After first testing the vacuum concept on one of Protan’s own roofs, the major breakthrough came in 1996, when Jon and Olav discovered a one-way valve from the United States that was originally used for drying out roofs. Protan further developed the valve and adapted it for use in a new vacuum-based roofing system — complete with proprietary restriants, seals, and methods for design and installation.
The system works by utilising wind suction to create negative pressure between the roofing membrane and the substrate, keeping the membrane securely in place. This significantly reduces the need for mechanical fastenings over the roof area. The result is a faster, more elegant, and exceptionally robust solution.
One of the first real tests came when Protan, prior to the official launch, was commissioned to refurbish the roof at Gulskogen Shopping Centre in Drammen. The project involved a 3,000 m² flat roof above a grocery store. The plan was to drill and fasten the new roof membrane in the traditional way. But as soon as the installers started drilling, the entire concrete deck began to shake, and concrete dust fell straight down into the fresh-food counters below. The work had to be stopped immediately.
“We had to find a solution that didn’t require drilling into the deck structure,” says Olav Haugerud.
The solution became the Protan Vacuum Roof System — installed without a single mechanical fastening in the field. Only the perimeter restraints were screwed into place. During installation, water-filled “sausages” made from leftover Ventiflex material were used as ballast to keep the membrane in position until the system became active.
The result was so successful that the roof is still in place — 27 years later. The project became a turning point and a confirmation that the concept worked not only in the laboratory, but also in real-world conditions.
To document the solution, Protan entered into a collaboration with SINTEF in 1998. A test roof was installed at SINTEF’s test facility in Trondheim — and it is still in place more than 27 years later.
In 2001, the Protan Vacuum Roof System received SINTEF Technical Approval as an environmentally friendly roofing solution. This certification served as an important mark of quality and opened the door for the system’s international breakthrough.
Since its launch, the Protan Vacuum Roof System has been installed on millions of square metres across Europe. The benefits are many, but the most important are reduced material consumption, shorter installation time, and exceptional wind stability.
Even after 25 years, the principle remains unchanged — letting the forces of nature work with the roof, not against it.
Wind creates negative pressure (vacuum) that keeps the membrane pressed tightly against the substrate — without extensive mechanical fastening.
SINTEF Technical Approval, 2001
Can be combined with additional roof insulation
