Upside Down Roof System

The so called upside down roof is simply a rearrangement of the normal elements of a roofing system to try and overcome some of the disadvantages of the conventional arrangement.

Upside down roof system.

Insulation boards are loose laid on top of the membrane and then weighted down with paving slabs or gravel ballast. These systems are typically applied in conditions where there is extensive roof traffic or to protect from excessive weather conditions such as multiple hail events. The system is also referred to as a protected membrane or upside down roof. In an inverted membrane system the coventional membrane arrangement is invereted or turned upside down.

Benefits of inverted roofs the great benefit of inverted roofs is that the insulation protects the membrane from extremes of weather such as frost uv exposure and the expansion and contraction that comes about from summer winter temperature cycles which can be as much as 80 c on some roofs. Inverted membrane roof systems. In an inverted membrane system the conventional membrane arrangement is inverted or turned upside down. Illustrations courtesy of american hydrotech inc.

Also known as a protected membrane or upside down roof inverted roofs employ insulation which can resist water absorption provide excellent thermal performance be unaffected by freeze and thaw cycles withstand surface traffic and be protected from uv and mechanical damage among others.