Multiple-Ply Asphalt Roofing Systems Remain Industry Standard as ARMA Celebrates 90th Year; Product Categories Multiply, Yet Proven Systems Prevail.

WASHINGTON -- The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) announced today that traditional asphalt roofing systems continue to set the standard for high quality, low-slope commercial roofing applications -- ninety years after the association was founded.

According to Russ Snyder, ARMA Executive Vice President, despite nearly a century of growth in roofing applications and a proliferation of new product categories, asphalt roofing continues to enjoy the status of a proven, reliable, industry workhorse. Since 1915, the association has represented the majority of the industry's manufacturing companies and their raw material suppliers throughout North America.

"In recent years, our members have introduced a multitude of bitumen products that have been enormously successful in the building and facilities management communities," said Snyder. "Nonetheless, we have not forgotten our roots. Traditional, time-tested multiple-ply, built-up commercial roofing systems continue to offer extraordinary performance, longevity and cost advantages in most applications."

Ironically, today's hot-mopped bituminous roofing systems are not much different from those installed when ARMA was founded in 1915, yet they still rank among the highest quality roofing systems available. Made primarily of asphalt swabbed onto organic or fiberglass roofing felts, these traditional roofing systems are especially attractive to building owners and architects concerned about roof life cycles.

Multiple layers result in outstanding reliability. A traditional multi-ply roof is typically topped with crushed gravel to protect it from ultraviolet rays. Today, because energy costs are a major concern for building owners and facilities managers, light-colored gravel provides reflectivity to reduce heat load on commercial buildings. "The traditional asphalt multiple-ply system has been the benchmark in commercial roofing since ARMA was founded in 1915, and it will still be setting the standard for quality roofing when ARMA celebrates its centennial in 2015," Snyder predicted.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association is the North American trade association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of bituminous-base residential and commercial fiberglass and organic asphalt shingle roofing products, roll roofing, built-up (BUR) roofing systems, and modified bitumen roofing systems. For additional information concerning ARMA, its programming and activities, contact ARMA at: [phone]; fax: [phone]; or visit the ARMA web site at: www.asphaltroofing.org.