It’s always a pleasant surprise to see a green roof and it means that the owner of the property has invested in a sustainable home. A green roof is essentially made up of various layers including vegetation, growing membrane, moisture retention fleece, aqua drain, Sarnafil membrane, insulation, a vapour control layer and structural a structural deck.

The roof is designed to absorb rain water (up to 70%), while it is relatively low maintenance. These roofs are not necessarily expensive to install but they do need a little bit of maintenance work if you want to keep them tidy.

Some people have used these systems on houses, garages and commercial properties, and they are certainly visually appealing, while it’s a nice surprise and you’ll always get a few turned heads when you invite guests over.

Gutters are often taken for granted, until they begin to leak that is, and the rubberised Plygene Gutterline system is a quality solution. It’s essentially lining for a tired gutter but it’s compatible with virtually any property. It can be installed to match the shape of a gutter, no matter how complicated while it can be provided in long runs, so it’s suitable for large commercial properties too.

You’ll definitely get a watertight finish with this system and that’s why it’s one of the most widely used guttering systems in the UK, while some properties have been lined in the excess of 200 metres. Not every roofing contractor will be experienced in using this system, and if you are going to use it then always call on the services of a certified installer.

Roof lights are openings on the roof which allow the penetration of light into the house. Various types of roof lights are available in the market and vary according to design, way of operation, and the raw material used in their manufacture and where to be installed among other factors. The following are examples and explanations of some of the lights:-

Fixed lights

This type is designed to impress and was originally created with the intention of reaching the high end market. Fixed lights are stylish and are usually fixed (one place) unlike other categories which are available in the market. The category is specifically designed so as to give a low external frame thus allowing light into the house. In terms of security, the lights are fitted with a thermally efficient glaze unit hence safer and efficient. This is because safety is the number one factor when considering such kind of lights. The inner part of the light has a laminated pane which not only adds up to the efficiency of the light but also safety of the light. The panes are made in such a way that they stay together when broken as opposed to toughened glass. This is an important aspect since when the lights are broken they do not scatter all over the place hence easier to tidy up whenever they are shattered.  Continue reading →

A fibre glass roof will require no maintenance whatsoever, and that’s why many people decide to use this system for their garage. The good thing with this system is that it can essentially be moulded into any shape, so if your garage roof is not completely flat without obstructions, it doesn’t matter.

This system is wet laid, and it can be installed relatively quickly, while many roofing contractors use it to carry out repairs. There are also no glued joints and the entire roof can be completed using one continuous piece of GRP. This system sis clear to see on many properties throughout the UK, and you are able to choose whether you want it to be non-slip. It’s a system used on commercial and residential properties, and it’s the perfect finish to a garage.

Aluminium roofing systems, although not quite new in the UK market, have always been among the top-rated and well-recommended not only by experts but also by ordinary individuals. The system has been in the market for over 50 years now but with innovative designs and technological revolution, it has reached a higher level and has continued to be very popular in several regions across UK. For roofing needs on conservatories, loggia extensions and orangeries, home designers recommend Aluminium roofing systems.

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Cladding is a process of protecting an underlying structure by piling up pieces of materials over another for better skin or layer control. It protects walls from harmful elements such as wind, rain and frost, which destroy hundreds of houses and buildings each year. If you want to secure your investment, it is important to apply commercial cladding. This will not only enhance your structure’s safety but will also increase the protection of your investment.

How Commercial Cladding Works

Cladding can be interior or exterior. It is done by putting another layer to the outside walls for better insulation, preventing structural damage and defending underneath brickwork. The added protection will also result to less maintenance such as re-pointing, plastering, and painting. The cladding will support any commercial structure by providing extreme level of versatility in design and durability. Continue reading →

While flat-roofs have become more and more popular among home-owners throughout the UK, many of them have since become aware of flaws in the design structure.

Flat-roofs, while great in many ways, are certainly less effective at negating water damage than a traditional pitched-roof structure. Pitched-roofs are highly effective at negating any water contact, as they are designed to have the water roll straight off the tiles of the roof, while with a flat-roof, puddles can begin to form on the surface.

Standing pools of water can be very damaging to the materials roofs are typically made of; reducing the lifespan of any flat-roof to below the point where having one in the first place is worthwhile.

Thankfully, over the last decade, chemists have been tackling this issue, and have come up with a variety of materials and substances which are far more at water-proofing a surface than anything that was previously available. You should be able to easily apply such a material to your flat roof, giving you a roof which will have a far longer lifespan.

A modern way to extend your home is to create and extension into the back garden is with glass and metal (usually steel). And no, we do not mean a conservatory.
There are many modern buildings being erected with the exterior made completely of glass, but we think this may a bit much, however to create a nice ambience in a dining room, we think that this would be perfect for a glass room extension. You can even feel like you’re enjoying an alfresco dining experience.

When it comes to selecting the material for the extension and the roof, you could use either glass or fiberglass (which we discussed in an earlier post).  Both have their benefits.
If you chose glass and have a larger budget, you could consider “smart glass” (otherwise known as privacy glass) which becomes like frosted glass when the current being passed through it is switched off. This could be a great option for your roof if you have nosey neighbours overlooking you!

When you have a flat roofed building, something to strongly consider is having a skylight. You can have a skylight in a normal shaped roof, however, having a flat roof can give you an advantage of space! A flat roof will normally mean you have a lot of space, you could even consider making most of the roof glass, opening up your room and letting the light in.
You have two main considerations, plastic or glass?

If you are having a large window and it is a way of naturally lighting your room, we would strongly suggest to go for the more expensive option being glass. Glass made for skylights is being made to have more durable qualities, it can also be laminated or tempered to increase its strength.
Unlike with plastic which can discolour over time or even warp. Plastic also allows ultraviolet rays in from the sun which can fade your furniture and can also damage your skin. (To stop this it must be coated in a special film, however this does not stop it from warping and basically being less durable.)