Pitched Roofing

Part L of the UK Building Regulations sets out the requirements for the conservation of fuel and power in buildings. It covers both new build and existing buildings, and applies to all types of buildings, including homes, offices, schools, and hospitals. The aim of Part L is to reduce the amount of energy used by buildings, and to help to...

If you’ve spent hours grafting away making your roof perfect only to discover condensation starting to creep in, you’ll probably feel quite annoyed. All the hours of hard work up a ladder – and for what? Exposed to the elements day in and out, condensation can start to build up on your roofing sheets, leading to damage, rust and corrosion...

When installing a new roof, or replacing an old one, one of the major purchases is the tiles and it’s important to buy an accurate quantity for your needs.  Too few and your job will be left unfinished, possibly compromising the schedule,  not to mention that the roof will be left open to the elements.  Too many and you will...

Pyrite, often known as fool’s gold (as miners would mistake it for gold), is a metallic mineral found naturally.  Pyrite is also sometimes known as iron pyrite and is made up of one part iron and two parts sulphur.  It has a brassy yellow colour and is actually pretty easy to tell apart from gold which is much brighter.  Pyrite...

The ridge of your roof is the part that runs along the top, usually these curved tiles are fixed with cement mortar.  However there are some pitfalls with using this traditional method; Over time the cement mortar can disintegrate or break away in poor weather.   Dislodged tiles can cause a hazard if they fall from the roof. Cement mortar takes...

Method Statement for CUPA Natural Roofing Slates It must be stressed that the overall appearance of a finished slate roof is dependent on the preparatory work undertaken before any slates are even fixed to the roof. This process starts on the drawing board of the architect and continues through the erection of the building to roof level. The accuracy of...

With forecasters warning of a colder than average winter this year with similar extreme weather events likely, contractors should take steps now to make sure they are prepared for freezing conditions when they arrive. As well as important safety precautions, there are other considerations to ensure the durability and security of pitched roofs in winter, such as choice of materials...

What is a breather membrane ? Vapour permeable breather membranes protect against wind, insects, dirt, weather penetration whilst insulating your property. Installed to the outer side of the insulation, over or under the counter-battens on a pitched roof, breather membranes allow water vapour to escape from inside a building. Often without the need for ventilation. Why do we need one...

Edilians’ technical support receives many interesting and diverse questions. John Mercer, Technical Roofing Consultant, has answered below some of the more common roofing questions. Can I use tiles below the manufacturer’s minimum recommended roof pitch? The short answer is usually no. Using tiles below their minimum recommended roof pitch increases the risk of water ingress through the tiling, which in...

When considering your ridge and hips options we stock a selection of tiles in different materials - clay, slate and concrete. Our range includes ridge and hips for the perfect look and a professional finish on your new roofing project. And when an unobtrusive repair job is called for, find the perfect match to your existing tiles from leading manufacturers...

Slate is a natural material with unmatched technical features that will last well over 100 years. In fact, it’s usually the fixings and the supporting timbers that deteriorate before the slate tiles themselves. But how do you know whether your roof needs a simple repair or re-slate? Over time, the corrosion of nails or ‘nail sickness’ causes the slates to...

Slates come in all shapes and sizes. Read on for an understanding of CUPA's natural slate tile selections and a guide to the natural slate grading on site: When choosing the right slate for your roof, the higher the selection the more uniform the finished roof and the fewer imperfections. A first quality slate like the CUPA ‘R’ Excellence will...