Decra roof tiles and underlays set industry benchmark

BS 5534 provides the industry with guidance on best practice relating to the installation of pitched roofs, as well as the changes to the standard focus on improving the security of the roof structure. Three elements of the standard have been revised – fixing, mortar bedding and underlays.

Fixing and mortar bedding

In terms of fixing, an update to wind load calculations means that with all single lap tiles installers will have to fix mechanically.

In addition, it is now deemed insufficient to use mortar as a sole means of fixing roof tiles, therefore tiles bedded with mortar must also be accompanied by a mechanical retraint.

Icopal’s Decra roof tile system meets the fixing element of BS 5534 fully, as the system places no reliance on dead weight to provide resistance against wind uplift.

Instead, the roof tiles are secured through both top and bottom edges into battens. As a result the tiles provide the highest resistance to wind uplift.

Lightweight underlays

With lightweight underlays now commonplace, BS5534 requires that these are securely installed and dependent on the exposure of the roof to wind uplift, batten gauge and the underlay selected it may be necessary to seal the lap of underlay.

The Monarperm range of underlays from Icopal help fulfil the requirements outlined under BS5534.

Daniel Tucker of Icopal Technical Services Department commented: “As a company, we have worked hard to provide products that really help guide best practice within the industry and both our Decra and underlays are great examples of these.”

“The amendments to BS 5534 cover points that Icopal has recognised as hugely important for some time and we really welcome them.”