DURAmembrane: A high performance Waterproofing Membrane from Supreme

Supreme Industries, which has been providing durable, cost effective and environment friendly products for construction industry across the country for over six decades, offers 'DURA' range of civil products that truly represents the word 'durable.' All the products manufactured by the company have been developed after strenuous interactions with experts in the field, studying current requirements and emerging trends to cater to the fast changing demand scenario of new generation in the sector. Supreme Industries always strives to offer products that are best suited to the clients' requirement like its latest offering 'DURAmembrane'.

The company manufactures products in the most environment–friendly manner and constantly upgrades the products to meet the current challenges to recommend the best solutions, always. All its products help in reducing consumption of available resources thereby helping the environmental cause.

DURA range of product

The company manufactures and provides varieties of products in its DURA range including: DURAboardHD100 (Formerly SILFLEX), which is a cross-linked, pre-moulded, high performance joint filler for structural expansion of joints in concrete bricks and block works, DURArods (Formerly SIL SEAL) - expanded polyethylene foam rods as a back-up to sealants, DURAroofil (Formerly SIL ROOFIL), which is the most modern customized, light weight, resilient, soft, polymer based closed-cell profiles for PEB structures.

Apart from this, the company also makes available DURAvapourbarrier (Formerly SIL VAPOUR BARRIER), which is a high performance multilayer microcell PE film for water vapor barrier applications. Similarly, DURAprotector (Formerly MEMBRANE PROTECTION BOARD), another product of the company which is chemically cross linked block foam for protection of waterproofing membranes, liquid applied waterproofing membranes in horizontal and vertical applications. DURAfill (Formerly known as SILFIL) is an alkali resistant, closed cell polymer based board for black cotton soil barrier, weak soil foundation and the latest addition to the portfolio is the newly launched 'DURAmembrane' for all types of waterproofing applications.

DURAmembrane

Among its various innovative products, the Supreme Industries has added DURAmembrane, a new offering in the portfolio of competent and 'DURAble' products for the Construction Accessories Division. DURAmembrane is a new generation, cost effective solution for waterproofing of basements and roofs. It is a versatile material, capable of retaining the dryness of concrete, masonry, metal and wood structures. It is also resistant to salts, alkalis and various types of acids. In fact, the product is a high performance, composite polymeric membrane offering a quick and easy-to-apply system, ensuring hassle-free maximum productivity.

The company launched the new product as there was a continuous demand from innumerable satisfied customers to develop waterproofing solutions to solve the leakage problems in their factories and offices. They were not satisfied with the current waterproofing systems available in the market after which company's research and development team started working full-fledged on the project to develop a composite of various polymers cross linked and fused resulting in this exclusive high performance membrane. The most striking advantage of the product is that it can be used in new constructions and also at the time of repairing the old structures. The Supreme Industries, which is the only manufacturer of this type of waterproofing membrane in India, has planned to use DURA membrane for applications including concrete roof waterproofing, basement waterproofing, water proofing of bathrooms, and terrace gardens.

Striking features

DURAmembrane is a high performance composite polymeric membrane, which is durable, lightweight, non-deteriorating, punctures resistant, is available in length stretching up-to 50 meters. It is now crystal clear that bitumen disintegrates after contact with water and also catches fungi after which it starts melting during summer due to lessening of its puncture resistant strength. In contrast, DURAmembrane has a very good puncture resistance of 199 N (Test method - ASTM E154: 1999) and because it is polymer based it won't deteriorate. That apart, none of the waterproofing solution systems provide any added advantage except waterproofing whereas DURAmembrane is not only 100% waterproof but also an excellent insulating material. Other treatments have a tendency to absorb moisture and conduct heat but DURAmembrane does not absorb water at all. Its 'K' value does not deteriorate because its inherent closed cell structure ensures truly effective thermal insulation and waterproofing for a life time.

Excellent in extreme conditions

In view of the unpredictable climatic conditions in India where the ambient temperature varies between 0 to 50°C, the overlaying treatment must withstand the corresponding variation in temperature from 1 to 65°C. DURAmembrane meets these challenges with complete and effortless ease and can withstand temperature ranging from -40 to +115°C.

Any roof treatment has to contend with the unrelenting assault of surface expansion and contraction due to daily or seasonal temperature variations. Further, roof treatments have to withstand more than just surface expansion and contraction including structural movements during sudden drop in temperature resulting in thermal shocks. DURAmembrane has an excellent elongation and tensile strength that enables it to take all movements in its stride. It is fracture, crumble, shatter and abrasion proof and resistant to most corrosive chemicals.

Demand scenario

Shortly after the on-set of monsoons, problems like leakage and seepage in roofs, walls, basements, bathrooms both in commercial and residential buildings including factories, is a common feature. After every shower of rain, structures tend to expose their limitations and flaws during the monsoon rains, in fact, test buildings and reveal the defects that are not normally observed during sunny days. To avoid huge losses to the buildings and other structures people increasingly pay attention to the leakage related problems prior to the next rains. As it is being the first of its kind concrete roof and basement waterproofing product, specially designed to withstand the hot and humid Indian conditions, DURAmembrane is a perfect blend to solve problems and avoid huge losses arising out of leakages to both individual and contractors. The entire construction industry in India will benefit because of the fact that the product will not only help them to overcome complex challenges, but also enhance their productivity and durability.