Moisture barrier underlayment with intermediate layer to accommodate expansion and contraction

Abstract

A sound and/or moisture barrier underlayment suited for use on a roof or floor surface to provide a substantially flat and level surface, comprises at least first and second strips of insulation membranes ( 10 ) laid down one next to the other in a coplanar relationship. The first and second strips ( 24, 26 ) have a thickness W 1 . An overlap joint ( 28 ) is provided between the first and second strips ( 24, 26 ). The overlap joint ( 28 ) has a thickness W 2 substantially equal to or less than W 1 to provide a free-bump transition between the first and second strips ( 24, 26 ) while preventing straight-through infiltration.

1 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement comprising at least first and second flexible insulation sheets installed in a coplanar relationship, said first and second insulation sheets having a thickness W 1 , and an overlap joint between said first and second insulation sheets, said overlap joint having a thickness W 2  substantially equal to or less than the thickness W 1  of said first and second sheets. 
     
     
         2 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second insulation sheets have overlapping portions of reduced thicknesses at said overlap joint. 
     
     
         3 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second insulation sheets have adjoining side portions of reduced thicknesses, and wherein a layer of insulation material extends over both said adjoining side portions to form said overlap joint. 
     
     
         4 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second insulation sheets have adjoining side portions of reduced thicknesses. 
     
     
         5 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 4 , wherein each of said first and second insulation sheets includes a moisture barrier. 
     
     
         6 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said first and second insulation sheets are at least partly made of bituminous material. 
     
     
         7 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said first and second insulation sheets are at least partly made of a sound insulation material. 
     
     
         8 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 4 , wherein each of said first and second insulation sheets has a cross-sectional profile selected from a group consisting of: a Z-shape profile, a hat-shaped profile and an inverted hat-shaped profile. 
     
     
         9 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 4 , wherein measuring indicia are provided on a top surface of said first and second insulation sheets. 
     
     
         10 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 4 , wherein a peel-off film at least partly covers a surface of said first and second insulation sheets. 
     
     
         11 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 10 , wherein each of said first and second insulation sheets has an adhesive surface, said adhesive surface being covered by said peel-of film. 
     
     
         12 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said adhesive surface is provided as a pattern of adhesive points distributed on at least one of a top and a bottom surface of the first and second insulation sheets. 
     
     
         13 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said adhesive surface is provided on said adjoining side portions of said first and second insulation sheets only. 
     
     
         14 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein an upwardly facing depression is formed in one of said first and second insulation sheets along one side of said overlap joint. 
     
     
         15 . A flexible insulation sheet-like material arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second insulation sheets are respectively securely mounted underneath first and second floor covering members, and wherein each of said first and second insulation sheets has an upwardly facing overlapping portion and a downwardly facing overlapping portion, said upwardly facing overlapping portion extending laterally outwardly from one side of said first and second floor covering members.