About Roofing Kits
Roofing kits are designed for TPO, PVC and EPDM membrane welding for roofers and waterproofers. Each kit combines a hot-air welder (hand or, for larger areas, an automatic overlap welder), the correct nozzles and pressure rollers, and the accessories needed to lap-weld membrane seams reliably.A properly hot-air-welded membrane seam is stronger and more durable than adhesive or tape, which is why welding is the standard for commercial flat-roof and waterproofing work. The kit gives installers a matched system for consistent, weather-tight seams. For large production runs, pair it with an automatic welder. Need help choosing between a hand kit and an automatic setup? See our buying guide or talk to our team.
Roofing membrane welding kits
Single-ply membrane roofing — TPO, PVC and EPDM — is bonded by heat-welding overlapping seams rather than mechanical fixing. The roofing kit gives you the welder, nozzle, roller and detail tools to produce code-compliant 25-40mm seam welds on commercial and residential flat-roof projects.
Commercial flat roofing
Warehouses, retail, schools, apartments and offices. Single-ply membrane has become the default flat-roof system in NZ commercial construction.
Repair & maintenance
Patch repairs, seam re-welding, parapet detail work, drain surrounds. The hand-held welder handles details that automatic machines can't reach.
Residential flat-roof & balconies
PVC and TPO balcony membranes, butyl-replacement work, garden roof waterproofing. Code-compliant alternative to traditional bitumen systems.
Kit contents
| Component | Purpose |
|---|
| High-output hot-air welder | Typically a Triac S or similar, delivering the 460-550°C range needed for TPO and EPDM membranes. |
| 40mm seam nozzle | The wide profile required to weld a continuous 40mm seam in one pass. |
| Penny roller | Hard rubber finishing roller that compresses the molten seam edge for full bond. Standard tool for membrane finishing. |
| Pressure roller (silicone) | Larger roller for the body of the seam. |
| Seam probe | For testing the completed seam — drags along the weld and lifts any partially-bonded sections. |
| Brass brush | Cleans the membrane edge of dust before welding. |
Membrane type quick guide
| Membrane | Temperature | Weld type | Common uses |
|---|
| TPO | 460-480°C | Hot-air seam, no rod (overlap weld) | Commercial flat roofs, modern spec default |
| PVC | 380-430°C | Hot-air seam, no rod (overlap weld) | Balconies, decks, residential flat roof |
| EPDM (heat-weldable) | 500-550°C | Hot-air seam or splice tape | Long-life commercial roofing, common in heritage refits |
| Modified bitumen | Not heat-welded with hot-air kit | Torched or self-adhesive | Traditional bitumen-based systems — different tools required |
Stepping up to automatic seams
For large field seams on commercial flat roofs, an automatic overlap or wedge welder produces faster, more consistent welds and a testable dual-track. Most production roofing fabricators run both: hand-held for details, automatic for the main field.
Frequently asked questions
Which roofing membranes can this kit weld?
TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and EPDM are the three main single-ply membrane systems used commercially in New Zealand. The roofing kit handles all three with the appropriate rod swap. TPO is welded with TPO rod, PVC with PVC rod, EPDM with EPDM rod or seam tape depending on the spec.
Do I need an automatic welder, or will a hand-held kit do?
For domestic roofing repairs and small flat-roof areas, a hand-held kit is fine. For commercial flat roofs (warehouses, schools, retail, apartment blocks), an automatic overlap or wedge welder is much faster and produces more consistent seams. Many roofing fabricators have both: hand-held for details and patches, automatic for the main field seams.
How wide should a roofing seam weld be?
NZ Building Code and most manufacturer specifications require a minimum 25mm wide weld for membrane roofing. Some specifications require 40mm or use a dual-track weld with a test channel for air-pressure testing. The kit's wider seam nozzle is built for this. See our waterproof membrane welding guide.
How do I test that a roofing weld is sound?
For wedge-welded membranes, the standard non-destructive test is air-pressure testing the dual-track seam. For hand-welded membranes, the seam probe / penny roller test is used: dragging a sharp seam-probe tool along the cooled weld will lift any partially-bonded section. Visual inspection plus probe testing covers most certification requirements. See our weld testing equipment range.
What temperature for TPO versus PVC versus EPDM?
Approximate setpoints: TPO 460-480°C, PVC 380-430°C, EPDM 500-550°C (where heat-weldable). Always do a test weld on offcut material first to dial in the exact temperature for the specific brand and thickness — manufacturer datasheets give the precise window.
Need help choosing the right roofing kit?
Tell us about the job: the plastic you're working with, the wall thickness, and how often you'll use the tool. We'll recommend the right combination for the application.
Get a recommendation Call us
About Roofing Kits
Roofing kits are designed for TPO, PVC and EPDM membrane welding for roofers and waterproofers. Each kit combines a hot-air welder (hand or, for larger areas, an automatic overlap welder), the correct nozzles and pressure rollers, and the accessories needed to lap-weld membrane seams reliably.A properly hot-air-welded membrane seam is stronger and more durable than adhesive or tape, which is why welding is the standard for commercial flat-roof and waterproofing work. The kit gives installers a matched system for consistent, weather-tight seams. For large production runs, pair it with an automatic welder. Need help choosing between a hand kit and an automatic setup? See our buying guide or talk to our team.
