Novia® Black+ Essential Roof and Wall Breather Membrane - 1.5m x 50m

• 3-layer, roof and wall breather with microporous core
• Class W1 water resistance to EN 1928
• Airtight, and vapour permeable
• Grade E (fire) to EN 13501-1
• UKCA to EN 13859-1 (roofs) and EN 13859-2 (walls)
• Install as per BS 5534 UV Guidance
• Low cost, entry grade breather membrane

Novia® Black+ Essential Roof and Wall Breather Membrane is best suited for use as an external breather membrane in both pitched roofs and insulated wall constructions. It provides excellent W1 water resistance while allowing moisture vapour to safely escape from within the building envelope, helping to prevent condensation and maintain the performance of the insulation. Compliant with EN 13859-1 for roofs and EN 13859-2 for walls, it is suitable for use behind ventilated cladding, tile and slate roofs, and timber frame walls. Its lightweight yet durable construction makes it easy to handle on-site, while providing dependable weather protection during and after installation. Novia Black+ Essential is an effective solution for creating a breathable, water-resistant external layer in residential and commercial building projects.

Where can I use it?

• Pitched cold or warm roofs (under tiles/slates or roof coverings)
• External walls (behind cladding or rainscreen, over insulation) — suitable for insulated wall assemblies 

What are the benefits / why use a breather membrane like Black+ Essential?

• Helps protect insulation and internal structure from rain, wind-driven moisture, and dust ingress.
• Allows vapour to escape from inside (i.e. breathable), reducing risk of condensation and related problems such as mould or rot. 
• Works for both roofs and walls — versatile, so you don’t need different membranes for each.
• Lightweight and easy to handle/ install (much lighter than heavy bituminous felts or rigid sheeting), making labour and installation more efficient.

How should it be installed properly?

• Install on the cold (external) side of insulation — under tiles/slates on roofs or behind external cladding on walls.
• Overlaps must follow manufacturer’s guidance — usually at least 150 mm overlap (overlap lines are usually printed to assist alignment). 
• Use appropriate breather membrane lap tape or adhesive tape to seal laps/penetrations, to maintain airtightness under wind loading. 
• Ensure roof/wall build-up includes ventilation or drainage where needed (e.g. under slates/tiles, roof battens, cavity/cladding systems).