What Is An Inverted Roof System

This in turn is secured by a layer of ballast or paving or a green roof.

What is an inverted roof system.

The system is also referred to as a protected membrane or upside down. In an irma the system s insulation is installed above the waterproofing membrane instead of below as in a conventional roof assembly. The average life of a roof system in north america is around 16 years and the depreciation period for a commercial roof 39 years. Whilst the inverted roof is a robust system the insulation layer does not benefit from the protection of the waterproofing membrane.

Inverted roof designing buildings wiki share your construction industry knowledge. Inverted roof membrance assembly irma systems are used in applications where the membrane requires protection from site specific hazards. In an inverted membrane system the coventional membrane arrangement is invereted or turned upside down. Inverted roofs typically last longer than traditional ones.

However deferring a roof replacement by 10 years can save hundreds of thousands of dollars. Invented by dow in the late 1960 s an inverted roof system uses dupont styrofoam brand xps insulation to protect the membrane helping improve the performance and. Inverted roof systems are also referred to as upside down roof assembly. The membrane is further protected by ballast overtop the insulation.

These systems are typically applied in conditions where there is extensive roof traffic or to protect from excessive weather conditions such as. It is therefore essential the insulation layer is rot proof and durable. Good insulation qualities and low thermal conductivity are required to ensure the low u value of the roof. Inverted roofs have their waterproofing layer beneath the insulation instead of above it as in other forms of roofing.

Inverted roof membrane assembly irma can be constructed. In this issue the investigations team explains how inverted roofs work outlines their benefits warns of a possible cause of problems and describes an unusual investigation. In this type of construction the principal thermal insulation material is applied on top of the weatherproof covering so that the complete roof construction including roof covering is kept at warm temperatures during the winter months and at moderate temperatures during the summer months. An inverted roof also known sometimes as a protected membrane or pmr roof uses the same materials as a conventional roof but places insulation on the top of the membrane.

This cpd will outline the main features and benefits of inverted roofs as well as the key regulations and codes of practice. What is an inverted roof. Rigid extruded polystyrene insulation has minimal water absorption due to its closed cell structure.