Liquid waterproofing membrane or bitumen felt?

Bituminous roofing felts have been used in construction for a very long time. The first mentions of materials with similar parameters and applications appeared 200 years ago. The production of roofing felt as we know it today developed in Germany in the post-war years. Since then, of course, many modifications have been introduced and more advanced materials are used in its production. Bituminous felt is a very popular material used in construction to cover roofs or to insulate foundations. However, is this material without defects and can it not be replaced with something better?

Currently, liquid waterproofing membranes are a very large and rapidly growing competition for bitumen felts. These products are used in exactly the same places as roofing felts and easily replace them in many projects. What is the reason for this?

Advantages of liquid waterproofing membranes

Homogeneous coating, without joints

This is probably the most important and most frequently raised issue when comparing bitumen felt with liquid waterproofing membranes. Bituminous felt roofing always has many joints and requires very precise processing around chimneys or skylights on the roof. These places are usually the first to start leaking. These leaks are very difficult to locate because the water may find its way out in a place far from the leak.

Liquid waterproofing membranes, such as Neoproof PU W-40 or Neoproof Polyurea R , create a homogeneous, continuous coating on the roof, without any joints. A "tight bathtub" is created and the risk of leaks in critical points is minimized to virtually zero.

Tightness and resistance to water stagnation

This has already been described in the previous point, but it is worth emphasizing it once again - the coating is fully waterproof. The waterproofing membranes we offer, such as Neoproof Polyurea R or Neoproof PU W-40 , are completely resistant to water stagnation, which may be very important if the slopes on the roof have been incorrectly guided and puddles are forming. These membranes also feature zero water absorption. In practice, this mysterious parameter means that there are no micropores in which water could collect in winter and freeze and lead to micro-damages of the membrane.

Ease of application

Liquid waterproofing membranes are easy to use and apply and do not require special equipment. The liquid membrane can be applied using a roller or brush.

Security

Laying roofing felt involves the use of open flame, which may cause a fire on the construction site. This problem does not occur when applying liquid waterproofing membranes.

Time

We can cover even large roof areas in a relatively short time.

Cool roof

Liquid waterproofing membranes are usually in light colors (white, gray) and significantly reduce the temperature on the roof and in the rooms below it. This allows you to save on the costs of air conditioning the facilities. This also affects the durability of the entire roof structure, which is not exposed to excessive overheating and related stresses.

Resistance to UV radiation

The bitumen contained in the felts will lose their properties after some time of exposure to UV, which will reduce the flexibility of the entire covering. Liquid waterproofing membranes are fully resistant to UV radiation, thanks to which they retain their parameters for many years - the durability of the covering made on their basis can be up to 30 years!

Flexibility

Liquid waterproofing membranes are characterized by high elasticity - up to 410%! This is the elongation at break, at a tensile force of 9.8 N/m m ² , for the Neoproof Polyurea C1 .

Possibility of application on various substrates

Neoproof PU W-40 or Neoproof Polyurea can be used on various substrates - concrete, roofing felt, metal, tiles, PVC membranes, PUR foam. Some of them require the use of appropriate primer, but we are able to create a waterproofing system for any problem. In the case of roof renovation, there is no need to tear off the old roof coverings (if they are still in relatively good condition), which saves time and money.

Easy repairs

The need to carry out minor renovations is unlikely to occur very quickly, but if it does occur, renovation will involve local repainting. We do not need any additional special equipment. All you need is a paint roller.

As you can see, liquid waterproofing membranes have many advantages over the bitumen felt that we have known for years. They are definitely worth taking into account when planning roof renovation or terrace waterproofing.

Roof protection membranes in our offer

Neoproof Polyurea

A line of two-component polyurea membranes for cold application - by brush, roller or airless spray. A great advantage of these coatings is their resistance to early rainfall (even after 1 hour!), so you don't have to worry about the weather during the work.

Neoproof PU W-40

One-component, water-soluble liquid membrane. Easier to apply and user-friendly because it does not contain solvents.

Neoroof

Membrane certified to reflect sunlight (white). Reflects as much as 88% of solar radiation! However, it is worth remembering that changing the color of the roof from black (roof felt), even to gray, will significantly affect the temperature on the roof and under it.