Material selection has an unquestionable impact on the quality and cost of a roofing project over the duration of its lifespan. Accordingly, when it comes to the selection of SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) reinforcements, it pays to understand the available options and the proper application. But first, a quick review of the current SBS product line offerings.
The Evolution of SBS Reinforcements
In today’s market, roofers have access to several SBS reinforcement solutions – each with varying characteristics. In general, SBS solutions include the following general categories:
- Fiber Glass: Designed for tensile strength, performance, and dimensional stability. Fiber glass SBS reinforcement is a common pick for mop-on applications in areas where thermal cycling is less prominent.
- Polyester: A more “elastic” product that is better suited for accommodating building movement and regions where thermal cycling is more likely to occur.
- Composite: A material that blends the flexibility of polyester with the strength of fiber glass to provide an “all in one solution.”
Fiber glass and polyester SBS reinforcements have dominated the roofing field for years. Considering the growing demand for “all-in-one solutions” and a trend towards cold-applied roofing, the industry is shifting towards specifying the composite alternative.
“The market for roofing materials is always evolving,” adds Jim Kopaska, SBS Senior Product Manager at Johns Manville. “Modified bitumen roofing started predominantly with fiber glass SBS reinforcements and then moved into polyester. Then, composite alternatives came on board and we realized they can handle all the situations as opposed to requiring different products for different applications.”
Jim further observed that composite SBS reinforcement blends the benefits of fiber glass and polyester alternative into a product that provides a great lay flat, elongation, and tensile qualities. Moreover, composite’s dynamic nature enables it to be, torch, mopped, self-adhered or cold-applied. Composite SBS reinforcements can also drive innovation among manufacturers. Because the ratio of glass and polyester components in a composite mat can vary, as can types of yarns used in their production, Composite SBS reinforcements can also drive innovation among manufacturers.
“As the market for composite grows, it’s going to allow individual manufacturers to be innovative and make products that will stand out a little more when compared with others in the marketplace. It’s going to open the industry up to different installation techniques,” says Jacob Heaps, Product Engineer with Johns Manville.
The Importance of Choice
There are no small decisions in roofing. Yet in the case of selecting the best material for the job, there are advantages to knowing the proper solutions for specific applications and where innovation is headed.
“This is a very heavily specified industry,” adds Kopaska; “You have a lot of consultants doing the design work and calling out specific physical characteristics that they’re looking for in their roofing products.”
Speaking to Johns Manville’s own move towards SBS composite solutions, he adds, “We want to make sure we have products that align with that trend, and having these options will help us meet those needs.”
Learn more about Johns Manville’s SBS roofing solutions at JM.COM/ROOFING.
