Seams in the membrane
Overlaps move. Here the layer is reinforced, interrupted or detailed differently so that cracks do not hold open water.
VlamShield VLOEI · Mineral layer applied on site to the membrane
Mineral on
the existing roof.
VLOEI is the mineral protective layer for roofs whose membrane stays in place. The layer is mixed on site, spread evenly over the existing membrane and cures into a firm mineral skin below and between the PV modules. No stripping, no new membrane, no boards across the whole field.
01 · Function
Function and installed position
On an existing PV roof the membrane is usually the top layer: organic, combustible and directly exposed to everything that happens on or between the modules. Stripping is expensive, the PV system is already there and the insulation beneath is often still sound.
VLOEI places an inorganically bound mineral layer on top. It follows the existing membrane, bonds to it and forms a firm mineral surface after curing. What it can do depends on the substrate: adhesion to the actual membrane, behaviour at moving seams and unimpaired drainage are assessed per project before installation.
Schematic representation. Not a construction drawing; the actual build-up and detailing follow from the project.
What loads act here?
Movement of the membrane
Membranes move with temperature; seams and overlaps shift. A rigid mineral layer must accommodate that movement or be detailed differently at those points.
Water and frost
The layer sits in the weather. Drainage must remain unobstructed and the material must tolerate moisture and frost without debonding.
Fire load between the modules
When a fault occurs in the PV system, the membrane sits in the fire load. A mineral layer puts a non-organic surface between module and membrane. The performance of the whole is assessed per system.
02 · Material
Material build-up
The reference for VLOEI is a site-applied mineral protective layer with an inorganic binder from the magnesium phosphate family, as known from the associated patent literature. The specific formulation, additives and consumption figures of the system supplier are defined per project; the quotation specifies the selected system and its documented application parameters.
- Inorganic binder, mixed with water on site
- Firm mineral surface after curing
- System build-up with primer or reinforcement where the supplier requires it
- Consumption, thickness and application window according to the system data sheet
03 · Installation
Installation on the roof
- 01
Assess the membrane
Type, age, condition of the seams, contamination and an adhesion test on the actual roof. No adhesion test, no installation.
- 02
Prepare the substrate
Clean, degrease, remove loose material; on some membranes a primer according to the system.
- 03
Mix and apply
Mix according to the system data sheet, apply at the specified thickness. Application temperature, humidity and the curing window set the plan for the day.
- 04
Seams and junctions
Seams, upstands, outlets and PV feet are detailed separately: cut out, reinforced or terminated according to the detail drawing.
- 05
Cure and check
Protection from rain until the layer bears load; then checks of adhesion, thickness and free drainage.
Joints, outlets and upstands
Outlets
The layer stops short of outlets and emergency overflows. Drainage capacity must not decrease.
Upstands and PV feet
At upstands and support feet the termination is decided in advance: up to the foot, with an edge finish, or with a separate board (WEER).
04 · Data
Technical data
Parameters defined per project
For VLOEI we publish no figures of our own for consumption, density, limit temperatures, reaction to fire or service life as long as these are not substantiated by system documentation. The parameters below are defined per project with the system supplier and documented in the proposal.
| Substrate | Membrane type, condition, cleaning, adhesion test on site |
|---|---|
| Adhesion | Result of the adhesion test on the actual membrane |
| Thickness and consumption | Per system data sheet, checked during installation |
| Application conditions | Temperature, humidity, rain risk, curing window |
| Movement and seams | Detailing of overlaps, upstands and support feet |
| Drainage | Unobstructed outflow; checked at handover |
| Evidence | Supplier system documentation; assessment of the assembly named separately |
Source: Reference for a site-applied mineral layer: AllShield Blue (manufacturer page)
05 · Selection
When yes, when no
Suitable
- Existing PV roof with an intact membrane that stays in place
- Roofs where stripping or a new membrane is unwanted or impossible
- Large fields where board installation around existing PV is impractical
- Projects with time for an adhesion test and a suitable application window
Not suitable
- Membranes with poor adhesion or many loose seams without repair
- Roofs with ponding water or inadequate drainage
- New build or new membrane: there DEK below the membrane is the more logical place
- When the layer is expected to act as waterproofing or replace the membrane
06 · Questions
Questions from practice
Why are there no fixed figures on this page?
Because we do not publish values that are not substantiated by system documentation. Consumption, thickness and application conditions come with the project proposal, together with the relevant data sheets.
Coating or board: which is more practical?
On an existing roof with PV, a liquid-applied layer is often more practical than boards around hundreds of feet. For new build or a new membrane, a cover board below the membrane (DEK) is the more logical place. The knowledge article on coating or board sets out the differences.
What happens at the membrane seams?
Seams move. They are detailed separately: reinforced, interrupted or terminated according to the detail drawing. That is a fixed part of the installation, not a surprise afterwards.
Does VLOEI make the roof waterproof?
No. The membrane remains the waterproofing. VLOEI is a mineral protective layer on top of the waterproofing.
Project enquiry for VlamShield VLOEI
What we need for a quotation
With this information we prepare a concrete proposal: configuration, quantity, documentation and programme. If something is missing, we ask.
Project enquiry- Type and age of the membrane, with photos of seams and junctions
- Number and type of PV supports, spacing between rows
- Roof area and access for material and mixing
- Condition of drainage: outlets, emergency overflows, areas of ponding
- Preferred installation period (season and weather window)
