When to use a Hot Melt Roofing System

Here’s an introduction to hot melt roofing and some suggestions as to when you should consider hot melt for your flat roofing project. 

What is Hot Melt?

Hot melt is a membrane that is applied as a hot liquid directly to a prepared structural deck to create a completely seamless, monolithic layer. It is suitable for use as the waterproofing layer in most new build flat roofing applications, when covered by suitable protection.

The most common application of hot melt is as an inverted roof system, where the membrane is laid directly on the deck and insulation is laid on top, weighed down with ballast materials such as 20-40mm gravel or 50mm paving slabs. Hot melt can also be used for green roofs, podium decks and substructure waterproofing.

Benefits of Hot Melt Roofing

• Long-term Performance – formulated to last the lifetime of the building on which it is installed.

• Monolithic – forms a completely seamless waterproof barrier. No seams or lap joints, no risk of water tracking, no legacy costs of poor workmanship or detailing.

• Ultra-Durable – unaffected by standing water, dilute acids or fertilisers.

• Cost Effective – can be installed to zero falls, and at temperatures down to -18°C, without replacement during the lifetime of the building.

 

When to Consider a Hot Melt Inverted Roof

When is hot melt roofing the best flat roofing system choice? We are the best solution for our customers’ waterproofing needs, which means choosing the most practical, cost effective system for their project.

Here are some examples of when our clients choose hot melt.

1. Waterproofing a Concrete Deck

When you have to waterproof a concrete deck, hot melt is the simplest, swiftest solution, with no need to drill into the deck for fixing, fast curing times and no need for a separate vapour membrane. It is commonly used in projects from small residential terraces right up to the large inverted roofs of commercial offices and modern shopping centres.  Hot melt is also ideal for waterproofing a podium deck, including on shopping centres, car parks and railway stations.

 

2. Designing a Green Roof

We frequently recommend Hot Melt for a green roof design. Used with the right substrate, it has several benefits over single ply membranes, including its long lifespan and monolithic character.

The green roof build up should be calculated to be at least the equivalent of the minimum ballast weight of an Inverted Roof System. As part of our design service we would carry out a Ballast Wind Calculation for you to confirm this.

3. Designing a completely Flat Roof

It is best practice is for all flat roofs to have a fall to ensure good drainage. However, designers often decide to for a variety of different reasons to have completely flat roofs, for example, when there is no space for falls to be incorporated into your roof design.

 

4. Fast Track Flat Roofing

On a tight programme, a fast curing hot melt inverted roof system saves installation time without any loss of quality. This makes it particularly popular on fast track commercial or public new builds and housing. As hot melt can be installed at temperatures as low as -18 Celsius, winter installation is also not an issue.

5. Cost Savings on Insulation, Falls and Maintenance of Flat Roofs

When you need to save on the cost of tapered insulation or screed to falls, hot melt provides an opportunity to remove the need for tapers and screeds altogether, making the solution more competitive.

6. Complex Roof Layout and Penetrations

If your new flat roof has a complex layout where falls are difficult, or if you need to install HVAC equipment, or the roof has several penetrations, hot melt can simplify the installation.

For example, installing roof top plant can be problematic due to the risk of cold bridging. With a hot melt inverted roof, a floating concrete plinth can be installed on top of the insulation, removing any chance of cold bridging by placing the plant completely outside the membrane and insulation system.

7. Designing a Flat Roof for a Long Life

The membrane in an inverted roof is covered and therefore protected from the elements, footfall and mechanical damage throughout its life. With hot melt, the membrane is also fully adhered to the deck, so that if it does become damaged, water cannot migrate between membrane and roof structure and repairs are relatively straightforward. If a leak does arise, it is much easier and cost effective to find and repair with a hot melt system than with membrane systems.

 

Shout-Out

Now it is time for some huge shout for our partner companies. Here are some highly trusted companies who are very popular for their Roof Installation service in their local area. So if you are in their service area then you can get their services.

• Greenwich Roofs - Roofing Experts Serving Greenwich, Stamford and all of Fairfield County

• Upgrade General Contractors - Roofing Installation in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL

• Heartland Roofing, Siding and Windows - Professional Roofing Contractor Serving The Des Maines, IA

• Dalworth Roofing - Commercial & Residential Roofing in Dallas-Fort Worth