Sunday roasts, pre-game rituals, going back to the same holiday destination year after year – there are a lot of things that make us creatures of habit, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing! But when it comes to modernising your construction techniques, you could be saving yourself a lot of time and effort by venturing into the unknown – take ridging a roof for example.
Traditionally, this important part of the roofing process would be completed by using mortar or cement products. While this method certainly has its place in the builder’s handbook due to its look and standing in the industry, there are newer alternatives out there that come with their own set of benefits – such as dry fix roofing.
To give you an overview of this method and products, we’ve teamed up with leading manufacturer, Klober, to share their expertise.
What is dry fix roofing?
Dry fix is a method of mechanically fixing roof ridges, hips, verges, valleys and bonding gutter components while avoiding the use of mortar. They can be used on the majority of pitched roof products such as concrete, slate and clay, and are suitable for new builds, re-roofing and refurbishment projects. Eliminating the need for bonding agents, such as mortar, these components are fitted with a simple mortar free method and mechanical fixing application that can be joined directly to the roof structure.
Just as the more traditional methods, dry fix roofing complies with the relevant British Standards; BS 8612 for performance, BS 5534 for mechanical fixing and BS 5250 for ventilation in the roof space.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of dry fix roofing speak for themselves. From its uniform and sleek appearance to the range of products, here are just a few examples:
Simple installation:
As we mentioned, dry fix doesn’t require the use of mortar or cement, which makes the installation process quicker and safer. Gone are the days when you have to navigate ladders with buckets of mortar. The products are mechanically fixed and require no specialist skills or tools to install. This means they can be installed in most types of weather, meaning you can complete roofing jobs more quickly. The products are also lightweight, making them safer to handle at height.
Long lifespan:
The products are easy to maintain and have a long lifespan. This means dry fix roofing won’t result in problems with cracking or the breaking of old fixings that often come with more traditional methods, and so avoiding costly returns to site.
Also, all ventilated dry fix products are fitted with a continuous air gap to allow for air movement, helping avoid pockets of moist air which might lead to condensation and moisture damage in the roof space. By allowing for appropriate ventilation, the installation not only meets BS 5250 but will provide your clients with a longer-lasting, safer and more hygienic finish.
Range of products:
You’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of products that are on offer from Klober, with a component for every situation. Their range includes a selection of:
– Universal Roll Fix Kits suited for any application to help ventilate the ridge and hip
– Dry Verge systems to provide a secure and neat finish when fixing interlocking verge tiles and slates
– GRP Valleys for under batten and over batten situations
– Bonding Strips for a watertight junction above the party wall between different roof finishes
– Dry Valley Closure Units for an effective and watertight finishing to Klober Dry Valleys
– Ridge End Caps for a neat finish on dry verges at the ridge end
When you take all this into account, it should come as no surprise that the majority of houses in the UK are now fitted with dry fix components, so make sure you’re aware of all the options available for any future jobs and roofing projects.
To see the full Dry Fix range on offer at Jewson, head over to your local branch or visit https://www.jewson.co.uk/
