Where there are wood and water, there will be mold, bacteria and eventual rotting, as well as wetting of the thermal insulation. In high humidity regions, frequently found throughout India and other warm climates, preventing water infiltration from precipitation or condensation is imperative to preserving the structural integrity of a home's roof and walls. In this relation, vapor barriers help to control the infiltration of water vapor where there are large humidity extremes, while diffusion membranes promote excretion of humidity from the thermal insulation layer. TECHNONICOL offers a variety of high-quality construction films that provide optimal protection for the built environment.
What are construction films?
Construction films can be broken into two categories: vapor barriers and diffusion membranes.
Why is the vapor barrier important? The fact is that the biggest trouble that can happen with under-roof construction is moisture. Mold begins to grow, structural elements begin to rot, thermal insulation loses its performance properties, and the consequences can be disastrous. Vapor barrier membrane protects the roof frame and thermal insulation from inside the building. It is fastened to the rafter without deflections. The membrane can be installed by either side up. You can fasten it vertically or horizontally using a construction stapler. Roofing nails with a flat head are also suitable.
Despite the vapor barrier membrane from the inside and protection from atmospheric precipitation from the outside, temperature drop or high humidity can cause the formation of condensate inside the thermal insulation layer. Dew point is the reason. In order to remove this moisture, one needs to install a diffusion membrane. It prevents moisture drops from penetration from the outside and, at the same time, removes accidental steam from insulation into the ventilation channel.
Important! One should never fasten the diffusion membrane with staples or the nails without a plank.
Types of construction films
Diffusion membranes
- TECHNONICOL ALPHA TOP is a dual-layer membrane consisting of a non-woven polyester base and a vapor-permeable thermoplastic polyurethane coating. This combination allows the membrane to adsorb and remove moisture when used over the insulation layer for a roof.
- TECHNONICOL ALPHA VENT is a microporous waterproofing layer reinforced with non-woven polypropylene fabric. This combination provides another vapor-permeable barrier that simultaneously provides wind and dust protection for the insulation layer of a roof while also allowing the removal of water vapor from the under-roof structure.
Vapor barrier films
- TECHNONICOL ALPHA BARRIER 4.0 is a four-layer polyethylene film with an aluminum coating protected by polyester. The aluminium layer provides an even greater water vapor barrier in addition to reflecting thermal energy.
- TECHNONICOL ALPHA BARRIER 3.0 is a three-layer translucent polyethylene film with mesh reinforcement that provides greater structural stability. Its translucent design facilitates the detection of insulation deformities, and its marking lines provide easier installation of overlapping.
- TECHNONICOL ALPHA BARRIER 2.0 is a two-layer non-reinforced film with a non-woven polypropylene base and polyolefin coating. This vapor barrier is versatile enough to be installed to protect roofing and wall insulation and its exceptional temperature range, from -40 to +80 degrees Celsius, allows it to be used in a variety of weather extremes to prevent vapor infiltration.
Where can they be used?
Owing to their enhanced structural integrity and vapor permeability, diffusion membranes are specifically designed to be used over the insulation layers of pitched roofs and ventilated facades. TECHNONICOL ALPHA BARRIER 2.0 and 3.0 provide exceptional water vapor protection in framed constructions, while TECHNONICOL ALPHA BARRIER 4.0 features enough strength to be used as vapor protection for the insulation layers on any kind of roofs, walls and floors. Given the dynamic design of these construction films, TECHNONICOL has ensured that you can find a vapor barrier film or diffusion membranes to keep your home protected.