The Benefits of PVC KEE and When to Specify PVC KEE

PVC is made from Polyvinyl Chloride. Simply put, it's plastic, very similar to PVC pipes, flooring, and siding you're accustomed to seeing at the hardware store. In roofing, PVC is combined with a plasticizer to form a flexible, single-ply membrane that can last for decades. PVC single-ply membranes were first installed in Europe in the 1960s and the United States in the 1970s. PVC membranes can be ballasted, mechanically attached, or fully adhered for installation — further adding to their versatility. 

A few benefits of PVC membrane include: 

• Durability: PVC is chemical, grease, and animal-fat resistant. Heat-welded seams form a watertight bond, and the membrane can stand up to moderate foot traffic.   

• Fire resistance: PVC is self-extinguishing. It's the most fire-resistant single-ply roofing membrane available today. 

• Sustainability: PVC is a cool roof solution, meaning it can help lower energy costs in hot climates where peak air conditioning loads are a constant concern. PVC is also almost 100% recyclable. Not all types of thermoplastic roofing materials are recyclable.

PVC is an excellent choice for building owners who seek a highly durable, waterproof, and reflective roof. 

By formulating PVC with KEE, we can increase the chemical resistance, reflexivity, flexibility, and durability of a membrane. Elevate uses a custom blend of Polyvinyl Chloride and DuPont™ Elvaloy® Ketone Ethylene Ester, a formulation that's provided in-market performance for 30 years and counting. It meets or exceeds all requirements for ASTM D 4434, Type III Specification. 

"Only PVC with Elvaloy® KEE has the advantage of a solid phase (non-migrating) flexibilizer to prevent embrittlement and assure easy maintenance over the service life of the installation," notes Dow.

The Elevate PVC KEE membrane offers many advantages: 

• Quick installation: Elevate PVC KEE can be installed in various temperatures, with almost no specialized equipment. Membranes are seamed with a hot-air gun for heat-welded, watertight bonds. No seam adhesives, caulks, or tapes are needed. 
• Increased fire resistance: Elevate PVC KEE membranes are fire-resistant, hard to ignite, have a low heat release, and are self-extinguishing in the event of a fire.
• Increased reflectivity: Elevate PVC KEE reflects sunlight and absorbs less heat, making it a cool roof solution. It helps keep a building's interior cooler and can even help mitigate the urban heat island effect, thereby lowering energy consumption, improving air quality, and contributing to cooler cities. Elevate PVC KEE also meets the California Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24).
• Backed by the Elevate promise: We support our PVC KEE with the Elevate Red Shield Limited Warranty of up to 30-years on 80 mils.
• More, more, and more: The Elevate formulation for PVC KEE offers enduring plasticizer retention, fewer maintenance costs throughout the roof's life, and overall long roof life. 

The inherent qualities of PVC KEE make the membrane ideal for low-slope roofs that require heavy-duty durability and the benefit of a watertight, monolithic membrane. Consider specifying Elevate PVC KEE when there's a need for resistance to fire, grease, fuels, air conditioning coolants, and other harsh chemicals. 

Applications for PVC KEE roofs include: 

• Airports
• Restaurants
• Food Processing Facilities
• Manufacturing Facilities