Duradek's outdoor anti-fracture roofing membrane, TILEDEK
For over 35 years Duradek has been the first choice of discriminating builders, architects and homeowners looking for the ultimate waterproof surface for balconies and roof decks. Duradek pioneered the sheet vinyl decking industry with its unique system that was (and is) only available through a network of applicators specifically trained for this end use. And now, using the same proven installation techniques, the same network of professional applicators and a variation of the same product (of which over 100 million square feet have been installed), TILEDEK is about to revolutionize the decking and flat roof deck industry.

Roofing approved membrane
Duradek's TILEDEK is an approved roof membrane, virtually identical to Duradek Ultra except for a fabric laminated to its topside. The tiles are bonded securely to the fabric-covered membrane with thinset mortar. Duradek Ultra has been tested to meet the CGSB and CCMC requirements in Canada and the ICC requirements in the US as a walkable roof deck membrane. In addition, it is under Quality Control guidelines through ITS.

Alternatives
There are very few waterproofing membranes designed for outdoor tile applications and even fewer that are approved or suitable for roofing applications. The most commonly used roofing products are torch applied modified bitumen granular faced membranes. The manufacturers of these products DO NOT guarantee or even RECOMMEND them for this use and in some cases void their roofing warranties if anything is attached overtop. Under high heat conditions, these types of roof membranes get very soft, allowing movement that may cause the grout to fail and ultimately, the tiles to crack. The oils in the product are not compatible with the thinset mortars or the grout and have been known to cause staining.

TILEDEK is designed for outdoor tile roofing applications
TILEDEK is a very dense PVC membrane that will not compress even under intense heat and therefore is a very stable platform for the tile. It has been tested to ASTM C627 using the Robinson-type floor tester and has achieved a HEAVY rating over a plywood / cement board (1 1/4" total substrate). The chemistry of the membrane is completely compatible with the thinset mortars and grouts and will not cause any staining.

TILEDEK as an anti-fracture membrane
For over 30 years Duradek has been installed over plywood and concrete surfaces, all of which move constantly with the changes of temperature throughout the year. It easily bridges the cracks and does not "bulge up" like many liquid applied membranes do. Crack isolation membranes of very similar construction have been used for decades to prevent substrate cracks from travelling into the tile on the surface in residential and commercial applications (e.g. shopping mall floors)