The roofing industry has experienced the term “commodity” throughout its life. Examples include roofing asphalt, which is defined by ASTM Standard D312. To most specifiers, any roofing asphalt that meets D312 is fine for a hot-applied bituminous or modified bituminous roofing project. Over the years, asphalt producers have tried to insert product differentiation by introducing “low fuming” or other virtues. Such an example is Owens-Corning’s PermaMop:
In creating PermaMop modified roofing asphalt, we didn’t just one-up regular asphalts, we’ve three-upped them.
PermaMop is versatile. It’s specially formulated for use on any slope of roof. It has the softening point of Type IV asphalt but with a lower equiviscous temperature (EVT) than any standard Type IV. It stays where it’s mopped, even on steep-sloped roofing in intense heat.
PermaMop is long lasting. In laboratory testing, ordinary asphalt exceeds 60 weather cycles (approximately 15 years). PermaMop lasts a minimum of 150% longer – withstanding up to 193 cycles, making it an ideal choice for projects in extreme weather areas – whether it’s heat, cold or moisture.
PermaMop is low fuming. Its composition includes a technologically advanced polymer additive. When heated, the polymer floats to the surface and creates a skim layer on the kettle that traps the fumes and odor inside without affecting the asphalt or disrupting kettle operation.
Despite these obvious advantages, PermaMop costs more in a marketplace where price rules.