Torch-Down Roofing in New Orleans for Watertight Flat Roofs
- A watertight barrier torch-sealed to protect your home from the elements
- Routine check-ups that catch small problems early
- Free quote on your torch-down roof
- Residential License # 890459
- Commercial License # 3667
Torch-down roofing in New Orleans seals a flat or low-slope roof with layers of modified bitumen fused together by heat, forming a watertight barrier against heavy rain, strong sun and storm winds. TurnKey Roofing Contractor installs, repairs and maintains torch-down roofs on homes and commercial buildings, with careful safety practices around every open flame.
Call (504) 608-3921 or request a free torch-down roof quote. We'll inspect the deck, see how the roof drains and give you a free quote before work begins.
What Modified Bitumen Roofing Is
Modified bitumen roofing is asphalt blended with rubber or plastic polymers, then formed into rolled sheets with a reinforcing mat inside. The polymers make the asphalt more flexible and better at handling heat than plain roofing asphalt. Torch-down is one way to install it: a roofer heats the underside of each sheet with a torch so it melts slightly and bonds to the surface below.
- APP sheets use a plastic modifier and are the type most often torch-applied
- SBS sheets use a rubber modifier for extra flexibility and can be torched, self-adhered or set in cold adhesive
- Self-adhered sheets peel and stick, useful where an open flame isn't practical
- Granulated cap sheets carry mineral granules on top that protect the asphalt from UV rays
Torch-down roofing sits between built-up roofing, with its many plies, and single membranes like EPDM. Our rubber roofing page covers that option.
The Layers of a Torch-Down Roof
A typical torch-down roof is a two-layer system, with flashing and edge metal finishing the details.
| Layer | What it does |
|---|---|
| Roof deck | The wood, concrete or metal surface the roof is built on |
| Insulation or cover board | Adds thermal resistance and a firm, even base |
| Base sheet | The first layer, fastened or bonded to the deck |
| Cap sheet | The top layer, torched to the base sheet with overlapping seams |
| Granule surface | Mineral granules or a reflective coating that shield the cap sheet from sun |
| Flashing and edge metal | Seal walls, curbs, pipes, drains and the roof perimeter |
Two heat-fused layers give a torch-down roof built-in redundancy. If the cap sheet takes a scrape or puncture, the base sheet underneath still keeps water out until a repair is made. On roofs in full sun, a white or reflective coating over the cap sheet lowers the surface temperature and slows the aging of the asphalt through long summers.
Benefits of a Torch-Down Roof in New Orleans
Torch-down roofing has become a common choice for flat roofs here because it answers our weather directly.
- Heat-fused seams that bond the sheets into one continuous, watertight surface
- Resistance to heavy rain on roofs where water drains slowly
- Strength in wind when the sheets are fully bonded and the edges are secured
- Sun protection from granulated or reflective cap sheets that help keep the building cooler
- Toughness under foot traffic from service crews and rooftop equipment
- Straightforward repairs, since new material bonds directly over damaged areas
The cost runs higher than some membranes, but the durability and weather resistance make modified bitumen roofing a sound long-term choice for many flat roofs. The fumes during application are temporary and clear quickly once the work is done.
Where a Torch-Down Roof Fits
Modified bitumen works on almost any roof too flat for shingles, and it ties in well where a low-slope section meets a pitched roof or a wall.
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Homes
Older houses here often have flat or nearly flat roofs over rear additions, porches and side galleries, and those sections take the brunt of standing water. A torch-down roof gives them a thick, durable surface that handles the occasional foot traffic of a homeowner clearing gutters.
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Commercial Buildings
Offices, shops and warehouses with low-slope roofs benefit from the tough cap sheet, which stands up to service crews working on rooftop equipment. Our commercial roof installation service covers new torch-down systems on business properties.
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Roofs With Heavy Detail
Roofs crowded with vents, pipes, curbs and walls are a good match for modified bitumen. The sheets cut and form around penetrations easily, and heat-fused flashing bonds directly to the field of the roof.
Our Torch-Down Roof Installation Process
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Deck Preparation
A clean, sound deck is the foundation of a torch-down roof. We handle the permits, remove the old roofing, clear away debris and repair any damaged decking so the new layers bond to a solid surface.
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Rolling Out the Material
The crew lays the base sheet first, then rolls the cap sheet out across the deck, aligning each sheet so the seams overlap correctly, with no gaps that could break the watertight seal.
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Heating and Sealing
The installer heats the underside of each sheet with a torch until it melts slightly and bonds to the layer below. We fuse the seams, apply flashing at walls, curbs and penetrations, then inspect the finished roof and clean up the work area.
Safety During Torch-Down Installation
Open flames on a roof call for strict safety practices throughout the job. These are the steps our crew takes:
- Fire extinguishers stay on hand for the entire project
- Installers wear flame-retardant clothing and protective gear against burns and fumes
- The work zone is marked and cordoned off so only trained personnel are near the hot work
- The crew watches the application and the surrounding area closely for any sign of a problem
Near wood framing or other materials that could catch, a self-adhered or cold-applied modified bitumen sheet can take the place of a torch.
Maintaining a Torch-Down Roof
A torch-down roof is durable, but regular care keeps it performing well and catches small problems early.
- Inspect the roof twice a year, looking for dark marks, blisters, hail damage or anything else that looks off
- Check the roof again after tropical storms and heavy rain
- Clear leaves, twigs and debris that hold moisture against the surface
- Keep gutters, scuppers and drains clear so water leaves the roof
- Watch for bare spots where the cap sheet has lost its granules
Our roof maintenance service includes routine check-ups that find problems early. Building owners can schedule the same care through our commercial roof maintenance service.
When Your Torch-Down Roof Needs Repair
Visible damage like cracks or blisters often points to deeper problems that get more expensive the longer they wait. Open seams, lifted flashing and standing water are other signs that the roof needs attention.
After a hurricane or heavy rain, have a roofer assess the roof even if you don't see leaks inside. Our roof repair service fixes damaged areas by fusing new material over them. When the damage covers most of the roof, see our overview of flat roofing options for a full replacement.
Torch-Down Roofing FAQs
Estimates are free
- Residential License # 890459
- Commercial License # 3667
What is torch-down roofing?
Torch-down roofing uses sheets of modified bitumen that are heated with a torch so they melt slightly and fuse to the layer below. The result is a watertight, two-layer flat roof.
Is torch-down the same as modified bitumen roofing?
Torch-down is one installation method for modified bitumen. The same type of roofing can also be self-adhered or set in cold adhesive.
Are the fumes from torch-down installation a problem?
The fumes from the application are temporary and dissipate quickly.
How do you keep a torch-down installation safe?
We keep fire extinguishers on hand throughout the project, and our installers wear flame-retardant clothing and protective gear. We also mark and cordon off the work zone so only trained personnel are present during hot work.
How often should I inspect a torch-down roof?
Inspect it twice a year and again after severe weather. Look for dark marks, cracks, blisters, hail damage or anything else that looks off.
Get a Free Torch-Down Roofing Quote in New Orleans
Call (504) 608-3921 or book your free quote online. We're licensed under Residential License # 890459 and Commercial License # 3667, and our Unlimited Wind Warranty covers wind damage regardless of wind speed.