Construction manager’s choice of the best new offerings from roofing suppliers
That natural look - for less
A cheaper alternative to natural slate is the Balmoral interlocking clay tile from Sandtoft Roof Tiles. The Balmoral offers a heavily riven slate appearance, a natural-looking dressed edge, in an interlocking clay tile. The single-lapped interlocking design brings savings in time, labour and materials.

The textured surface creates an interplay of light and shade and breaks up the roofline, simulating the effect of natural slate. The smallest of all the alternatives to slate, Balmoral is of a similar shape and size to natural small slates; the colour, as with all tiles, will not fade. It can be installed on roofs with a pitch of at least 22.5 degrees and is suitable for dry roof installation.

The improvements to the Balmoral tile are largely aesthetic. Performance, fixings and batten gauges remain the same.
Enquiry number 207

Modular Marley’s solar system

In combination with Powertile, Marley is developing a completely modular solar tile. There are just two parts to the Marley Powertile: a top and a base. The top, which contains the electricity-generating photovoltaic (PV) elements fits into the base, which fits into the roof and provides the electrical connectors to the house wiring. Each tile has a PV laminate consisting of 10 solar cells that can generate 23W. The DC electricity the tile generates is converted to AC using an inverter, which is connected to the electricity supply. Over the course of one year, 100 Marley Powertiles will generate enough electricity for a typical three-bedroomed house. Designed to integrate with the Marley Modern interlocking tile, the Marley Powertile is fixed to standard battens. The system is still under development and is due to become available this year. Marley has also added two new colours – Berkshire Brown and Berkshire Red – to its Heritage range of concrete plain tiles. Like the three types in the current range, the additions mimic clay in finish and colour. The company has also released the Edgemere interlocking concrete tile, a slate alternative with a slim leading edge - at 19mm thick, it is 40 per cent thinner than the Modern.
Enquiry number 209

Through the roof

DuPont’s Tyvek Reflex breather membrane protects roofs, controls condensation and acts as an insulating roofline barrier. A flexible, high-density polyethylene sheet, Tyvek Reflex is aluminised and lacquered on the face, which reflects 94% of radiant heat and keeps out wind-driven rain. The vapour-permeable membrane also allows water vapour to pass through into the ventilated roof cavity rather than condensing on the underside of the roof. It can also be used in walls and floors. Ventilated roofs disperse water vapour by allowing outside air into the roof, but by doing so increase heat loss as the ventilation sucks warm air up from the rooms below. Tyvek Reflex supports unventilated roofs and therefore reduces heat loss. Another addition to the Tyvek range, Proclad, bonds a polyethylene sheet to a polypropylene mesh to clear up condensation problems in metal-clad and standing seam metal sheet roofs.
Enquiry number 208

Keep dry with Klober

Klober has launched a breathable polypropylene membrane that is completely waterproof yet offers ventilation for the ridge and hip. The product, Ridge Roll, can simply be rolled out; there is no need for special tools or wet trade works. Ridge Roll is suitable for all tile and slate profiles and is available in red, dark brown and anthracite. Also new from Klober is the Uni-Dry range for dry-fixing slate and tile roofs. A universal fixing system, it is independent of ranges from specific manufacturers. Klober’s latest BBA-approved product is Permoframe, a breather membrane for modern timber-frame construction. Available in 2.7m widths, Permoframe is best suited to factory pre-fabrication. It creates a draught-free but vapour-permeable enclosure and can be fixed onto insulation or sheathing board with no tent effect, protecting timber during construction.
Enquiry number 210

Curvacious cladding

A curvier, broader fibre cement profiled sheeting for roof and wall cladding gives a more suitable look for bigger buildings. Induscape from Eternit offers a profile of seven inches between the corrugated crests. The resulting wider corrugations have more aesthetic appeal for large structures than the company’s Profile 6 product, which spans six inches between peaks. Brick kilns, transport depots, salt-rich coastal locations and other such aggressive environments benefit from fibre cement’s permeability and corrosion resistance. Moisture, noxious fumes and gases are absorbed into the sheet and vented into the atmosphere. Fibre cement also absorbs noise better than metal roofing. Induscape is designed for pitches of five degrees and up and is 82mm wider than Profile 6. A 1625cm sheet length requires fewer purlins and fixings, reducing installation cost.
Enquiry number 211

Roofs fit for a Kingspan

Kingspan has married its insulated roof panel technology with standing seam construction to create Kingzip, a pre-engineered zip-up roof system. Kingzip is a single, easy-to-handle weathertight component designed for speedy installation. It comes with perimeter seals and matching fascias, guttering and flashings are available. Standing seam construction allows Kingzip to be laid on pitches as low as 1.5 degrees, and panels are available in 500mm to 1000mm widths. Curved, pitched and longer panels are also available. The system’s secret fixing avoids any penetration of the external sheet, maximising weather protection and thermal performance. Kingzip facings are now available in a wide range of finishes and colours.
Enquiry number 212

Non-heavy metal

The fast-track Kami system is now available in the UK through Redland Roofing Systems. Kami is tough, lightweight metal roofing in the style of traditional clay tiles. The product’s three-tile sheet width is available in five standard rafter lengths or special cuts of anything up to seven metres, with matching accessories for ridge, hip, verge and valley details. Kami can be laid on pitches as low as 10 degrees. It has BBA certification and a 15-year guarantee.
Enquiry number 213

Low-profile tiles

A low-profile ventilation tile has been launched for use with three of Forticrete’s tile profiles. The Lo-Vent provides roofspace ventilation and soiled air venting when used with Gemini, Minislate and Rivenslate interlocking tiles. With discreet vents along the leading edge, each Lo-Vent provides a free vent area of 7860mm2 and comes with its own felt weir to protect the underlay. The outer section of the tile is fade-resistant ASA plastic while the black inner section is made of high-impact polystyrene.
Enquiry number 214

Heavy duty Watco repair

Watco Roofite is a heavy-duty, high-build roof repair compound made of polymer-modified bitumen and rubber with fibre reinforcement. The product is designed for complete weatherproofing and refurbishing of felted, concrete, corrugated iron or asbestos roofs on extensions and outbuildings. Roofite is brushed on and quickly cures to form a crack and flake-resistant coating that will not sag or flow in sun. It can even be used in pouring rain for emergency repairs.
Enquiry number 215

Source

Construction Manager