goes Into a Built-Up Roof
Multiple Plies
Alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing felt build up into one thick, redundant membrane — the “built-up” in the name.
Gravel Surfacing
A top layer of gravel shields the asphalt from UV and foot traffic and adds ballast and fire resistance to the roof.
Reflective Coatings
Instead of gravel, a reflective coating can top the roof to push back the Southern sun and cut cooling costs.
Foot-Traffic Tough
The thick, layered surface handles service crews and rooftop equipment far better than a thin single-ply membrane.
Water & Ponding
Seamless, multi-ply construction stands up to heavy Southern rain and the ponding common on low-slope roofs.
Repairable
Blisters, cracks, and flashing issues can be patched and re-surfaced, extending the life of an aging BUR roof.
Georgia & Florida Climate
Durability for Heat, Sun & Storms
A big flat roof in metro Atlanta bakes under summer sun, while Florida’s low-slope buildings face heavy rain, ponding, and hurricane-season wind. Built-up roofing answers all of it with mass and redundancy — multiple plies of protection, a gravel or coated surface that fights UV, and a proven track record in hot, humid climates. When a building owner wants a roof that’s been doing the job for generations, BUR is still on the shortlist.
Weighing BUR against newer options? Compare it with modified bitumen or single-ply TPO and PVC — we’ll help you choose what fits your building and budget.
Best Uses
Where BUR Makes Sense
Built-up roofing is a solid fit for large flat and low-slope roofs — warehouses, schools, offices, industrial buildings, and retail centers — especially where foot traffic and rooftop equipment demand a tough surface. It’s also a natural choice when you want a repairable, time-tested system with a long service record.
Dealing with storm or hail damage on a flat roof? See our storm damage and insurance claims help pages.
Flat Roof Showing Its Age?
Get a Free Built-Up Roof Evaluation
We’ll assess your tar-and-gravel roof and give you a clear, written plan — repair, re-surface, or replace.
Built-Up Roofing FAQ
BUR Questions, Answered
What is built-up roofing (BUR)?
Built-up roofing is the classic tar-and-gravel flat-roof system. It’s made by layering asphalt (bitumen) between plies of reinforcing felt and topping the assembly with gravel or a reflective coating. The multiple plies create a thick, durable membrane that has protected commercial buildings for over a century.
Why is there gravel on a built-up roof?
The gravel surfacing protects the asphalt plies below from UV and foot traffic, adds ballast to help hold the roof down, and improves fire resistance. On some BUR roofs a reflective coating is used instead of gravel to push back heat and lower cooling costs.
How does BUR compare to modified bitumen?
They’re close cousins — modified bitumen is essentially the modern, polymer-reinforced evolution of built-up roofing, and both are multi-ply systems. BUR relies on gravel or coating surfacing and job-site layering, while mod-bit uses factory-made rolls. We’ll help you decide which suits your building.
Can you repair my existing tar-and-gravel roof?
Often, yes. Blisters, cracks, flashing leaks, and worn surfacing on a BUR roof can frequently be patched and re-surfaced to add years of service. We’ll tell you honestly whether a repair or a full replacement is the smarter investment.
Is 1 Pro Roof licensed and insured?
Yes. 1 Pro Roof is licensed and insured, and our commercial work is backed by manufacturer and workmanship warranties. Financing is available for larger projects — ask us what makes sense for your building and budget.
FREE BUILT-UP ROOF EVALUATION
A Time-Tested Flat Roof for the South
Tell us about your building and we’ll schedule a free evaluation and a clear, written plan.