Smartroof - revolution in roof space buildability

The timber-based panels, which are installed gable-to-gable rather than from ridge to eaves quickly creating a totally unobstructed loft living space.

Every once in a while, a UK-based company comes up with an innovation which totally turns accepted practice on its head, and which addresses not only the needs of the customer, but also the supply chain, offering high performance, value for money and buildability.

Representing a collaboration between timber systems specialist, Wolf, and timber engineering specialist, Wyckham Blackwell, smartroof is such an advancement though it is a case of smart attics rather than 'Smart Alecs'.

Recognising that volume is the key to success in the off-site sector, the brains behind this arrangement of pre-fabricated, pre-insulated panels have targeted smartroof at social and private housing developers tasked with creating high-density affordable housing.

Smartroof also answers questions of sustainability, site safety and even the challenge of improving air-tightness.

The timber-based panels, which are installed gable-to-gable rather than from ridge to eaves, represent a greater step change than the introduction of trussed rafters as an alternative to cut roofs; quickly creating a totally unobstructed loft living space.

Unlike conventional roof trusses, however, the longitudinal spanning members do not require strengthening or doubling up to span stairwells or accommodate dormer windows.

A run of rooflights, ribbon style, is even made possible.

The breathable construction to the smartroof panels gains its strength from a close-nailed, stressed inner skin of OSB.

The spaces between the timber members are generally filled with rock mineral wool, though those on the show-house at the premises of Wyckham Blackwell feature the ultra eco-friendly sheep's wool alternative.

The panel is then covered by a bitumen impregnated board, to achieve vapour permeability as well as moisture resistance, and while the top end of each panel has a 35 x 145 mm TR26 timber member running along it to create a step, a 35 x 50 mm batten on the bottom edge of the next unit completes a simple mechanical joint.

More significantly, on the underside of either panel end is a triangular section, which locates in a slot formed within the top edge of the gable units to offer a very positive interlock along with foolproof alignment.

Accordingly, the gables have to be temporarily propped and braced in position until the special eaves units are fixed in place.

Where roof windows are to be installed, the smartroof system allows for slightly oversize spacers to be put in place between a sill unit and the next full-length panel.

This 'header' unit is then allowed to clamp the filler or spandrel units which are light enough to be lifted into position from below.

With all the units in place, the smartroof is reasonably weatherproof, even before the roof membrane is laid across the counter batten sections and installation of the main tiling battens begins.

More battens are fixed up on the underside of the panels to enable sheets of plasterboard to form the room soffit and achieve an airtight seal.

The development of the system with its commendable attention to detail has benefited from the support of a DTI Smart Grant and the resulting integrated design is what makes smartroof so quick to install.

One small builder who was determined to only have his mobile crane on hire for a single day actually managed to get a terrace of five houses weather-tight between dawn and dusk, though Wyckham Blackwell's David Himmons insists that two per day is the average for a gang once they understand the sequence.

Certainly, if you ignore the laying of the roof covering itself, the rest of the construction to achieve a recognisable room in the roof takes just a day, where two to three weeks would be considered reasonable using the various trades in sequence.

David Leaney, Managing Director of Wolf Systems, sums up the system's potential saying: "There is a growing realisation amongst housebuilders of the massive potential that smartroof offers: being suitable for use in combination with timber frame, steel frame, concrete and masonry construction".

"120 smartroofs have been installed to date and there are orders from major national companies for a further 144." Smartroof benefits:.

- Revolutionary interlocking panel system.

- Room-in-the-roof design.

- No on-site carpentry skills needed.

- Requires small installation team.

- Weather resistant within 1 day.

- Safer construction.

- Patented interlocking connection.

Back to top