Icopal focuses on steel roofing system benefits

Kevin Bohea, sales director of Icopal's Contractor Channel, discusses the benefits of a modern, lightweight steel roofing system, and the low, whole-life costs that make this product sustainable.

With public sector spending cuts on the horizon, it is important for specifiers and contractors to find cost effective solutions with which to continue to deliver sustainable buildings.

Alternative materials and installation methods can deliver a cost effective means to a product-led solution.

To drive costs down, there are several areas that need to be addressed.

When selecting a suitable roofing system for example, it is worth considering the longevity of the materials being used, the length of time required to install the system, and the durability of the materials in terms of withstanding weathering and acts of vandalism.

Meeting these criteria, lightweight steel roof tiles are proven to be one of the most cost effective options when selecting a roofing system.

Manufactured using a steel base, which can be as thin as 0.43mm, and finished with a series of hardening and strengthening coatings, lightweight steel roof tiles are just 1/7th the weight of their slate, concrete or clay counterparts.

They can be stacked and easily lifted on to the roof before being pulled down into position.

The tile lengths can then be simply fixed to the timber roof structure underneath, through the upturned and downturned edges, using a hammer and nails or electric nail gun.

This process is far quicker than that associated with the fitting of individual tiles, allowing the developer to generate significant financial savings as less man hours are required to fit the system.

As such, the time saved can be utilised to address other areas of the critical path.

Due to their steel core, lightweight roof tiles are incredibly strong.

Resilient against burglary and vandalism attacks, they are suitable for use in areas where these problems are more prolific.

Heavy implements thrown at a lightweight steel roof, such as bricks, will simply bounce off the surface.

Equally, the way in which the tiles are fitted to the roof means that they cannot be lifted without the use of heavy industrial equipment.

As a result, the noise made by the machinery required would alert the building's occupants and local tenants to the break in attempt, inevitably leading to police intervention.

Considering these issues, products accredited with the police preferred specification, Secured by Design, are favourable in terms of delivering a secure roofing option.

Contributing to their long-term sustainability, extremes of weather will not cause any degradation to the quality or durability of a lightweight steel tile, as the manufactured surface and steel core is impervious to the effects of weathering, while the strong fixing method means the tiles cannot be lifted as a result of extreme wind loading.

Subjected to controlled winds of up to 120mph, Decra's lightweight steel roof tiles for example, are impervious to the effects of such weather conditions, maintaining their aesthetic appearance and robust structural core.

Due to this robust nature, a roof fitted with lightweight steel roof tiles is able to last far longer than traditional alternatives, often manufactured using brittle natural materials such as clay and slate.

As such, with a life expectancy exceeding 40 years, developers opting for a modern lightweight steel roofing system can be safe in the knowledge that the roof will not need replacing for many years, generating substantial long term financial savings due to the improved life costs and payback period of the installation.

Switching to a lightweight steel roof tile for long-term sustainability and lower life costs, need not necessarily mean that materials and products should look any less appealing.

Although manufactured from steel, lightweight roof tiles are created with the appearance of traditional materials, such as slate, clay and concrete, helping them to blend with the building design, local architectural styles and surrounding landscape.

Comparatively speaking, lightweight steel roof tiles offer everything expected from a traditional roof tile whilst being incredibly cost effective.

Proven to be effective and durable for far longer than alternative roofing materials, lightweight steel tiles deliver the cost-competitive edge in terms of sourcing a suitable product with a far lower life cost.

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