GEO-SYNTHETIC COMPOSITE INSULATION FOR ROOFING

MATERIAU ISOLANT COMPOSITE GEOSYNTHETIQUE POUR COUVERTURE

English Abstract

A geo-synthetic composite insulation panel for roofing applications. The panel
comprises a bottom layer made of an insulating material and a top layer made
from
a geo-textile laminated on top of the bottom layer. The geo-textile material
provides
an absorption zone for any adhesive used to glue waterproof membranes onto the
insulation panel. This allows a better redistribution of loads on the
insulation panel
and increases the resistance of the material to punctures that the surface of
the
waterproof membrane may be subject to. The material, by its nature, will
enhance
the whole integrity of the roofing system.

Claims

6
CLAIMS:
1. A geo-synthetic composite insulation panel for roofing comprising:
- a bottom layer comprising an insulating material; and
- a top layer comprising a geo-textile laminated on top of said bottom layer.
2. The geo-synthetic composite insulation panel according to claim 1, wherein
said insulating material is a rigid insulating material.
3. The geo-synthetic composite insulation panel according to claim 2, wherein
said insulating material is selected from a group consisting of expanded
polystyrene,
extruded polystyrene and isocyanurate.
4. The geo-synthetic composite insulation panel according to claim 1, wherein
said geo-textile is made of polyester.
5. The geo-synthetic composite insulation panel according to claim 1, wherein
said geo-textile is made of a material adapted to absorb adhesive material.
6. The geo-synthetic composite insulation panel according to claim 1, wherein
said geo-textile is made of at least one of a glass-type fabric or a geo-
textile
composite material.
7. The geo-synthetic composite insulation panel according to any one of claims
4 to 6, wherein said geo-textile has a variable density.
8. A method for installing a geo-synthetic composite insulation panel for
roofing
applications comprising the steps of:
a) providing a geo-synthetic composite insulation panel for roofing
comprising:
-a bottom layer comprising an insulating material; and

7
-a top layer comprising a geo-textile laminated on top of the bottom
layer; and
b) joining a waterproof membrane to the insulation panel with an
adhesive.
9. The method for using a geo-synthetic composite insulation panel of claim 8,
wherein the lamination of said top layer on said bottom layer of said
insulation panel
is completed in a factory setting prior to installation on a roof.

Description

CA 02708476 2010-06-29
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GEO-SYNTHETIC COMPOSITE INSULATION FOR ROOFING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to roofing insulation. More particularly, it
relates to a
geo-synthetic composite insulation panel and a method of using such a panel in
roofing applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several types of panels are used for providing insulation in roofing.
Typically, prior
art panels are made of expanded polystyrene or EPS. Several types of densities
of
polystyrene are used including type 1, type 2 or other different densities.
Typically such panels are used to insulate roofs and generally receive a
waterproof
membrane. In these cases, construction panels, either made of wood fiber,
perlite,
recycled asphalt or gypsum or other materials are placed over the insulation.
It can
be noted that these products are the weakest link in the whole roofing
assembly
when wind uplift pressure is applied.
Therefore, there is still presently a need for a composite panel that better
distributes
stresses imposed on the insulation, improves its resistance to punctures and
that will
enhance the structural integrity of the whole roofing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a geo-synthetic composite
insulation
material that addresses at least one of the above-mentioned needs.

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According to the present invention, there is provided a geo-synthetic
composite
insulation panel for roofing comprising:
- a bottom layer comprising an insulating material; and
- a top layer comprising a geo-textile laminated on top of the bottom layer.
Preferably, the insulating material is expanded polystyrene, but can also be
extruded
polystyrene or isocyanurate.
Preferably, the insulating material is a rigid insulating material.
Preferably, the geo-textile is made of polyester or any glass-type fabric or
any other
known geo-textile composite material. The chosen material should preferably
allow a
certain absorption of adhesive material or glue. The geo-textile material can
be of
different densities.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a method for
installing a
geo-synthetic composite insulation panel for roofing applications comprising
the
steps of:
a) providing a geo-synthetic composite insulation panel for roofing
comprising:
-a bottom layer comprising an insulating material; and
-a top layer comprising a geo-textile laminated on top of the bottom
layer;
b) joining a waterproof membrane to the insulation panel with an
adhesive.
Preferably, the laminating or assembly of the top layer on the bottom layer of
the
insulation panel is made in the factory prior to installation on site.

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The geo-textile has two functions. Firstly, the geo-textile layer allows
absorption of
any adhesive material used to fix the waterproof membranes on the insulating
panel.
Moreover, the geo-textile membrane also reinforces the surface of the
insulating
material through stabilization and redistribution of loads. The geo-textile
material
consequently reinforces the structure of the roof and lets it resist more to
punctures
or other compressive forces among others. The material, by its nature, will
enhance
the whole integrity of the roofing system.
Other features and objects of the present invention will become apparent from
the
following description of preferred embodiments, and in reference to the
appended
drawings and given as example only as to show how the invention may be put
into
practice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of a geo-synthetic insulating panel according to a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a geo-synthetic composite insulation
panel 10.
The panel 10 comprises a bottom layer 12 comprising an insulating material and
a
top layer 14 comprising a geo-textile laminated on top of the bottom layer 12.
Preferably, the insulating material is expanded polystyrene, but can also be
extruded
polystyrene or isocyanurate.
Preferably, the insulating material is a rigid insulating material.

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Preferably, the geo-textile is made of polyester or any glass-type fabric or
any other
known geo-textile composite material. The geo-textile material can be of
different
densities.
The present invention also provides a method for installing a geo-synthetic
composite insulation panel for roofing applications comprising the steps of:
a) providing a geo-synthetic composite insulation panel for roofing
comprising:
-a bottom layer comprising an insulating material; and
-a top layer comprising a geo-textile laminated on top of the bottom
layer;
b) joining a waterproof membrane to the insulation panel with an
adhesive.
Preferably, the laminating or assembly of the top layer on the bottom layer of
the
insulation panel is made in the factory prior to installation on site.
The geo-textile material provides an absorption zone for any adhesive used to
bond
waterproof membranes onto the insulation panel. As mentioned above, this
allows a
better redistribution of loads on the insulation panel and increases the
resistance of
the material to punctures that the surface of the waterproof membrane may be
subject to. The material, by its nature, will enhance the whole integrity of
the roofing
system.
Preferably, the geo-textile is made of non-woven polyester or any other known
material that allows a certain absorption of adhesive material or glue.
In summary, the present invention represents a composite panel laminated to a
geo-
textile material.

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While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in
the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Representative Drawing