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Your roof is probably the most vital part of your property as it serves to shield against harsh natural conditions. In order for your thatch roof to last longer and get better protection from the damages associated with different elements and weather hazards, make sure to choose the right weatherproof roofing solution.
Above are pictures of 2015 fires that destroyed the Flamingo Bay resort in Mozambique, country that suffers from high winds and cyclones causing potential fires. Don’t wait to let this happen to your roof! Mozambique is one of numerous countries that choose Palmex primarily for its fire retardancy advantage. Another reason is because some insurance companies no longer insure lodges that are covered with natural thatch.
Palmex leaves are made with High density polyethylene (HDPE), which presents an extreme resistance to high temperature. There is no spreading of fire observed from HDPE material when Palmex artificial leaf is being burned, and the material does not sustain a flame by itself. That’s why one can even install Palmex above a BBQ or outdoor kitchen. Moreover, because our product is not painted with any spray nor chemical, smoke produced by Palmex material under fire is non-toxic.
As an international company dealing with more than 65 distributors worldwide, we must comply with the highest regulations on the market in regard to fire-retardancy. We obtained the A/M1 certification as per the norm ASTM-E108, which is the strictest in the roofing industry.
We work with Intertek, a long-standing expert on product improvement, conformity and certification. We entrust Intertek for the fireproof testing of our artificial thatch product line.
To visualize a test demonstrating the difference between burning natural thatch versus Palmex, click here.
Several Palmex customers are located in geographical zones that are faced with high winds, hurricanes, cyclones & earthquakes. Our team invested a lot of time in R&D to make sure our product would remain intact in a windy context. Palmex thatch has been tested for its resistance to high winds by the engineers of Air-Ins Inc and Pri-Group, a laboratory that specializes in performance evaluation of building envelope components. Our synthetic thatch is now certified wind-resistant up to 260 km/h (160 mph).
To visualize a test demonstrating the solidness and durability of Palmex thatch remaining intact after hurricanes in the Caribbean, click here. Pictures below also validate the longevity of a Palmex roof having faced Mother Nature’s challenges.
Below is a project in Easter Island, that survived the earthquake in 2015.
Before deciding whether you will maintain the use of natural thatch or invest in synthetic thatch: consider water resistance. Natural thatch does not guarantee waterproofing. A waterproof membrane will typically be required under the natural thatch in order to avoid water coming through, and these are additional costs to consider. Moreover, natural thatch will not be spared from moisture absorption, mold, growth of moss, insects, algae and rotting.
HDPE, Palmex thatch component, is a thermoplastic polymer which simply does not attract and retain water. Moreover, as long as your roof has an adequate slope, water will flow naturally on the roof and not penetrate your roof. Thus, with Palmex, you will opt for peace of mind because our product is 100% guaranteed waterproof.
To visualize a waterproofing test on a Palmex structure, click here.
Sun can be damaging to thatch roofs. Dealing with customers located in highly irradiated zones means we also had to adapt to the climate and find a material that resisted sunshine all year long.
To make sure beautiful colors are preserved and to avoid brittle, Palmex products are UV protected during our extrusion process. Palmex works closely with Micom Laboratories, a material testing lab that specializes in UV testing to make sure our products withstand the sun’s rays and maintain their color throughout the year even with strong sun rays. Our 20-year warranty covers color degradation.
HDPE has a wide variety of applications: boats, fuel tanks, water pipes & so on. It is a long-lasting, resilient, and incredibly sturdy material. When used for outdoor applications, it can stand some of the most extreme weather like Canadian winter.
Noémie Bond | Palmex International