PVC Roof Considerations
PVC single-ply membranes have been an ideal choice for a wide variety of buildings – especially restaurants, due to its excellent resistance to animal fats, grease, and other chemicals.
Restaurants aren’t the only building type ideal for PVC roofing membranes. Schools, hospitals, food processing facilities, or really any building with a cafeteria are great candidates.
In addition to its great chemical resistance, PVC is also well-known for its superior fire resistance. The chemical makeup of PVC is what makes it an inherent fire suppressant and a popular roofing membrane choice when fire ratings are a top priority.
PVC is rigid in its natural form and is made flexible by the addition of plasticizers. This is important to know because there are many materials used in building construction that will cause the plasticizers to migrate from the PVC and into the other material, resulting in non-compatible substrates for PVC. Some of these materials include expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, rubberized asphalt (some air and vapor barriers), asphalt, and old PVC roofs. If any of these above referenced materials are being used, some type of separator is needed; such as polyethylene, metal plate, insulation, or fleece.
Key takeaway: PVC has been used as a roofing membrane for more than 60 years and has many benefits as it relates to chemical resistance, fire resistance, weatherability, and longevity; but understanding the makeup of PVC and the compatibility of PVC membranes with existing roof types is important when planning your next PVC roofing project.
For more information, visit the PVC system page or reach out to Versico’s PVC Product Manager, Taylor Gingerich.
Restaurants aren’t the only building type ideal for PVC roofing membranes. Schools, hospitals, food processing facilities, or really any building with a cafeteria are great candidates.
In addition to its great chemical resistance, PVC is also well-known for its superior fire resistance. The chemical makeup of PVC is what makes it an inherent fire suppressant and a popular roofing membrane choice when fire ratings are a top priority.
PVC is rigid in its natural form and is made flexible by the addition of plasticizers. This is important to know because there are many materials used in building construction that will cause the plasticizers to migrate from the PVC and into the other material, resulting in non-compatible substrates for PVC. Some of these materials include expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, rubberized asphalt (some air and vapor barriers), asphalt, and old PVC roofs. If any of these above referenced materials are being used, some type of separator is needed; such as polyethylene, metal plate, insulation, or fleece.
Key takeaway: PVC has been used as a roofing membrane for more than 60 years and has many benefits as it relates to chemical resistance, fire resistance, weatherability, and longevity; but understanding the makeup of PVC and the compatibility of PVC membranes with existing roof types is important when planning your next PVC roofing project.
For more information, visit the PVC system page or reach out to Versico’s PVC Product Manager, Taylor Gingerich.
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