Local authority architects and contractors are under increasing pressure to provide buildings constructed using cost effective materials that provide the best value over the life of the building. Decra Roofing Systems takes a look at how modern, lightweight, low maintenance roofing solutions can provide a long lasting and cost effective answer to these specification requirements.
For local authorities the matter of a building’s whole life-costs needs to be a key consideration. On large-scale library, school, healthcare or housing development projects, traditional roofing products such as slate and terracotta tiles represent an expensive option. This is because these materials continue to cost money long after their initial installation. During the lifetime of the building tiles need to be replaced due to general wear and tear and in many unfortunate cases, security breach, vandalism and storm damage.
Lightweight steel roof tiles that require very little maintenance can significantly reduce the whole life cost of a roof. The tiles, manufactured with the aesthetics of slate, clay and concrete are fitted more securely and are more robust than their more traditional counterparts, meaning that they do not require regular replacement or continued maintenance.
Weather conditions can dislodge traditionally fixed roof tiles. These often rely on the dead weight of the tiles above to hold them in position. This method makes it far easier for high winds to remove the tiles, exposing the building to the elements. Likewise, because materials like slate, clay and concrete are brittle they can be easily smashed by vandals or potential thieves, who are more frequently using the roof as a route to gain access to buildings.
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Lightweight steel roof tiles are supplied in strips, which are secured through their upturned and downturned edges into battens. This means they will not come loose over time and are virtually impenetrable to both bad weather conditions and burglary attempts.
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In some areas, Police Preferred Specification is required for buildings that are at high risk of vandalism or break-in. Decra’s lightweight steel roof tiles are the only roofing to hold the Police Preferred Specification, Secured by Design accreditation. This recognises that, when installed in the recommended way, it is durable and able to withstand a sustained attack.
It is not only for new buildings that roofing products need to be considered – often the continued repair of clay or concrete tile roofs on existing buildings is a good reason to consider wholesale replacement with lightweight steel roof tiles. Likewise for small commercial premises such as offices and libraries, the replacement of a flat roof, that continually presents a weather security issue, with a pitched roof that lets the rain water drain away efficiently, can be achieved with lightweight steel tiles. Because they weigh just one eighth of normal tiles there is no need for extensive and costly structural reinforcements to take the added weight of a pitched roof, the tiles can simply be installed directly to battens fitted to a trussed frame over the existing roof.
A pitched roof conversion is especially attractive for public buildings as it can discourage acts of vandalism and theft by making the roof less accessible. Aesthetically, the incorporation of a pitched roof can improve the appearance of a building, especially where it is part of a skyline, fitting into the local architecture more easily.
In addition to important cost and maintenance issues, local authorities need to think about the health and safety implications of installation for their contractors. Lightweight steel roof tiles can be guillotine cut to size quickly and easily onsite without the need for cumbersome dust producing angle grinding power tools. This method of cutting is not only safer for site operatives but is also less time consuming and produces no harmful dust or carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
The weight advantage also means that working at height is safer and quicker, with a knock-on benefit in the speed of installation – reducing the onsite cost.
The lightweight benefits of steel roof tiles are farther reaching still, thanks to the way they are supplied in sheets that stack neatly together. This reduces the amount of space needed for both storage and transportation. With an average of 160m² on a pallet, lightweight steel tiles can be transported in larger loads, reducing the number of lorries needed for delivery, cutting unnecessary carbon emissions.
The initial cost of a new or replacement roof is just the pinnacle. Lifecosts go far deeper and issues like maintenance, repair and replacement need to be considered alongside the longevity and durability of the selected system. Lightweight steel roof tiles are fixed in a way that makes the system very robust, with much less risk of refurbishment work later down the line. In turn the benefits of a lightweight system can be used to reduce the cost of the roof still further.
For more information on Decra Roof Systems visit www.decra.co.uk