Bratislava, the capital and largest city of Slovakia, stands out for its fascinating blend of historical heritage and modern urban development. The narrow streets of the protected old town contrast with large shopping centres and emerging high-rise buildings, creating an urban fabric in continuous transformation. Within this dynamic context, commercial activities are expanding, broadening their service offering and driving demand for roofing and building-finish solutions.
In this growing scenario, Alitrex s.r.o. represents a reliable and highly qualified partner in the Slovak roofing sector. Our collaboration with this company is built on long-standing professional relations and a shared commitment to innovative, high-quality solutions.
The project described in this case history concerns the refurbishment of the roof of the KARIREAL SLOVAKIA a.s. headquarters in Bratislava.
The roof, covering an area of approximately 3,000 m², required a renovation and energy-efficiency upgrade, replacing the old PVC waterproofing layer with an integrated waterproofing and thermal-insulation system.
The adopted solution involved the design and installation of high-performance bitumen-polymer membranes, starting from the existing load-bearing structure.
The process began with the fixing of fibre-cement boards onto the metal deck, followed by the application of Primer SP.
Why apply a primer? The primer acts as an adhesion promoter, ensuring a strong and durable bond between the membrane and the substrate. Additionally, it prevents substances contained in the old roof from migrating and damaging the new waterproofing membrane.
We then proceeded with the installation of the vapour control layer FIBERFLEX STRIP 4.0 mm, an SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) elastomeric compound membrane offering high elasticity and adhesion. Thanks to the thermoadhesive stripes on its upper surface, torch-application allowed direct fixing of the first layer of 20-cm-thick EPS insulation panels, without the use of oxidised bitumen, mechanical fasteners, adhesives or mastics.
The second insulation layer, consisting of 5-cm-thick EPS panels, was laid over the first one and bonded with adhesive.
To complete the thermal-insulation package, COPERTHERM XPS was selected—an insulation board made by hot-bonding extruded polystyrene to the SINTOPOL 4.0 kg/m² waterproofing membrane.
This combined solution, which integrates insulation and waterproofing in a single product, provides multiple advantages:
- Combined insulation and waterproofing: allows two operations (insulation and waterproofing) to be carried out simultaneously, reducing installation times and overall costs.
- Suitable for various roof types: ideal for flat roofs, pitched roofs, complex geometries or under-tile systems.
- Secure adhesion: the bitumen-polymer membrane is hot-bonded to the insulation, ensuring perfect joint sealing.
- Insulation protection: the membrane protects the insulation from heat, making torch application safe even in systems requiring flame use.
The first waterproofing layer of SINTOPOL 3.0 mm was installed and, to complete the system, the finishing layer consisted of COPERPOL MINERAL 4.5 kg/m², a self-protected membrane with grey slate surfacing.
The elastomeric compound of COPERPOL, obtained by modifying distilled bitumen with APAO-based polyolefinic copolymers, ensures excellent low-temperature flexibility, strong adhesion and outstanding resistance to ageing and UV exposure.
The high-polymer-content compound makes COPERPOL a superior-grade technical membrane, suitable for professional applications. Its ageing resistance guarantees long-term watertightness at overlaps and ensures safe installation with high-quality results.
Peter Hrtanek, Export Area Manager at Copernit, comments:
“Working with qualified partners such as Alitrex s.r.o. enables us to deliver roofing systems that fully meet customer requirements.
The quality of materials, combined with highly professional installation techniques, ensures durable, superior-quality results, optimising construction costs and strengthening customer confidence.
Alitrex s.r.o. is a company I have seen grow in both technical know-how and commercial capability: situations that are challenging for others are completed flawlessly and to the highest standards.”
This project carried out by Alitrex s.r.o. in Bratislava is an example of how technological innovation, combined with a professional approach, can transform roofing systems into high-value, long-lasting and environmentally conscious building components.
Another strength lies in the aesthetic value of a roof waterproofed with bitumen-polymer membranes installed to the highest standards. In an urban context with historical and architectural significance, aspects such as visual integration, respect for the existing fabric and overall perception of the building become essential.
Precision installation ensures a clean, uniform and long-lasting appearance, free from irregularities or imperfections that could compromise the final aesthetic result.
Careful workmanship prevents streaking or visual discontinuities—crucial elements in environments where architectural appearance plays a key role.
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For further details and information, please refer to the technical data sheets:
