Home > Systems & Materials > Single Ply Systems

Single Ply Flat Roof Systems

Single Ply Roofing

K-Roofing is a specialist single ply flat roof system installer.

Single Ply Systems & Materials use relatively recent technologies to create very high quality prefabricated systems which are designed to maximise insulation and weatherproofing but minimise installation time.

Singly Ply Thermoplastic roof systems use Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) membranes.

PVC membranes are more stable than felt and asphalt because, being man made they have a controlled creation process.

However, TPO has its advantages, it is more like rubber than plastic, it tends to withstand UV rays and thermal shock better than plastic like PVC's. PVC is the more expensive product.

Suppliers include Carlisle, Firestone, GAF and Johns Manville

Single Ply roofs can also more environmentally friendly than traditional built up felts systems as off-cuts are returned to the manufacturer for recycling.

Single Ply Roof Systems

K-roofing are specialists in the installation of single ply roofing systems.

Single ply systems are an all in one solution, formed from multiple layers of barriers and insulations that have been mechanically fastened together.

The light weight, waterproof prefabricated systems are installed relatively quickly and cleanly to flat and pitched roofs and vertical surfaces.

Single ply membrane systems meet the roofing requirements of commercial construction and other sectors such as residential new build, private residential roof refurbishment on older residential buildings.

What is a Single Ply System

A single ply roof system is a complete roofing system.

The system comprises strong and durable, flexible sheets composed predominately of synthetic polymer that are sealed at joints to form continuous waterproofing.

Combined with insulation and continuous support they form a complete, stable, long lasting and durable roof system that requires almost zero maintenance.

Single Ply roofing materials allows choice in roof design, performance and appearance for both new roofs and for the refurbishment of existing roofs.

Advantages and Benefits

• Ease and speed of application
• clean installation and complete roofing solution
• lightweight and relatively thin
• cold applied without requirement of hot work certificates
• environmentally friendly - high recycle rates
• long term low temperature flexibility
• weathering and heat resistant, the physical properties are retained over a temperature range exceeding -30 to +80 degrees centigrade.
• UV radiation stable
• resistant to chemical oxidation
• able to be welded to produce continuous waterproof sheet
• lap security not compromised and resistance to sheer and peel
• strong, flexible and durable membranes with long life expectancy greater then 30 years

Disadvantages and Drawbacks

• Higher materials costs than felt
• Requires a protective surface if used for traffic
• Product knowledge and training required
• Skills required for application are advanced
• Less well developed material standards"

Sealing Panels Together

Assembly and seaming is energy efficient and rapid. Seam welding of membranes, fastening of systems and adhesion of membranes does not use a naked flame, hot bonding or waste.

The specific method chosen to fasten and waterproof seal the panels together will depend on the type of membrane used in the system.

Thermo-plastics such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Flexible Polyolefin (PFO) membranes can be sealed at laps using hot air welding or solvent welding.

Elastomers such as Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) and Polyisobutyne (PIB) neet to be sealed using activation tapes or adhesives.

Automatic welding machines need to be selected on criteria such as ability to work with all membrane types, heating elements need to be reliable and powerful, the fan motor must be designed for the specific use to ensure work capacity is met, good quality electronic control gear will provide consistent and energy efficient results.

The SPRA advise all good quality equipment is fully tested, independently certified and approved to CE standards.

Weld quality tests are not established but there are product specific tests.

K-Roofing selects machines based on job requirements - the area and complexity.

Securing the Surface

To protect against the agents of weathering particularly wind pressure, the membrane is either secured using adhesion, mechanically fastened using fasteners and washers, and covered with ballast such as washed stone or under a roof deck.

Thermal Insulation

Thermal insulation materials are placed within single ply systems for 'warm roof' installation.

The insulation is positioned between the vapour control layer and the waterproofing membrane. The insulation traps and contains the heat below it.

Vapour Control Layer Vapour control layers are used only within single ply systems for 'warm roofs'.

The control layer prevents vapour entering the system and condensing as this could cause degradation and reduce the effectiveness of the insulation layer.

The Deck - On the base is a continuously supporting base or deck - usually a metal, timber/plywood or concrete structure.

Growing Use since the 1980's

Use of singly ply systems were introduced into the UK in the 1980s and their use is growing by about 0% per annum, in 2006 the market usage totaled 5.3 million metres square of polymeric single ply membrane systems.

80% of supply is via the nine members of the sector trade association (SPRA). The remainder is via about of 28 companies.

The Reasons for Choosing Single Ply Systems

Public Sector institutions such as schools, hospitals and local government offices value highly the zero maintenance, durability that is independently certified and the design benefits it brings.

Architects and Designers that specify Single Ply Systems value the flexibility that comes with elements that can be can be simply interfaced and geometric roof designs can be achieved using a single material.

Roofing Contractors can weatherproof interiors rapidly and avoid hot working with less cleanly installed bitumous materials.

Greater environmental concern, increasing fuel prices and awareness of the need to conserve energy is feeding into planning regulations and guidance.

Because the weight and depth of the systems are minimal, single ply roofing systems can be installed over sub-standard or damaged roof. This reduces the cost of removal and disposal of the original built up felt system.

Environmental Impact

Single ply roofing has a proven low environmental impact.

Technology has enabled membranes to be developed that are significantly thinner and lighter than alternatives.

Single ply systmes require significantly less transport energy and has lower development energy than felt roofs. Being light-weight they allow for light roof structures.

Durability tests have shown that life spans in excess of 30 years can be anticipated, and even greater if simple roof maintenance is carried out, such as 'other trades' damage and debris cleaning.

K-Roofing participates in the 'recover and re-use' system for off cut membrane using the German Roofcollect scheme. Roofcollect works with transport companies and re-processors to collect new and post-consumer waste for recycling thus avoiding landfill.

Installation Standards

Good roof design and product installation are significant factors in optimising the performance of Single Ply Systems.

K-Roofing is a registered contractor and has been assessed for installation standards, financial proberty, health and safety and office management, and we ensure all our installers are trained in the roofing products we install.

Our assurance that a waterproof, weatherproof and durable installation will be achieved for your roof is based on Individual photographic card certification for each roofing installer from each manufacturer that out installers have attended manufacturers off site training and assessment and onsite monitoring by the manufacturers local field engineer.

Records are kept of all commercial work where a product warrantee is issued and a manufacturer's technical representative inspects the work.