A growing number of low-energy building projects are opting for offsite construction methods, underscoring the significance of environmentally friendly technology. The key to constructing long-lasting structures in residential, commercial, and public places is to protect the building fabric and timber from moisture ingress.
The strength of the membranes that cover the inside and outside of a building determines how well it will withstand the elements and how long it will last. Traditional methods of installing membranes sometimes involve integrating multiple components, which leaves room for potential errors and weak spots.
A new approach that uses monolithic technology to provide continuous, faultless solutions has emerged, and it is redefining reliability and performance norms. In this article, we will discuss the groundbreaking impact of monolithic technology on the construction industry and its significance in roof and wall membranes.
Deciphering Monolithic and Microporous Membrane Technologies
Microporous Membranes
Microporous membranes have been traditionally used as exterior breathable membranes. These membranes are characterised by a network of tiny pores that allow vapour to pass through while blocking liquid water. However, they present several significant issues:
- Clogging and Water Retention: Microporous membranes can easily become clogged with water, forming an impenetrable vapour barrier that traps moisture inside the building envelope. This can lead to problems such as mould growth and structural deterioration.
- Ageing and UV Degradation: These membranes are susceptible to ageing and degradation when exposed to UV radiation. Over time, this can cause delamination and a reduction in performance.
- Manufacturing Weaknesses: The manufacturing process, which involves stretching the material with calcium carbonate, creates holes and weak points. This reduces the membrane’s effectiveness in waterproofing and breathability, particularly after installation.
- Durability and Handling: Microporous membranes, though often more affordable, tend to be a lighter grade material and difficult to manoeuvre. This can complicate installation and lead to increased labour costs and potential installation errors.
Monolithic Membranes
Monolithic membranes represent a significant advancement in membrane technology. These membranes are composed of a continuous, seamless material layer, offering several key advantages:
- Seamless and Continuous Barrier: Monolithic membranes provide a uniform, unbroken surface that effectively blocks moisture and air intrusion. This seamless barrier eliminates the weak points and potential errors associated with multiple seams and joints in traditional membrane systems. Partel’s EXOPERM MONO SA 250, with its phA rating, stands out in Passive House testing for airtightness. It is one of the tightest self-adhered membranes on the Passive House database, ensuring superior performance and reliability.
- Enhanced Moisture Management: The molecular structure of monolithic membranes, such as those used in Partel’s EXOPERM MONO SA 250, accelerates the process of moisture transport away from the internal structure. This prevents clogging and ensures that any water is swiftly expelled from the building.
- Durability and Longevity: Monolithic membranes are known for their exceptional durability. Their continuous structure reduces the likelihood of breakdown and degradation, significantly extending the lifespan of the building envelope. –
- Ease of Installation: These membranes are designed for easier installation, which can reduce labour costs and speed up project completion. The self-adhesive properties and reinforced mesh provide strong adherence to a wide range of substrates without the need for additional primers.
- UV and Environmental Resistance: Monolithic membranes are highly resistant to UV radiation and environmental factors, maintaining their performance and integrity over time.
Elevating Construction: Benefits of Monolithic Membranes
A continuous layer of material is applied in roof and wall membranes using monolithic technology to produce a seamless barrier against environmental elements including moisture and air intrusion. To improve structural integrity and endurance, Partel’s monolithic membranes provide a cohesive, unbroken surface.
Monolithic engineering advancements have allowed us to advance membrane performance development, especially on our EXOPERM MONO SA 250, where the molecular structure of the material causes the process of moisture transport away from the internal structure to accelerate as the amount of moisture increases, according to the laws of physics. To sum up, it diverts any nearby water swiftly and out of the building without the possibility of clogging. This windtight, waterproof membrane actively expels any water or humidity and comprises a TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer) layer sandwiched between two nonwoven PP layers. It offers an enhanced moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR) through diffusion. In addition, a high-quality acrylic adhesive with a solvent-free, low VOC formulation has been applied to the membrane, creating a completely self-adhesive surface. Durable and powerful performance is ensured by this integration, which strengthens the breathability function and allows for primer-less, continuous air and windtight connections.
6 PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONAL LAYERS
- UV stable, waterproof, protective PP layer
- Monolithic TPE film impermeable and highly breathable
- Protective PP layer
- Reinforcing mesh for optimum strength
- High-performance acrylic adhesive
- Clear split release liner
The reinforced mesh of EXOPERM MONO SA 250 ensures maximum strength, and it bonds firmly to a wide range of solid substrates. The product also comes with a transparent split release liner, which makes installation a breeze.
There are numerous advantages of using monolithic technology for roof and wall membranes:
- Seamless Protection: Monolithic membranes protect the building envelope against water, mould, and deterioration by preventing air leakage and water infiltration through seams and joints.
- Increased Longevity: Monolithic membranes are known for their exceptional durability, which is enhanced by their uniformity and continuity. This design feature reduces the chances of membrane breakdown and increases the structure’s longevity.
- Convenience: Installing self-adhesive monolithic membrane systems is easier than using conventional methods, which means less time and money spent on labour and a quicker project completion.
The versatility of monolithic technology allows architects and contractors more leeway in applying membranes to a wide range of building designs and substrate materials.
Relevance to Various Building Projects
The membrane preserves the integrity of the building fabric elements and envelope, aiding in energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings alike, thanks to its low Sd value of 0.26 m, Class W1 resistance to water penetration, and outstanding resistance to ageing. Because it can be installed throughout the building phase, it is ideal for roof, wall, ceiling, and floor applications—particularly in large projects. This makes it a favourite choice for contractors, builders, and installers. The reinforced self-adherent membrane can withstand up to four months of exposure to ultraviolet light and adheres securely to a wide variety of stiff substrates, such as timber constructions, CLT elements, OBS, steel, concrete, and masonry-type substrates. Streamlining the installation process to fulfil the current energy efficiency criteria in high-performance buildings is made possible by the unique bonding method.
There is a vast array of construction projects that utilise monolithic membranes:
Commercial
With the increasing demand for long-lasting and low-maintenance roofing solutions, monolithic membrane roofing systems have emerged as the preferred material for commercial projects. These systems have a long lifespan, excellent water resistance, and low maintenance requirements, making them ideal for protecting large commercial properties like office buildings, shopping malls, and industrial complexes. Monolithic membranes help commercial structures last longer and function more efficiently by protecting valuable assets and occupants from the elements.
Residential
In residential construction, monolithic membranes play a key role in providing long-term protection for roofs and walls. Whether it is a cosy single-family home or a high-rise multi-unit complex, homeowners and developers value the durability and dependability provided by monolithic membrane systems. By forming a seamless barrier against moisture intrusion and environmental hazards, these membranes ensure residents’ comfort and safety while preserving the building’s structural integrity. Furthermore, monolithic membranes’ modest maintenance requirements result in cost savings and peace of mind for homeowners, increasing their appeal in the residential market.
Industrial
Warehouses, factories, and manufacturing plants rely heavily on protecting and preserving expensive machinery and assets. Monolithic membranes excel in this regard, providing strong resistance to harsh weather conditions, chemical exposure, and mechanical wear. Monolithic membranes can protect critical equipment from corrosion, rust, and degradation by encapsulating industrial structures with a durable waterproofing layer, extending their lifespan, and optimising operational efficiency. This proactive approach to asset management ensures continuous production processes and protects industrial stakeholders’ investments, highlighting the critical role of monolithic membranes in industrial construction.
Proximity to Future Events
The future of monolithic technology in roof and wall membranes looks bright, due to the ever-changing building processes and technological advancements that are shaping the industry landscape. Monolithic membranes are well-positioned to continue raising the bar for construction excellence thanks to continuous R&D efforts to improve material performance, application processes, and sustainability practices.
Research and development in monolithic technology has solidified its role as a game-changer for wall and roof membrane systems. These advanced systems integrate seamlessly and perform like no other. At Partel, we have long believed in the power of monolithic technology and have incorporated it into our products for years. By utilising the strength of monolithic membranes, we are delivering sustainable, long-lasting constructions that confidently withstand the test of time.
