Award winning roof insulation system helps tackle climate challenges
ROOFMATE™ MinK System from Dow Building Solutions minimises heat loss from flat roofs
13 May 2008
The award-winning ROOFMATE MinK System from Dow Building Solutions minimises heat loss from flat roofs, helping architects and builders meet increasing demands set by Building Regulations in the Code for Sustainable Homes and desire for better environmental performance.
Heat loss from flat roofs can be as much as 25% of the total - and as flat roofs comprise a third of the UK's total roof area, any improvements in preventing heat loss from such structures has a significant benefits for energy saving.
The ROOFMATE MinK System is part of Dow's extensive range of solutions designed to enhance the thermal performance of buildings, based on STYROFOAM™ blue extruded foamed polystyrene insulation. It is part of a series of innovations from the company which first brought the roofing industry the 'inverted warm flat roof' system 30 years ago.
In conventional flat roof insulation systems thermal insulation is in direct contact with the roof deck, with a waterproofing layer on top and the whole build-up secured against wind uplift. Dow created the 'inverted warm flat roof' system three decades ago, allowing for the waterproofing layer to be laid directly onto the roof deck with insulation on top. This allowed the roof deck to be kept at a constant warm temperature, protecting the waterproofing from thermal shock and dramatically reducing the risk of condensation below the roof, as well as for aesthetically pleasing ballast such as pebbles, pavers and even grass.
Although the inverted warm flat roof system remains a leading method of roof design, rainwater can percolate through ballast, penetrating joints between insulation boards. This cools the surface of the waterproofing membrane and reduces the roof's thermal performance, meaning insulation thickness has to be increased by at least 20% to compensate for this 'rainwater cooling effect'.
To improve the thermal performance of buildings as set out in the Code for Sustainable Homes (which aims to achieve a zero carbon home by 2016), dramatic increases in insulation thicknesses are becoming required, increasing costs and adding serious complications to roof design and installation.
The answer according to Dow Building Solutions is to use a water vapour permeable (or 'breather') membrane, ROOFMATE MK, in combination with the unique properties of its insulation layer - STYROFOAM roofing product ROOFMATE SL. Together, the system is known as the ROOFMATE MinK System, and it enables the 20% rainwater cooling penalty to be reduced to below 2% with a corresponding reduction in insulation thickness.
"Positioning ROOFMATE MK as a separation layer between ballast and insulation prevents rainwater penetrating through to the waterproofing, which is instead directed to the roof drainage," explains Paddy Hall, Technical Manager for Dow Building Solutions. "Rainwater that does penetrate evaporates via the ROOFMATE MK 'breather' membrane."
"The System enables more efficient use of insulation as less is needed for the same results as well as fewer journeys to construction sites meaning fuel savings, because less material is required," he continued. "The system also allows a significant decrease in the weight of ballast required to secure the roof against insulation board flotation and wind uplift, bringing yet more environmental advantages."
The ROOFMATE MinK System was awarded the Chemical Industry Association's highest award for innovation in 2007.
For more details on stockists, contact Dow Building Solutions' customer service team on 020 3139 4000.
Notes to editors:
Dow Building Solutions, a division of The Dow Chemical Company, is dedicated to supplying the construction industry with innovative and effective solutions. The product range includes STYROFOAM blue extruded foamed polystyrene insulation, GREAT-STUFF™ polyurethane foam sealant, FROTH-PAK™ polyurethane foam spray systems, INSTA-STIK™ polyurethane adhesives and a range of accessories.
*Since May 1 2008, all new homes must be rated against the Code for Sustainable Homes, and all new social housing must be built to a minimum Code level 3 (a 6 star rating is the highest sustainability a home can achieve). Nine sustainability categories are listed in the Code: energy and water efficiency, materials, surface water run off, waste, pollution, health and well being, management and ecology.
Pictures available from Kirsten Parrish: Kirsten@kdpr.co.uk.
For more information contact:
Kirsten@kdpr.co.uk
Tel.: 01295 780152
Dow Building Solutions
Diamond House, Lotus Park,
Kingsbury Crescent, Staines,
Middlesex, TW18 3AG
Tel.: 020 3139 4000
Fax: 020 3139 4013
