Self-adhered roofing solutions continue to rise in popularity

By Jesse Sanchez.

Safe, efficient and easy to install — self-adhered systems are catching contractor attention.

BITEC President Joel Shealey didn’t hesitate when asked about the growing interest in self-adhered roofing systems during an episode of Roofing Road Trips®, sharing, “The self-adhered products obviously have been around for, geez, probably at least 30 plus years now. However, the rise in popularity today I think is largely due to the fact that you've got a system that you put down without heat, without hot asphalt.”

Joel joined host Karen Edwards during the podcast to discuss the evolution of BITEC’s product line and the market’s growing shift toward self-adhered solutions. The conversation touches on BITEC’s strategic response to contractor demand and broader market trends — particularly in residential low-slope roofing.

At the heart of the conversation is BITEC’s ImperflexTM SA system, which provides a versatile, minimum two-ply, self-adhered modified bitumen solution. According to Joel, “It’s a neat system. It’s also a system that provides very low installation risks for the contractor. There’s no open flame or hot asphalt around.”

This ease of installation is key to its appeal — especially in residential applications where low-slope roofs are more common in southern climates. Homeowners also benefit from BITEC’s aesthetic flexibility. “In our standard lineup, we have 13 colors that we offer,” said Joel. “You can match their shingle colors up nicely.”

While the technology has existed for decades, Joel acknowledges it hasn’t always been the first choice for contractors. Some of that hesitation stemmed from poor applications in the past or misunderstanding about the conditions in which self-adhered systems perform best. Joel explained, “Even today, we want a half inch in 12 or greater slope to say that's a good installation for self-adhered.”  

Nevertheless, when installed correctly, Joel stated, these systems deliver longevity. “There's no reason you're not going to achieve 20 plus years out of that self-adhered roof,” he explained.  

A key factor in BITEC’s success, Joel notes, has been listening to contractors and responding with thoughtful innovation. The company’s recent launch of the Imperflex SA2 — a two-square base sheet that aligns with industry norms — was a direct result of contractor feedback. “We resisted that for a very long time,” he said. “But we’ve taken the plunge, we’ve listened.”

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about the system’s full capabilities and to hear the rest of Joel’s insights!