Roofing and Flooring System Applications of Polymers in Housing Construction

5 Roofing and Flooring System Applications of Polymers in Housing Construction 

In the traditional waterproofing systems, bitumen (or bituminous felt) was used commonly in the so-called built-up roofs. Since the introduction of plastic films, sheets of mainly 

PVC and PE have played a major role in the shift of early roof waterproofing technology and materials. After the introduction of elastomeric and other thermoplastic materials, flexible membranes of polychloroprene (Neoprene) rubber, butyl rubber and Hypalon were used. Later on, liquid PU, solvent-based liquid acrylate and liquid EPDM systems, in addition to new materials like SBS modified bitumens, were also used in the management of roofing. All fall into the single-ply family of roofing, which offers a much cleaner, safer, energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to built-up roofs. 

Details of EPDM membrane and its applications in roofing is presented in Section 3.5. 

A number of different materials have been used as flooring material, begiiming with rubber (1894), cork (1904), asphalt (1920) and linolemn until after World War II, when easy-to-maintain and more durable vinyl (resilient) flooring was introduced. Today, use of vinyl flooring is second to wall-to-wall carpet application in floor covering sales in 

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