Mastic asphalt: it’s versatile and green, and can be applied to roofs or floors

[MASTIC ASPHALT is an ideal building material for a vast range of construction applications – both new build and refurbishment projects – where a smooth, seamless, durable surface is required. It offers effective waterproofing for roofing and tanking and acts as a tough working surface in flooring and paving applications.

What is perhaps less well known is that mastic asphalt is one of the most sustainable and greenest building materials currently available. It is carbon neutral – a massive bonus for any building owner anxious to show their green credentials – and when it has reached the end of its useful life it can be recycled or used as roof screed, minimising the impact on the environment.

Over 10 years ago the mastic asphalt sector became the first industry in the world to achieve the CarbonZero standard. Mastic asphalt is green, recyclable and gives an A+ performance every time.

In a recent project Howard Evans Roofing were asked to renew the

failed fibreglass-covered steps to a busy communal area at a store in Bristol. The issues with the steps had been causing major leaks and closures of two of the aisles. The site team stripped off all the old coatings – three in total – then cut chases into the brickwork and primed all surfaces using a high bond primer. They then applied two coats of mastic asphalt to all upstands and treads, using a recreational asphalt. Due to heavy foot traffic the steps were finished with a heritage grey solar reflective paint and road carpet treads to ensure longevity and give an aesthetically pleasing finish. Mastic asphalt is more commonly associated with roofing applications and can be applied to form a continuous waterproof covering over flat, sloped or curved surfaces. It can be worked around Before pipes, roof lights and other projections to provide a completely seamless membrane. It can be applied to most types of roof decks, including concrete, timber and profile metal; on warm roofs, cold roofs and inverted roofs. And it is manufactured in the UK. q

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