Repair Systems — 01
Membrane Termination Bars & Accessories
Technical product reference for aluminium and stainless-steel termination bar profiles that mechanically anchor the edge of liquid-applied and sheet membranes at wall and upstand terminations in Australian Class 2 strata apartment buildings.
What are membrane termination bars and accessories?
Membrane termination bars are aluminium or stainless-steel extruded profiles that mechanically anchor the top edge of a liquid-applied or sheet membrane at wall upstands, parapets, door thresholds and other vertical termination points on balconies and wet areas. Without mechanical termination, the membrane edge is secured only by adhesion to the vertical substrate — a detail that is vulnerable to thermal cycling, membrane creep, impact damage, and long-term adhesion degradation.
A termination bar is fixed to the substrate at regular centres using screws and plugs. The membrane is then turned up the wall and lapped behind the flange of the bar. The exposed top edge of the bar is sealed with a compatible sealant to prevent water ingress. This detail creates a defined, mechanically secured edge that can be inspected, maintained, and re-sealed over the building life.
AS 4654.2 requires a minimum 50 mm membrane turn-up height at all upstands and vertical surfaces, measured from the finished floor level. The termination bar must be positioned to allow for this minimum height while also providing a neat and weather-resistant termination detail. Always confirm minimum turn-up height requirements against the specific membrane system TDS and the applicable Australian Standard.
Do not confuse termination bars with:
- Schluter DILEX or KSBT profiles — expansion joint cover systems, not membrane termination accessories
- Tile edge trims — decorative and tile-edge protection profiles, not membrane anchors
- Sealant alone at top of membrane — sealant is a maintenance joint; mechanical termination bar provides the primary anchor
- Embedded reinforcing fabric — fabric is embedded within the membrane body at junctions, not a termination accessory
Product Reference
3 products — 3 brands — aluminium membrane termination profiles — scroll to view all
System Description
Schluter BARA-RK is an aluminium termination bar profile designed to mechanically anchor the top edge of liquid-applied waterproofing membranes at upstand and wall terminations on balconies and wet areas. The bar is fixed to the wall substrate using screws and plugs at regular centres, and the membrane is turned up and lapped behind the bar. The profile edge is then sealed with compatible sealant to prevent water entry behind the termination. Used in Class 2 strata balcony and wet area remediation at the point where the waterproofing membrane terminates at a vertical surface — providing a neat mechanical anchor that eliminates reliance on adhesion alone at this vulnerable edge. Confirm compatibility with the specific membrane system being used with Schluter before specifying.
Technical Properties
- Aluminium profile — corrosion-resistant — suitable for external and internal wet area use
- Mechanical fix at regular centres — membrane termination edge is not relying on adhesion to vertical substrate alone
- Profile designed to receive membrane behind the flange — membrane laps under and is trapped by the bar
Limitations
- Profile must be fixed level and true — misalignment affects membrane turn-up installation and sealant joint quality
- Sealant at top edge of bar is a maintenance joint — will require periodic inspection and re-sealing over the building life
- Confirm fixing substrate is suitable — hollow masonry or substrate without adequate embedment will not hold fixing under thermal cycling
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Description
ARDEX supplies aluminium membrane termination profiles as accessories for use with their waterproofing membrane systems (WPM range). These profiles provide a mechanical termination point for liquid-applied membranes at upstands and wall junctions, replacing adhesive-only edge termination. Fixed to the substrate at regular centres, the membrane is lapped behind the flange, and the exposed top edge is sealed with compatible sealant. // TODO: Confirm the current exact ARDEX product name and part number for their membrane termination bar accessory — ARDEX accessory product naming may vary. Contact ARDEX Australia technical for current product specification.
Technical Properties
- Aluminium profile — corrosion-resistant — suitable for external balcony and internal wet area use
- Designed for use with ARDEX waterproofing membrane systems — confirm system compatibility with ARDEX technical
- Mechanical fix at regular centres — reduces reliance on adhesion alone at membrane edge termination
Limitations
- // TODO: confirm product is available as a standard ARDEX accessory — consult ARDEX Australia for current product availability and specification
- Sealant joint at top edge of profile requires maintenance — periodic inspection and re-sealing over building life
- Profile must be installed plumb and level — misalignment will affect membrane installation and sealant quality
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Description
Mapei supplies aluminium membrane termination profiles as part of their complete waterproofing system for use with Mapelastic, Mapegum WPS and related liquid-applied waterproofing membranes. The profile mechanically anchors the membrane at upstand and wall terminations, providing a durable and inspectable edge detail for balcony and wet area applications. // TODO: Confirm the exact current Mapei product name and part number for their membrane termination profile range in Australia — the Mapei accessory product range may use different designations from the European catalogue. Contact Mapei Australia technical for current product specification.
Technical Properties
- Aluminium profile — suitable for external and internal wet area and balcony applications
- Mechanical fix at regular centres — compatible with Mapei liquid-applied waterproofing membrane systems
- Provides defined edge termination at upstands and wall junctions in balcony and wet area waterproofing
Limitations
- // TODO: confirm current Mapei Australia product designation and availability for membrane termination profiles
- Sealant joint at profile top edge requires periodic maintenance inspection and re-sealing
- Profile alignment critical — must be level and plumb for correct membrane installation
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
ARDEX STB / STA Self-Adhesive Butynol Tape
Self-adhesive butyl rubber sealing tape — membrane terminations and detailing
System Description
ARDEX STB / STA are self-adhesive butyl rubber tapes for use in ARDEX Butynol sheet membrane systems — providing sealing at membrane terminations, laps, upstands, penetrations and junctions. Self-adhesive butyl rubber provides immediate adhesion on contact without the need for heat, open flame, or separate adhesive. STB and STA designations refer to different tape formats within the ARDEX Butynol accessory range — confirm the appropriate tape format, width, and thickness for the specific application detail with ARDEX Australia. Apply to primed or cleaned substrates and press firmly with a roller for full contact adhesion.
Technical Properties
- Self-adhesive butyl rubber tape — for membrane termination sealing and detailing
- Cold-applied — no heat, flame or separate adhesive required
- For use with ARDEX Butynol sheet membrane systems — sealing laps, upstands, penetrations and junctions
Limitations
- Confirm correct tape format (STB or STA), width and thickness for the specific application with ARDEX Australia
- Apply to primed or clean substrates — contamination reduces adhesion
- Part of the ARDEX Butynol system — confirm compatibility with the specific ARDEX membrane system being used
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side technical comparison of membrane termination bar profiles. * Confirm exact product designation and specification with manufacturer.
| Product | Brand | Material | Membrane system | Fixing method | Sealant at top edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schluter BARA-RK | Schluter | Aluminium | Schluter + compatible liquid-applied membranes | Screw & plug — regular centres | Yes — maintenance joint | Schluter system component — confirm compatibility with specific membrane |
| ARDEX Termination Profile | ARDEX | Aluminium | ARDEX WPM waterproofing systems | Screw & plug — regular centres | Yes — maintenance joint | Confirm exact ARDEX AU product designation with ARDEX technical |
| Mapei Termination Profile | Mapei | Aluminium | Mapelastic / Mapegum WPS systems | Screw & plug — regular centres | Yes — maintenance joint | Confirm exact Mapei AU product designation with Mapei technical |
Brand Equivalents
Membrane termination bar equivalents across brands active in Australian Class 2 strata remediation. * Confirm exact product designation with manufacturer.
| System type | Schluter | ARDEX | Mapei |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium termination bar — liquid-applied membrane | BARA-RK | Termination Profile* | Termination Profile* |
Critical detail requirements — membrane termination
- Minimum 50 mm membrane turn-up height at all upstands — measured from finished floor level — per AS 4654.2. Confirm with the specific membrane TDS.
- The sealant bead at the top edge of the termination bar is a maintenance joint — it will require periodic inspection and re-sealing over the building life and must be included in the building maintenance schedule
- Membrane must be fully lapped behind the bar flange before the bar is fixed — do not fix bar first then attempt to insert membrane behind the flange
- The termination bar does not replace the requirement for correct membrane turn-up installation, correct priming of the vertical substrate, and compatible sealant selection
Disclaimer
Information is general only. Product selection and installation details must be confirmed against the current manufacturer technical data sheet, the specific waterproofing membrane system specification, substrate conditions, AS 4654.2, AS 3740, and NCC requirements. Minimum membrane turn-up heights and termination details must be confirmed with the membrane manufacturer and a qualified waterproofing consultant. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional engineering or waterproofing consultant advice.