From a plectrum-shaped bus station roof that keeps the sun out to a radio-controlled roof window that automatically shuts out the rain. Plus, all manner of roofing products whatever the weather


Kalzip’s Norwich bus station roof
Kalzip’s Norwich bus station roof

Kalzip has supplied its 65/400 aluminium stucco embossed sheets and aluminium L25 and L190 clips to create the spectacular plectrum-shaped roof structure of the £4.5m Norwich bus station. The company says architect NPS Property Consultants specified Kalzip materials because of their flexibility and robustness. The roof canopy protects the glass-fronted station from solar heat gain and eliminates the need for air-conditioning.

Kalzip

enquiry #301

Kingspan system used on Foster scheme
Kingspan system used on Foster scheme

Roofing and flooring specialist Advanced Roofing specified 5000 m² of Kingspan Thermataper TT47 LPC/FM insulation sheets at Foster and Partners’ Djanogly City Academy in Nottingham. The product is said to ensure low heat loss through the roof and prevent the build-up of rainwater. Kingspan says its tapered system is a lightweight, cost-effective alternative to timber firings or screed to create the falls to drain rainwater.

Kingspan

enquiry #302

The Sky Tunnel is here

Sola Skylight has developed a ventilation and natural light pipe system called the Sky Tunnel Power Ventilation Kit. The company says it offers the same natural light properties as the company's existing Sky Tunnel roof-to-ceiling range with the added benefit that it reduces condensation and odours. The system has a polycarbonate dome and extractor device which are fitted to a single metal soaker tray. The kit also uses a reflective and flexible polyester tube which pipes the natural light to the diffuser in the ceiling below while a second flexible tube can be connected to an extractor fan. The maker says the ventilation system is suitable for installation in bathrooms, lavatories, shower-rooms and utility spaces.

Sola Skylight

enquiry #303

Safer bituminous roofs

Marley Waterproofing has brought out a cold-applied, fully bonded bituminous membrane roofing application called Life Cycle Membrane System 20. According to Marley it provides a safer working area for installers because there is no need to use bitumen boilers or gas torches, and because the membrane includes pre-formed details, installers can spend less time on the roof. The system is suitable for both cold and warm roof applications.

Marley Waterproofing

enquiry #304


Fully integrated solar roof
Fully integrated solar roof

Product innovaion

Solarcentury has launched what it says is the world’s first fully integrated solar roof. This uses solar thermal tiles called C21t that are combined with the company’s existing C21e photovoltaic tiles. Both look like conventional roof tiles and are said to be able to generate energy even in cloudy conditions. The company says its C21t thermal tile captures energy from the sun to warm a fluid and that the heat in this fluid is transferred via a heat exchanger to the hot water system. One of the advantages of the integrated roof is that it is possible to vary the relative quantities of thermal and photovoltaic tiles to match users’ heat and power needs. Solarcentury says that C21 tiles can be added to an existing building project without redesigning the roof because there is no requirement for additional planning permission and no significant change in the appearance of a property due to the dark colour and flush fit of the tiles.

Solarcentury

enquiry #305


Woolly thinking from DuPont

DuPont has launched a breathable roofing membrane called Tyvek Vapermax, said to reproduce the structures and quality of wool to create enhanced insulation. The company says the fibres of the membrane never get wet because their hygroscopic core structure accelerates moisture transfer, and the sheaths of Tyvek Vapermax repels water. This means that the risks of interstitial condensation are reduced to the lowest level. The product can be used directly in contact with the insulation in warm roofs or in cold non-ventilated roofs.

DuPont Tyvek

enquiry #306

Plastic transparent tiles

Suntile has launched a transparent tile, also called Suntile, that is made from recycled or recyclable plastic and clear robust UV-stabilised polycarbonate. Suntile says it can replace an existing roof tile without the need to fit lead flashing, cut joists or carry out any other structural work. It is available for pitched and flat roofs.

Suntile

enquiry #307

Radio controlled roof windows

Velux has launched an electrically operated roof window range called Integra that incorporates remote radio operation to enable users to have complete control over every roof window, blind and shutter from anywhere in a building. Velux says the system is easy to fit because all electrical components are pre-installed. The roof window has a motor concealed behind the sash section for a smooth and quiet operation and a rain sensor which automatically closes the window when it rains.

Velux

enquiry #308

Large concrete tiles

Sandtoft has launched two large-format clay tiles called Olympus and Cassius. Sandtoft claims that Olympus is the largest and most cost-effective clay tile ever produced in the UK, and that Cassius is a natural and economical alternative to slate because it combines the aesthetic qualities of slate with the low cost of a large-format concrete interlocking tile.

Sandtoft

enquiry #309

Movers and shakers

  • Alfred McAlpine Slate has introduced a manufacturing process to produce up to 300,000 Welsh slate roofing tiles per week at its purpose-built £6m facility at Penrhyn Quarry in north Wales. The manufacturer says the process replaces traditional hand-split slate by using multiblade saws, which increases yield and reduces wastage.
  • SFS Intec has published a revised and updated version of its pitched roofing and cladding fastening systems catalogue, which includes information about a wide range of fastening systems, illustrations of common applications and details of single, twin skin, standing seam, secret fix and composite panel systems.
  • Lafarge has developed ViewMaster, a computer application that visualises the results of a re-roofing project carried out using its Redland range. The software, which is based on photographs of real buildings, applies all the visible roof details including options for the ridge and any hips, valleys or verges. Lafarge says the images are particularly suitable for consulting residents in preparation for social housing refurbishment. Another feature is the ability to add wall renders to get an idea of how roof colours contrast with the walls.
  • Glidevale, a supplier of roofing and ventilation products, has issued a research paper called The Importance of Roofing Underlays in Reducing the Risk of Damage Caused by Wind Uplift. This provides guidance about the issue of wind uplift on roofing underlays. The company says the paper deals with the role of roofing underlays, certification phraseology and wind uplift performance.
  • Marley Eternit has launched a technical manual called Pure Roofing which provides information about the design, detailing and specification of tiles and slates for pitched roofs. The 182-page guide includes a CD ROM containing more than 2500 CAD details of tiles, slates and accessories to assist specifiers with design plans. Pure Roofing also contains details of environmental guidelines and advice on best practice and how to assess the sustainability of buildings. Marley Eternit has also issued a 60-page guide to its fibre cement profiled sheeting systems. The maker says that the guide has advice on products, design detailing, site preparation and model specification

Topics

Roofing