There are a number of systems available for commercial and industrial flat roofing, including roofing felt. Roofclad Systems offer a wealth of industry experience and knowledge, so let’s discuss everything you need to know about roofing felt.
Roofing felt, also sometimes known as roofing tar paper or synthetic underlayment, is a type of flat roofing system. It is typically installed between the roof deck and the final roofing material. It can act as a barrier against moisture, wind and other weather conditions that can damage the roof deck and cause leaks. It can also help to improve the efficiency of the roof by reducing heat loss through the roof deck.
Roofing felt is made of a mixture of natural materials such bitumen, sand and fibrous membrane. It is coated with a waterproof cover, such as asphalt, to provide weathering protection. Some types of roofing felt also contain granules or minerals that improve their fire resistance and UV stability. Of course, the specific composition and quality of the roofing felt material can vary depending on the manufacturer and the intended use.
Our operatives are fully trained to install systems from suppliers such as SIGNature, Garland, Icopal, Bauder and many more, all offering substantial warranties.
A well maintained commercial flat roof can last anywhere from 10-35 years.
As with most things, durability is dependent on several factors and it’s no different for roofing felt. In this case, the lifespan of roofing felt can depend on the type and quality of material used, the climate and weather conditions of its environment and the installation and maintenance practices. Heavy rain can be damaging for roofs, whether it is a large commercial roof or a small shed roof, which makes it all the more important that high quality roofing felt is used. The life span of roof felt can also depend on the quality of the roofing materials used such as the roof shingles and the equipment used to lay the roofing felt.
That said, commercial felt roofing has come a long way since it was first available and is extremely durable. Be sure to speak to your contractor or manufacturer regarding a labour and material backed guarantee, to ensure your flat roof is watertight for up to a period of 35 years.
Roofing felt is often a popular choice in refurbishment projects but is also suitable for a wide range of applications.
Here are some reasons why roofing felt may be the right choice for you:
At Roofclad Systems, we have over 40 years of experience and a highly skilled workforce who can assist you with your flat roofing system options and installation. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and get a free quote!
Having a leaking roof is a headache for anyone, especially a commercial business owner. If the problem is not addressed quickly, it can lead to a number of issues. One being more money out of your pocket! In order to save you time and money, we’ve put together a list of the most common reasons why your commercial roof is leaking and what to do about it.
Before we get into the reasons why your commercial roof is leaking, you need to know the signs of roof leak. The most common signs include
Commercial roof’s need to be properly maintained in order to extend their lifespan. A poorly maintained roof will inevitably lead to leaks. There are some things that are out of your control. Winter can bring uncontrollable weather conditions, heavy rain, thick snow and harsh winds. All of which can have an impact on your roof. Running the risk of roof leaks.
It’s incredibly important to have a roof maintenance plan in place. Unsure on where to start? Speak to the company that installed your roof. Any professional commercial flat roofing contractor should give you tips and advice on how to maintain your commercial roofing.
Standing water is a commercial roof’s worst enemy. It’s probably one of the most common reasons why commercial roofs leak. Standing water and its additional weight can lead to sagging in the roof. It can also lead to a growth in plants and moss, as well as the roof deteriorating a lot faster. All inevitably resulting in roof leaks.
There are a number of reasons why a commercial flat roof may suffer from standing water. Including:
You may need to install additional rainwater outlets in order to counteract this.
Unfortunately, commercial flat roofs don’t last forever. The average lifespan of a flat roof is anything between 15 and 20 years. The lifespan of your roof will depend on the materials used, the quality of installation, how well it is maintained and a number of environmental factors.
From an economical standpoint, it may make more sense to completely refurbish the roof, rather than constantly trying to patch it up. Check out our guide ‘Repair Or Replace: How To Spot The Signs’ to learn more about whether or not you need to carry out a roof repair to refurbish your commercial roof to better prevent a roof leak.
Roof flashings are the pieces of metal used around conjoining areas of the roof. They are commonly found in areas such as roof edges and skylights. Flashing, similar to the other materials on your roof, is susceptible to wear and tear and ageing, which can lead to leaks.
Poorly installed flashing can also lead to leaks on your commercial roof. Always make sure you’re dealing with an experienced roofing company!
It’s important to repair damaged flashing. Regular maintenance of your roof and its flashing can minimise leakage down the road.
There are a number of vulnerable areas on a commercial roof, that if not properly sealed and maintained, are susceptible to leakage. These include:
All of these puncture the membrane of the roofing system and if not correctly installed and sealed can lead to significant damage to your roofing system and your building interior.
Make sure you work with a reputable roofing contractor. All of these areas are susceptible to leaks. It’s incredibly important that they are installed properly and kept watertight. This can be done by flashing, rain collars and pitch pans.
Roof membranes are a waterproof layer applied to roof’s to prevent leakage. Especially single-ply roofing systems. Roof membranes can become damaged due to high levels of foot traffic, weather conditions or mechanical damage.
Try to minimise unnecessary foot traffic on your roof, invest in a regular maintenance plan and address the issue as soon as possible. Sometimes it can be a quick patch up of the area, or if not addressed properly, can lead to the complete replacement of the membrane. Which can be costly!
A poorly designed roof can often lead to rainwater not draining effectively. Leading to standing water and leaks. This is normally down to a lack of pitch or a minimal number of drainage outlets installed.
Hire a roofing company that knows what they’re doing. Always do your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
No matter what the reason is for your commercial roof leak, you need to be proactive with your roof maintenance and repairs. Do your research and ask questions. Poorly designed commercial roofing will lead to a number of issues and will hit you hard financially in the long run.
Metal fabrication is a multi-faceted process that involves transforming raw metal into finished products or structures through a range of processes including cutting, bending and assembling. This allows metal fabrication processes to be specific with unique structures being formed that is perfectly suited to its purpose.
Metal fabrication services are widely used in the Automotive, earth moving, construction and materials handling industries, as well as others. It is a process that can save your business both time and money. This is because the amount of unnecessary waste is greatly reduced through the process.
Here is our ultimate guide on metal fabrication; covering the basics of common metal fabrication processes, the materials, processes and techniques.
Metal fabrication production process involves the following:
The first step in the fabrication process involves removing any excess material from the metal using a saw, plasma cutter or laser cutter
Shaping the metal into a specific angle or shape using a press brake or other bending tools
Fusing two or more pieces of metal together using heat, pressure or a combination of both
A process that creates the desired shape by removing unwanted material
the final step is joining the various parts of a product or structure together to create the final product
There are a number of techniques used to achieve the above metal fabrication processes. Here are a few:
The manipulation and forming of thin flat sheets of metal that can be shaped to form pretty much any kind of part or component.
CNC machining uses computer software to control machines that remove the excess material from the metal when creating precise shapes and sizes.
Metal punching is what it sounds like: punching holes or louvres out of sheet metals using a turret punch machine.
There can often be some confusion between metal fabrication and welding. To clarify, fabrication encompasses a wide range of processes involved in transforming raw materials and other materials into finished products. Fabrication is a broader term and welding is one of the processes that sit under that term (as mentioned above).
In some cases, welding may be the primary process used in fabrication of metal structures, whereas in others, it may only be used to join two pieces together with other processes like bending and cutting metal into different shapes to be used to create the parts.
Metal fabrication allows for full customisation when manufacturing. Not only this, but metal is a versatile and sustainable material choice, making it an environmentally friendly option for your project.
With bespoke metal fabrication, you can ensure that you are getting exactly what you want by having customisable parts. You are also only paying for the material needed, eliminating any waste and extra cost.
Our in-house fabrication department offers bespoke fabrication services. For more information or to discuss your project requirements, please contact our fabrication department on 0191 410 7535, or send us an email to fabrication@roofcladsystems.co.uk
For every business owner, there are always a million and one things to try and get done in a day, right? Of course there will be some tasks that you can try and do a little bit quicker or by taking a short-cut, however one area of business admin that you should never attempt to cut corners with is the construction of your roof on your commercial building! Today we are going to give you an insight into our guide for choosing the right commercial roofing contractor…
Making sure that you have instructed legitimate contractors to work on your commercial roof is vitally important for many reasons:
Your roof is the one thing above everyone’s heads and if something drastic were to go wrong, it could end in very unfortunate circumstances. Ensuring that your commercial roof is carried out by trained, expert professionals is vital in order for you to have the peace of mind that both yourself and your employees are protected from major harm.
Another key area that your roof protects is your main faculty of work. Whether it be a factory, store or warehouse, your commercial roof protects the contents of your company in order for your business to run smoothly on a daily basis.
If you happen to cut corners on the team that you employ to fit your commercial roof, then you could find yourself with some costly consequences to pay. For example, later down the line you could experience complicated issues that may come with rather hefty price tags attached to them, or you may find out that you have a reasonable deal but for an extremely ill-advised job. Both are examples of situations that every business owner wants to avoid – at the end of the day, you have enough plates to be juggling!
Before signing any contract deal, you should always make sure that your contractor has the correct insurance policies in place. As we said, there are many risks involved when fitting a commercial roof, so having legitimate insurance policies in place help to give you peace of mind. If you are unsure about what insurance they have, why not ask to see certificates? If they have the correct policies in place then they will not shy away from showing you!
Hiring a local firm to implement your commercial roof is always beneficial, you will know that they can do the work for you with less chances of them cancelling due to commuting issues. But in addition, it also means that they will or should have, a respectable reputation in the local area.
You should never base your decision on which contractor you choose based on their fee. If the service seems extremely cheap and almost too good to be true, then chances are it will be. Make sure that you check out more than their fee when exploring which contractor is best suited for your job, in order to receive valuable results.
It is also always handy to have a good relationship with your contractor, with strong communication in order for everyone involved to be on the same page as each other. Whether it be writing down what exact work is being carried out, the pricing of each individual step or just regular updates on the progress, this is always beneficial for trust and peace of mind if your contractor is keen to keep in touch throughout.
Here at Roofclad, we are specialists in roofing and cladding, and have been since 1978! We are known for our expertise, in-depth knowledge and high standard of work in which we consistently deliver. We take care of our customers every step of the way, from the design to installation and maintenance after completion. Our experienced team can work from drawings sent to us in any format, with or without specification and we will be able to give our advice on the best and most cost-effective materials and design for any industrial or commercial building. Our designs are also fully covered by professional indemnity insurance!
All our operatives are directly employed by the company, and fully trained, certified installers. We are able to design, plan and install industrial roofing and cladding, flat to pitch roof conversions, strip to re-clad of old buildings, built up felt roofing, single ply membrane, waterproof coatings and rain screen cladding systems.
Got an urgent repair that needs doing? Don’t worry – we respond to urgent repairs immediately and agree on individual timescales for each project dependent on our clients’ individual needs.
If you would like to discuss any upcoming projects where you would like the help from experienced professionals in the roofing industry, then don’t hesitate to get in touch today! Give us a call on 0191 410 7535 or email us at enquiries@roofcladsystems.co.uk.
As 2019 draws to end, we are preparing to welcome 2020 here at Roofclad Systems!
2019 has been a great year for our team putting us in good stead for 2020; bringing many successes our way and expanding our Headquarters office in Newcastle upon Tyne by preparing for our move to a new, larger space in the New Year. So with this said, we invite you to join us as we take a look at Roofing trends that we expect to see more of next year and how Roofclad Systems can look after your roof in 2020…
Year on year, there is a rise in the popularity of metal roofing materials and it is something that we expect to see a lot more of in 2020. Due to its aesthetic appeal and sturdy functionality, it assures a long lifespan for your commercial building, making it an investment worth taking. In addition, Metal Roofing materials can also save you a pretty penny in the long run as they can aid to reduce heating and cooling costs.
As a whole, we are becoming increasingly aware of the impact that our actions and decisions can have on the environment which gives us another reason to predict that we will see a lot more Metal Roofs on commercial projects. It is a fantastic option to opt for as using materials such as aluminium have a high percentage of recyclability (did you know that aluminium roofs are actually 100% recyclable?)
Another trend that we predict to see more of throughout 2020 in the Roofing industry is the growth and advancement in Solar Roofing materials. As we touched on above, the number of people who are becoming more environmentally aware is on the rise. Whether that be large organisations or local business owners, everyone is looking for more cost effective alternatives to their construction projects.
The benefits of Solar energy are as follows:
Flat Roofs are a trend that we expect to see spike in 2020, for the minimalist, streamlined aesthetic it offers. Flat Roofing can sometimes work out as a more affordable option of Roofing for many businesses for a few reasons:
Here at Roofclad, we have 40+ years experience of designing and installing Flat Roofing systems for commercial buildings, offering the following solutions:
On an aesthetic note, we can expect to see a rise in lighter colour choices for roofs up and down the country. With new shades of greens, warm blues and natural taupe, beige and off-white shingles being produced gaining attraction.
A roof protects you, your workers and the building contents. If the roof is not maintained, it will not perform to its maximum lifespan. By implementing a roof maintenance plan, it can substantially increase the lifespan of the roofing fabric and therefore increase the protection it gives you and your building.
Conducting a comprehensive industrial roof refurbishment plan is an essential part of extending the life of the roof. More importantly, over time, this can potentially save building owners and property managers thousands of pounds in unplanned expenditure or having to relocate operations whilst essential repairs are carried out.
Roofclad Systems can conduct a maintenance programme that can be tailored to suit the client that consists of the following services:
With over 40+ years experience in designing and installing flat roofing systems, we can offer three different solutions that can be tailored to each individual site:
If you wish to transform a dark building into a light and airy environment, this can be done simply by replacing existing roof lights. Increased lighting provides ideal working conditions for those working within the building. Increasing natural daylight in your building can also reduce the need for artificial lighting, which in turn will reduce your lighting costs.
Rooflights can be designed into refurbishment projects. Rooflight replacement can also be conducted where the age of the existing Rooflights has resulted in a loss of light levels.
Our expert Rooflight renewal work can often be undertaken with little or no disruption to daily activities, so your building can remain fully operational throughout the works.
Types of Rooflights:
There are various types of Rooflights that Roofclad can replace for equal or equivalent products, they are GRP profiled Rooflights, PVC profiled Rooflights, domed Rooflights and Georgian wired glazing. All of this is dependent on the project requirements.
Checking gutters regularly to make sure they are free from any debris is so important to maintain a fully functioning guttering system. It is not uncommon for gutters to get blocked with leaves and other debris, especially in the autumn and winter months. Dealing with a problem before it causes damage to your guttering system is so important.
When should your gutters be inspected, we hear you ask?
Could I inspect the condition of my gutters myself?
Contact Roofclad Systems Today…
If you would like to speak to a member of the Roofclad Systems team to discuss any of our services or to enquire about an upcoming project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! We have offices based in Newcastle upon Tyne and Leeds, with experienced roofers who can happily assist throughout your interest – so just give us a call on 0191 410 7535 or email us at enquiries@roofcladsystems.co.uk.
Being a business owner there is a lot to think about and take into consideration every day. Maintaining any investment in your business is also crucial! Your commercial roof is probably one of your biggest investments as it is the protection over your whole business. You don’t want to be without your roof nor do you want to have to spend extra money repairing any mistakes that were made initially. We will discuss some common mistakes commercial business owners make with their roof…
This is primarily one of the biggest issues. If you get it wrong from the get-go then there may be no going back! Here are some top tips to make sure you find the best contractor for you and your business needs:
If they don’t have one, or if they don’t have anything to show you historically then that is a major red flag! Don’t hire someone to do a job if you cannot view their previous work or if they don’t have any testimonials to hand!
If this is their only payment method then you should not proceed! There are many many risks surrounding this method of payment.
If they take a while to respond or even commit to working with you then is it worth proceeding with that contractor?
While we all want to save money, there are certain aspects of your business you won’t want to skimp on. A new commercial roof is a big job and a lot of high-quality materials are required which does come at a cost. As well as this, when getting a new roof or refurbishing your old one it is important to remember that one size does not fit all.
Over the years Roofclad Systems has recognised the importance of our clients initiating a regular maintenance program with respect to their cladded roofs. This maintenance procedure is equally as important with newly installed roofs as it is with aged roof systems. As all roofs need to be ensuring that they are protecting your building as securely as possible.
We are full swing into Spring now – although the weather may not have got the memo with the radical combination of mixed weather’s that we have had lately. We have seen literally everything from sun to heavy rain, hailstone and even snow – not what we would usually expect during April that’s for sure! Making sure that you maintain your roof throughout the year is always essential in order to protect your commercial building therefore do not abandon it throughout Spring – chances are we have had some demanding weather conditions throughout winter that require top-up’s to be applied or a general check-up to ensure that your roof is working as it should, so here are some of our tips on simple ways that you can maintain your roof this Spring…
It is important to double check that the harsh winter weather has not made any critical or substantial damage to your roof as the nights get longer. Ideally, you should request the services of the same roofer that installed your roof to come out and check it between seasons as they will know what to look for and spot any differences or potential problems straight away.
Issues that can are more likely to arise to roofs can be the field – where degradation can occur, or the flashings as they can be a popular area for leaks. Focusing on these issues when you are about to get your roof checked over can make all the difference to the condition and upkeep.
We cannot stress this enough, that you should ONLY have a qualified roofer to go up on your roof for repairs, production and/or maintenance. This is to ensure that your roof is being looked over by someone who is educated within their field and a professional at roofing.
Our team here at Roofclad are all professionals and know exactly what they are looking for, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call today to get your commercial roof checked over and/or if you think you need maintenance work carried out. It’s always a keen reminder that it is better to be safe than sorry and we make sure that we give you peace of mind with the condition of your roof when done by Roofclad!
As the dark nights and cold, wet weather of winter continues it is crucial to consider your roof maintenance! During the harsher, colder and wetting months of the year it is more important than ever to stay warm and dry and that means ensuring your roof is in the best condition possible. Here at Roofclad Systems, we know too well from our expertise and experience within the industrial roofing and cladding industry how important it is maintain your roof during this change in conditions. Maintaining your commercial or industrial roofing system for winter is essential as this time of year can be fraught with problems due to the more extreme weather conditions. It is therefore vital that your facility is ready to tackle heavy rainfall, extreme temperatures or even snow. This is a busy time of year for businesses and roofers alike so it is highly recommended that you have your roof maintenance plan in place to avoid any problems escalating into larger, more costly issues. This is why it is so important to engage in roof maintenance over winter…
The winter season typically brings chilling temperatures, torrential rain, high winds, snow, ice and so on. All can cause risk of damage to your commercial or industrial roofing systems including…
All these issues can occur if the roof is not properly maintained. As you can see winter weather can cause a whole host of problems for your roofing system, this is why Roofclad advise that you follow a roof maintenance plan!
Here at Roofclad we construct quality roofs that are built with these weather conditions in mind. However, all roofs require maintenance in bad weather and we ensure you and your commercial or industrial roof are fully prepared for such. Take advantage of our services, knowledge and expertise and let us give you peace of mind this winter. We guarantee to prevent leaks and other roofing issues that could harm your company by leading you to need a full roof replacement, causing damage to your building, loss of valuable stock and supplies or even equipment damage. Costs will soon spiral and you may not be able to claim on your insurance either, if adequate roof maintenance hasn’t been carried out.
A roof protects you, your workers and the building contents. If the roof is not maintained, it will not perform to its maximum lifespan. By implementing a roof maintenance plan, it can substantially increase the lifespan of the roofing fabric and therefore increase the protection it gives you and your building. A roof maintenance plan can involve anything from roof cladding repairs to gutter maintenance and general roof repairs such as liquid coating, felt repair, fixing replacement and roof sheet replacement.
If you are looking to ensure your roof is adequately maintained this winter then please do not hesitate to contact us today, we look forward to discussing your requirements with you and ensuring that you get the best advice we can offer you.
As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, we welcome in the weather of winter once again. Onwards comes the harsher, colder and wetting months of the year, a season in which it is more important than ever to stay warm and dry. Here at Roofclad Systems, we know too well from our expertise and experience within the industrial roofing and cladding industry how important it is to prepare for these change in conditions. Preparing your commercial or industrial roofing system for winter is essential – so think ahead and ensure you stay warm and dry during the next couple months. This time of year can be fraught with problems due to the more extreme weather conditions so it vital that your facility is ready to tackle heavy rainfall, extreme temperatures or even snow. This is a busy time of year for businesses and roofers alike so it is highly recommended that you have your roof system inspected in the run up to winter to avoid any problems escalating into larger, more costly issues.
The winter season typically brings chilling temperatures, torrential rain, high winds, snow, ice and so on. All can cause risk of damage to your commercial or industrial roofing systems including…
All these issues can occur if the roof is not properly maintained. As you can see winter weather can cause a whole host of problems for your roofing system, this is why Roofclad advise that you follow these vital steps when preparing your commercial or industrial roof for winter…
First things first it’s vital to check for any potential early warning signs that there is a problem with your roof through a roof inspection. Before the harsh winter weather hits it is highly advisable for your to get a professional to take a look at your roof. Here at Roofclad, we can understand how hard it is to know how your roof is performing, therefore, as experienced contractors in the field we are on hand to assist you with our site visits. Regular inspections should be conducted before and after winter to ensure your roof remains in the very best condition at all times.
If you have a contractor come to inspect your roof then they will most likely advise cleaning up and clearing the roof surface to make sure the gutters are clean and clear of debris. Branches, leaves, rubbish and so forth that may have found itself onto your roof should be removed. Anything covering your roof is a hazard to your system and could have the potential to puncture your roof membrane, leaving it vulnerable to leaking and even flooding. Additionally, your gutters must be clear of debris to ensure heavy rainfall and water from melted snow has somewhere to go. Here at Roofclad we also provide a gutter maintenance service in which we inspect your gutters to ensure you maintain a fully functioning guttering system. We ensure all your gutters are clear of debris to prevent water from backing up and sitting on your roof.
Not only is it vital to have a roof inspection to look directly at the health of your roof structure it is also extremely important examine the areas around your facility for hazards. High winds and extreme weather can cause trees or other debris to fall in winter and impact your roof. When you have your roof inspected our specialist can advise you what to do if they believe that such a hazard is presenting itself.
Here at Roofclad wie construct quality roofs that are built with these weather conditions in mind. However, all roofs require maintenance in bad weather and we we ensure you and your commercial or industrial roof are fully prepared for such. Take advantage of our services, knowledge and expertise and let us give you peace of mind this winter. We guarantee to prevent leaks and other roofing issues that could harm your company by leading you to need a full roof replacement, causing damage to your building, loss of valuable stock and supplies or even equipment damage. Costs will soon spiral and you may not be able to claim on your insurance either, if adequate roof maintenance hasn’t been carried out.
If you are looking to prepare your roof for winter then please do not hesitate to contact us today, we look forward to discussing your requirements with you and ensuring that you get the best advice we can offer you.
Here at Roofclad Systems, we have recently expanded our business across the North. Extending our service to Yorkshire. We are well known for our industrial roof cladding in Newcastle, and so we thought we would extend our service into other areas.
Our business now has over 50 full-time staff and is set to increase with the business extending to Leeds. The service will be the same, primarily being roof cladding in Leeds. Yet with all the other services we offer like our industrial rooflight works, roof refurbishment and cladding maintenance.
This move will help us get a firm base for contacts across the North of England, helping increase our brands’ visibility and awareness. Alex Tilley, our managing director has stated that Roofclad has had many quotes/enquiries around Yorkshire and beyond. Therefore, it makes sense that we have an office further south from our current office in Birtley.
One of the main contracts which Roofclad have won in Yorkshire is a £250,000 roofing contract for Rosti at Stamford Bridge. Therefore, our new base will help us with the workflow of contracts like these for the future.
We service our customers in Yorkshire from our Roofclad Systems office in Leeds, as it is great access to the motorway. As it is south of Leeds, it is in an excellent location to the M62/M1. Making it more accessible to everyone around.
With the new office in Leeds, we are committed to creating new jobs around the local area. Hoping to appoint more employees in the future as we are continuously growing and expanding.
For more information on Roofclad Systems and our new addresses etc., get in touch with us. We are more than happy to help and offer you a quote for our services.