Manufacturers and suppliers of flexible sheet membrane roofing systems
Suppliers and manufacturers of raw materials, components, accessories, tools and equipment for flexible sheet membrane roofing systems.
Roof consultants, architectural firms, specifiers, product distributors, sales representatives; testing and research agencies.
These products are factory-made composite sheet goods consisting of bitumen (asphalt or coal tar) modifier(s), and reinforcement(s). "Modified Bitumens" encompass a variety of bitumen-based materials that can be differentiated by thickness, modifier type and reinforcement type(s). Bitumens exhibit the thermoplastic quality of being softened by heat. Modified bitumen membranes comprise their own generic category defined by bitumen base and are often installed as a multiply system. The application method may be by torching (heat-welding), hot-mopping, or cold-adhesive. The membrane system may be held in place on the roof by fully adhering the base sheet, mechanically attaching the base sheet or by using ballast.
There are two main types of "modifiers" used to make sheet membranes: APP and SBS. APP (atactic polypropylene) and SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) refer to the type of polymers that are added to the membrane. There are a variety of reinforcements that are used, including, but not limited to, fiber glass mats and scrims and polyester mats and scrims.
Laboratories and agencies that provide testing or evaluation services.
Companies that supply various roofing materials, but do not manufacture them.
A building expansion joint is a designed opening between adjacent parts of a structure that allows for relative movement. An expansion joint is continuous throughout the building and traverses from below to above the grade which is integral to the structural framing system. Expansion joints must be watertight while accommodating movement at the building joint. The performance of the actual joint waterproofing material is crucial to the integrity of maintaining water proofing of the joint opening. The waterproofing is evaluated through a series of physical tests, reflecting the service performance of the joint material itself.
This product is a factory-made sheet that is applied on the job site using one of the standard installation techniques for sheet membrane systems. (Fully adhered, mechanically attached or ballasted) Thermoplastic membranes are fabricated from polymers which soften when heated and harden when cooled. This process is repetitive provided the material is not heated above the point at which decomposition occurs. The membranes can be welded together with heat or solvent, welds develop bond strengths which equal or surpass the strength of the base material. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), blends or alloys of PVC and thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) are the most common types of thermoplastic roofing membrane..
An engineered roof termination designed to secure the edges of roofs against blow off and prevent wind and water from blowing under the roof membrane.
Raw Materials are the chemicals and base polymer materials used in the manufacturing of the single ply components.
Mechanically attached membranes and roofing insulation are most often attached to the building using specialized fasteners. The available fasteners including clips, screws, or bolts, may be used to secure the membrane to the building by use of battens, discs, termination bars, and wood nailers to the deck or other suitable substrate.
A professional who provides expertise on the technical and functional aspects of roofing applications and techniques.
Any variety of materials designed to reduce the flow of heat, either from or into a building. Insulating materials are generally installed either just below or immediately above the roofing membrane, depending on the roofing system employed.
Insulation types include rigid or semi-rigid boards or panels of extruded or expanded polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, fiberboard, fiber glass, and various composite insulations.
This product is a factory made sheet membrane material that is applied on the job site using one of the standard installation techniques for sheet membrane systems. (Fully adhered, mechanically attached or ballasted) Thermoset membranes are fabricated from polymeric materials that can be cross-linked or vulcanized. A material that crosslinks or is vulcanized solidifies or "sets" irreversibly. Chemical cross-linkage of the polymers generally occurs during the manufacturing process. Once the linkages have been formed, a process also termed "curing", they cannot be changed. The material no longer melts when heated. A distinguishing characteristic of a thermoset polymer is that it can only be bonded to itself (for example, to seam overlapping sheets) by the use of an adhesive because, once cured, new molecular linkages cannot be formed. The two most commonly used thermoset membranes are EPDM and CSPE (hypalon). EPDM is vulcanized in the factory, and arrives at the job site as a cross-linked material that cannot be heat welded. In contrast CSPE is a class of polymers that are not physically cured during manufacture, they can be heat welded before they cure on the roof; however, they will cure or vulcanize naturally over some period of time upon exposure to the elements. Once they have cured, their behavior is similar to that of the vulcanized elastomers, and they have become thermoset. The easiest way to identify an EPDM membrane is by its seams - it requires the use of adhesive, either liquid or tape, to form a watertight seal at the overlaps. The most commonly used polymer is EPDM (often referred to as "rubber roofing"). Another thermoset material is neoprene, although this particular polymer is no longer widely used for roofing.
Mechanically attached membranes and roofing insulation are most often attached to the building using specialized fasteners. The available fasteners including clips, screws, or bolts, may be used to secure the membrane to the building by use of battens, discs, termination bars, and wood nailers to the deck or other suitable substrate.
Sealants are used in flexible membrane roofing systems to provide protection against water infiltration. There are numerous uses for these sealants including; as a finishing seal for membrane and flashing seam/splice edges, as a secondary seal within splices; as a gasket-type seal in drain and scupper details; and as a general purpose seal for various termination and penetration details. The materials come in various grades; pourable, self-leveling, non-sag, gun-applied, and cured or uncured tapes. Sealants must be specifically intended for use in the application in which they have been specified. For example, certain sealants may need to be held under compression to perform properly. Other sealants could be designed for outdoor exposure. Still other sealants must be compatible with thermoplastic membranes. Matching the proper sealant to the intended application will help provide a quality installation.
The function of adhesives in flexible membrane systems is to secure the membrane, the insulation or the flashing to various substrates, or to seal membrane layers and seams (laps). The adhesive must be specifically intended for use with the specific membrane, insulation or flashing to which it will be applied. Due to the variation in chemical makeup between membranes (even those in the same generic category), selecting a compatible adhesive is critical to obtaining a satisfactory bond.
Roof coatings are used for several purposes. Traditionally, they were used to restore the waterproofing characteristics of the roofing membrane. Because they were the exposed surface they protected the rest of the membrane from the weather and were expected to add life to the system. Another use of a specially formulated coating is to reflect sunlight, which in turn keeps the membrane and everything beneath cooler during daylight hours. This can save energy in cooling dominated climates. Roof coatings can also be used to repair leaking systems and restore metal roof surfaces.
Roof coatings of different formulations are available for coating any membrane type. These roof coatings typically have either a polymer or an asphalt base. The polymer-based materials can be used on all types of roof membranes, whereas the asphalt-based products are generally for use on asphalt-based roof membranes. Some asphalt-based coatings require heating to be installed properly. Other asphalt-based coatings and most polymer-based coatings are installed at ambient temperatures. Polymer-based coatings may contain titanium dioxide (or similar) to provide high reflectance, or they may contain colored pigments. Asphalt coatings can contain aluminum flakes to provide reflectance or can be pigmented.
Products which are primarily designed to be walking surfaces or ballast to membrane roof systems. Most pavers are concrete based; however there are some that are fabricated from polymer or rubber material. Pavers are often used to add wind resistance to a system or provide a smooth walking surface.
An outlet or other device designed to capture and/or direct the flow of water from a roof. Without effective roof drainage, rainwater and/or water from refrigeration units and storage tanks, etc. could pond, adding considerable weight to the roof system. Further, in cold weather, the trapped water could freeze, potentially causing a loss of adhesion or damage to roofing materials and components.