In response to the construction industry’s drive to build a more sustainable future, Sika’s Roofing experts are hosting a live online launch event for its new Green Roof systems on 1 June 2021. All attendees will be in with a chance of winning their very own bee hotel. The launch will cover everything an architect or contractor needs to know about the sustainability and economic benefits of green roofs and what to consider when specifying one. The event is free to attend and suitable for any construction professionals who are interested in the future of sustainable building solutions. During the 45 min session, experts from Sika’s Roofing Team, including Sustainability Manager Sarah Peake, will cover a number of topics, including understanding what constitutes a green roof, the benefits they provide, the different types Sika will provide and their suitability to certain applications, as well as the required design considerations. The launch will close with a Q&A session. Sika’s new systems, available from June, provide solutions for three types of green roofing build-ups – extensive, intensive and biodiverse. These systems will be available as part of a complete, high-performance package from Sika that also includes the waterproofing element of the roof – whether this is hotmelt, reinforced bitumen membrane, single ply or cold-applied liquid solutions. The new Sika Green Roof will be backed by the same trusted technical support that the company has continuously provided over the years. From initial design and specification through to installation, site inspections and final sign off of the roof, Sika’s technical expertise is available every step of the way. As an added bonus, Sika is giving ten lucky attendees the chance to win a bee hotel to aid biodiversity in their own gardens and outdoor spaces. These small structures are designed to be the perfect breeding places for solitary bees, which naturally nest in hollow stems, earth banks or dead wood.

Staying true to its culture of innovation, Sika has launched Sikalastic-652N, an upgraded version of one of its most popular liquid-applied single-component polyurethane waterproofing membranes, Sikalastic-625. This versatile, durable cold-applied membrane is used up and down the UK in a range of flat roof applications, from industrial and commercial roofs to balconies and walkways. The new and improved Sikalastic-625N incorporates Sika’s patented i-Cure Technology, an enhanced chemistry that gives the product greater temperature stability, extended shelf life and improved workability. Thanks to these benefits, the waterproofing membrane is capable of curing in a wide range of conditions, making it ideal for use in the unpredictable UK climate. Application is quick, easy, and will not be delayed by adverse weather, which is a huge benefit for the specifier, contractor and client. “We’re excited to be able to offer our customers the benefits of our exclusive new i-Cure Technology with the launch of Sikalastic-625N. It delivers a whole host of performance enhancements while maintaining the trusted weather resistant waterproofing properties of its predecessor,” said Gavin White, Marketing and Product Manager at Sika Roofing. “Sika has been manufacturing high performance protection and waterproofing systems for over 50 years and we’re proud of that expertise. Our aim isn’t just to pioneer new market-leading technologies, but also to continually improve existing ones – especially those that are already loved by our customers,” he added. The high quality and durability achieved by this membrane is evidenced by its BBA and ETA Accreditations. Sikalastic-625N is a direct replacement and upgrade to the existing Sikalastic-625 formulation and will be available in the same colour range and tin sizes. Coverage rates and guarantees – 10, 15 and 20 years – also remain the same.

Merchants can edge ahead of the competition with the Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system, the proven dry fix roofing solution from Ariel Plastics that is fast, easy-to-fit and fully compatible with an expansive range of roof tiles. Developed and designed for ease of installation, the Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system provides a neat mortarless finish at roof verges on new build and retrofit projects. The system is a 100% mortar-free, dry fix solution, offering a hard-wearing, durable and attractive finish to the roofline without the inconvenience of using mortar bedding. Manufactured from lightweight, modern plastic materials that are easy-to-install and weather- resistant, the Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system protects the roof verge from wind uplift, pest infestation and weather degradation in accordance with BS 5534. Available in Brown, Anthracite Grey and Terracotta, this all-weather system includes Starter Piece, Verge Section, Batten Clip, and Angled, and Half-Round Ridge Caps options to suit the ridge style. Fully adjustable for installation with tiles of between 260mm-350mm gauges, the Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system is quick and easy to install, and offers a wealth of features so that installers can fit with confidence, giving a more superior dry verge solution for both new build and renovation projects. The temporary ‘True-Line’ guide in the Starter Piece ensures it is correctly lined up with the tiles, guaranteeing a perfect and secure alignment on the roof, whilst a handy cut out area provides the flexibility to work around existing gutters. Attention to detail and consideration of the installers needs have played a crucial part in developing this product. The Verge Sections are not handed to fit both the left hand and right hand sides of the roof verge for ease of installation. The ‘True-Connect’ locators fit the ‘True Mount’ allowing adjustable positioning of the Verge Sections to suit various tile gauges. An in-built ‘drip strip’ allows rainwater to run off the Verge, avoiding wall staining and potential damp. There are flex points on the Ridge Caps which allow for differing roof angles and a choice of angled and half round options to suit the ridge style. “With the construction industry reaping the benefits of dry fix products, the Coroverge Universal Dry Verge System is fast and simple to install, and fully compatible with a wide range of tiles. It’s set to become the go-to, hassle-free dry verge system for merchant customers, offering a clean, attractive and maintenance-free finish,” said Paul Goddard, Sales Director of Ariel Plastics. Offering the widest choice of roofing sheet, rooflights and roofing accessories available in the UK, industry leader Ariel Plastics is renowned for providing specialist roofing and glazing solutions for any application. The Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system complements Ariel’s extensive Corodrain roof drainage and Corovent roof ventilation portfolios. To assist each outlet in selling the Coroverge Universal Dry Verge system, merchants can also benefit from a free Display Unit with every stock order.

Every homeowner requires a trustworthy roofer whom they can count on when they need roof repairs. Finding the best roofing expert can be challenging if it’s the first time you are hiring. Roof replacement isn’t a frequent activity, and thus many companies do not care about offering quality services. Therefore, a homeowner should be careful while settling for a roofing contractor. Services from a good roofing company will give you peace of mind and help you save money on constant repairs. Check the following qualities of a good roofing company. Use of Quality Materials A good roofing company will ensure the client uses the best quality materials when roofing. Many companies are after money and not the client’s interest. Cheap is expensive, and if the roofing materials are substandard, the homeowner will be at a loss. Good Communication Skills A homeowner should know the progress of the roofing project. Therefore, a reputable contractor should be transparent and honest. They should also be available to answer questions at any time with relevant facts. A good company should also have a website where you can reach them when not at the site. Check how they respond to other clients and their reviews. Do they have positive or negative reviews on customer service? From there, you will be able to gauge them. Local Referrals Hiring a local company comes with lots of benefits. First, the company is well known in your area and so is its reputation. The company is also aware of the area’s weather conditions, so they are best in advising you of the right roofing materials. In addition to that, a local company will be easy to follow in case something comes up. On the contrary, a far company may not always respond to problems quickly. Lastly, a good company that offers services for roofing Edmonton has a reputation to maintain, and therefore, quality roofing is what they strive to offer to their clients. Experience Experience is non-negotiable when looking for a roofing company. Poor installation is the leading cause of roofing problems. You may buy standard materials, but if the contractor is inexperienced, your roof will have issues. Check the number of years the company has been operational to determine its experience level. Consider companies with more than five years’ experience. License and Insurance A good company should have insurance for its employees and subcontractors. You can ask for a copy of the insurance certificate for validation purposes. Uninsured employees can cause extra charges to a homeowner in case he/she gets an accident at the site. Most states require licenses from roofing companies. If you are in such a place, ensure the company has a valid license. Warranty A roofing project is an expensive venture. Therefore, a good company should provide a warranty on material quality and workmanship. It is advisable to know the number of warranty years a company is offering. You can always shop around and compare with other companies before making a decision. You will have peace of mind and assurance that the company will provide nothing but excellent installation.

Sika’s Roofing team has appointed Tim Halls as National Sales Manager for New Build roofing in England and Wales. Tim returns to the UK after spending the last 10 years working for Sika globally in Saudi Arabia, China and Vietnam. Throughout this period he has promoted Sika’s roofing products, systems and technologies to a vast number of worldwide customers. “Sika is a global company that has allowed me to have some wonderful adventures. I have worked with some of the world’s largest consultants and contractors while at the same time experiencing other cultures and Sika businesses. But this position in the UK was a great opportunity and one I couldn’t refuse, I’m looking forward to working with our strong team of 11 salespeople in the new build sector,” commented Tim Halls. Sika’s Roofing team in the UK provides three distinct roofing solutions for its customers: single ply membranes, liquid applied membranes and bituminous membranes from its leading brands – Sika Sarnafil, Sika Liquid Plastics, SikaBit and Sika-Trocal. As well as market leading technologies, Sika has expertise within its technical and applications support for both new build and refurbishment flat roof construction. “It’s been a challenging year for us all, but we’ve come together as a team and worked extremely hard to achieve encouraging results, especially in these difficult times. It is now more important than ever that we stay close to our customers and provide them with the support and products they require. Tim is well-placed to use the experience he has gained while working in the wider Sika global arena to enhance our offering. We are looking forward to his contribution and he will have a large part to play in the exciting developments we have planned for 2021,” Pete Hollingworth, Business Unit Manager – Roofing and Flooring, welcomed the return of Tim Halls to the Sika UK team.

Starting your own roof repair company can turn out to be an excellent venture. Besides, all buildings have roofs and, in time, roofs can become damaged or worn. Owners would call contractors to fix their roof rather than have them replaced immediately because roof replacement can be costly.   Roof repair as a business can be both easy and very profitable as long as you follow the fundamental steps in starting and maintaining oner. If you’re thinking of putting up your own roof repair company, here are some tips you can follow:   1 Learn Important Business Skills  If you want to be a successful business owner, you need to know the essential skills in running a business. For a successful roof repair company like Johnson Exteriors, here are three skills you need to master:   Strategic thinking: This can be used to improve your company’s profitability and help you make critical business decisions. For example, you might want to consider a new marketing strategy that will enable you to expand into a new area, which will bring more revenue into your field.   Technical competence: This includes the ability to use software and computer systems effectively, such as Microsoft Office applications, understanding web-based customer service software, scheduling appointments, and creating marketing materials that have good graphics.  Interpersonal communication skills: As a business owner, you’ll need to effectively communicate with your employees, customers, and suppliers. You can only make this happen if you have both good conversation and listening skills.   There are also other helpful business skills involving finance, marketing, and leadership. These skills are also essential because they help you run your business smoothly and help you make sound decisions that would let your business grow.   2 Create A Business Plan  Once you know the necessary business skills, you’ll need to develop a business plan. This is essential if you want to attract investors to add capital to your business. As an entrepreneur, you need to have a well-written, well-thought-out plan that will show investors how the company will be organized, how it will market itself, and how the company will make money in the future.  A business plan is simply a map for you and anyone interested in joining your business to follow. It details all of the pros and cons of your business idea, as well as explaining how your roof repair services will provide a unique benefit to consumers. A quality business plan will also help you secure funding for your business in the future.  3 Gather Tools And Supplies  Once you have a business plan in place, you need to gather essential tools and materials. Without these, you won’t be able to begin a roof repair job. Having the equipment you need ahead of time will make things go more smoothly when setting up shop.  After you have the materials and tools you need, you’ll need to decide what type of roofing system you want to repair. There are several different roofing systems, including asphalt shingles, metal roofing, wood shakes, slate, ceramic tile, and synthetic membrane. Be sure to choose a design that you feel most comfortable repairing.   4 Marketing And Advertising  Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to get started. The most common things businesses forget to include in their plan is their marketing strategy and how to make their business visible to attract more customers. You can set up a shop right away, or you can build a website and advertise. You need to take a proactive approach and market your business to determine what area you will serve first.   Prepare a business card with all your contact information, which includes your business name, your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Next, you need to list all the services you will offer in your new roofing company business plan. You must mention the products that you’ll be selling in your brochures and advertising.  5 Customer Service  Quality service is essential if you want to succeed at roofing. Be sure to offer quality products and services. Customers will keep coming back to you if they like your work and are satisfied with your work. Be ready to answer queries and provide information that your customers can use to repair their roofing system. You can hire one or two people for this job, or work with a third-party customer service provider if you want to save some money.   Summary  Starting a business is not easy, but it is possible. What makes it possible is having a good business plan and a defined set of business skills to help you run your business efficiently. Having a business plan is very important for any new business as it determines your business’s future success. Once you secure your capital, you should start gathering supplies to begin your roofing repair company.   Don’t forget to also have a plan when it comes to marketing and advertising your business. Lastly, focus on customer service and providing vital information that will help your customers, which can earn their trust and build a positive reputation for your business.  

Smartroof, UK manufacturer of offsite, panelised ‘room in roof’ systems, has completed a £1.2 million investment in its Derbyshire production facility to drive efficiencies, improve quality and meet the growing demand for its modular roof system. The company is an award-winning manufacturer of ‘room in roof’ systems, providing a cost effective, safer and more efficient method of constructing roof structures. The investment at the company’s Swadlincote facility will see manufacturing capabilities increase by an impressive 150%. It means they will have the ability to produce up to 25 plots per day. As part of the investment at the 48,000 ft2 production facility, attention has been paid to layout and flow of materials. Five state-of-the-art fabrication bays have been installed along with 18 new overhead cranes. To further increase the efficiency of production processes, new automated CNC saws enable safe, accurate and fast cross-cutting, while new roof and spandrel benches have been constructed to incorporate retractable airline hoses for improved safety. Whilst improving staff safety and reducing waste, the investment has dramatically increased the company’s production capability. Speaking about the company’s investment in its UK manufacturing operation, Kevin Sherlock, Managing Director at Smartroof said: “Following the continuing growth of our business it became clear we needed to further invest in our production facility to match the expectation and growth in demand from our customers. With housebuilders turning to ‘room in roof’ systems, this investment has allowed us to improve our output and support the delivery of UK housing programmes with an innovative system that meets the requirements for quality, safety and performance.” The Smartroof system is a complete roof solution, designed to offer housebuilders and developers a solution to maximising sellable space by creating rooms in roofs. Comprising a series of factory produced panels incorporating insulated roof panels, spandrel wall panels, dormers, roof windows, GRP chimneys, soffit and fascia, it is delivered to site and craned into place. Once in place, the roofs simply require roof tiling. The system has many benefits – less waste, better control of quality, safer to install – and meets the industry’s demand for solutions that allow us to build better quality homes, more efficiently. The investment programme has reinforced Smartroof’s position as one of the UK’s leading offsite manufacturers of ‘room in roof’ solutions, enabling the company to meet the housing sectors growing demand whilst improving working conditions of its growing workforce.

A lovely roof and beautiful home exterior combination can strengthen a house’s charm for years. That’s why it’s crucial to look for the right blend which will suit your home’s distinctive personality.   Whether you’re installing a new roof or replacing the ones you have, read first the following four tips for choosing the best roof colour to guarantee you’re selecting the right shade for your home.   1 Search for Real-Life Models The optimal way to begin your search for the best roof colour is by checking existing roofs in your neighbourhood.  Likewise, you can google images of charming ceilings to kickstart your creativity, but remember nothing compares to observing the real thing.   Additionally, you’ll be seeing excellent colour combinations and those which are unsuitable. When you go around your area, you’ll also discover the prevailing theme in your location, which can be a huge factor in your decision. Typically, expert roofer recommend homeowners to select a shade that merges with the rest, but, at the same time, shines on its own.  2 Consider Your Home’s Climate Do you reside in an area that perpetually showcases hot weather? If your home features an attic, take note that the shade of your roof shingles can influence the attic temperature by roughly 20° to 40°. This fact can significantly impact the cooling or heating expenses of your home.   Remember that dark shingles draw in heat and help houses remain warm during wintertime. On the one hand, light shingles block the sunlight and reduce the temperature when the weather is hot.   3 Determine Whether to Revitalise or Tone Down Colour Meanwhile, if the exterior of your house features a variety of shades, it’s best to stick to low-key hues to defuse the splash of colours. But, if your home exterior is somewhat on the minimalist side, choosing a revitalising shade can do wonders for your structure. If you need help deciding whether to tone down or select a revitalising paint for your roof, consult a local roofing company near your area.  4 Match Colours Lastly, when choosing the best roof colour, keep in mind to match your shingles’ shade with the hues present in the trims, stones, tiles, stucco, or siding of your home. As an example, a black or dark grey roof combines well with a blue or grey home.   On the other hand, a blend of cream or brown shingles will look excellent in a tan, brown, or cream-coloured house. In case you own a yellow, green, or red home, these shades are more adaptable, and you can accentuate them with grey, brown, or black.   Final Thoughts Choosing the best roof colour can be a challenge when you consider all the available factors. Some homeowners prefer envisioning the result to help them make a decision. They try to visualise their roofs with metal, shingles, or tiles. Then they picture their preferred roof colour after the installation. Exploring many alternatives can be stressful. Hence, picturing the outcome can, in effect, remove unsuitable choices.  Please note that while some contractors recommend applying trendy shades to your roofs, those colours will not be attractive anymore in the future. Understand also that roofs last between 20 to 30 years. If you’re planning to market your home in the following 20 years, it’s best to adopt a subdued design. Remember, the majority of homeowners favour timeless charm rather than trendy styles for their houses.