The NEW FIX-R EPDM Calculator

Works out what materials you need in just a few minutes.

To help make your life easier this quick and simple calculator tells you exactly what materials you need to complete your FIX-R EPDM roofing project.

Complete four simple steps to receive a customised materials list you can present in branch for purchase.

1. Measure your roof and input your exact dimensions
2. Select your roof edges
3. Select your ancillaries
4. Review and print and/or save

The calculator works out exactly how much of which trim you need along with all the FIX-R EPDM accessories required for installation – including sealants, tapes and adhesives. You can also select drainage, penetration and walkway accessories to add to your list.

The calculator works for roof areas less than 100m² and is available at: www.fix-r.co.uk/calculator

Same sensational Sandtoft, just with Weinerberger’s backing

Great products and a recognisable brand go hand in hand.

So, when Wienerberger bought Sandtoft in 2009, they knew it was important that all their customers – including contractors – understood that they’d still be offering the same brilliant products and services. Not just the concrete and clay portfolio, but the expertise they have with heritage projects in particular. As part of Wienerberger, Sandtoft will live on with the same qualities that it always has – it’s just the name and logo that are a bit different.

2000th member milestone for TRADE CLUB loyalty programme

Since its launch in 2015 TRADE CLUB has helped contractors up and down the country grow their business. Roofcare South West is the 2000th firm to benefit from the scheme, which gives its members the opportunity to earn points and secure discounts by purchasing roofing products from any of SIG Roofing’s 120+ UK branches.

The Bridgwater-based contractor will receive one point for every £1 it spends and each month will be given the chance to earn double points if they buy one of SIG Roofing’s selected own label products.
Roofcare owner, Christopher Marks, said: ‘We have been using SIG Roofing for more than six years. The branch in Marsh Barton always has what we need when we visit or within a few days of us ordering it, there’s no reason to shop elsewhere.”

ONE Warranty usage DOUBLES in ONE Year

SIG Roofing has seen the uptake of its ONE Warranty more than double in the last 12 months.
The company believes the 139% rise is down to the increased call for ‘no strings’ warranties, with the clarity, simplicity and transparency of ONE Warranty meeting that demand perfectly. There are no unexpected surprises hiding in the small print, such as additional clauses or premiums for some materials or products – there is one warranty for the roof, one supplier for goods and warranty, one registration process and one contact to process a claim.

ONE Warranty includes an extensive range of products, ensuring that whatever solution is required ONE Warranty has got you covered! It’s got the widest range of pitched roofing coverings – all from the UK’s leading manufacturers. So whether you are working on a roof with concrete, clay, reproduction stone, natural or fibre cement slate roof – ONE Warranty is the single package warranty for you. And all with the added peace of mind that the roof is covered for 15 years.

No strings.

For more information, visit www.sigroofing.co.uk/onewarranty

Total Contractor

The NEW monthly magazine exclusively for contractors interested in roofing, cladding, insulation, systems and projects.

If you work on new build or refurbishment projects in the residential, commercial or agricultural markets, this is the magazine for you.

Each Total Contractor issue covers all the key developments in our fast-moving market. It cuts through the spin to bring you, the contractor, all the news, practical guidance and advice, as well as opinions and new product launches to help you both in the office and on site.

You can find it on trade counters in all SIG Roofing branches, or sign up for your free copy at www.total-contractor.co.uk

Who’s your local roofing Hero?

SIG Roofing have been searching for local roofing heroes – who really make a difference in their community.

The SIG Roofing Local Hero Award is celebrating roofers who have gone above and beyond when it comes to helping people or charities in their area.

Nominations closed on April 20th and the winner will be announced at the UK Roofing Awards 2018, hosted by the NFRC. And of course we’ll let you know who the winner is, after the awards.

You can find more information now by visiting www.sigroofing.co.uk/local-hero.

It’s a ‘Bute’y!

Russell Roof Tiles’ newest tile is a thing of ‘Bute’y and growing in popularity every day!
Introduced into Russell’s Natural Range two years ago, the Bute tile is already standing proudly on houses across the country. However, these tiles are not so easy to spot…

That’s because although Bute is made from concrete it can provide the same natural look as clay, stone or slate while still being long-lasting, cheaper and easy to fix.

What’s more, Russells’ recent upgrade in technology means you don’t have to wait long to get your Bute tile – just four weeks.

It’s no wonder so many have jumped on the Bute bandwagon.

A natural alternative to native purple and green slates

SIGA 140 and 150 are slightly textured natural slates, with a purple and green colour respectively. Quarried in Vermont USA by UK slate experts and formed from the same plates that grace our own shores – making them suitable to meet the aesthetic requirements for roofing work in Britain. As UK production of natural slate has reduced recently due to the limited availability of suitable rock in UK quarries, SIGA 140 and 150 offer a readily available alternative that avoids lengthy lead times.

Tested by the ASTM, achieving the highest prediction of life service Grade 1 (American Society for Testing Materials), CE marked and with a T1 rating for thermal cycling, both are available in 7mm thicknesses and come in a variety of sizes.

To find out more, please visit: www.sigaslate.co.uk/siga-range/excellence/siga-140/

Dry verges to meet and beat BS 8612 from Redland

Redland has launched two dry verge products to coincide with the publication of BS 8612 – the new standard that ensures dry fixed products are adequately designed and installed to be fit for purpose. Redland’s new DryVerge and Rapid DryVerge are specifically designed to meet BS 8612 and to be best in class.

Moreover, they are also even easier and faster to fix than their predecessors. The verges feature a particularly effective stop-ended starter unit that makes it far harder to get fitting wrong – minimising the risk of corrections and call-backs.

Permo® extreme RS SK2 withstands the weather

Recent BRE tests have proved that Klober’s Permo® extreme RS SK2 roofing withstands UK weather without the need for support boards.

This means savings in time and materials. Klober estimates removing the need for boards and counter battens will save at least £8 per m2. The underlay is tear-resistant and designed for use on low pitched roofs. It can be used at 12.5° or more for profile tiles, 15° for slates and 22.5° for plain tiles. It is made from PES fleece which allows vapour to escape, while keeping water out.

A Vulkem Quick solution…

Sometimes you need a liquid waterproofing that looks great while bridging cracks, withstanding heavy traffic and countering the effects of UV rays.

The Vulkem® Quick System is the answer. The different components that make up the product cure to form a highly-elastic, foot trafficable waterproofing system which is suitable for installation on old or new concrete, tiles, metal, wood, epoxy and other types of existing deck coatings.

Use on frequently used areas such as balconies, terraces, pedestrian bridges, stadium decks, entrances and exits, staircases etc. Its decorative finishes include coloured quartz, uni-colours or colour flakes that can help transform dull spaces.

Find out more: http://bit.ly/VulkemQuick

Focus on plain tiles

Traditional plain tiles create highly desirable roofscapes and have been in production to a standard size since 1666, when the Great Fire of London led to the creation of the first product standards.

These plain tiles are small and rectangular in shape and have always been 265mm x 165mm in size, meaning 60 tiles are required per square meter.

They work by overlapping up to three tiles to create a fully - watertight layer, adding detail and texture to the roof. Clay plain tiles can be machine made or handmade, with handmade creating a classic rustic appearance.

Speak to us in branch to find out more about Wienerberger’s clay tile range.

Working at a good clip

TIL-R Tile Clips are easy to fit single piece clips, which can be used with most roof tiles from leading UK manufacturers, without compromising the performance of the roof.

They are easy to fit single piece clips made from galvanised carbon steel, which remains more rigid than stainless steel, and are suitable for all exposures throughout the UK, without the need for nail or clip threading.

The clips can be used along with TIL-R Dry Fix Ridge Kits and Pitched Roof Underlay to provide a secure, BS 5534:2014 compliant, roofing solution. They also come with a 15-year guarantee and form part of SIG Roofing’s single package ONE Warranty.

Find out more at: www.til-r.co.uk/products/tile-clips

Leaky car park refurb transforms shopping at Broadway Plaza

Broadway Plaza is a multi-use shopping destination in Birmingham city centre, in use 24 hours a day. The Plaza suffered from severe water ingress through the main deck, and the waterproofing system in the main plaza, walkways, balconies and car park was in poor condition. A complete refurbishment was required, using a number of systems from IKO PLC.

An IKO inspection revealed that in some places the original waterproofing and screed was saturated with water, with no seal protecting the building.

Under technical guidance from IKO, contractor Rio Asphalt stripped the deteriorating waterproofing system to the concrete substrate to create new drainage channels. Rio Asphalt used IKO Permascreed to reduce the risk of gassing from the saturated screed, then applied IKO Polimar FCS waterproofing across the plaza up to the brickwork and door thresholds. Exposed pedestrian areas were treated with the IKO Polimar FCS balcony and walkway system. Some areas were then backfilled using IKO enertherm XPS insulation board to raise the sections to the desired level, followed by a geotextile membrane, aggregate, and finally paving.

The Plaza remained open throughout the work and the project was completed on time and within budget, with minimal disruption to shoppers and tenants.

Roofshield chosen for golf centre extension at Carnoustie

Roofshield, the unique vapour and air permeable pitched roof underlay has been chosen as part of an exciting new golf centre extension at Carnoustie Golf Links, ahead of the Open Championship’s visit to Carnoustie in July 2018.

The new two-storey building will include a state-of-the-art golf practice and training facility with magnificent views over the golf course.
For more than 21 years the Roofshield name has been synonymous with the highest quality, providing a pitched roof underlay, which is both air and vapour permeable. Recognised as one of the highest performing roofing membrane solutions, it has become the preferred choice of architects, developers and contractors. Tony Bowe site manager for Ogilvie Construction explains his reasons for the selection of Roofshield. “We chose Roofshield because of its superior quality and breathability, assuring protection for the new buildings at Carnoustie.”

Many vapour and air permeable underlays use an airtight VP film layer to achieve their performance, whilst Roofshield’s patented SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond) structure allows high levels of airflow, in addition to the transport of moisture vapour, making the formation of condensation in the roof space virtually impossible.

Cembrit slates turn heads in Dursley

Easy to install Cembrit Moorland Blue/Black slates have been used on phase two of St Modwen’s new build housing development in Dursley, Gloucestershire. Chosen for their attractive appearance, and following a successful phase one, the Moorlands were once again supplied by Willis Westcott and installed by Mcdonnell-Price, a local roofing contractor.

The properties at Littlecombe have been built using a blend of modern and traditional materials which gives the development a timeless appeal. The Moorland Blue/Black slates provide a contrast with the light coloured fascia materials and surrounding greenery. This clean appearance is enhanced by the first class installation work carried out by McDonnell-Price across the development, which features roofs with Velux windows and many vents and valleys, alongside several pitch variants of between 30 and 45 degrees. Brandon McDonnell, of McDonnell-Price is very satisfied with the end result:

“I’m pleased with the way the project came together – everything just seemed to click into place. We like Cembrit’s Moorland slates and with a project like this, one that involves a lot of detail, it was good to have a slate that is lightweight, as well as easy to cut and fix. I also like the way dark Blue/Black colour stands out and nicely defines the roof lines against the surroundings.”

Hydrostop AH-25 offers fast track solution at Gatwick

Hydrostop AH-25 liquid waterproofing was chosen as a better alternative over BUR on a new build, brownfield site for the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

Southern Industrial Roofing, Portsmouth was appointed to undertake the 1800m2 liquid roofing project to the £19m development, Gatwick Diamond Manor Royal.

Hydrostop AH-25 is a wet-on-wet cold applied liquid waterproofing system that contains no solvents or isocyanates, with a very low VOC content. The AH-25 system was applied over a concrete substrate with a bituminous vapour control layer with a liquid roofing board and CTF insulation.

AH-25 is totally impervious to standing water, and as a single component liquid it does not need a catalyst before use. The product comes with a 25-year guarantee which can only be offered by SIG’s DATAC accredited installers.

Southern Industrial Roofing’s MD, Guy Rutherford said:

“Our installers like AH-25 because it goes down wet-on-wet in a single pass, there are virtually no fumes and it’s is extremely quick to install. The system can be applied directly to the face of the insulation board and only requires a 100mm wide self-adhesive jointing tape to be fixed to the joints of the insulation.”

Marley Alutec supplies groundbreaking project

Marley Alutec has supplied its Evoke fascia and soffit range, Aligator Boxer boltless guttering and Flush-fit downpipes to Magnolia House, a new purpose-built £1million support centre at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The palliative care centre is a first of its kind development, designed to provide a safe-haven for families at their time of need, as well as providing a neutral space to facilitate difficult conversations.

Dan Brown, Project Lead at Pinnegar Hayward Design commented: “It was important for Magnolia House to not feel like a clinical environment. Curves were used within certain elements of the building to help achieve this.”

Products from Marley Alutec’s Evoke fascia and soffit range were used throughout the project. The company worked closely with the contractor Marshdale, who were supplied materials by SIG Roofing in Erdington. Pinnegar Hayward Design specified Marley Alutec’s products because of their curvability, as well as their high-performance values. Combining exceptional durability and aesthetic appearance, the range perfectly complemented the ethos of the project.

Also installed was Marley Alutec’s Aligator Boxer boltless guttering and Flush-fit downpipes. As with all of the company’s aluminium products, the Aligator system requires no specialist tools or contractors to fit or adapt on site and are extremely lightweight and easy to install.

Steel Rainwater: the contractor’s choice for refurb projects

The Potting Shed pub in Langley and David Austin Roses nursery near Shrewsbury are the latest projects to benefit from Infinity – the high-performance steel rainwater system from Alumasc Rainwater. The contractors on both projects opted for steel because of its innate strength and durability. Steel will not crack or corrode, requires little maintenance and resists thermal expansion. Contractors and property owners also benefit from Infinity’s 15-year product warranty for long-term peace of mind.

Steel is also lightweight and easy to install. A dry joint system removes the need for additional silicone sealant, and the gutter lengths and angles are jointed with EPDM rubber sealed connectors for fast and watertight installation.

The versatility of steel rainwater means it can suit traditional buildings such as The Potting Shed pub or a new extension like the timber cladded tea rooms at the David Austin Roses nursery. And while the Infinity range is available in a wide choice of UV resistant colours, the contemporary look of plain galvanised steel was chosen for both these projects.

With its durability, style, easy installation – and at a comparable price to plastic – steel rainwater is cultivating a strong following with discerning contractors.

Light transmission – five factors you should consider

Rooflights can provide much more light than windows, and deliver more usable light into a building, particularly in large structures and enclosed areas that cannot be lit through a window.

When installing rooflights, there are five important factors to consider for an effective daylighting plan.

1. Direct vs diffused light
   Direct light passes through transparent materials such as glass and polycarbonate. Diffused light is scattered through purpose designed diffusers or translucent naturally diffusing materials such as GRP.
2. Light transmission
   Different rooflight and insulant materials provide very different levels of light transmission. It is important that the total rooflight assembly performance is properly taken into consideration.
3. Intended building use
   Windows and wall lights become ineffective at distances over 6m into the building where daylighting through rooflights located for optimum effect then become the most effective method.
4. Energy saving
   In newer buildings where excellent thermal performance is now being achieved, the most significant savings in operational energy can be gained by using the free resource of natural daylight.
5. Solar gain
   There should be limits on the level of daylight. For any building there is a light level that will give optimum building energy performance without causing excessive heat gains.

James ends on a high after 60 years at SIG Roofing

82-year-old James Perrot is finally bidding a fond farewell to the job he loves after working for SIG Roofing for the last 60 years. His retirement also brings to an end a 34-year stint working with his son, who is now his boss!

The former asphalt roofer joined Wedge Roofing Centre – a specialist roofing supplies merchant that has since become SIG Roofing – back in 1958, rising to become Branch Manager of the Barking branch.

Reflecting on his 60 years’ service, James said he’d loved his career: “Working for SIG Roofing has been my life, and I’ve been very lucky to have worked with my son. My last day will be a sad one, but it’s the right time to retire.

I’m really going to miss all the roofing contractors whom I’ve got to know over the years, who have become more like friends than customers because I’ve seen them day in and day out for years.”

James embodies everything SIG Roofing strive for in having friendly and very knowledge people in their branches to support the UK roofing sector. He now plans to spend more time with wife Irene, and the first thing they’ll do is go on a holiday that was a farewell gift from SIG Roofing.

Pam Milbourne retires from SIG Roofing Gateshead

Pam, who retired on the 29th March, joined Marley Eternit when she was a mere 16 years old, working in the sales office – she joined SIG Roofing as a temp and then became Assistant Branch Manager at the Gateshead branch. In that time she has worked with all of the large contractors in the north east and is known by pretty much every roofer in the area.

Colleagues and customers held a surprise meal to celebrate Pam’s retirement and thank her for being such an amazing asset to the branch. She is taking early retirement to spend more time with her family and we wish her the very best for the future.

SIG Roofing embarks on major branch refurbishment programme

SIG Roofing is investing heavily in modernising a quarter of its 120+ sites across the UK to improve the experience for its customers.

30 branches, stretching from Gateshead in the North East to Lewes in the South and Porth in the West, will undergo a facelift and extensive internal refit to create new trade counters, more display space and the opportunity to showcase a host of new products.

Using extensive customer feedback the aim is to make the branches as customer-friendly as possible in a bright and modern environment. Refurbishment work has already been completed on the first three branches in London, Bournemouth and Manchester, with the remaining 27 set to be finalised over the next seven months. SIG Roofing Cheam, is one of the branches which has already been given a major makeover with an external facelift and extensive internal refit.

The improvements can be seen across the refurbished Cheam branch, improving the customer experience and creating a more welcoming environment for its wide range of customers. The branch recently celebrated by holding an open day to showcase the new appearance and layout, with both new and existing customers enjoying bacon sandwiches, meeting technical specialists and taking advantage of special offers.

Branch Manager, Kevin Baillie commented: “From the feedback we have had so far, everyone is delighted with the improvements and the new look.”

Our completed refurbishments are as follows:

• Manchester Arrow
• Bournemouth
• Bristol Ashton Vale
• Gloucester
• Portsmouth
• High Wycombe
• Bristol St Phillips
• Sittingbourne
• Bristol Barton Hill
• Reading
• Bishop Waltham

Make sure you pop in to your local branch and check out their refurbishment!