Repair Systems — 01
Heat-welded and cold-applied self-adhered sheet membranes
Technical product reference for heat-welded and cold-applied self-adhered sheet membranes used in balcony and terrace waterproofing remediation. Covers system classification, product selection, application method comparisons, and brand references for Australian Class 2 strata buildings.
What are heat-welded and cold-applied self-adhered sheet membranes?
This category covers two related but distinct types of sheet-applied waterproofing membrane used in balcony, terrace, and wet area remediation:
Heat-welded sheet membranes — factory-manufactured sheets that are cold-laid (unrolled without heat or flame) but have their laps and seams welded using a hot-air gun or heat-welding machine after installation. No open flame is required. Seams are mechanically fused rather than pressure-bonded. The result is a consistent-thickness membrane with factory-quality seam integrity across the field.
Cold-applied self-adhered membranes — peel-and-stick sheet membranes with a factory-applied pressure-sensitive adhesive backing. No heat, torch, or hot-air gun is required at any stage of installation. The membrane bonds to the primed substrate on contact. Laps are pressure-bonded with a roller. Instant waterproof seal — no cure time before tiling or screed in most systems.
Both types eliminate the open-flame fire risk of torch-on bitumen systems, making them suitable for occupied strata buildings, combustible substrates, timber-framed balconies, areas near insulation or PVC services, and any location where a hot-works permit cannot be obtained or where building management prohibits naked flame.
Product selection must consider substrate type, primer compatibility, minimum application temperature, lap seam method, penetration detailing, UV exposure, whether the system is under-tile or exposed, and compatibility with the finish system above the membrane.
Product Reference
4 products — 3 brands — heat-welded and cold-applied self-adhered sheet membranes — scroll to view all
ARDEX WPM 1000
Polypropylene-lined synthetic rubber — heat-welded sheet membrane
Polypropylene-lined synthetic rubber sheet — cold-laid with WA 98 adhesive — heat-welded seams — under-tile and under-screed balcony and wet area use
System Description
ARDEX WPM 1000 (WeldTec) is ARDEX's heat-welded polypropylene-lined sheet membrane for under-tile and under-screed waterproofing on balconies, terraces, and wet areas. It is cold-laid — the sheet is unrolled, positioned, and adhered to the substrate using ARDEX WA 98 contact adhesive — but the laps and seams are heat-welded after installation using a Leister Triac S hot-air gun and pressure roller. There is no open flame at any point. This makes WPM 1000 suitable for occupied strata buildings where hot-works permits are difficult to obtain, and for locations near combustible materials or PVC services where torch-on application is not appropriate. The membrane is a synthetic rubber (butynol) sheet with polypropylene filaments welded onto both sides. The polypropylene facing provides a keyed surface that accepts ARDEX tile adhesives directly over the membrane after only 60 minutes — one of the fastest tile-over times of any sheet membrane system. Consistent 1.2mm thickness across the full roll — no variation due to application technique. The membrane must not be left exposed to UV longer than 30 days — it is a protected system requiring tiles, screed, or pavers above. ARDEX WA 98 contact adhesive is mandatory for full-bond installation. Laps are minimum 40mm side and end. All laps must be welded and probed for continuity — unwelded laps are the primary failure mode.
Technical Properties
- Synthetic rubber (butynol) polypropylene-lined sheet — consistent 1.2mm nominal thickness — 1.4m × 20m rolls (35 kg per roll)
- Cold-laid with ARDEX WA 98 adhesive — laps heat-welded with Leister hot-air gun — no open flame at any stage
- Polypropylene filament facing both sides — accepts ARDEX tile adhesives directly over membrane — tile-over after 60 minutes
- Flood test can commence 60 minutes after installation completion
- Excellent flexibility and elongation — no fillet or bond breaker required at coves and corners
- Suitable substrates: concrete, fibre cement compressed sheet, plywood and timber (max 20% MC), wet-wall linings (VillaBoard, Aquachek, Scyon Secura)
- Complies with AS 4654, AS 4858, and AS 2904 — compatible with most ARDEX tile adhesive systems
Limitations
- Not to be left exposed to UV for more than 30 days — must be covered with tiles, screed, pavers, or decking — not an exposed surface membrane
- ARDEX WA 98 contact adhesive mandatory — do not apply WPM 1000 without the correct adhesive on applicable substrates
- Laps and seams must be heat-welded with a Leister hot-air gun and pressure-rolled — unwelded laps are the primary failure mode — all seams must be probed for continuity after welding
- Minimum 40mm lap on both side and end laps — all laps that will be tiled must be welded before adhesive is applied — you cannot weld glued laps
- Transition substrate gaps and cove/fillet details must be filled appropriately before membrane installation
- Confirm current product specification and compatible accessories with ARDEX Australia before specifying
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
ARDEX WPM 117
SBS/APP self-adhesive bituminous sheet — cold-applied peel and stick
Self-adhesive SBS/APP bituminous sheet — peel and stick — no open flame — base layer for multi-layer systems or standalone cold-applied waterproofing
System Description
ARDEX WPM 117 (Shelterstick) is a self-adhesive bituminous sheet membrane that is cold-applied without any heat or flame. It is the only product in the ARDEX modified bitumen range that requires no torch or hot-air gun at any stage — the membrane is unrolled, aligned, and pressed into place after removing the silicone release film, using a pressure roller to ensure full contact at laps, corners, and edges. This makes WPM 117 appropriate wherever torch-on application must be avoided: on heat-sensitive substrates including timber, insulation panels, PVC, and existing painted surfaces, and in areas where open flame is prohibited. WPM 117 is a 2mm SBS/APP hybrid bituminous membrane — the underside is SBS-modified for the self-adhesive layer, and the top surface is APP-modified. Fibreglass reinforced. Complies with AS 4654.1. Roll size 1m × 15m. WPM 117 serves two distinct roles: as a standalone cold-applied base layer for balcony and terrace waterproofing on heat-sensitive substrates, and as a self-adhesive underlay base sheet in multi-layer systems — the top surface can be activated by heat from a subsequently torched-on cap sheet such as WPM 185, allowing a torch-on cap to be applied over WPM 117 without the torch flame contacting the sensitive substrate below. Self-seals on contact if accidentally punctured by nails or fasteners during subsequent installation work.
Technical Properties
- 2mm SBS/APP hybrid bituminous membrane — SBS self-adhesive lower surface, APP top surface — fibreglass reinforcement
- Cold-applied peel-and-stick — no open flame or hot-air gun required at any stage
- Self-seals on contact if punctured by nails or fasteners during subsequent installation work
- Top surface can be activated by a subsequently applied torch-on cap sheet — allows use as a heat-sensitive base in multi-layer systems
- Highly resistant to acids, alkalis, and other pollutants
- Roll size: 1m × 15m — minimum side lap 100mm — minimum end lap 150mm — complies with AS 4654.1
- Suitable substrates: concrete, render, timber, insulation panels, PVC, existing painted or coated surfaces, existing bitumen membranes
Limitations
- Must be installed from lowest to highest point in direction of slope — incorrect direction creates water trapping at laps
- Primer mandatory on all substrates — allow primer to become tack-free before applying membrane — do not apply to wet or uncured substrates
- Not a UV-stable exposed membrane — must be covered with a cap sheet, tiles, screed, or protection layer — store rolls protected from sunlight
- Pressure roller mandatory at all laps, corners, connections, and edges — hand pressure alone is insufficient to achieve full bond at laps
- When used as a base layer below a torch-on cap sheet, the torch flame must not overheat the WPM 117 — careful flame management required
- Confirm current product specification with ARDEX Australia before specifying
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Gripset BRW-PFN
Butyl rubber self-adhesive sheet — polypropylene fabric face — cold-applied
Self-adhesive butyl rubber sheet — polypropylene fabric face — cold-applied peel and stick — instant seal — tile direct — balconies and wet areas
System Description
Gripset BRW-PFN is a self-adhesive butyl rubber sheet membrane with a polypropylene fabric facing. It is cold-applied — peel the release film and press the membrane onto the primed substrate — with no heat, torch, or hot-air welding required at any stage. Unlike the bituminous self-adhesive membranes in this category (ARDEX WPM 117), BRW-PFN is a non-bituminous butyl rubber system, which means no bleeding or yellowing at terminations above ground or at wall interfaces, and no bitumen odour during or after installation. The polypropylene fabric face supports the direct application of tile adhesives, screeds, renders, and approved decorative finishes directly over the membrane with no waiting period for cure — making BRW-PFN well suited to programme-critical strata remediation projects where turnaround time between waterproofing completion and tiling commencement is a constraint. BRW-PFN is 1mm thick with greater than 60% elongation — Class II anti-fracture performance. It works as part of a hybrid system alongside Gripset liquid membranes: liquid membrane is applied at junctions, corners, drain surrounds, and penetrations, and the BRW-PFN sheet covers the field areas. Overlaps at minimum 50mm — pressed with a hand roller. Complies with AS 4858 and AS 4654.1.
Technical Properties
- Self-adhesive butyl rubber — polypropylene fabric face — 1mm consistent thickness
- Non-bituminous — no bleeding, yellowing, or bitumen odour at terminations or wall interfaces
- Cold-applied peel-and-stick — no torch, heat gun, or flame at any stage — instant waterproof seal on contact
- No cure time before tiling or screed application — polypropylene fabric face accepts tile adhesives, screeds, and mortars directly
- Greater than 60% elongation — Class II anti-fracture performance — accommodates substrate movement and vibration
- Wide application temperature range: −30°C to 80°C — adhesion unaffected by cold or hot installation conditions
- Complies with AS 4858 and AS 4654.1 — suitable substrates: concrete, render, masonry, fibre cement, plywood
Limitations
- 1mm thickness — thinner than modified bitumen sheet systems — confirm substrate is smooth, sound, and free from sharp edges before application
- Primer mandatory — confirm correct Gripset primer for the specific substrate with Gripset technical before application
- Minimum 50mm overlap on all laps — must be pressed firmly with a hand roller — insufficient lap pressure is the primary bond failure mode
- Not a UV-stable exposed membrane — must be covered with tiles, screed, pavers, or finish — do not leave exposed
- Liquid membrane detailing required at all junctions, corners, drain surrounds, coves, and penetrations — BRW-PFN is a field-area sheet membrane, not a detailing product
- Confirm current product specification with Gripset Industries before specifying
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Gripset BRW-HD
Butyl rubber self-adhesive sheet — HDPE film face — cold-applied — heavy duty
Self-adhesive butyl rubber sheet — HDPE film face — cold-applied — high puncture resistance — multi-layer and podium slab applications
System Description
Gripset BRW-HD is the heavy-duty version of the Gripset BRW self-adhesive butyl rubber range, distinguished from BRW-PFN by its HDPE (high-density polyethylene) film face rather than a polypropylene fabric face. The HDPE facing delivers significantly higher puncture resistance and impact resistance than the fabric-faced BRW-PFN, making BRW-HD the appropriate choice where the membrane will be subjected to construction traffic, aggregate or gravel contact, backfill loads, or use as the primary sheet in a multi-layer waterproofing system on podium slabs, subterranean walls, or heavily loaded balcony structures. Like BRW-PFN, it is a non-bituminous butyl rubber system — cold-applied, peel-and-stick, no torch or heat welding, instant waterproof seal. Suitable application temperature range is −30°C to 80°C. Because it is non-bituminous, there is no risk of bitumen bleed or yellowing at wall terminations. BRW-HD is designed for subterranean and multi-layer applications — it pairs with BRW-PFN in systems where the HD grade provides the waterproof and puncture-resistant primary layer and the PFN grade provides the fabric-faced tile-ready surface layer above. The HDPE face does not accept tile adhesives or renders directly — a BRW-PFN layer, screed, protection board, or decking system must be placed above BRW-HD before applying finishes.
Technical Properties
- Self-adhesive butyl rubber — HDPE film face — cold-applied peel-and-stick — no torch or heat gun required
- Non-bituminous — no bitumen bleed, yellowing, or odour at terminations or above-ground interfaces
- HDPE face — high puncture and impact resistance — suited to construction traffic, gravel, aggregate, or backfill contact
- Instant waterproof seal on contact — no cure delay before subsequent layers are applied
- High bond adhesion on porous and non-porous substrates — retains adhesion across wide temperature range (−30°C to 80°C)
- Complies with AS 4858 and AS 4654.1 — excellent resistance to vibration, movement, and flexing
- Compatible with BRW-PFN as part of a two-layer Gripset BRW system for podium and high-load balcony applications
Limitations
- HDPE face does not accept tile adhesives or renders directly — a BRW-PFN layer, protection board, screed, or paver system must be placed above before finishes are applied
- Not a direct-to-tile membrane — do not specify as a substitute for BRW-PFN where tiles will be laid directly over the membrane
- Primer mandatory — confirm correct Gripset primer for the specific substrate before application
- Minimum 50mm overlap on all laps — pressed firmly with a hand roller — insufficient lap pressure is the primary bond failure mode
- Not a UV-stable exposed membrane — must be covered with a protection layer or finish system — do not leave exposed
- Liquid membrane detailing required at all junctions, drain surrounds, coves, and penetrations
- Confirm current product specification with Gripset Industries before specifying
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of heat-welded and cold-applied self-adhered sheet membrane systems. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| System type | Product | Brand | Application method | Seam method | Face / surface | Tile direct | UV stable | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene-lined synthetic rubber — heat-welded seams | WPM 1000 | ARDEX | Cold-laid + WA 98 adhesive | Leister hot-air gun weld | Polypropylene fleece both sides | Yes — 60 min | No — protected only | Under-tile / screed — balcony and wet area |
| SBS/APP self-adhesive bitumen — peel and stick | WPM 117 | ARDEX | Cold-applied peel and stick | Pressure roller — no welding | APP film top / SBS adhesive base | No — cap sheet or cover required | No — protected only | Base layer in multi-layer system / heat-sensitive substrates |
| Butyl rubber self-adhesive — fabric face — peel and stick | BRW-PFN | Gripset | Cold-applied peel and stick | Pressure roller — no welding | Polypropylene fabric | Yes — immediate | No — protected only | Under-tile / screed — bathrooms and balconies |
| Butyl rubber self-adhesive — HDPE face — peel and stick | BRW-HD | Gripset | Cold-applied peel and stick | Pressure roller — no welding | HDPE film | No — cover layer required | No — protected only | Multi-layer / podium / subterranean / high-load balconies |
Do not confuse heat-welded and cold-applied sheet membranes with:
- Torch-on bitumen membranes (WPM 150, WPM 185, Soprema Sopralene Flam, TREMproof Torch 3000) — these require open-flame gas torch application and are listed on the torch-on sheet membrane page
- Liquid polyurethane or acrylic membranes — roller or brush-applied liquid systems, not sheet products
- Cementitious flexible membranes — cement-based two-part systems such as ARDEX 8+9 or Mapei Mapelastic Foundation
- Crystalline waterproofing — penetrating admixture systems, not membrane-forming
- Trafficable exposed coating systems — surface coatings without a classified membrane specification beneath
Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. Final product selection must be confirmed against the current manufacturer technical data sheet, project specification, substrate condition, exposure level, drainage, required finish, NCC requirements, AS 4654 and AS 4858 requirements where applicable, and applicator warranty conditions. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional engineering or waterproofing consultant advice.