Maximizing the Energy Efficiency of a Roof
One of the most significant factors required to maximize the energy efficiency of a roof, particularly when
insulation follows the pitch of a roof, is to ensure that it is sealed both airtightly internally with a suitable vapour control layer such as INTELLO PLUS and wind tightly externally with a suitable diffusion open
membrane such as SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT. Research has shown that if wind manages to bypass a roofing membrane, the thermal performance of the insulation can reduce by as much as 660%, particularly at eaves levels! Therefore for insulation to realise its potential and avoid “thermal bypass” it must be both wind tight on the outside, and airtight on the inside. In order to achieve this externally, all overlaps, penetrations and junctions at eaves and gable ends should be reliably sealed with a durable tape or seal. Pro clima SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT is an airtight yet Diffusion-Open vapour permeable membrane, suitable for pitched roofs. SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT features a pre-applied tape guaranteeing optimal windtightness for pitched roofs.
insulation follows the pitch of a roof, is to ensure that it is sealed both airtightly internally with a suitable vapour control layer such as INTELLO PLUS and wind tightly externally with a suitable diffusion open
membrane such as SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT. Research has shown that if wind manages to bypass a roofing membrane, the thermal performance of the insulation can reduce by as much as 660%, particularly at eaves levels! Therefore for insulation to realise its potential and avoid “thermal bypass” it must be both wind tight on the outside, and airtight on the inside. In order to achieve this externally, all overlaps, penetrations and junctions at eaves and gable ends should be reliably sealed with a durable tape or seal. Pro clima SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT is an airtight yet Diffusion-Open vapour permeable membrane, suitable for pitched roofs. SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT features a pre-applied tape guaranteeing optimal windtightness for pitched roofs.
SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT - pre-applied tape TESCON PROFIL tape seal at window junctions - View Video
With requirements for higher levels of insulation in roofs than ever before, not only does this introduce more challenges from an insulation perspective, but it also increases the potential for interstitial condensation within structural components if the vapour control layer is not sealed sufficiently.
pro clima Intelligent Airtightness System
The pro clima Intelligent Airtightness System utilises an intelligent vapour check, INTELLO plus, which optimises both airtightness, and the ability for vapour to dry out of constructions as quickly as possible, even to the interior if required, something a conventional vapour barrier cannot do.
The optimum pitched roof is one which utilises a diffusion open wind tight membrane externally, such as SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT and an Intelligent internal airtightness and vapour control layer, such as INTELLO Plus internally. This ensures optimum thermal performance and maximum protection against interstitial condensation.
Sealing overlaps of the SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT membrane also further reduces the potential risk of tile damage due to wind uplift.
What are they Key Features of Solitex Plus Connect?
Our Senior Engineer at Ecological Building Systems Niall Crosson outlines “Unlike many conventional breather membranes, which utilise an air- permeable micro-porous technology, SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT features a pre-applied tape, an integrated reinforcement netting and employs a closed cell vapour permeable layer”
This provides a combination of key benefits, including:
- Extreme resistant to wood preservatives, wood treatments or natural wood resins
- Extreme resistant to wind driven pelting rain
- Extreme resistant to on site chemicals
- Complete resistance to air penetration
- Extremely Nail-Tear resistant >300N
- Extremely Water-Tight >2500mm
As the roofing membrane is the second line of defence for the roof, it is absolutely essential that it provides optimum resistance to wind driven rain, which we are accustomed to in Ireland, as well as minimising condensation risk. With SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT this performance is guaranteed not just under laboratory conditions, but under conditions typically found on construction sites where roofing membranes need to provide durable protection against intruding dampness, particularly in exposed areas during the building phase.
The tightly meshed Polypropylene Reinforcement layer embedded within SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT doubles the overall strength of the membrane. When under stress caused by stepping on the surface or nailing, this additional reinforcement layer ensures that the product is highly tear resistant so there is minimum risk of damaging the membrane during the installation stage.
Even in the most extreme conditions often experienced on our exceptionally damp building sites and climate, SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT’s inherent active vapour diffusion properties, ensures that potential moisture induced damage caused to the fabric of the roof is eliminated. The high vapour permeability of SOLITEX PLUS ensures the damp conditions required for mould, rot and condensation to flourish is significantly reduced.
To learn more about SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT view the brochure click here or view the SOLITEX PLUS BBA Certificate click here
For more information or samples concerning SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT or any other airtightness & windtightness inquiries please do not hesitate to contact Ecological Building Systems.
Energy efficiency, diffusion open membrane, pro clima, SOLITEX PLUS CONNECT, Intelligent Airtightness System, optimal windtightness.
By Niall Crosson, Senior Technical Engineer, BTech,MEngSc, CEPHC. MIEI
Contact Us Via -
Phone - 046 94 32104;
Email - info@ecologicalbuildingsystems.com
