Safe as Houses with Modern Roofing
07 October 2008
Housing associations look at ways to improve construction through innotive roofing materials.
Against the backdrop of modern methods of construction, the drive to improve building efficiency and the desire to reduce material, waste and maintenance costs, Housing Associations are increasingly examining the materials that are specified for their developments.
No element reflects this trend more closely than the roofing material. Historically, traditional slate or concrete tiles have often been specified without question; now though, alternative materials, such as lightweight steel roofing, are being seriously considered and frequently used.
Steel roofing products, such as the range offered by Metrotile, one of the UK’s leading suppliers, offer a range of construction, performance and cost benefits, whilst retaining the design and aesthetic features of traditional materials.
Because of the nature of the material, lightweight steel roofing offers considerable advantages in the speed of construction. For example, Metrotile is supplied in 0.46 m2 sheets, and weighs approximately 6.6 kg/ m2; this compares to 40 to 45 kg/ m2 for a traditional slate or concrete roof - about one seventh the weight of an equivalent roof area. Not only does this mean that the roof is faster to install, thereby ensuring much quicker enclosure and weatherproofing of the building for the internal trades to move into, but its light weight means that the truss centres can be spaced further apart and the load on the whole structure is significantly reduced.
These benefits also translate into cost savings. The roof material is faster to install and is more predictable in the build programme; being relatively light and manufactured in large format sheets, also means that transportation costs are far lower than alternative materials, site storage is much simpler and so is the movement around site.
However as the roof is manufactured from high grade steel and, in the case of Metrotile, completely protected by a Z180 coating, it offers both an extremely durable and low maintenance option – making whole life cost comparisons equally attractive. Because of the Aluzinc coating, Metrotile also offers the assurance of a full 40 year guarantee on all its products.
Yet despite these construction and performance advantages, design and aesthetics objectives needn’t be compromised when using modern materials.
Steel roofs are available in a wide range of profiles, colours and textures – many designed to replicate the appearance of conventional roofing materials and to weather in the same way. Metrotile offers four distinct ranges to suit different performance requirements, design needs and planning considerations. The company also has a range of standard accessories and flashings to allow, for example roof lights to be fitted and vents to be installed. If required, thicker gauge steel roofs are also available, for areas that may be particularly prone to vandalism.
One recent development to benefit from a lightweight steel roof was in the harsh environment of the Orkney Islands, where Metrotile supplied its Metro Slate product, in black, for a development of 32 houses built by the Orkney Housing Association. In routinely demanding weather conditions, the product specification of the timber frame houses called for a durable roofing material that would remain sympathetic to the local materials.
Metro Slate met the brief perfectly, with its natural stone chip covering and irregular riven profile giving the appearance of a traditional slate roof, combined with the construction and performance benefits of a modern building material. In this project, the design also called for roof windows to be included on certain properties, to allow the roof space to be used as additional accommodation; companies such as Metrotile are able to supply the roof windows as well as all the appropriate flashings, allowing the designer and contractor to source the complete roof from a single manufacturer.
And lightweight roofing materials are not only suitable for new build projects. Their strength and weight properties mean they are ideal for the refurbishment of old housing stock, generally placing a considerably reduced load on existing structures, so minimising the cost of ongoing maintenance and lengthening the life expectancy of older properties.
Flat to pitched roof conversions benefit from similar advantages. Not only does the lightweight nature of the material have a low loading impact on the structure, but it is also able to accommodate much shallower roof pitches. For example, architects are able to specify a 10 degree pitch with Metrotile, whereas a minimum 22.5 degrees would be the norm with traditional concrete or slate roof conversions.
It is encouraging to see that modern building materials are increasingly being considered and specified in a wide range of projects across the UK. Used extensively throughout the world, lightweight steel tiles have been proven to offer an extremely cost effective, durable and aesthetic solution.
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 28/05/2012 - Metrotile: Ready for Anything You Can Throw At It
- 28/05/2012 - Whatever your Roof Size, Choose Metrotile Lightweight Roofing
- 30/04/2012 - Metrotile Lightweight Roofing Presents: Shingle
- 30/04/2012 - Don’t Compromise. Choose Metrotile Lightweight Roofing.
- 30/04/2012 - Metrotile Lights Up Defford Cum Besford Village Hall
- 30/04/2012 - Metrotile Lightweight Roofing - The Rooftop Has Evolved
- 30/04/2012 - Metrotile Roofing: The Public Sector Problem Solver
- 30/04/2012 - Outstanding Roofs for Outstanding Schools
- 29/03/2011 - Metrotile Lightweight Roofing Continues to Impress Housing Authorities
- 22/06/2009 - Metrotile Shingle perfect choice for verticle refurbishment projects
- 03/09/2008 - Built to Last
- 09/04/2008 - Metrotile refurbishing BISF housing stock
