Prominent Insulation Material: Membrane

Prominent Insulation Material: Membrane

The membrane is a product that we frequently come across in construction. It is one of the most preferred products especially for insulation against water. The area of usage and types of this product is quite extended. You need to have sufficient knowledge about the membrane to get the best results of the product. In this article, we gathered the most asked questions about the membrane. What is the membrane? What are the types of membranes? What are its different usage areas? What should you consider when buying a membrane? You will find all the answers to these questions in our article.

What Does Membrane Mean?

The membrane is a technical term given to the semipermeable structures. In other words, a structure that permits some substances to pass while it blocks others is called a membrane. In fact, the word membrane is a term that is rather used in biology. Cell membranes which are the smallest structural unit of human, as well as the nuclear membranes that cover the nucleus at the center of the cell; and tissues such as mucosa and serosa are called membranes. In short, the membrane is in fact a structure that takes part in nature itself.

This fiber coming from nature has some kind of smart structure that passes some substances and blocks some. The scientists who want to use this smart structure in different areas developed synthetic membrane in time. These synthetic membranes which are used especially in labs and various industrial areas, are developed in the lab environment and began to be used in different areas with mass production. We see the inspiring side of nature once more with membranes finding itself usage means in many areas.

How Was Membrane Discovered?

How come did this tiny semipermeable tissue in the smallest structural unit of every living creature transformed into one of the inspiring and essential materials in the construction industry? We are going to make a little time-travel to find the answer. First, we need to travel to the 1940s. That the cell has a membrane structure has been known to some extent since the 18th century. However, its usage for different purposes coincides with the World War II period. In Europe where people had difficulty finding clear drinking water sources under harsh war conditions, membrane filters began to be used to analyze water quality. But due to the lack of reliability, working on a slow principle, insufficient selectiveness, and quite a high cost, membranes could not have a wide usage area. Still, they managed to get into the radar of the scientists in that period.

Our time travel continues… Now, let’s proceed further in time and travel to the 1980s. The first usage of membranes on a large scale coincides with that time. In that period, membranes began to be used in micro-filtering and ultra-filtering technologies. This led to the development of membrane technology. Since that period, membranes, along with electrodialysis, have been used in large facilities.

Different Uses of Membrane in the Construction Industry

The membrane material is used in various areas of the construction industry. The first of these are membrane structures. The impressive effect that occurs in these structures is that they have a thin, flexible surface that carries loads with tensile stress. In addition, the membrane is also used as an insulating material in constructions. Membrane comes out as a useful tool for waterproofing. Together, we will go into the wide use of the membrane in the construction industry.

What Does Membrane Structure Mean?

A yellow hard hat on the table

After the development of membrane technology, this material started to be used in many different fields. One of these is the construction industry. Membrane structures are used to create outstanding structures in the construction industry. Membrane structures are spatial structures made of stretched membranes. In these structures, membranes work with cables, columns and other construction elements to find a form.

They are also structures with a thin, flexible surface that carry loads with tensile stresses. It is possible to create remarkable and innovative buildings in the construction area with membrane structures divided into two as tent structures and pneumatic structures.

How Is Membrane Used in Constructions?

The use of a membrane in construction comes up at the point of insulation. Membranes used for waterproofing are preferred in almost every construction today since they provide effective solutions.

Where Is Membrane Used in Construction?

Construction workers

The membrane can be used where a structure needs waterproofing. Some examples can be listed as follows;

Foundation of the Building: In order to prevent the building from getting water from the bottom, it must be insulated with a membrane at its base. Exterior Walls of the Building: Exterior walls are another point where the building can take water. Thanks to the membrane insulation applied to these points, water intake from the exterior walls are prevented. The roof of the Building: The upper parts of the buildings are areas susceptive to water intake. The membrane material used during roof insulation provides insulation in this area. Generally, sandy membranes are used on the roofs of the buildings. The sandy membrane can be brick red or green optionally in the construction to be used. With this material, heat insulation is provided for the roof. Balconies: Membrane can be used to waterproof the balconies of the buildings. Chimneys: Chimneys, which are an important part of the roof, can also be insulated with membranes. Wet, Bulky Areas Another area where the membrane is most preferred is wet, bulky areas and pools. It is important to insulate these areas with membranes to preserve the water here.

What Are Membrane Types?

The membrane is basically divided into two types. The main separation point is the carrier type. The fırst one is polyester felt carrier membrane. The second type of membrane is called a fiberglass carrier.

There is the main reason for the membrane to be separated by its carrier feature. The type of carrier changes many features of the membrane. These features include membrane weight, volume, resistance to different temperatures, elongation resistance, bitumen breakpoint, and tensile strength. It is very important to make the membrane choice correctly due to such basic differences. Baumerk, as with all materials, demonstrates its expertise in membrane selection. You can find out which membrane should be preferred in which case, whether the technical aspect of the membrane is suitable for your construction by asking Baumerk's expert sales representatives.

An Innovative Product: PVC Membrane

One of the most used membrane types is the PVC membrane. The most important feature of the PVC membrane is that it does not harm human health. PVC material, which is confirmed to be non-carcinogenic by the World Health Organization and is not dangerous to human health, is used with the membrane in construction.

There are many advantages to using PVC membranes. First of all, this material breathes thanks to its vapor permeability. In addition, it can be safely applied in a single coat. PVC membrane is very durable and easy to repair. This high-quality product also creates a great combination with a hot air source. Environment-friendly and recyclable PVC membrane is a product suitable for safety due to its resistance to burning.

What Is Liquid Membrane?

As the membrane can be found in a solid-state, it also appears as a liquid. Liquid membrane is essentially an acrylic copolymer resin-based material. It is sold ready to use. It has a very elastic structure. It is also water-based. Liquid membranes can be easily applied to any surface. Therefore, the top of the liquid membrane can be painted in the desired color. Baumerk's liquid membrane productis quite easy to use thanks to its semi-fluid structure. Liquid membrane, which facilitates adhesion among all types of building materials, does not contain solvents. Liquid membrane, which has a breathing structure, provides an excellent waterproofing on the surface it is applied to.

What Is Membrane Filter?

Another area where the membrane is used is water treatment. The membrane filters used in this field come to the fore with many different features. Membrane filters ensure the reverse osmosis process. Reverse osmosis essentially means the transition of matter from the denser medium to the less dense medium between areas of two different densities thanks to a semipermeable membrane structure. The membrane filters, which have a porous structure, ensure that the dirty water entering from one end comes out clean from the other end. There is actually no visible change during this process. Because the membrane removes tiny particles that even the eye cannot see.

Membrane Doors and Covers

Another usage area of membrane is membrane doors and covers. Membrane cover and membrane door production is basically based on a fairly simple principle. They are obtained by the process that occurs when a silicone membrane and MDF material are equally exposed to heat and high pressure on two surfaces. After this process, the harmful aspects of human health are eliminated by covering with PVC. With this sensitivity to human health, membrane doors and covers have been approved by the World Health Organization in that they do not contain carcinogenic substances.

Membrane doors and covers provide a lot of convenience during use. First of all, these products are very easy to clean. Therefore, they can be used in different places. In addition, they provide convenience in decoration. You can choose the shape and color you want without sacrificing robustness with membrane doors and covers that stand out with different color and shape options. Moreover, these products are very long-lasting. Because of these features, they can be considered as a good investment.

What Are the Points to be Considered When Buying a Membrane?

Construction worksite

If you want to use membranes for insulation in your construction, there are a few points to consider before purchasing. If you make a membrane choice considering these points, you can get the best results of the material and you will not waste your money.

First, try to choose a brand that you can trust in customer service and consultation. This is important at two points. First, you will need expert consultation to choose the membrane suitable for your construction. Secondly, it will always be more profitable to work with a brand that provides follow-up service after membrane application and prioritizes customer satisfaction.In this sense, Baumerk's expert opinion on membrane types and post-application follow-up service may be useful for you.The second point to be considered when buying a membrane is the geographical region where this membrane will be applied. Where a building can get water is directly related to its climate zone. Construction in a place with a lot of rain, such as the Black Sea Region, and construction in an area with arid summers, such as the Central Anatolia Region, do not have the same conditions. Therefore, the selected membrane should be accordingly.

Another feature to be considered in relation to the previous point is the thickness of the membrane.

The necessity of working with a reliable brand while purchasing a membrane stands out not only in guidance before and after-sales but also in the quality of the membrane. You can also choose Baumerk's products in order to get a product that meets specifications and standards on any shrinkage or rupture, joint, fire, and impact resistance and adhesion on the membrane.

The membrane is activated by heat during application. For this reason, it is a product that requires high attention in the application. When applying the membrane product, it is necessary to seek advice from a specialized institution. If you prefer Baumerk about the membrane, you will see that it continues to follow the Baumerk application period and serve its customers in the best way possible.