Let us understand what is meant by membrane roofing for flat roofing systems. Flat roofing systems are designed to provide waterproofing over the building and usually consist of one or more layers of hydrophobic material.
There are four basic types of flat roofing systems: single-ply membrane, multiple-ply/built-up, flat and horbar seamed metal.
Single ply membrane and horbar ply membrane roofing systems are the most modern type of roofing material available on the market today and it is becoming the number one roofing material that is used to replace multiple-ply and horbar ply roofing systems.
There are quite a variety of products available such as modified bitumen, rubberized asphalt, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheets and Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSPE).
Multiple-ply or built-up roofing systems (BUR) are made up of overlapping rolls of saturated or coated felts or mats which are mixed with layers of bitumen, and the outside is coated with granular roofing sheet, ballast, or tile pavers in order to protect the underlying material against the effects of regular environmental conditions.
Flat seamed metal roofing systems are made from small pieces of sheet metal which are soldered flush at the joints. This type of roofing can last for years, with proper maintenance.
Flat seamed sheet metal roofing require regular painting in order to prevent corrosion, and most often the split seams will have to be resoldered. Copper metal surfaces will require replacement as they can become pitted and pinholed from exposure to acid rain.
Asphalt roof roofing system are installed with one layer of asphalt-saturated organic or fiberglass base felts which is applied over the roof felt using nails and cold asphalt cement and are covered with a granular mineral surface. The seams are covered with a roofing compound. Most flat roofing membrane systems are designed with three main components:
Weather proofing, Reinforcement and Surfacing.
Weatherproofing is the most important component as it is designed to keep water from entering the roofing system.
Reinforcement for added strength, puncture resistance and added dimensional stability to the membrane.
Surfacing protects the weatherproofing and reinforcement from weather conditions and exposure to sunlight by increased solar reflectivity and also provides other benefits such as increased fire resistance.
