Roof Membrane Explained

The name is a bit misleading because rather than being a plastic tpo is actually one of a few different types of rubber usually a blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene rubber.

Roof membrane explained.

Membrane roofing refers to a number of different roofing materials. Seams are heat welded and that makes for better adhesion. Membrane roofing is a type of roofing system for buildings and tanks. Unlike epdm or tpo.

Membrane roofs are most commonly made from synthetic rubber thermoplastic pvc or similar material or modified bitumen. It is used to create a watertight roof covering to protect the interior of a building. Membrane is easily punctured while we explained in the paragraph above that single ply membrane roofing is lightweight and flexible that also leads us to our first con the thin layers are easily punctured. The torch down rubber membrane can be installed almost over any surface without much preparation.

Tpo stands for thermoplastic polyolefin a single ply roofing membrane that covers the surface of the roof. Epdm is an extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane ethylene propylene diene terpolymer widely used in low slope buildings in the united states and worldwide. The appearance is not as smooth and clean as epdm or tpo. Roofing membranes are generally made from large sheets of a thin material.

Existing flashing that s already in place eg where the roof. For a flat roof these newer synthetic membranes offer a great leak proof option. They are usually categorized as thermoset or thermoplastic which indicate their properties. Neoprene polychloroprene epdm ethylene propylene diene monomer pvc polyvinyl chloride chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated.

Roofing breathable membranes or vapour permeable underlays can be airtight or air open and what that will have an effect on is the amount of ventilation or if ventilation is required on that particular roof. The 2 ply membrane is made of reinforced fabrics covered with asphalt which consists of modifiers that give the asphalt its elastic properties on both sides. Thermoset materials as the name suggests set solidify after being heated. Its two primary ingredients ethylene and propylene are derived from oil and natural gas.

Epdm is available in both black and white and is sold a broad variety of widths ranging from 7 5 feet to fifty feet and in two thicknesses 45 and 60 mils. Membrane roofing for flat roofs. There are 2 types of mb rubber roof membranes. Membrane roofs are most commonly used in commercial application though they are becoming increasingly common in residential application.

After it sets a thermoset membrane will permanently retain its shape. Because of the rubberized technology these membranes are referred to as rubber roofs or membranes.