Duradek US Inc.
1722 Iron Street
N. Kansas City, MO 64116
Tel: (816) 421-5830
Toll-Free: (800) 338-3568
Fax: (816) 421-2924
E-mail: duradek@kcnet.com

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.

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.

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 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.

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)

The TTMAC specifies 3/4" plywood covered with 1/2" cement board for a total 1 1/4" substrate. Joist spacing depends upon the spans and should be engineered. The surface must be very stable as any deflection may cause cracking or erupting of the tile. Concrete surfaces must be reasonably smooth to accept the membrane.

There are many ways the perimeter can be trimmed out depending upon the finished look the owner is trying to achieve. Working out these details in advance of the waterproof membrane application will save many steps later when the tile applicator comes in to complete the job. Only a few of the available TILEDEK perimeter details are shown here. Moisture WILL get through the grout and beneath the tile. A tile application is NOT waterproof. The main issue is to fully protect the structure from water damage and to make sure the moisture that penetrates the system is properly deflected (by sound waterproofing details, slope, trims etc.).  That's where the 30+ years of Duradek's expertise at waterproofing balconies and roof decks plays such an important part. Our details for finishing at walls, doors, corners, stairs, pillars etc are all done expecting the membrane to act first and foremost as a ROOF.

Attaching rails to a tiled waterproof surface can be a major challenge. Duradek's trained, professional contractors also install railings and can assure the attachment of the rails does not compromise the waterproofing.

TILEDEK is covered with a ten-year waterproof warranty. Its life expectancy is much longer as the membrane is protected from the sun, pollution and traffic. See the warranty for details.