December 2022

DECEMBER 2022 

>>> • WINTER WORKING • SKILLS SUPPORT • BATTEN AWARENESS • TOTAL TALK • >>>

WestWood Liquid Technologies Limited 

31 Morris Road, Nuffield Industrial Estate, 

Poole, Dorset BH17 0GG 

Phone: +44 800 808 5480 

www.westwood-uk.com 

Liquid Applied 

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Flat Roofs 

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Liquid Applied 

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Car Parks 

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WESTWOOD 2022.indd 1

Editor’s Comment 

MATT DOWNS 

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 

MATTDOWNS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK 

07963 330774 

As we approach the end of another tricky year for the roofing sector and 

wider construction industry, there’s a general feeling that the challenge 

around the supply of materials is beginning to settle – albeit from a 

particularly disruptive high point in 2022. 

Indeed, the latest Product Availability Statement from the Construction 

Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group, states availability 

of building materials and products is at “its best since pre-pandemic levels 

last seen at the end of 2019.” However, as highlighted in NFRC’s latest 

State of the UK Roofing Industry report for Q3 2022, challenges around 

pricing and skills continue to persist. The report shows three quarters of 

firms (75 per cent) reported seeing costs rise compared to the previous 

quarter, and 51 per cent of firms reported greater difficulty finding the 

operatives and staff with the right skills to meet increasing workloads. You 

can view the full survey findings at www.total-contractor.co.uk. 

Continuing the focus on skills and recruitment, Ruth Scarrott, NFRC’s Head 

of Careers, discusses the new programme of support NFRC can offer 

roofing employers to help recruit and retain operatives. As Ruth explains in 

her article on page 12: “I urge contractors who are recruiting, now or in the 

future, to get in touch to see how the ECO project can benefit them.” 

Elsewhere in this issue Matthew Catterall of Taylors Solicitors provides the 

second part of his focus on selling a roofing business (p14); we put the 

questions to Rob Ward of RLW Roofing (p32); plus we talk winter project 

planning and safety with Kris Hallee of WernerCo on page 60. 

So read on for all this and much more! 

Have a lovely break over Christmas! 

Matt 

Front cover courtesy of ROCKWOOL UK. Lisa Stephens explains how to 

specify insulation for flat roofs to meet modern design, comfort and 

safety requirements on page 56. 

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40

Contents 

3 KEY FEATURES 

32 

16 BATTEN AWARENESS 

Daniel Redfern of Marley says roofers need to 

be alert to the continuing issue of counterfeit 

and substandard roofing batten entering the UK 

market 

32 TOTAL TALK: ROB WARD 

We put the questions to Rob Ward, MD of RLW 

Roofing, discussing his career, challenges 

within the sector, key projects he’s been 

involved with, and his long affiliation with the 

Sika Sarnafil system 

46 MATERIAL SELECTION 

Simon Walker of SIG Zinc & Copper explains why 

regulation changes and cost pressures mean 

the choice of material and substrate is key to 

the success of metal cladding projects 

46 

FURTHER READING 

24 SUBSTRATE SUCCESS 

Wallbarn’s Julian Thurbin discusses the crucial role of 

substrates and benefits of modular green roof systems 

34 

34 TOP CLASS WATERPROOFING 

Carl Bailey of Elevate discusses modular school building 

projects and why EPDM systems are so well suited 

38 FIRE STANDARDS FOCUS 

Flex-R’s Ben Midwinter explains why checking fire test 

certifications is key as supply challenges persist 

40 ASK A. PROCTOR GROUP 

The team discuss whether you need an airspace 

between insulation and underlay in pitched roofs 

56 COVER STORY: ROCKWOOL UK 

Lisa Stephens explains how to specify insulation for flat 

roofs to meet modern design and safety requirements 

59 QI BY QI COLUMN 

The Quantum Insulation team discuss the impact of 

insulation fire performance reclassification 

4 TC DECEMBER 2022

REGULARS 

12 NFRC ROOFING TALK 

Ruth Scarrott discusses a new programme to 

support roofing businesses in the recruitment 

and retention of new staff 

14 ASK THE SOLICITOR 

Matthew Catterall of Taylors Solicitors looks at 

the steps to take and pitfalls to avoid once you’ve 

found a buyer for your roofing business 

18 PERFECTLY PITCHED 

Roofing consultant John Mercer discusses the 

considerations to make when choosing the type 

of roof covering for pitched roof projects 

54 KNAUF INSULATION 

TECH TALK 

Bradley Hirst explains what you need to know 

about insulating warm flat roofs 

INDUSTRY NEWS 

06 SKILLS ON SHOW 

Which talented roofer walked away with the top prize 

at this year’s SkillBuild final? 

10 WHAT A YEAR 

Sarah Spink of LRWA and Carrie Blackshaw of Minster give 

their thoughts on 2022, plus look ahead to 2023 

SECTIONS: 

TOTAL 

ROOFING 

16 

TOTAL 

CLADDING 

46 

TOTAL 

INSULATION 

54 

We hear about Hambleside Danelaw’s Dryseal training course on page 8. 

VEHICLES, TOOLS 

& WORKWEAR 

08 

60 

DECEMBER 2022 TC 5

Industry News 

LRWA STRENGTHENS 

ITS BOARD 

The Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing 

Association (LRWA) has 

appointed Cathal Quinn 

as a co-opted Board 

member. 

As Managing Director of 

MOY, a specialist in waterproofing 

systems for roofs, Cathal (pictured) has more 

than 18 years’ construction experience. As a 

co-opted LRWA Board member, he will be 

using his industry knowledge and experience 

to help the association deliver its aims. 

He said: “MOY has been an LRWA member for 

more than a decade. I’ve always been 

impressed by the association’s proactive 

approach which has seen it continually evolve, 

helping to raise our industry’s profile as well 

as product and installation standards. 

“It’s a privilege to be invited to join the Board 

and have the opportunity to help build on the 

LRWA’s success. There are several areas 

which I’m keen to support, including 

promoting roofing as an attractive career for 

young people, and educating specifiers, 

contractors and distributors on why, when and 

where to use liquid waterproofing. 

“As part of this aim, promoting best practice 

and complying with new and changing 

legislation is key. The LRWA has done a 

fantastic job in giving our sector a voice in the 

wider construction industry by working closely 

with organisations like the Construction 

Products Association (CPA) to help influence 

high level issues. 

“I’d like to help the LRWA keep this 

momentum going, so that we can continue to 

promote competency across the supply chain 

and highlight its importance, especially during 

specification.” 

www.lrwa.org.uk 

More news, updates and interviews at www.total-contractor.co.uk 

ROOFING SKILLBUILD WINNER ANNOUNCED 

Jordan Maley (pictured), an apprentice 

calculation and measurement skills. 

at South Lanarkshire College, has 

SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade 

been awarded the Gold Medal in the 

competition in the UK for construction 

Roof Slating and Tiling competition at 

trainees and apprentices, and competitors 

SkillBuild 2022. 

are tested on their technical abilities, time 

A total of seven talented slating and tiling 

management, character, and commitment. 

apprentices competed this year at the competition, 

It is organised by CITB, with the Roof Slating and 

which was held at Edinburgh College from 15 to 

Tiling competition delivered by NFRC. Roofing 

17th November. Each had earned their spot in the 

materials were contributed by BMI, CUPA PIZARRAS, 

competition at the regional qualifiers held at 

Hambleside Danelaw, Proctor Roofshield, Midland 

colleges across the country earlier in the year. 

Lead, SR Timber and SIG Roofing. 

The result follows Jordan’s success a year ago 

Matt Timby, a member of the judging panel for the 

when he took victory at the inaugural Great British 

Roof Slating and Tiling competition, said: “The 

Slate Off. The judges said that his SkillBuild 

competitors were set a challenging task which 

victory reflected ‘his accuracy and natural ability’, 

was designed to take them out of their comfort 

reporting that the competitors were given a 

zone. Each competitor took the task head on and 

‘testing design within the slating task which 

came out with extremely good results.” 

Jordan took on extremely well’, producing an 

impressive and well finished project. 

He added: “It was great to see them all apply 

themselves with such determination. They should 

Jacob Blight, a student at South Devon College, 

all hold their heads high as shining ambassadors 

was awarded the silver medal, and Kyran 

for the industry. I wish them all the best in their 

Sharlotte, of Leeds College of Building, was 

future careers.” 

awarded bronze. Kyran was also the winner of the 

‘stretch test’ – an additional challenge set to test www.nfrc.co.uk 

ECO+ CAN’T BE CONSIDERED ‘JOB DONE’ 

Following the launch of the 

Executive of the FMB (left), 

Government’s £1 billion 

said: “I welcome any move to 

ECO+ scheme, which it says 

improve the UK’s leaky and 

will see hundreds of 

draughty homes and make 

thousands of homes across 

them cheaper to heat. ECO+ is 

the country receive new 

a step in the right direction, 

home insulation, the Federation of Master targeting a much wider section of homeowners, 

Builders has stated the support for 

but it must not be considered ‘job done’ by the 

homeowners to make their homes warmer and Government. I’m also cautious about rollout of the 

cheaper to heat is welcome, but this shortterm 

focus on single measures must be negotiable to avoid a repeat of failures [such as] 

scheme; consultation with industry is non- 

followed by a long-term comprehensive plan the Green Homes Grant Scheme, and we must 

to retrofit all of the UK’s 28 million leaky and ensure that installation is of the highest quality. 

energy inefficient homes. 

Ultimately, to give homeowners and the industry 

confidence, we need a broader whole-house 

Discussing the ECO+ scheme, following the 

approach to retrofit, rather than a piecemeal policy.” 

launch by Business and Energy Secretary Grant 

Shapps on 28th November, Brian Berry, Chief www.fmb.org.uk 


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Systems and blockwork inner leaves without hot works, screwing 

or chamfering, whilst corners are easily cut on-site. Backed by 

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Cavity Tray is another innovation to help make projects easier. 

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Industry News 

Hambleside Danelaw says training can be completed at 

its facility in Northampton or in Northern Ireland. 

DRYSEAL TRAINING 

Hambleside Danelaw conducts regular 

training sessions for contractors who 

want to become approved to install 

Dryseal, the flat roofing system 

manufactured from GRP. 

The manufacturer says Dryseal has been a 

contractor favourite for years and is 

manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001 

Quality and ISO 14001 Environmental 

standards, and is additionally approved by the 

British Board of Agrément (BBA). 

Dryseal’s Business Development Manager, 

Dan Addley, explained that the course is a 

“good mix of interactive practical and 

classroom learning that can be tailored to 

meet the knowledge base of the individuals on 

the Dryseal course.” He continued: “Over the 

two-day course, attendees learn all aspects of 

the Dryseal system including laying of the field 

areas, trim installation, the detailing required 

on corners, upstands etc., how to correctly mix 

catalyst, how to apply the top coat, and most 

importantly safe ways of working. 

“Where needed, advice can be given on 

estimating and how to correctly work out which 

components are needed for the installation. 

“Overall, I would highly recommend anyone 

wishing to further their roofing knowledge to 

attend one of our courses.” 

Find out more about Dryseal’s approved 

contractor training on 01327 701 900 or visit 

www.hambleside-danelaw.co.uk 


WRAPTITE EXCELS ON OFFSITE PROJECT 

The Wraptite external air 

quality of the system from 

barrier system from A. Proctor 

installation to build and 

Group has been selected as 

completion. Wraptite is an 

part of a new zero carbon 

excellent quality product, and 

affordable homes project at 

the self-adhesive backing gives 

New Ferry on the Wirral. 

a very neat finish. 

The project at Windsor Close in New Ferry is a “The technical team at the A. Proctor Group 

new development of three-bedroomed terraced supported us throughout and provided 

houses to be constructed by Property 

comprehensive condensation risk analysis reports 

Development Group Starship at its off-site at the outset. 

manufacturing facility in Deeside. 

“The spacious 1,200ft² homes offer the lowest 

The superior airtightness performance of the running costs of any property in the immediate 

Wraptite membrane from the A. Proctor Group is area and deliver more affordable living for local 

the perfect solution, delivering significant benefits people. These Carbon Zero homes provide over 

to the combination of in-factory manufacture and 105m² of modern, affordable living space and 

on-site housing construction. 

were installed in seven days, ready for internal 

Karl Ventre, Director at Starship, explained why 

fit-out. 

Wraptite was chosen to achieve the airtightness “Starship’s unique panelised model means that a 

solution and how it benefits off-site construction. new home can be delivered and installed 

“We have specified this product within our system anywhere a refuse collection vehicle can fit, with 

offering for the last three years, and it has always no special arrangements or unnecessary 

performed well and helped contribute to good disruption to the community.” 

airtightness test results. 

A. Proctor says the Wraptite air barrier system 

“The self-adhesive membrane is easily applied in offers a safer and simplified membrane system, 

the factory, bonded externally to the substrate, and it is a fully self-adhered vapour permeable air 

and ensures that the membrane is held firmly in barrier certified by the BBA. 

place, even during transportation, maintaining the 

www.proctorgroup.com 

The latest Construction Product Availability Statement from John Newcomb, CEO of the 

Builders Merchants Federation and Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products 

Association, both co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability 

working group, states that “product supply continues to improve, with availability of building 

materials and products overall now at its best since pre-pandemic levels last seen at the 

end of 2019.” 

The statement continues: “There is a plentiful supply of timber in the UK and prices have reduced 

for popular groups such as CLS; however, log prices in Europe and North America are still strong 

and production is being reduced to reflect demand in the UK and Europe. This could lead to gaps in 

the supply chain if demand rises suddenly but should not be a major issue if demand continues at 

current levels.” 

The statement also cautions that: “Inflationary pressures rather than availability present the main 

challenges for energy intensive products such as glass, concrete, cement, PIR, plasterboard and 

bricks.” View the full statement at www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk 


Handrails:- EasyGuard 

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*CurveyGuard – an aesthetically pleasing curved rail. 

*EasyGuard – raked or straight legs dependant on 

application. *FoldGuard – folding handrail. 

Trip hazard reduction – long thin base-plates with 

Counterweights used on un-secured ends only. Placed at 2m 

centres maximum to enable use for leading edge protection. 

Galvanised or powder coated finish. Protective mats 5mm 

bonded to the base plates. 

Standards – Exceeds Class A EN13374- Class A; For 

leading edge protection HSE/SR 15, September 1988. 

Nationwide delivery or contract installation. – Free material 

quantifying service – info@safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk 

Ladders:- Easy Fit 

Compliant to both BS/EN 5395 and 14122 – 

To comply with the standards for 

permanent ladders all mild steel then hot 

dipped galvanised to BS/EN 1461. 

All typical ladders bespoke – email 

info@safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk for a 

survey check sheet. 

Easy Fit, all ladder components are Easy 

to assembly; in manageable parts Easy to 

handle and install. 

Rest Platforms and ladders with special 

fixing requirements; solutions provided by 

Safetyworks in house. 

(All components for British Standard 

compliant ladders require steel components 

with timber and aluminium recommended 

for temporary use only) 

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www.safetyworksandsolutions.co.uk

Industry News 

CARRIE BLACKSHAW, 

FIRE PROTECTION 

SALES DIRECTOR, 

MINSTER 

“2022 has seen a great 

deal of growth in the 

fire protection market. 

Changes in legislation and the newly 

revised Building Safety Act have meant that 

demand for fire protection products has 

continued to strengthen, whilst awareness 

and understanding of the issues 

surrounding installation have also 

continued to improve. 

“In order to meet this growing demand, at 

Minster we have spent the past 12 months 

strengthening and enhancing our fire 

protection offering, creating a specialist 

division focussed on providing customers 

with the products and solutions needed to 

meet more stringent building regulations. 

Headed up by myself, we are also able to 

provide customers with technical support if 

required, helping to ensure that greater 

standards of competence are being upheld in 

the construction of safer buildings. 

“We’ve seen sales of fire protection solutions 

increase by almost 50% during the last 12 

months, a figure which can be attributed to 

both our improved capabilities and the 

heightened demand that exists in the 

marketplace. 

“The strategic changes we have implemented 

during the last 12 months mean that as we 

look ahead to 2023, we are now well placed to 

make the most of the opportunities the 

current environment presents. Whilst the 

overall outlook for the construction industry 

appears to be difficult, remediation projects 

present a real opportunity for contractors with 

re-cladding and fire protection installations 

required on a large scale, nationwide.” 

www.minsteronline.co.uk 


END OF YEAR COMMENTS... 

SARAH SPINK, 

LRWA CEO 

“This year saw a lot of 

uncertainty in the construction sector. We’ve 

experienced unprecedented political upheaval 

which has weakened the economy, and the 

energy crisis has impacted us all. Issues with 

product availability has driven prices up, 

which is partly down to the impact of the war 

in Ukraine. But across the entire sector, trade 

associations have never known a period of 

change like it, especially following the twoyear 

pandemic. 

“The impact of the Grenfell tragedy is still ongoing 

in terms of building safety issues. In response, 

new legislation has come into force and the 

introduction of competency standards for 

construction. This year, trade associations have 

also been lobbying hard to minimise the impact of 

the transition from CE to UKCA marking. 

“As an association, the LRWA had a strong year. 

We experienced almost a 38 per cent growth in 

membership, with 26 new members, 

reinforcing the need for specialist 

trade associations to represent our 

sector at higher levels, especially 

during difficult periods. 

“We were also thrilled to bring back 

face-to-face events like the LRWA Awards 

and Gala in March, which recognises the 

impressive skills and strengths of all those who 

work in our sector. But it’s not just events, we’ve 

managed to meet in-person to continue our work 

within the various working groups the LRWA is 

involved in. 

“As well as the success of the 2022 Awards, 

which was our biggest yet, we also raised more 

than £10K for LandAid in our Virtual Charity 

Challenge. The roofing sector surpassed all our 

expectations as we came together to help end 

youth homelessness; something which seems 

“The LRWA remains 

optimistic for 2023. 

Historically, the sector 

performs well in an 

economic downturn 

driven by a focus on 

refurbishing existing 

buildings, rather than 

investment in new 

build” 

even more important as we live through a cost-ofliving 

crisis. 

“Looking ahead to 2023, construction output is 

forecast to fall by 3.9 per cent, following a rise of 

two per cent in 2022. This is mainly due to the 

impact of a wider economic recession, 

exacerbated by the effect of the government’s 

‘Mini Budget’ in October 2022, and the 

consequent fallout from recent political 

uncertainty. 

“However, the LRWA remains optimistic 

for 2023. Historically, the sector 

performs well in an economic 

downturn driven by a focus on 

refurbishing existing buildings, 

rather than investment in new 

build. And as an Association, we will 

continue to work closely with contractors, 

specifiers and manufacturers to provide them 

with the latest technical guidance and a voice in 

the issues that matter the most.” 

www.lrwa.org.uk 

LOOKOUT FOR MORE 

SECTOR COMMENTS 

AND OPINIONS IN OUR 

JANUARY 2023 ISSUE! 


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NFRC Roofing Talk 

SUPPORTING CONTRACTORS TO 

RETAIN NEW STARTERS 

Ruth Scarrott, NFRC’s Head of Careers, introduces a new programme that can help 

contractors recruit and retain new staff with tailored support during their first six 

months in the industry. 

Ensuring that the roofing and cladding 

industry is a respected, desirable and 

rewarding career choice is a key strategic 

objective for NFRC, and we are delighted to 

have been awarded the CITB’s England 

Construction Opportunities (ECO) commission, 

to deliver tailored support to roofing industry 

employers to recruit and retain the workforce 

they need. 

Having more support available to new entrants 

when entering into employment increases the 

likelihood of their retention. We know that firms in 

our industry can sometimes find it difficult to hold 

on to someone during those first few months of 

employment; our latest State of the Roofing 

Industry survey showed that almost one in three 

contractors has struggled with retaining new 

starters recently – that’s after the challenge of 

recruiting someone! – and over half of firms 

reported in the third quarter of the year that 

obtaining staff was getting more difficult. 

Once a new starter is in their role, firms need to 

make sure they have the support they need to stay 

and flourish in that job, especially if they are new 

to the industry and will be facing brand new 

challenges. 

The purpose of the ECO project is to support new 

entrants and their employers to sustain 

employment from job start to six months in. 

Involvement in the project gives new employees 

support in the workplace through job coaching, 

mentoring, employer engagement, peer and 

buddy systems or other measures – as well as 

support for the employer to recruit, and to make 

sure the new starter is site-ready. 

“We know that 

firms in our 

industry can 

sometimes find it 

difficult to hold on 

to someone during 

those first few months 

of employment” 

The scheme will help NFRC to: 

• Support roofing employers to recruit and retain 

‘new or returning to the industry’ employees in a 

wide range of roles, including on-site jobs as well 

as supervisors, designers, project managers and 

office support staff. 

• Guide the employer through the recruitment 

and interview stages. 

• Link up organisations supporting candidates to 

employers looking to recruit – these include the 

Department for Work and Pensions and other 

community partners. 

• Source site-readiness training for the new 

employee if required. 

• Guide the employer through accessing CITB 

“I urge contractors who 

are recruiting, now or 

in the future, to get in 

touch to see how the 

ECO project can benefit 

them” 

Left: Ruth Scarrott is NFRC’s Head of Careers: 

“The purpose of the ECO project is to support 

new entrants and their employers to sustain 

employment from job start to six months in.” 

grants for ongoing employment 

support for the new employee. 

• Offer in-work advice and support to both 

employer and employee. 

The skills shortage in our industry is not a new 

challenge, but it needs to be tackled – 

especially as a high proportion of people in our 

industry are due to retire within the next ten 

years, and as we have a lack of diversity in the 

workforce. 

I urge contractors who are recruiting, now or in 

the future, to get in touch to see how the ECO 

project can benefit them. It is a fantastic 

mechanism to give both employers and new 

employees targeted and appropriate support to 

aid employee retention and development, 

whichever role you want to recruit a new starter 

into. Even though the project has ‘England’ in its 

name, we are able to help employers in Scotland 

too. 

If you are looking for information and support but 

this isn’t the right opportunity for you right now, 

there is more help on offer. The NFRC Roofing 

Careers Service is a free resource for employers 

and those considering or seeking a career in the 

roofing and cladding industry. 

Visit www.nfrc.co.uk/careers to find out more. 

Contact NFRC 

www.nfrc.co.uk 

@TheNFRC 


Ask the Solicitor 

SELLING-UP PART 2: YOU’VE FOUND 

A BUYER, SO WHAT NEXT? 

In the second part of his focus on selling a roofing business, Matthew Catterall, 

Corporate Partner at Taylors Solicitors, explains the steps to take once you’ve found a 

buyer for your business, including what you should expect and the pitfalls to be 

cautious about... 

Following on from last month’s article in which 

we discussed how to prepare for the sale of 

your business, this month we examine what 

to expect once a buyer has been found. 

The offer 

As we discussed last month, it is important to be 

clear about your objectives on a sale, and the 

sale price is likely the most important aspect of 

your considerations. 

Once a willing buyer has been found, they will 

usually provide an ‘indicative’ offer based on the 

limited information that has been provided to them 

up to that point as part of the marketing process. 

There are several key considerations that need to 

be reviewed (as well as the total consideration 

payable). 

Will the consideration be payable in a lump sum 

on completion, or spread out? 

In the simplest deals, the buyer will pay a fixed 

amount of cash for your company, in full, on 

completion. However, in today’s market, most 

buyers will want to spread the cost of payment 

over an extended period, typically two to three 

years. These payments are known as ‘deferred 

consideration’. 

Where you have deferred consideration, there are 

a number of further issues to consider: 

1. How much will I have in my pocket on ‘day 

one’? Depending on your reasons for sale and 

your plans for the future, you will need to ensure 

that the amount paid on completion is sufficient 

to cover your immediate plans, be that paying off 

About the author: Matthew Catterall is a Corporate Partner at Taylors Solicitors. For more information about preparing your 

business for sale or indeed the sale process itself, contact Matthew via 07748 633149 or matthew.catterall@taylors.co.uk 

“In today’s market, most buyers will want to 

spread the cost of payment over an extended 

period, typically two to three years. These 

payments are known as ‘deferred consideration’” 

the mortgage, buying that holiday home in the 

South of France or taking that well deserved 

round-the-world trip! 

2. Tax. No-one likes to pay it, but knowing your 

obligations in advance is important to prevent a 

shock when the bill arrives. Deferred 

consideration creates an additional twist in that, 

while you have yet to receive the money, 

depending on how the deferred consideration is 

structured (which is beyond the scope of this 

article and for your tax professionals to advise 

properly on), the usual position is that HMRC will 

assume you will receive all the money, and your 

next tax return will account for the tax on the 

whole consideration, not just the amounts already 

received. While this means that as and when you 

receive your deferred consideration you have 

already paid the tax on it, it will reduce the 

amount immediately available to you after 

completion. 

3. How strong is the buyer? When it comes to 

deferred consideration, you should effectively look 

at it as if you are lending money to the buyer, so 

thought should be given as to whether that money 


has any likelihood of being repaid. You cannot 

guarantee the future performance of the business 

you have just sold (especially under new 

ownership) nor the wider performance of the 

buyer’s business, so care should be taken to 

ensure the buyer has sufficient ‘fat on its back’ to 

pay the deferred consideration. This is especially 

important where the buyer is a new company with 

no trading history. 

4. What about security? Where there is a 

significant amount of deferred consideration (say, 

more than 20-30 per cent of the total), you 

should consider pushing for security over (at the 

very least) the business and assets you have 

sold, but also the assets of the buyer and, if 

available, the wider group of the buyer. 

How is the consideration calculated? 

There are an enormous number of ways a buyer 

will seek to price a transaction, which will depend 

on the nature of both the target and buyer 

businesses, funding arrangements and market 

conditions. While there will often be a ‘headline 

price’, buyers will often seek to introduce 

‘adjustment mechanisms’ that change how much 

money is paid. This is also why it is very 

important to engage a suitable qualified, 

independent advisor to walk you through the 

options and how that will affect the ‘bottom line’ 

in your pocket. 

Some of the most common of these are: 

1. Cash-free, Debt-free: As the name suggests, 

the price is adjusted having regard for how much 

free cash (which is added to the price) and debt 

(which is deducted from the price) is in the target 

business. Buyers will want to keep a ‘normalised’ 

amount of working capital in the business, which 

is not a straightforward exercise and can often 

lead to a nasty surprise when final consideration 

calculations are circulated if not dealt with early. 

2. Net Assets: As a buyer is often basing the offer 

on historic accounts, they will want to ensure that 

the net asset position at completion is the same 

level as the point in time their offer is based on – 

the buyer will do a ‘reckoning up’ exercise after 

“Tax. No-one likes to pay it, but knowing your 

obligations in advance is important to prevent a 

shock when the bill arrives” 

completion and there will be an adjustment to the 

purchase price based on whether the actual net 

asset position at completion is above or below a 

set target. 

3. Earn-out: This is a form of consideration that 

is based upon the future performance of the 

business after completion. It is typically used if 

the business to be sold is on an upward trajectory 

in terms of development, so that the seller can 

get the benefit of having built it to that position, 

but is selling prior to benefiting from the potential. 

An earn-out can add significant consideration, 

but needs to be carefully negotiated with regard 

to how the business is run after completion (for 

example, so that profits that would otherwise 

come into the business are not diverted to the 

buyer, which would mean the seller doesn’t get 

credit, or the buyer making major ‘management 

charges’ to artificially depress the profits on 

which the earn-out payments are calculated). 

The wider sales process 

Once the headline terms of the sale are agreed, 

the technical work begins, which in brief 

comprises: 

1. A full ‘due diligence’ exercise by the buyer on 

the target company, which will involve the seller 

(and their advisors) responding to detailed 

queries on the legal, financial, tax and 

commercial aspects of the business. 

2. The drafting of the transaction documents, 

which implement the main deal terms, but will 

include ‘warranties’ (essentially contractual 

promises) to be given by the seller as to the 

nature and state of the target company. 

3. A ‘disclosure’ exercise in which statements are 

made by the seller against the warranties referred 

to above so that no claims can be brought against 

the seller for breach of those warranties. 

If you follow the advice given in part one of this 

series, the due diligence and disclosure exercises 

should be smooth sailing, so again I urge you to 

engage early with your professional advisors 

when considering a sale. 

Contact Taylors Solicitors 

01254 297900 

www.taylors.co.uk 

@taylorslawfirm 


Roofing Battens 

BE ALERT TO COUNTERFEIT 

BATTENS 

Daniel Redfern, Marketing Manager at Marley, discusses the continuing problem 

concerning the influx of counterfeit roofing battens on the market, and explains what 

roofing contractors should be aware of when purchasing and installing batten... 

Worryingly, there has been a significant 

influx of counterfeit roofing battens 

entering the market recently, with the 

consequences of using them already being felt. 

Indeed, both the NFRC and Timber Development 

UK have issued warnings to their members to 

highlight this issue. 

A perfect storm 

Exceptionally high demand for treated timber, 

combined with shortages and supply chain issues 

brought about by the pandemic and Brexit, along 

with the war in Ukraine, has created a perfect 

storm allowing an abundance of sub-standard 

roofing battens to enter the UK market. Whilst 

coloured, stamped and sold as BS 5534 

compliant, they are in fact, counterfeit. 

Know your battens 

Daniel Redfern, Marketing Manager at Marley, 

explained: “It has always been important that 

roofers understand what they’re buying when it 

comes to battens. Cheaper and often inferior 

battens may carry imperfections that can cause 

breakages and lead to accidents on site, 

especially since being weight bearing, battens are 

used as a step ladder whilst a contractor is 

working on the roof. 

“Moreover, with site safety being of paramount 

importance, and the safety of the team being the 

ultimate responsibility of the contractor, choosing 

to compromise on the quality of a safety-critical 

product on a roof, such as battens, could well be 

a costly – and avoidable – mistake.” 

Greater threat 

Daniel continued: “The problem of cheaper 

battens is one issue but counterfeit 

battens present a much greater threat 

to contractors who may unwittingly 

fit them believing they are, in fact, 

using the genuine article. It is 

therefore crucial that contractors check 

and check again on site and are 100% 

certain about the provenance of their 

battens. 

“Remember, using non-compliant 

battens of inferior quality to certified 

roofing battens will not only compromise 

safety on site, but will also reduce the longevity of 

the roof and may result in the roof having to be 

stripped and re-roofed should the battens prove 

to be sub-standard.” 

Don’t be caught out 

Daniel and the team at Marley say roofers should 

take responsibility for fully inspecting their battens 

on site, immediately rejecting them if there are any 

discrepancies. They point out that there are some 

simple checks to use to help avoid any issues: 

Essential markings: According to BS 5534, all 

graded battens should be clearly marked with 

supplier details, size, species and relevant 

standard. Although not required by BS 5534, it is 

recognised best practice to also display third 

party certification i.e. BBA. 

Size: Check the thickness of the batten – 

BS 5534 states that a batten should be 25 mm 

thick with a tolerance of – 0/+3 mm. Look out 

for equally and consistently sized battens. 

Knots: BS 5534 states that the sum of both faces 

should be no more than the width i.e. 38 mm/50 

mm. Where knots are visible on both sides of a 

batten or are excessively large, it 

should not be used. 

Colour: Although intended as a 

useful visual aid, colour is no 

guarantee of compliance, so check 

other markers. 

Rot: Due to their treatment, BS 5534 

graded battens do not rot. Battens 

with any sign of rot should be 

discarded. 

Documentation: Either delivered to site or 

available via the merchant, all BS 5534 graded 

battens will carry the correct documentation 

which should always be requested by 

contractors. 

Genuine quality with JB Red battens 

Whilst counterfeit battens are causing a real 

issue throughout the industry, Daniel says 

roofers can rely on Marley’s JB Red roofing 

battens. 

He explained: “Produced from slow-grown 

timber, JB Red battens are stringently tested and 

graded using our dedicated roof batten scanning 

line – Goldeneye. Treated with MicroPro 

preservative to give a 60-year service life, JB 

Red battens are fully BS 5534 compliant and are 

currently the only UK machine-graded batten 

available to the roofing industry with BBA 

certification.” 

Find out more about Marley JB Red Battens 

www.marley.co.uk/roofing-batten/ 

jb-red-batten 

01283 722222 


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Perfectly Pitched 

ROOF COVERING CHOICE: 

THE KEY CONSIDERATIONS 

Following on from his recent series of articles on different roof shapes, John Mercer looks at 

the considerations when choosing the most appropriate roof covering for roof structures... 

In my recent series of articles, I have 

discussed various roof shapes, from the 

seemingly straightforward gable-to-gable roof, 

through to more complicated shapes such as 

hipped and mansard roofs, to curved roofs. 

Presented with a roof structure, how do we go 

about deciding on the best and most appropriate 

roof covering? This decision is of course influenced 

to a large degree by the surrounding roofscapes 

and local preferences. But we must also consider 

the technical aspects of a roof design to 

determine an appropriate roof product. 

The most obvious example is curved 

roofing. It is almost always the case 

that double lapped plain tiles or 

slates must be used on a curved roof 

slope. Although having said that, I have 

seen fixed gauge traditional clay pantiles used 

to great effect on a roof with an eyebrow window. 

Now there’s a challenge for you! Experienced 

pantilers tend to prefer non-interlocking clay 

pantiles for use on uneven old roofs, as the lack 

of interlocks means the tiler, by careful 

manipulation of the headlap and side lap, can to 

a degree compensate for variations in the roof. 

Cost 

Cost is obviously a big consideration when 

deciding on a roof covering. Double lapped plain 

tiles tend to be more expensive than single 

lapped tiles to purchase and to install. I have 

come across many examples of proposed curved 

roofs that have then been constructed as a series 

of flat, faceted slopes, to enable the use of single 

lapped tiles. This can be fine, but the necessary 

junctions – valleys on a concave slope and hips 

on a convex slope – can introduce a risk of 

failure, either right from the start, or at a future 

Left: John Mercer. Above: image shows Condron Double Pantiles. 

date as materials weather and 

degrade. Junctions on the concave side, 

which are really a form of valley, must be 

designed and constructed to account for the 

relative shallow angles at which the roof slopes 

on a faceted roof meet. 

Rafter length and pitch 

A roof should be designed with the type of roof 

covering in mind. Long rafter lengths combined 

with a low pitch should be avoided wherever 

possible. Tile manufacturers give maximum 

recommended rafter lengths for their products, 

with guidance on increasing the roof pitch for long 

rafter lengths. When using single lapped tiles, 

consider the complexity and size of roof features 

such as dormer windows. Large tiles may look out 

of place on small roof slopes or very short rafter 

lengths, therefore it may be worth considering the 

use of medium format tiles. 

Roof systems should not discharge water in point 

loads from a higher roof slope onto lower roof 

areas, or into a junction such as a side abutment. 

If practical, break up the roof into smaller sections. 

For example, allow the upper roof to shed directly 

into a gutter rather than onto a lower roof. 

Features such as raking verges can look 

architecturally interesting, but remember that if 

the rake is such that water will run off it, then it 

is really a sloping eaves and will require a gutter 

system. If the rake is the other way, then it is 

really a sloping mono-pitch roof, and so needs a 

top edge weathering system. 

Detailing junctions 

With regards to detailing junctions, use the 

appropriate weathering system for the tile or 

slate. For example, at side abutments slates and 

plain tiles require soakers, cover flashings are 

generally used with single lapped profiled tiles 

and secret gutters or proprietary soakers with flat 

single lapped tiles. 

Underlay considerations 

Something that is not always understood or 

sometimes not even totally accepted is that the 

underlay layer should act as a second line of 

defence against snow, rain, or dust driven 


through the slates or tiles, as well as making the 

building weathertight before the tiles are 

installed. Lay the underlay with a drape between 

rafters and consider the use of nail tape and 

counterbattens, particularly at low roof pitches. 

Nail tape seals between the underlay, battens, 

and counterbattens to prevent water ingress. The 

counterbattens encourage air flow within the 

batten cavity and provide a gap for any water to 

flow under the tile battens. 

Ensure the underlay is weathertight at junctions 

such as side abutments, valleys and around roof 

windows and chimneys, and is properly 

supported at the eaves, with adequate fall behind 

the fascia or tilt fillet. If water can pool behind the 

fascia, it will inevitably leak into the structure. 

There are different types of permeable underlays, 

all with their own methods of installation. Some 

air-permeable underlays can be used without 

additional ventilation; most vapour permeable 

underlays require a level of additional ventilation 

when used in a cold roof structure, i.e., where the 

“The importance of 

obtaining a roof tile 

manufacturer’s 

written fixing 

specification cannot 

be over-emphasised” 

insulation is laid across a horizontal ceiling – 

check with the manufacturer. 

Fixing specifications 

A final word on fixing; the importance of obtaining 

a roof tile manufacturer’s written fixing 

specification cannot be over-emphasised. As well 

as making sure that the roof is secure and 

installed in compliance with BS 5534, site 

supervisors and inspectors may want to see the 

specification. Obtain the fixing specification 

before tendering for the work so that the method 

of installation, such as nailing and clipping, can 

be factored into the tender price. 

In summary: 

• Choose the most appropriate roof covering, 

with decisions based on locality, compatibility 

with the roof design and, of course, cost. Ensure 

the manufacturer’s recommendations can be 

complied with. 

• Ensure roof junctions are detailed to suit the 

roof tile type. Avoid shedding water from one 

roof slope onto a lower slope in point loads such 

as from a fall pipe or lower end of a valley. 

• Install the underlay to make certain it acts as 

a watertight layer. Follow the underlay 

manufacturer’s recommendations for 

installation and condensation control. 

• Always obtain a written roof tile fixing 

specification from the tile manufacturer before 

work commences and, ideally, as a guide to 

tendering. 

Contact John Mercer 

www.johnmercerconsultant.co.uk 

Johnmercer 3 

For further r 

inform 

ation 

or a hire quotation call 

01858 412 100 

Email: sales@cookerhire.com 

www.cookerhire.com

Pitched Roofs 

DRY VERGE SYSTEMS: QUALITY 

PRODUCTS ARE KEY TO SUCCESS 

The team at Manthorpe Building Products discuss the guidance around dry fix roofing 

products and explain why specifying and installing quality products is crucial to a pitched 

roofing project’s success. 

With the publication of BS 8612 in 2018, 

the UK roofing industry finally got a 

British Standard for its dry fix roofing 

products. Prior to its publication, dry fix products 

had been used in the UK for over 40 years, but 

their design, manufacture and installation had 

been largely unregulated. 

There are many advantages to dry fix, such as 

being essentially maintenance-free. No matter 

how well a contractor installs a mortar 

bedded verge, ridge, or hip, eventually 

the elements and natural building 

settlement will erode the mortar, 

making it ineffective. By contrast, dry fix 

systems can cope with settlement by 

allowing a degree of movement in the surrounding 

materials. During installation, mortar work may 

be ruined if it rains or there is a frost before it has 

had time to set. As soon as a dry fix system is 

installed, it is ready to face the elements. 

Requirements of dry verge 

BS 8612 sets out specific requirements for dry 

verge systems; they must remain durable and 

perform the following technical functions – 1) 

resist predicted wind loads; 2) close the gap 

between the tiles/slates and wall or bargeboard 

top; 3) drain any water from the roof away from 

the gable wall; and 4) act as one of the fixings for 

the roof tiles or slates. 

The Standard provides test methods to determine 

the resistance of a dry verge system to horizontal 

and vertical wind loads. The methodology can be 

used by manufacturers to ensure that a dry verge 

system will resist predicted wind loads and 

provide a secure fixing for itself and be one of the 

two required fixings for the verge tiles. 

Images: Manthorpe linear verge units. 

For verge systems to be 

compliant with BS 8612, they 

must prevent rainwater from the roof 

running down the gable wall which can 

lead to staining and mould growth on the wall. 

This is particularly important where there is no 

fascia, and the dry verge is installed directly 

against the gable wall. 

Manthorpe expertise 

At Manthorpe Building Products we specialise in dry 

fix roofing products. The company has been 

developing innovative building products for the 

construction industry for over 30 years and has 

extensive experience in the use of plastics, as well 

as the expertise to develop and manufacture 

virtually all our products in-house and continues to 

invest heavily in new technology and production 

processes. All Manthorpe dry verge products have 

been independently tested at the Building 

Research Establishment (BRE) to ensure they fully 

comply with and, in many cases, go beyond the 

requirements of the relevant British Standards. 

Dry verge products 

At Manthorpe we offer several systems in our 

SmartVerge range. The Linear Dry Verge System 

provides a secure mechanical fixing solution for 

many types of roof coverings including Fibre 

Cement Slates, Natural Slates, and Interlocking 

Plain Tiles. The Linear Verge Units can be easily 

fitted to the verge of the roof in succession and 

preserve the continuous line of the verge, 

providing a neat and attractive finish to the verge, 

as well as draining moisture away from the gable 

wall to prevent staining. The system is available 

in Slate Grey, Black, Terracotta and Dark Brown to 

compliment any roof design. 

For a stepped appearance to the dry verge 

system, i.e. to carry the tile coursing through to 

the verge edge, The SmartVerge Ambidextrous dry 

verge system provides an attractive finish to the 

verge detail of a roof for most makes and profiles 

of interlocking tiles laid between a batten gauge 

of 255 mm to 345 mm. Being comprised of 

individual verge units, one per tile course, the 

‘stepped’ appearance of the roof tiles is 

preserved. The dry verge units provide a neat 

capping over each tile in succession, and once 

fitted they are weatherproof and maintenance 

free. The ambidextrous design of the system allows 

the units to be used on either side of the verge, 

making it ideal for roofers and stockists wishing to 

minimise their stock of dry verge components. 

For those wishing to preserve the stepped 

appearance of the roof tiles whilst maintaining a 

continuous line on the underside of the verge, at 

Manthorpe we offer two versions of the 

SmartVerge Handed Dry Verge System. The verge 

units are supplied handed to suit left and righthand 

roof verges, with the original version being 

available in PVCu and suitable for tile gauges 

Continued on page 22 


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W: fixfast.com l T: +44 1732 882387 l E: sales@fixfast.com

Pitched Roofs 

Continued from page 20 

from 280 mm to 345 mm. A polypropylene 

version is also available, again with handed verge 

units, providing even more flexibility in tile gauge 

with adjustment from 255 to 345 mm. 

Both the Ambidextrous and the Handed dry verge 

systems incorporate special features to ensure that 

water is drained away from the wall to prevent 

staining. The verge units are available in a range of 

colours to complement any roof design. 

The SmartVerge Interlocking Plain Tile 

Verge system is a recent addition to 

the Manthorpe dry verge range. The 

system is designed especially for 

use with interlocking plain tiles, with a 

batten gauge range from 173mm to 

190mm. The ambidextrous design of the verge 

units means they can be installed on left and 

right-hand verges. Manufactured from UV 

stabilised polypropylene, the verge units are 

available in Grey, Black, Terracotta, Brown, and 

Antique Red to complement any colour of roof tile. 

Images: The SmartVerge Ambidextrous dry verge system provides an attractive 

finish to the verge detail of a roof. 

The unique design of the verge units 

means that the upper flange always 

lays perfectly flat on the roof tile, 

eliminating any potential tile ‘kick up’ in the 

tile course above and increasing the effective 

drainage angle of the lower flange, thus improving 

the rate of water runoff from the verge and away 

from the wall. 

For all our Manthorpe SmartVerge systems, angled 

or round ridge end caps 

are available to protect the 

end of the ridge and eaves 

closures, secure the first verge unit and 

prevent access for birds and large insects. 

Contact Manthorpe Building Products 

01773 303 000 

www.manthorpebp.co.uk 

Email: mbp.care@manthorpebp.co.uk 

PLAIN TILES DELIVER FOR COASTAL PROJECT 

BMI Redland’s Plain Tiles have helped Redland concrete Plain Tile in a 

would have to be installed 

provide a stunning transformation to a Slate Grey colour was said to be 

securely. 

private home refurbishment in Kent. the natural choice. 

With a unique roof design, the 

Located on a clifftop overlooking the sea, The 

Keep, private home, was going through a total 

renovation which included a whole new roof. 

There were two main challenges 

for this project, the first being the 

details of the roof itself. With over 

Grasby team needed to take 

particular care throughout the 

project. With the installation of 

8,000 tiles to be installed over the pitched roof, as the eyebrow window, the team had to create a 

With a unique roof design that incorporated a large 

well as flat roof sections for the back dormer, timber bough by soaking the battens, bending it into 

chimney and an eyebrow window detail (see 

Grasby Roofing needed to ensure the attention to a semi-circle and using a mitre saw to cut it where 

image), as well as some flat sections, Grasby 

detail was maintained throughout the project. This needed. Working with Grasby Roofing over a period 

Roofing knew that it wasn’t going to be 

included the installation of the tiles over the of four weeks, BMI Redland was responsible for the 

straightforward. With a north-facing seafront 

eyebrow window, which is a notoriously difficult supply of its concrete Plain Tile in Slate Grey, as 

location, the new roof had to be made to last, while 

tiling task. This is because the installation of well as the necessary fittings and fixtures in a full 

also creating a good aesthetic fit for the property 

eyebrow windows requires a double lapping of tiles, system solution. 

and surrounding location. This meant ensuring all 

which is a complex style of tile installation that can 

8,000 tiles were installed to withstand high winds 

Adam Grasby of Grasby Roofing explained: “When 

only be done on curved roofs. This particular 

and comply with the latest regulations. 

originally discussing with the client what concrete 

window would also need a timber bough to be 

plain tiles to install on the roof, it was an easy 

Grasby Roofing has been working with Redland tiles custom-built to size. 

choice. In the 20 years I have been using Redland 

for over 20 years, so when they were looking for the 

The second challenge was the location. The Keep is products, I’ve always been satisfied with the 

perfect tile to suit not only the location’s look, but 

located on a clifftop which means it is exposed to quality of tiles and fittings, and on this occasion, 

also the weather conditions and the ability to 

the elements including high winds, so the tiles it was no different.” www.bmigroup.com/uk/ 

accommodate the detail of the roof, the BMI 


TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS, SUPPLY PARTNERS AND INDUSTRY 

COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED 

SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE WISH YOU A MERRY 

CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR. 

Unit 12B, Metcalf Drive, 

Altham Industrial Estate, 

Altham, Lancashire, 

England, BB5 5TU 

Tel 01282 930680 

sales@easy-trim.co.uk 

www.easy-trim.co.uk

Green Roofs: Substrates 

SUBSTRATE SELECTION 

By Julian Thurbin, Wallbarn Director. 

Precise quality, speed of installation and 

known performance are key factors that 

have made modular construction products 

and systems an attractive proposition. 

And applying this thinking to green roofs has 

delivered huge advantages, not least that specifiers 

and installers can rest assured that the system they 

choose will live up to expectations and the sedum or 

wildflowers will thrive for years to come. 

At Wallbarn we were an early adopter of the 

modular approach, developing our high 

performance M-Tray system to offer roofing 

contractors an easy, quick and clean-to-install 

solution that delivers an instant living roof with 

the bonus that the 500 mm x 500 mm trays can 

be lifted if access to the roof deck is required. 

Our multiple award-winning M-Tray is a green roof 

in a box, combining all the elements of a 

traditional roll-out solution – including substrate, 

plants and drainage – into carefully designed 

trays that click together on site. Every element of 

the system has been meticulously thought 

through, including the all-important substrate. 

The substrate – the material into which the green 

roof is planted – holds the key to a successful 

installation. At Wallbarn, working closely with 

partner company Sedum Growers and in 

conjunction with renowned soil scientist Susie 

Holmes, a specialist in horticultural growing 

media and soil management, we have invested 

heavily in developing and field testing different 

formulations to identify the substrate composition 

that works best, both in enabling plants to 

flourish and delivering fire performance. 

The result is a ‘gold standard’ compost that is made 

predominantly from materials sourced close to the 

our growing nursery in Hampshire, and matured onsite 

for around a year, producing a super high 

quality, low organic and peat-free growing medium 

that meets fire ratings and exceeds GRO Code 

guidance. It has been designed to deliver an 

optimum blend and supply of slow release 

nutrients coupled with great moisture 

control, enabling plants to flourish 

throughout the life of the roof. The mix 

represents a fine balancing act 

between the basic elements of the 

substrate – compost, lightweight aggregate and 

coir – and the need to achieve compliance with 

BS 8616:2019, Approved Document B, the GRO 

Code and the B ROOF t(4) fire rating. 

Composting 

Producing this BS-compliant substrate relies 

heavily on the quality of raw materials and it’s 

here that the greatest of care is taken, as Sedum 

Growers’ joint Managing Directors David Holloway 

and Keith Pegren know. As David explained: “For 

us, a lot of the commercially available Pas 100 

compost is of unknown quality. It might contain 

weeds or hormonal herbicides, which don’t 

breakdown in the composting process. We 

therefore manufacture our own on site using 

local, known sources of raw materials. We control 

the whole process from start to finish, which can 

take in excess of a year.” 

One ingredient used in the compost is discarded 

matter from a nearby business producing 

chamomile and other essential oils. This waste 

stream meets David and Keith’s exacting 

standards because they know its provenance and 

it has been heated to high temperatures, killing 

weeds etc. 

Other carefully selected agricultural waste is 

combined into the mix, which is then left to 

compost. “It’s quite a complex process,” 

explained Keith. “It has to be warm enough to kill 

weeds etc. so we continually check the 

temperature, and the chemical composition of the 

final compost is key. Chemicals released during 

the composting process create salts, which can 

be harmful to plants so they have to be allowed to 

Above: M-Tray farm sedum harvesting. 

Left: Substrate components. 

leach out. We carry out electro 

conductivity tests to measure salts content 

and only release the compost for use when it has 

physically cooled down sufficiently and salts are 

at a safe level.” 

To complete the Wallbarn substrate, coir and Lytag 

and/or Leca are combined with the compost: 

Coir: a lightweight, natural by-product of the 

coconut industry used to lighten the substrate 

and introduce fibres that lock in moisture and 

nutrients. 

Lytag: a lightweight ballast produced from power 

station waste. 

Leca: an expanded clay which is also a waste 

product and super lightweight/bulk forming. The 

roots of sedum and wildflowers grip the particles 

to bind into the substrate and support the whole 

green roof. 

The care invested in the M-Tray substrate 

demonstrates how at Wallbarn we go above and 

beyond legislation and guidance. We have been at 

the forefront of many industry changes and 

always strive to physically test ingredients to 

ensure they perform as we wish, using 

Warringtonfire for fire tests and STRI for growth 

tests. M-Tray exceeds all regulations by a 

significant degree. Our ethos is to provide 

customers with industry-leading, healthy green 

roofs that thrive throughout their lifetime, meet 

regulatory and industry standards and are as 

eco-friendly as possible. 

Contact Wallbarn 

www.wallbarn.com 

020 8916 2222 


SOLUTIONS 

UNIQUE. 

ADAPTABLE. 

GUARANTEED. * 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* THAT’S THE DANELAW DIFFERENCE 

Contact us or scan 

for all our roof pitch 

ventilation solutions 

call us: 01327 701 910 

email: sales@hambleside-danelaw.co.uk 

www.hambleside-danelaw.co.uk 

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Rainwater Systems 

DEEP GUTTERING: PROTECT 

AGAINST EXTREME RAINFALL 

Climate change is making extreme weather a more commonplace event in the UK. Colin 

St John, Commercial Director at Freefoam, says a potential solution is to install deep 

guttering to ensure homes are sufficiently equipped to deal with increasing rainfall. 

On 3rd October 2020, enough rain to fill 

Loch Ness fell in the UK in one day – a 

staggering 7.4 cubic kilometres of 

water. Ordinarily this would have been a one in 

300-year event, but due to climate change, the 

likelihood of such an event is now 10 times 

more likely and we could see it as frequently 

as every 30 years if measures to combat 

global warming are unsuccessful. 

In fact, all the scientific evidence is 

pointing to our already wet climate 

getting even wetter. A recent study 

exploring the effect of greenhouse 

gases on European winter rainfall patterns 

suggests we are at greater risk of increased rainfall 

in winter, spring and autumn, and at a greater risk 

of extremely high seasonal rainfall events. 

For contractors, the changing weather conditions 

are becoming a factor when specifying and fitting 

guttering products. Rainwater gutter systems 

should be able to manage increased levels of 

water, but, unfortunately, many existing 

installations will not be a match for the increased 

flow of rainwater we can expect to get in the 

future. Contractors may, therefore, see increased 

numbers of homes with persistent water ingress 

and the potential for serious and very costly 

damage to the property, particularly in areas of 

the UK that currently experience high rainfall. 

Enter deep guttering 

One solution to the issue is deep gutter. With 50 

per cent more capacity than round gutter, it can 

channel rainfall away quickly and is ideal for 

steep or large roofs where large volumes of water 

are collected. 

Left: Colin St John; Above: Freeflow Deep Gutter in 

anthracite grey. 

Able to blend with existing round gutter, 

deep gutter can be used for both 

traditional and modern properties. For older 

properties, where the existing gutter doesn’t have 

sufficient outlets to deal with increased levels of 

rainfall, its high flow capacity can be a more 

cost-effective alternative to digging and laying 

new drainage. 

For newer properties, it can be used to increase 

overall capacity. This is particularly important for 

those homes with new extensions to ensure the 

property’s rainwater guttering is adequate to 

handle higher volumes of rain. Again, in this 

scenario, a deep gutter will negate the need for 

any additional drainage or soakaways. 

The benefits of deep gutter 

There are a number of deep gutter products 

available on the market, such as Freefoam’s 

Freeflow deep gutter range. So, what should 

contractors be looking for in a deep gutter 

system? 

The first thing to look for is the colour. A white 

interior will be exposed to sunlight as normal but 

its absorption of heat from the sun and the 

subsequent expansion along its width and 

length will be significantly reduced, 

dramatically decreasing the probability of 

any associated problems. 

Of course, homeowners will be keen to 

choose the exterior colour of their gutter to 

ensure a flawless finish. The Freeflow deep 

gutter blends in with existing round guttering 

and is available in white, black, brown and 

anthracite grey for a whole house finish. We 

also do a cast iron-style version. 

It goes without saying that watertight joints are a 

must to ensure deep gutter systems work at their 

optimum. Our Freeflow gutter accessories use a 

flexible compression seal which is both watertight 

and allows the gutters to move without any noise 

or creating gaps which cause leaks. 

We also offer a 50-year lifetime guarantee on 

registered white Freeflow installations. As a 

contractor, a longer guarantee provides peace of 

mind that any issues will be resolved by the 

manufacturer for many years to come. 

Most homes are installed with standard capacity 

rainwater guttering, but as more areas across the 

UK start to see higher rainfall, deep gutter is 

becoming an important consideration. Whether 

it’s for new or existing buildings, deep guttering 

can be used as an upgrade, but in some areas of 

the UK it might be considered a must-have to 

protect our properties against the elements today 

and in years to come. 

Contact Freefoam 

www.freefoam.com 

0800 002 9903 

@Freefoam 


OUTSTANDING 

insulated upstand boards 

High performance, versatile, thermal insulation for parapet upstands 

● Provides a thermal break at the base 

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● A range of thermal performances to 

suit the requirements of your project 

● Standard sizes or custom dimensions 

give flexibility of installation 

● Pre-cut boards available to suit 

specific parapet heights 

● Euroclass A2-s1,d0 option available 

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● Provides a robust substrate for 

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● Compatible with most flat roof 

waterproofing systems 

● Highly weather resistant and 

suitable for long term weather 

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● Easy to install 

Call us on 01293 582400 

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Roof Structures 

A JOINED-UP APPROACH TO 

TIMBER DESIGN & SUPPLY 

James Beesley, Commercial Director at builder’s merchant Beesley & Fildes, discusses 

the benefits of sourcing a complete, integrated design and supply solution for roofing and 

flooring timbers to aid speed and ease of installation, and ensure smoother sign off from 

building control. 

The structural timber components used by 

housebuilders in the floor and roof buildups 

of residential properties are often seen 

as commodity products. Usually concealed once 

the floors and ceilings are in place, they are 

neither decorative nor differentiated, so it’s all 

about price, right? Wrong. 

The differentiation in engineered timber products 

for roofs and floors is in their design. While it is 

quite possible to buy products off the shelf, 

buying them as a complete, fully designed and 

engineered floor and/or roof build-up means 

improved integrity, better consistency and 

smoother installation. 

Engineered timber components 

The engineered timber components required for a 

build will vary, depending on the architectural 

design and the preferences of the construction 

company or housebuilder. The beams that 

support the floor or the roof are usually achieved 

using i-beams; OSB beams with laminated 

veneer flanges, or posi-joists; timber beams with 

metal posi-strut supports. While i-beams are less 

expensive, posi-joists provide superior load 

bearing capabilities, making them useful for 

larger spans. Posi-joists can also provide 

buildability benefits that can reduce labour costs, 

with an open structure that enables building 

services to be installed through the beams. This 

contrasts with i-beams, which are a solid 

structure and need to be drilled to allow any 

cables to be passed through. 

One of the key benefits of working with a supplier 

that offers a design service is that they can 

Above: Render of an attic layout. A key benefit of working with a supplier that offers a design service is that they can provide an 

optimised design to deliver a structure with simple details, efficient use of materials and the required load bearing performance. 

provide an optimised design to deliver a structure 

with simple details, efficient use of materials and 

the required load bearing performance for the 

structure. Working with this expertise means that 

housebuilders benefit from enhanced quality and 

a best value approach to pricing, which considers 

installed costs, not just materials costs. 

At Beesley and Fildes, we use Mitek software to 

provide a full design service, which includes i- 

beams or posi-joists and roof trusses and 

flooring, along with all the metalwork required for 

installation. We provide this as a free of charge 

service to help customers specify the correct 

engineered timber components for a complete 

and compliant installation, with a one-stop-shop 

approach. Using the dimensions of the property, 

provided by the customer or the architect’s data, 

we carry out the load calculations and create 

both a 3D installation drawing and a CAD render, 

so that both procurement and installation are as 

simple as possible. This means that everything 

can be delivered straight to site, with every item 

needed for the installation listed on the delivery 

note for verification against the design drawings. 

In this way, the housebuilder can be confident of 

faster turnaround of fabrication and delivery of 

products to site, along with reduced margin for 

error. 


Consistency and compliance 

This type of joined up approach not only improves 

site efficiency, it also underpins supply chain 

accountability. If something is missing from the 

consignment or is not consistent with the design 

that has been signed off, there is a single contact 

to deal with and a paper trail of the data 

provided, and the design agreed. 

This co-ordination also means that dimensions 

are correct and installation requirements are 

clear, avoiding any site issues and the potential 

for costly delays. The detail in the drawing 

enhances consistency too, ensuring that 

assembly is the same for the roof or floor 

structures for site teams across all properties of 

the same type, at any development and 

regardless of the team deployed. Indeed, at 

Beesley & Fildes, we store designs for customers, 

so a housebuilder that has multiple property 

types can draw down an existing design and 

achieve complete consistency with a roof or floor 

“Sometimes site teams 

may need support with 

the installation, 

perhaps because the 

fixings specified are 

unfamiliar to them or 

because site 

measurements differ 

from design measures” 

structure on a different development or from 

several years ago. In effect, it creates a full 

roofing and/or flooring ‘kit’, that can provide 

valuable time savings on site. 

Quality and partnership 

The partnership approach between an engineered 

timber supplier and a housebuilder should not 

end when the roof and/or floor timbers arrive on 

site; it should continue throughout the build until 

completion. Sometimes, site teams may need 

support with the installation, perhaps because 

the fixings specified are unfamiliar to them or 

because site measurements differ from design 

measures. Part of our integrated design and 

supply service is to offer troubleshooting support 

throughout the project and we always advise 

customers to contact us as soon as they have a 

query, before they cut or modify anything, so that 

we can help them deliver the installation as 

designed. Integrating design and supply ensures 

the housebuilder is never in a situation where 

any installation queries are disputed between 

the design and supply partners, enabling 

smoother, outcome-focused delivery of a quality 

assured project. 

Contact Beesley & Fildes 

0151 319 0533 

www.beesleyandfildes.co.uk 

@beesleyandfilde 

Greener Ideas. 

Greener Future. 

 

Rainwater System Solutions 

Kytun 

GutterClad 

northwestaluminium.com

Total Talk: Rob Ward, RLW Roofing 

“IT’S AMAZING THE PLACES THIS 

JOB TAKES YOU” 

This year marked the 60th anniversary of Sika’s flagship single ply roofing membrane, 

Sarnafil. Renowned across the globe, many established contractors have been 

installing Sarnafil since their careers first began. We spoke to Rob Ward, MD at 

Birmingham-based RLW Roofing, who has been working with Sarnafil for nearly 30 

years, about his experiences and what the future looks like for the roofing sector. 

TC: How long have you been in the roofing 

industry? Can you tell us about how you 

started out and how your career has 

progressed? 

RW: It’s been 28 years now! I started out in the 

roofing industry at the tender age of 17, working 

as an apprentice for a roofing contractor based in 

Shrewsbury. By the age of 19 I was running small 

Sarnafil projects with two-to-three operatives 

reporting to me. By the age of 21 I had left 

permanent employment and moved into the world 

of labour only sub-contracting, where I was 

running big Sarnafil projects – including shopping 

centres, apartments and schools – with a large 

team of operatives working for me; a big step up! 

In 2006, at the age of 29, myself and my partner 

Lisa started RLW Roofing Limited with a very old 

Transit van and a vision to create a business that 

would put the customer first. We quickly obtained 

our Sarnafil Approved Contractor status as we 

knew the strength of the brand with roofers and 

clients alike, and valued Sarnafil systems for 

their quality and workability. Then we started 

supplying and fixing full roof systems ourselves. 

In those days, it was just myself and Lisa in the 

office employing the services of a few operatives 

on relatively small projects. But things got a lot 

busier and we soon progressed year-on-year to 

much larger commercial projects. There’s never a 

dull moment! 

TC: Tell us about the business you’ve 

built… 

Above: Rob Ward is Managing Director of RLW Roofing, and 

established the business with his partner Lisa in 2006. 

“The construction 

industry makes it very 

difficult to bring in the 

younger generation to 

learn the skills 

required” 

RW: RLW Roofing Limited was born because we 

had a passion for delivering great service and 

workmanship and knew we could make a success 

of a business together. Our experience and 

expertise means that clients trust us to deliver 

great design and reliable project management. 

Over the last 16 years we have developed and 

grown with the business, which now turns over 

£9 million a year and employs the services of 

close to 60 hardworking individuals. We also set 

up a new company seven years ago to run 

alongside RLW, called P&H Fabrication. This new 

business has helped us turn the company from 

purely a roofing business to offering full building 

facades of which we make as many of the 

products as possible ourselves. 

TC: What are the biggest changes you’ve 

witnessed in the 28 years you’ve been in 

the industry? 

RW: There have been innumerable improvements 

in safety – a very good thing, and e-mails – 

definitely a bad thing! – to name but a few. But 

the fundamentals remain the same! 

TC: When did you start working with 

Sarnafil? 

RW: As a young apprentice, my dad got me a job 

working for Shrewsbury roofing as I had been 

made redundant from Bryant’s Construction 

where I worked as a trainee engineer. I was 

teamed up with an Italian cabinet maker called 

Ruldofo Spagnoli – or Fred for short. They were 

new to Sarnafil at the time, so I started on a level 

playing field. Fred would task me with all the 

complicated details and if I got it wrong, he would 

make me do it again. That’s how I learnt my 

trade. I very quickly realised I was very suited to 

roofing and loved my work. 

TC: What’s been your experience working 

with Sika over the years? 

RW: Sarnafil is and always will be the best 

system on the market, that’s why we’ve 

continued to be loyal to the brand. The range of 


different membranes and application are secondto-none. 

We created our business with Sarnafil at 

its core because we had, and still have, total 

confidence in its quality. It looks fantastic once 

installed and our team prefers to fit it. 

Innovations with the technology are always 

welcomed – the self-adhered membrane springs 

to mind, it’s so quick and easy to install. More 

recently, Sarnafil AT is appealing to clients who 

are looking for a sustainable option. 

TC: Do you have any roofing projects that 

particularly stand out in your 

memory, or any funny stories 

about your job that you can 

share? 

RW: Lots! Over the years I’ve 

worked all over the UK and 

even in Portugal for a short 

time. When I first started roofing, 

I worked away for a few years, 

mainly in Wales, and we completed the 

SeaLife Centre contract in Fishguard over a very 

long winter period. I can still remember today seeing 

the ferry anchored out at sea in force seven gales 

while I was on the roof. The weather and rain were 

so brutal, I can remember sitting behind a large 

rooflight which was designed to look like a ship's 

funnel and was so cold I cried! 

Over the years I’ve been involved with many 

prestigious projects using Sarnafil, including The 

Millennium Dome, Commonwealth and Olympic 

Villages and Sports Centres, Formula One Teams, 

prestigious art galleries and National Trust 

properties. It’s amazing the places this job takes 

you. 

TC: What do you enjoy most about your 

role? What are you most proud of? 

RW: I enjoy meeting new people, designing 

buildings and employing many interesting people. 

I especially like walking into meetings and leaving 

knowing you have solved problems that others 

have been pondering over for many months. I’m 

very proud of the business that myself and Lisa 

have built with the help of my colleagues around 

us. Our business has grown massively over the 

Left and above: The Black Country Living Museum project – a Sarnafil project RLW Roofing completed 

earlier in the year. 

last 16 years and we have 

met some great people and 

made some amazing friends 

over the course of our time in 

business. It’s been a great 

journey. 

TC: What do you find most challenging? 

RW: Contracting and the construction industry in 

general is challenging, but on the whole 

rewarding. The industry has changed so much 

over the years but dealing with the various 

stakeholders can be very stressful. People can 

sometimes forget all the hard work you put in 

when something simply goes wrong or, for 

instance, that our materials are subject to 

unexpected price increases, which we have to 

deal with to negotiate a project. RLW takes on full 

building envelope, fabrication, and installation 

where we often take architects’ drawings, 

redesign them, fabricate the necessary products, 

powder coat, and fix it to a building along with the 

roofing system. This involves many hours prior to 

site transforming the architects’ design into a 

fully operational building and then taking 

responsibility for the product for the next 25 

years, in an ever-changing market. 

TC: How do you think the industry should 

tackle the skills shortage? 

RW: The construction industry makes it very 

difficult to bring in the younger generation to learn 

the skills required. For instance, if we were to 

take on a 16-year-old school leaver, we would 

need a mountain of risk assessments but they’d 

also need to have full supervision until the age of 

18, this includes escorting to the toilet! We need 

the resources to educate them and keep them 

safe, but they also need space to learn the job as 

is required. The other difficulty we encounter is a 

real lack of colleges and courses relating to our 

services, especially flat roofing. Manufacturers 

like Sika are doing a great job with their training 

programmes, but we need more of a national 

push. Accessible educational resources will help 

get the younger generation on-site and at work 

prior to the age of 18. 

TC: What advice would you give someone 

starting out? 

RW: Communication skills are essential. I 

strongly believe talking to people not only 

develops relationships but also helps resolve 

most issues, which are easier to discuss either 

face-to-face or over the phone. While writing to 

people has its place, in most instances it should 

not be the first option, especially as points of 

view can be lost in translation. 

Contact Sika 

www.sika.co.uk/roofing 

call 01707 394444 


EPDM Systems 

WATERPROOFING THAT MORE THAN 

MAKES THE GRADE 

Carl Bailey, Regional Technical Manager UK & Ireland for Elevate (formerly Firestone 

Building Products), explains how an EPDM single ply roofing membrane can benefit 

modular school buildings. 

The use of modern methods of construction 

(MMC) is rapidly rising across the 

education sector. Largely driven by the 

Department for Education’s (DfE) four-year £3 

billion Off-site Schools Framework, MMC is being 

adopted to build schools faster and more cost 

effectively while delivering significant 

environmental benefits. 

The roof of a modular school building is 

fundamental to the project’s success. Specifying 

an appropriate waterproofing membrane can 

drive further efficiencies and contribute to the 

building’s environmental credentials. 

Ticking all the boxes 

An EPDM single ply 

membrane is one of the 

most effective for a 

modular build. Made from 

synthetic rubber, the product 

delivers benefits throughout the 

construction of a modular building 

as well as its service life. 

To ensure the highest quality standards, each 

sheet of EPDM is cut to size and applied to the 

prefabricated module in a controlled, factory 

setting. As the material is single ply, it is 

lightweight enabling it to be installed quickly and 

easily. 

Safety conditions are enhanced as the EPDM is 

applied without the need for any hot works. A 

RubberGard EPDM membrane, for example, is 

fully adhered to each building module using a 

solvent and odour-free adhesive. 

Any other details required to be completed in the 

Left: Carl Bailey, Regional Technical Manager UK & Ireland for Elevate (formerly Firestone Building 

Products). Above: Work in progress on a mechanically attached roof. 

“EPDM delivers 

benefits 

throughout the 

construction of a 

modular building as 

well as its service life” 

factory are achieved using the self-adhesive 

QuickSeam range of flashing accessories. The 

RubberGard EPDM membrane laps the edge of 

each module so that when the sections are 

assembled on site, two surfaces of EPDM are 

mechanically clamped together ready to be sealed 

quickly and easily with QuickSeam cover strip. 

This process allows most of the roofing works to 

be completed before the modules are delivered to 

site, avoiding weather-related delays and 

minimising on-site installation times. 

As the EPDM membrane is made from a synthetic 

rubber compound, it is highly flexible and can be 

elongated by more than 300% without any 

detriment. If there is any movement or 

temperature change during the transport of the 

modular building, this elasticity prevents any 

damage to the waterproofing. 

From an environmental perspective, EPDM can 

minimise impact in several ways. A membrane 

such as RubberGard EPDM is available in large 

panel sizes, which means each modular roofing 

unit can be easily covered with one piece, 

reducing joints and waste. 

EPDM is also a chemically inert material that 

does not contain any plasticiser and when 

installed correctly, has a life expectancy of more 

than 50 years. 



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EPDM Systems 


Futureproofing 

Once a modular building 

has been constructed, the 

qualities of EPDM will help 

to protect the structure for 

many years, significantly 

reducing the risk of future costs or 

downtime. 

The membrane’s flexibility enables it to return to 

its original shape and performance after severe 

weather and makes it resistant to UV, heat, hail 

and building movements. Minimal maintenance is 

required and, if needed, the EPDM membrane can 

be easily repaired using very simple tools, even 

after several years of exposure. 

Should the building need to be altered or 

expanded in the future, modular units covered 

with EPDM can be easily dismantled, relocated 

and sealed back together again, even decades 

after their initial construction. 

Contact Elevate 

www.holcimelevate.com 

01565 756186 

Above and left: Firestone Rubbergard EPDM: “EPDM will help to protect the structure for many years.” 

Case study: Lessons learned 

A recent modular build to benefit 

from an EPDM membrane is 

Abbey Farm Educate Together (ET) 

Primary School in North Swindon. 

The DfE appointed offsite construction 

specialist Reds10 to design and build the 

school as part of the Offsite Schools Framework. 

Above: Abbey Farm Educate Together (ET) Primary School 

in North Swindon. 

Reds10 completed most of the building offsite in its 

factory. Net zero carbon in design, the school includes a wide range of sustainability features such as 

air source heat pumps, photovoltaics, mechanical and natural ventilation, aluminium door and window 

frames made from recycled materials, floorboards with 50% recycled content, and timber cladding. 

The RubberGard EPDM membrane was specified by Reds10 for the school’s flat roof. Joe Shepherd, 

Education Lead at Reds10, commented: “With a desire to reduce carbon emissions during 

construction, Reds10 swiftly recognised the benefits of RubberGard EPDM. Not only is it a resilient 

membrane with a long service life, but its flexible structure affords security and protection during the 

transportation and location of each module onto the project site. 

“RubberGard EPDM is also an inert material with low environmental impact, as zero toxic substances 

are released during and after installation, enabling the collection of run-off rainwater.” 

The construction of Abbey Farm ET Primary School began in May 2021 and the new building opened its 

doors in September 2022. Run by the Educate Together Academy Trust, it caters for 460 pupils and is 

part of a wider residential-led, mixed-use development by Redrow. 


Fire Performance 

KEEPING WATCH ON FIRE 

STANDARDS 

As pressures to find alternative products from outside the UK might mean turning to 

products that do not meet the standards expected, Ben Midwinter, Technical Director at 

Flex-R, advises to always check product fire test certifications… 

The current climate of supply chain 

challenges in logistics and production has 

resulted in many tried, tested, and relied 

upon products becoming short stocked. In an 

effort to keep contractors moving, some suppliers 

have sought out alternative manufacturers, often 

from outside the UK. 

While this may appear good news, the problem is 

that not all imported flat roof coverings are tested 

to the same level which can result in 

underperformance in a fire. 

Between changes in regulation and discrepancies 

in fire performance, this has placed a heightened 

focus on checking certification. For contractors, it 

is vital to ensure any imported roof covering has 

been tested appropriately and its performance is 

legally compliant and acceptable for use in the 

UK. Failure to do so risks the safety of the 

installation. 

Why aren’t all fire performance tests 

equal? 

The test methods used vary across Europe in 

order to meet the requirements of each country’s 

specific legislation. 

Approved Document B (AD B) provides clear 

guidance relating to fire safety in buildings. The 

2019 edition of A DB included some major 

updates to Requirement B4 which relates to the 

classification of a flat roof system when exposed 

to fire from an external source. 

This piece of regulation is critical as it includes 

changes to the fire testing methodology. 

According to DD CEN/TS 1187:2012 there are 

four test methods in response to the legislation in 

“The problem 

is that not 

all imported 

flat roof 

coverings 

are tested to 

the same level 

which can result 

in underperformance 

in a fire” 

place within different EU countries: t1 for 

Germany, t2 for Scandinavia, t3 for France, and 

t4 for the UK. 

The test methods vary as such: test t1 is with 

burning brands, and for t2 it is with burning 

brands and wind. For t3 it is with burning 

brands, wind, and supplementary radiant heat. 

T4 is a two-stage evaluation of the fire 

performance of a roof with burning brands, wind, 

and radiant heat. 

T4 tests external fire spread and penetration by 

fire. It is also the only test method that complies 

with the requirements of the Building Regulations 

and legislation for roof coverings used in the UK. 

Therefore, suppliers and contractors need to 

check that imported roof coverings have been 

tested using Test 4. 

Contractors should be on the lookout for a roofing 

system classified as BROOF(t4). Test results are 

given as European class ratings, using the 

standard BS EN 13501-5 and are in five different 

ratings. The highest, and the class rating used for 

Ben Midwinter says BROOF(t4) is the gold 

standard for the UK when it comes to the 

performance of flat roofs and fire. 

the UK is BROOF(t4), with the 

lowest being FROOF(t4). 

Why are the differences so 

important? 

The classifications are vital because 

they dictate the minimum distances a roof 

covering can be used from the site boundary, 

depending on the building type and its use. 

BROOF(t4) is the gold standard for the UK when 

it comes to the performance of flat roofs and 

fire; it means an EPDM roof covering, for 

example, can be used on roofs without 

restriction. 

On the other hand, a roof covering with an 

FROOF(t4) classification can only be used on 

roofs over 20m from the boundary. 

The Grenfell tragedy means there is now a 

greater understanding of how small changes to 

material specifications can have a significant 

impact on fire safety. Therefore, roofing 

contractors need to be vigilant in ensuring the 

products used have the appropriate 

certification for use in the UK to ensure the 

safety of building users. It is the duty of 

manufacturers and distributors to make this 

information readily available. 

Contact Flex-R 

www.flex-r.co.uk 

01494 448792 

@FlexR_UK 


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CONTRACTORS 

HAVE THE EDGE 

Contact us today to become a DATAC member 

Design & Technology Accredited Contractors (DATAC) is a UK organisation with an exclusive membership of expert 

contractors, who have access to a specialist range of SIG Design & Technology high performance roofing products, 

systems and guarantees that are not available to any other contractor. 

3 Advantage when tendering for major projects 

3 Priority notification of new product launches 

3 Fast track training in new products and techniques 

3 Technical on-site support 

3 Designed to provide specifiers and clients with local, 

quality installers 

As product agnostic specialists, 

SIG Design & Technology can advise 

specifiers, designers and clients 

on the right system to use. 

CALL US TODAY: 01509 505714 

SIG Design & Technology 

Mannheim House, Gelders Hall Road, Shepshed, 

Leicestershire, LE12 9NH www.sigdandt.co.uk 

DTDATACAT0922 V1 | © SIG Trading Ltd 2021. All rights reserved.

Ask A. Proctor Group 

DO I NEED AN AIRSPACE BETWEEN 

INSULATION AND UNDERLAY IN 

PITCHED ROOFS? 

In this series, the experts at the A. Proctor Group examine some commonly held myths 

surrounding the contracting world. This month, they tackle the question: Do you need an 

airspace between insulation and underlay in pitched roofs? 

Traditionally when we think of pitched roofs 

in the UK, we are referring to a pitched roof 

with slates or tiles above a roofing underlay. 

The most common pitched roof design in the UK 

is a ‘cold pitched roof’, in which the insulation is 

at the flat ceiling level and the roofspace above is 

ventilated. In Europe, it is more common to see 

buildings constructed with a ‘warm pitched roof’ 

design. The warm pitched roof moves the 

insulation to follow the pitch of the rafters, 

converting the attic space to liveable 

accommodation. 

In traditional warm pitched roof construction 

where an impermeable membrane has been 

used, a ventilated cavity is required below the 

underlay to ensure no condensation in the 

building. This ventilated cavity allows air to be 

drawn in at the eaves and carried up through the 

roof and out at the ridge, carrying the moistureladen 

air with it. In cold roof constructions, the 

entire roof space is ventilated, while in warm 

roofs it is only a minimum of a 25mm cavity, plus 

a 15mm drape in the membrane. In most cases, 

a 50mm cavity is considered to be standard. 

Unless a roofing underlay is both air and vapour 

permeable, the British Standard BS 5250 (the 

Code of practice for the management of moisture 

in buildings), a ventilated cavity is required 

between the membrane and insulation in a warm 

pitched roof. Vapour permeable membranes can 

negate this requirement by restricting the amount 

of water vapour infiltrating the construction from 

inside, either by use of a vapour control layer or 

another impermeable layer, such as rigid 

insulation, under the rafters. To meet this 

requirement, roofs need to be constructed with a 

counterbatten to allow water runoff. Historically, 

there has been some concern with tenting 

causing condensation where the insulation 

touches the membrane, but that is not an issue 

with modern membranes. 



Technical support 

Roofing experts on-hand to offer help and advice 

Assured standards 

Meets all British Standards and regulations 

High-quality components 

Tested for maximum performance, meaning no call backs 

Estimates & fixing specs on demand 

We’ll help you create them on site and on the go 

Comprehensive roof solution 

Easy installation with tried and tested compatible components 

Need a complete 

roof system? 

We’ve got you covered. 

With all elements brought together from a single 

source, you can be confident that everything 

will work together perfectly – and that high 

performance is all backed up with a 15-year 

system guarantee. Find your peace of mind. 

marley.co.uk/roofsystem

Ask A. Proctor Group 


High-performance membranes 

Roofshield was developed in Scotland, where it is 

common practice to use timber sarking over the 

whole roof area and then apply the membrane 

over this. Softwood sarking allows the roof to 

have extra racking strength and wind resistance, 

which is beneficial in the harsher climates 

experienced in Scotland. As natural slates can be 

fixed directly into the sarking, there is no risk of 

water ponding behind battens. As well as being 

highly permeable to water vapour, Roofshield is 

also air permeable. Its air permeable design 

means that there would be airflow through the 

roofspace comparable to that of traditional 

ventilation, so a cold pitched roof (with the 

insulation at ceiling level) would function in the 

same way as a typical ventilated roof. If the roof 

is sarked in this manner, clearly the insulation 

could be installed against the underside of the 

boarding without any cavity, and the roof would 

still comply with BS 5250. Therefore, a vapourpermeable 

(whether air permeable or airtight) 

roofing underlay could be used in these 

circumstances to negate the requirement for a 

cavity below the membrane. 

Wraptite is one such vapour-permeable and 

airtight membrane. When Wraptite is applied over 

a boarded roof, the insulation should be pressed 

hard up against the underside of the sarking, so 

there is no need for an air gap. The same 

principles apply to roofs without sarking; if there 

is no air gap between a vapour-permeable roofing 

underlay and the insulation, the roof performs 

well hygrothermally. 

Tiling or slating battens are typically applied when 

slates are not being nailed directly into sarking 

boards. Counterbattens are needed above the 

underlay, which raise the tiling battens so that 

water can flow below them. This prevents water 

from ponding below the battens. 

Roofshield and Wraptite are each BBA certified for 

non-ventilated warm pitched roofs and can be 

used directly over insulation without a cavity. 

Images show A. Proctor Group’s Roofshield underlay system. 

Roofshield is additionally BBA certified for cold 

unventilated roofs. This warm roof certification 

allows the rafters to be fully filled with insulation, 

maximising the thermal value without reducing 

headroom internally. 

The more insulation you use in a construction like 

this, the further out the dewpoint is moved. This 

has benefits for reducing the risk of 

condensation, especially if this moves the 

dewpoint outside the underlay. 

Since 2012 the NHBC has issued technical 

guidance that acknowledges that some vapourpermeable 

roof underlays permit both vapour and 

air to pass through them. Therefore, where an 

underlay can be shown to provide suitable 

ventilation in a cold pitched roof, NHBC will 

accept that underlay without needing any further 

ventilation. This means that Roofshield can 

therefore be installed without high level vents. 

“Roofshield and 

Wraptite are each BBA 

certified for nonventilated 

warm 

pitched roofs and can 

be used directly over 

insulation without a 

cavity” 

The BBA certificate for Cold Non-Ventilated Roofs 

now includes confirmation of this. 

New Condensation Risk and U-value 

Assessment Tool 

At the A. Proctor Group we have introduced 

dedicated U-value and Condensation Risk 

Analysis software that will help contractors 

accurately carry out assessments to ensure 

compliance with the latest requirements of 

BS 5250. The software is an essential tool for 

meeting building regulations and improving the 

performance of new and existing buildings, and is 

now available on the members area of our 

website. 

Contact A. Proctor Group 

www.proctorgroup.com 

01250 872 261 


Roofing Updates 

For further info on all these updates and more, visit www.total-contractor.co.uk 

ARBOFLEX SPECIFIED FOR NEPTUNE WHARF PROJECT 

Arboflex, the wet-on-wet liquid applied 

waterproofing membrane from Carlisle 

Construction Materials, has been specified 

for the roofs and podium deck of Neptune 

Wharf: a development of six, high 

specification residential buildings by 

Galliard Homes overlooking Deptford Park in 

East London. 

Roofing contractor T & T Roofing will install the 

Arboflex liquid applied membrane, along with 

tapered, fire-retardant mineral wool insulation, 

which will also be supplied by Carlisle. All roof 

areas, apart from the podium, will be completed 

as green roofs, and the Arboflex 20-year system 

will be installed to provide excellent root 

resistance, along with ease and speed of 

installation and effective waterproofing 

protection. 

Arboflex is a versatile single component liquid 

applied waterproofing membrane, which builds 

Arboflex from Carlisle Construction Materials has been 

specified for the Neptune Wharf project. 

on Carlisle’s roofing portfolio, including the 

company’s Hertalan EPDM system and RESITRIX 

hybrid EPDM/bituminous membrane. Available 

as a 10-year system that requires no primer or 

top coat, or as a 20-year system with the 

addition of a U/V resistant top coat, the liquid 

membrane is simple to install and provides a 

hardwearing waterproofing covering compatible 

with green roofs. 

T & T Roofing will install the tapered insulation 

to each roof before applying the Arboflex liquid 

over the insulation. After rollering the liquid onto 

the roof, T & T’s installers will lay the system’s 

glass fibre matt, which can be torn to size on 

site, onto the wet membrane. The fibre matt 

provides a guide for the installer to check the 

correct amount of liquid membrane has been used 

and, after rollering to draw the liquid through the 

matt and completing an additional application, the 

matt is entirely absorbed in the liquid 

waterproofing, providing a seamless roof surface. 

The first phase of the Neptune Wharf roofing project 

will complete in February 2023, with the complete 

development due to handover later in the year. 

Allen Coldrake from Carlisle commented: “The 

speed and ease of installation benefits of the 

Arboflex liquid applied membrane make it an 

ideal choice for large scale projects like this, 

and the fact that it has been specified for a 

tapered insulation and green roof scheme 

demonstrate the system’s versatility.” 

www.carlisleconstructionmaterials.com 

WELSH SLATE DELIVERS FOR HISTORIC PROPERTY 

A country mansion that was once one of Britain's 

most at risk Grade II* listed buildings is 

enjoying a new lease of life, thanks in part to 

Welsh Slate. 

Cwt-y-Bugail Dark Blue Grey roofing slates from the 

leading UK manufacturer have been used over 

1,000m² of roof at Bank Hall in Bretherton, 

Lancashire, which has been converted into luxury 

residential accommodation and exhibition spaces. 

The Welsh slates were specified for the £5.6 million renovation on a likefor-like 

basis by architect Miles Pearson as the existing Welsh slates had 

been on the roof, in diminishing courses (as was the build method of the 

time), since the building was remodelled in the early 1830s. 

“We chose the slate in conjunction with the National Lottery Heritage 

Fund’s team, who oversaw the project and felt a historic supplier was far 

more suitable than an overseas import,” said Miles. 

The five-year project now comprises ten apartments and two houses within 

Image: Next Big Thing Developments, working with 

The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Friends of Bank 

Hall Group. 

the hall. In addition, the central four-storey Prospect 

Tower, which is a regionally significant architectural 

feature, now houses educational and exhibition spaces 

open to the public for two days a week. The public also 

have access to the outer gardens and walled garden. 

Specialist sub-contractor RL Lovatt took nine months 

to bring the reroof to full term. Their team had to use 

1F bitumen underlay and custom lead boxes to cater 

for the resident bat population. All abutments used 

lead soakers/flashings with stainless steel valleys 

and land valleys and special conservation roof windows. 

Contracts Manager Andy Wilson said: “This project was quite the 

challenge due to time scales, the weather and the overall complexity of a 

job of this magnitude. Working with true Welsh Slate made all the 

difference – they are more durable, look fantastic and overall are much 

better to work with compared to the foreign imports that are widely used 

elsewhere. Lovatts were extremely happy with how this project turned out 

in the end.” www.welshslate.com 


GUTTERS CONTRIBUTE TO PROPERTY’S STRIKING LOOK 

Marley Alutec’s Evolve Deepflow and Aligator 

Giant were recently specified for an ecofriendly 

property in Suffolk. 

The guttering created a striking aesthetic, which 

helped to meet the homeowner’s criteria for a 

modern finish but using materials and products 

with low environmental impact. The guttering also 

provided a long-term solution that would require 

minimal maintenance. 

When Peter Start was looking to build his new 

home, he approached Beech Architects to design 

a suburban home with a hybrid of materials. 

Through the design Beech Architects created a 

dramatic look that would sit harmoniously within 

the rural-urban fringe location. 

As part of the design Beech Architects selected a 

combination of Marley Alutec’s Type A and B 

Evoke fascias systems, along with guttering 

ranges – the Evolve Deepflow, a 128 x 75mm 

aluminium rainwater gutter system that has a 

flow rate of up to 4.9 l/s and 2322m 

per 76mm Flushift downpipe – and 

the Aligator Giant, which has a 

commercial size trapezoidal profile 

which was curved around the front 

entrance stair hall. All elements 

were chosen in Anthracite Grey (RAL 

7016). 

Having worked with Marley Alutec 

on numerous occasions, Beech 

Architects was confident that the 

products would not only provide the 

right look, but also the performance 

needed. 

Marley Alutec’s Evolve Deepflow 

and Aligator Giant guttering is 

manufactured from marine grade aluminium – a 

premium material that is incredibly resistant to 

corrosion, due to a naturally occurring protective 

oxide that forms on the surface. If the layer 

becomes damaged, it will reform 

itself. As a result, it has a 50+ year 

functional life expectancy and 

requires minimal maintenance. 

SSE Homes was appointed to 

construct the property and installed 

the guttering system. 

Steve Everitt, company owner of 

SSE Homes commented on how it 

helped to overcome some of the 

challenges on site. “Due to the 

design, there were no 90 degree 

angles. However, the fact that the 

products were so lightweight 

certainly made it easier to cut and 

position the guttering correctly and 

achieve a neat finish. As always, I was very 

impressed with Marley Alutec. The products were 

of a really high calibre, both in terms of 

workability and finish.” www.marleyalutec.co.uk 

CPD SHINES A LIGHT ON INDUSTRIAL ROOFLIGHTS 

Brett Martin now offers further insight into 

sustainable rooflight features, material choice 

and optimising design with the launch of its 

latest CPD entitled Industrial Rooflights - How 

to Reduce Expense & Risk. 

Aimed at helping to educate main contractors, 

architects, building owners and developers, this new 

CPD explores the factors that influence cost and risk when using 

industrial rooflights on logistics buildings, factories and other 

warehousing. 

It is the second in a series of CPD seminars relevant to the specification 

of rooflights and demonstrates the crucial role of natural light in ensuring 

buildings meet the stringent efficiency targets for today’s built 

environment. 

Presented by Brett Martin’s dedicated specification managers, this new 45- 

minute seminar includes discussions and Q & A. Topics covered include: 

• Sustainability benefits, regulations and futureproofing 

• Material choice & the effect on visual comfort 

• System choice and how this influences speed 

and cost 

• Rooflight safety and non-fragility 

• Optimising rooflight design 

• Technical support & warranties 

This seminar is a follow-up to Brett Martin’s Industrial Rooflights & A 

Low Carbon Future CPD which examines the key performance criteria in 

terms of regulations and carbon reduction targets. 

William McDowell - Business Development Manager at Brett Martin 

Daylight Systems, explained: “As a leading manufacturer of rooflight 

products, we are well placed to help educate architects and specifiers 

about the benefits of industrial rooflights. Our new CPD presentation will 

help these construction professionals gain an even better understanding 

of the factors that influence expense and risk when using industrial 

rooflights.”www.brettmartin.com 


Material Choice 

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE 

Simon Walker, Category Manager - copper and zinc at SIG Zinc & Copper, says 

regulation changes and cost pressures make the choice of metal and, equally 

importantly the choice of substrate, key to the success of a metal cladding and roofing 

solution. Total Contractor finds out more… 

2023 is set to be an interesting and 

almost certainly a challenging year for 

metal roofing and cladding specifiers 

and installers following recent changes to the 

UK safety regulations. Cost pressures too are 

set to impact the choice of metal cladding 

and roofing material. 

One of this year’s biggest 

challenges for contractors and 

specifiers of metal cladding and 

roofing systems will be in 

ensuring compliance with the latest 

changes to the fire regulations and, more 

specifically, to Approved Document B (AD B) 

including the ban on the use of combustible 

materials as part of an external wall construction 

for residential buildings. 

In 2018, Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations 

was amended to explicitly ban the use of 

combustible cladding in the external walls of 

residential buildings with a storey at least 18m 

above ground level. 

The most recent amendments to the Building 

Regulations and AD B were introduced in June 

2022 and came into effect on 1st December 

2022. From this date, the ban on the use of 

combustible cladding has been extended to include 

any building with at least one storey 11m above 

ground level which contains one or more dwellings, 

including student accommodation, care homes, 

sheltered housing, hospitals, and dormitories. 

Impact on substrate choice 

While metal is non-combustible, the changes are 

likely to have a major impact on the choice of 

substrate to which the aluminium, copper or zinc 

Above and left: SIG Zinc & Copper projects. Main pic: 

Church Walk Stoke Newington; Inset: Derby Market Hall. 

cladding is attached. 

For example, on Barchester Street, a 

scheme for 115 new affordable homes in 

Poplar, East London, SIG Design and 

Technology worked with the project team to 

develop a fire compliant solution for the zinc-clad 

facades. The solution, which was based on a 

steel frame system, comprised a cement particle 

backing board, mineral wool insulation, 

aluminium rails supporting trapezoidal steel 

sheeting (in place of plywood), followed by a 

breather membrane covered by the angled zinc 

standing seam cladding. 

As the above example demonstrates, the new 

rules relating to fire make it more important than 

ever for contractors and specifiers to research all 

the materials used in a roofing or cladding 

application to comply with the regulations and, 

critically, that when these materials are combined 

to form the cladding or roofing system, that the 

system as a whole satisfies the requirements of 

the Building Regulations. 

The advantage of working with a major 

construction materials supplier like SIG is that not 

only are we able to supply complete cladding 

solutions, but we have technical and regulation 

experts to support contractors and specifiers to 

develop a compliant solution. 

The secret to success is early engagement 

with SIG. We have design solutions for zinc, 

copper, aluminium and stainless-steel 

systems, and we can demonstrate that all 

products in our proposal are noncombustible. 

What’s more, any such solution 

will be covered by a SIG Zinc & Copper 

system component warranty to provide 

peace of mind – a testament to the quality of 

materials selected as well as to the detail design. 

Price variations 

Alongside regulatory changes, price variations are 

likely to have a big impact on the cost of metal 

cladding or roofing systems. Contractors and 

specifiers are increasingly looking for more costeffective 

metal cladding solutions with similar 

aesthetic and performance qualities. It is a trend 

that has been reflected in an increase in the use 

of aluminium as a substitute for zinc and copper 

cladding and roofing applications. 

SIG can supply PREFA Aluminium cladding. This 

combines the benefits of metals with being 

lightweight, easy to work with, and is available in 

a wide choice of colours – all the characteristics 

you could wish for in a cladding material. Unique 

surface patterns and effects are also possible in 

a wide range of products and forms. Depending on 

the product, SIG Zinc & Copper can offer aluminium 

cladding in 16 shades of colour as standard, while 

special colours can be created on request. 

Contact SIG Zinc & Copper 

0330 123 1820 

www.sigzincandcopper.co.uk 

@SIGDesignTech 


The Complete 

Supply Chain 

MCRMA members provide the 

complete supply chain for 

sustainable metal-clad building 

solutions in the industrial and 

commercial sectors. 

Our members encompass 

• Systems manufacturers 

• Component manufacturers 

• Systems installers 

• Stockholders 

• Independent roofing and 

cladding inspectors 

• Industry support services 

providers 

Visit www.mcrma.co.uk 

to find out more about the MCRMA and its members. 

The ‘MCRMA The Building Envelope Authority’ is a registered Collective Trademark of the Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers Association Limited.

ADVERTORIAL: ROCKWOOL UK 

INSULATION INNOVATION FOR 

MODERN CONSTRUCTION 

Paul Barrett, Head of Product Management at ROCKWOOL UK, introduces the latest in 

non-combustible stone wool insulation. 

For most buildings insulation has 

one main function: regulating 

the temperature on the inside. 

Without appropriate insulation, the 

increased demand to heat or cool 

buildings raises energy consumption, 

associated costs, and CO ² 

emissions. 

In fact, around 20% of greenhouse 

gas emissions in the UK are caused 

by heating buildings. Moreover, the EU 

has calculated that proper insulation 

can reduce a building’s heating needs 

by up to 70%. 

Climate change and the current rise in energy 

bills have put a spotlight on the need for more 

energy efficient residential and commercial 

buildings and made the wider public much more 

aware of the issue. ROCKWOOL research found 

that energy efficiency ratings are key to 76% of 

people when buying or moving home: a figure that 

has likely only escalated given recent energy price 

increases. We are also seeing greater consumer 

awareness of fire performance given its media 

attention, meaning purchasers are demanding 

more from the building fabric of their homes. 

Next generation insulation material 

ROCKWOOL insulation consists of stone wool 

which is made from naturally occurring volcanic 

rock. Stone wool is versatile, sustainable and fire 

resilient, making it ideal for applications in the 

construction industry. 

Keeping in step with the latest developments in 

construction methods, ROCKWOOL has developed 

NyRock technology, a new patented production 

process that delivers the most thermally efficient 

stone wool insulation currently available in the UK 

and Ireland. 

Above: NyRock Frame Slab. Timber frame external wall with 

brick finish insulation between the studs. Right: NyRock 

Rainscreen 032 and Frame Slab - steel wall build up. 

Recently launched NyRock® 

Rainscreen 032 and Frame Slab 032 

are the first in a series of products 

that use NyRock technology. NyRock 

Rainscreen 032 is specifically 

developed for ventilated cladding systems 

and sealed structures such as curtain walling. It 

combines a low thermal conductivity of 0.032 

W/mK and a non-combustible Euroclass A1 rating 

along with independently tested acoustic 

performance and the potential for thinner wall 

constructions. NyRock Rainscreen 032 is BBA 

approved and has a more efficient fibre structure 

than traditional stone wool products, resulting in 

improved thermal properties. Created for 

straightforward installation as well as ongoing 

performance, the product can be easily fitted 

around brackets and other challenging details, 

with slabs designed to ‘knit together’ when tightly 

butted providing a continuous insulating layer 

that reduces thermal bridging. 

For optimum thermal performance in framed 

structures, NyRock Rainscreen Slab 032 should 

be combined with NyRock Frame Slab 032, a 

further new addition to the NyRock range, that is 

purpose designed for fitting between the studwork 

of external timber or light gauge steel 

frame walls. Combined, NyRock 

Rainscreen 032 and Frame Slab 032 

enable U-values to be met with a 

thinner wall construction versus 

standard stone wool solutions. 

Long lasting comfort and safety 

NyRock products, like all ROCKWOOL 

stone wool insulation, are built for 

longevity with independent tests 

showing that it retains the same 

thermal and fire resistance properties 

more than 55 years after 

installation and, because the 

product has a high density semi rigid 

composition, it will not slump over 

time. 

ROCKWOOL insulation is fire resilient by nature 

with no added chemical flame retardants. 

Capable of withstanding temperatures of over 

1000˚C, it works to contain fire and prevent its 

spread. At the same time, it does not contribute to 

the emission of significant quantities of toxic smoke. 

Stone wool insulation, including the new NyRock 

range, meets all the requirements of the latest 

building regulation with regards to the thermal 

performance (the U-value) of buildings, and the 

need to use non-combustible material for all 

components of the external walls of relevant 

buildings over 18 metres high. 

To learn more about NyRock and the latest 

insulation technology visit www.rockwool.com 

Contact ROCKWOOL UK 

www.rockwool.com 

01656 868 400 


125 years of building smart 

around the world. 

Today‘s smart, sustainable building solutions from Ubbink 

are built on a unique heritage. 

Be part of smart. Scan here to see our video. 

PITCHED & FLAT 

ROOF VENTS & 

TERMINALS 

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Ubbink UK Ltd • 01604 433000 • info@ubbink.co.uk • www.ubbink.co.uk

Updates 


METALLINE INVESTS IN TRUMPF PANEL BENDER 

Cannock-based Metalline has invested in a 

fully automated TRUMPF TruBend Center 

7030. The machine, the first panel bender 

on site at Metalline, is providing three times 

the throughput speed of the company’s 

existing press brakes and helping this 

progressive business to continue its 

impressive growth trajectory. 

Metalline has over 30 years’ experience in the 

supply of A1-rated insulated cladding panels to 

the construction sector. The company offers a 

range of A1 and A2-s1, d0 rainscreen cladding 

and spandrel panel systems in accordance with 

EN 13501-1 standards. 

Constructed from A1 non-combustible materials, 

the company’s Ultima aluminium insulated 

spandrel panels and Unity aluminium rainscreen 

cladding systems are available in a range of 

finishes. 

“With an extremely full order book we 

made the decision to invest in the 

rainscreen and recladding side of our 

business,” explained Works Manager 

Stuart Hoult. “Although we have a 

number of press brakes on site that 

can make our products, we did our 

research and calculated that 

investing in a panel bender would replace the 

work of two or three press brakes.” 

Metalline’s fully automated TruBend Center 7030 

panel bender arrived in March 2022 and is now 

busy manufacturing aluminium sheet into 

rainscreen panels and tray panels. Current batch 

sizes are around 400-600. 

“The speed of the TruBend Center 7030 is unreal 

in terms of the amount of work it can produce,” 

stated Mr Hoult. “As a result, we can increase 

productivity through the shop, which leads to 

shorter lead times.” 

Metalline also has a TruPunch 

3000 on site. This machine, which 

Mr Hoult describes as “bulletproof 

and 100% reliable”, feeds work to 

the new panel bender. In addition, 

the company has just placed an 

order for a new TRUMPF TruBend 5170 press 

brake to complement the TruBend Center 7030. 

“Although the TruBend Center 7030 is the best 

machine in the world as far as we’re concerned, 

we sometimes need to process panels beyond 

3m in length,” explained Mr Hoult. “While we 

already had press brakes from TRUMPF 

competitors, ordering the TruBend 5170 will 

provide software commonality, so we can 

switch between the two TRUMPF machines 

without compromising product quality.” 

www.trumpf.com 

FACADE SETS PULSES RACING! 

A facility that trains healthcare professionals 

of the future has become the latest project to 

benefit from cladding panels from Proteus 

Facades. 

The new £15m ‘mock hospital’ at Nottingham Trent 

University’s Clifton Campus will help train 

healthcare professionals in a realistic hospital 

setting. 

Pick Everard architects specified Proteus HR 1.0m 

Coil Pre Anodised Aluminium for the entire external 

element of the new Heath and Allied Professions 

Centre. The cladding panels were supplied in a mix 

of Bronze B40 Satin and Bronze B40 Brushed 

finishes. 

The shade variation across the façade is created by 

the Satin and Brush effects on the base metal 

being applied before the anodising, creating a 

sublime effect that adds interest and visual appeal. 

The subtle bronze hues also embellish the natural 

surroundings of the building, whilst the semi 

reflective Satin finish adds further intrigue – when 

used for the soffits it has the effect of visually 

elongating the large vertically framed glazing 

elements upwards and outwards at night, 

accentuating the futuristic feel of the space. 

Architects at Pick Everard had originally envisaged 

coloured stainless steel, however following 

presentation of a range of budgetary options by 

Proteus, it was decided that an anodised finish 

would offer a similar type of textural change across 

the elevation. At the same time, the coil pre 

anodised aluminium still achieves the life 

expectancy required and with minimal facility 

management requirements. 

As part of the complete façade solution from 

Proteus, the cladding wraps into the soffits on the 

front of the main building using the same panel 

system, with the addition of a flashing cill in 

identical bronze finish. This integrated approach 

extends to the other elevations, including Proteus 

manufactured jamb, head and cills flashings for 

pocket windows in matching coil pre anodised 

aluminium bronze. 

Proteus HR is an integrated, lightweight, high 

strength modular rainscreen cladding system with 

a honeycomb core that offers an optically flat 

panel. It is available in a wide range of materials 

and finishes, including aluminium, zinc, stainless 

steel, copper alloys and various other options. The 

Proteus HR system meets the requirements of 

BS476: Parts 6 and 7, therefore achieving a 

Class 0 rating as classified by building regulations. 

www.proteusfacades.com 


Updates 


SUSTAINABLE GAINS AS BTS GOES CARBON NEUTRAL 

Newton Aycliffe-based manufacturing firm 

BTS Facades and Fabrications has 

announced it has achieved its Carbon 

Neutral Certification. 

BTS, which manufactures façade products for 

clients across the UK, has taken steps towards 

its goal of achieving NetZero by offsetting its 

carbon. 

The certification has been achieved thanks to 

the help of Blue Marble, a planet impact 

management company, who have been working 

with the BTS team to share their expertise over 

the past two months. 

During this period, the manufacturing business 

underwent an intense audit period, where its 

carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions 

were calculated. 

BTS has invested in an equal number of 

Verified Carbon Units, which will offset the 

impact of the carbon it produces, neutralising 

the effect it has on the environment. 

This is a huge step forward, but BTS’ Managing 

Director, Philip Atkinson, acknowledges there is 

still more to be done. 

He said: “We are incredibly proud of what we 

have accomplished so far, but this is just another 

step we’ve made towards achieving NetZero. Our 

next challenge is to work on our scope three 

emissions, which are produced indirectly from 

our business, mostly from our supply chain. This 

means we’re going to have to work closely with 

the people we trade with to ensure they are 

working in a way which aligns with our 

sustainability values, which in turn should help to 

reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

(L-R) David Atkinson: BTS’ Production Director, Philip 

Atkinson: BTS’ MD, Marcia Atkinson: BTS’ Finance 

Director, David Precious: BTS’ Design Director. 

“To support this, we’re working towards our 

first Environmental Product Declaration (EDP), 

which will assess the environmental impact of 

everything we manufacture and will help us 

consider alternative suppliers for sustainable 

materials. We’re hoping to make a start with 

our first EDP in December, where our flagship 

Vantage SF rainscreen system’s environmental 

impact will be assessed.” 

www.btsfabrications.co.uk/sustainability/ 

BIOTECTURE LIVING HOARDINGS TRANSFORM SITE 

Biotecture has designed and installed a green 

hoarding for repeat client Mace on the 

construction hoarding of the new Stonecutter 

Court development in London. 

Stonecutter Court, close to Fleet Street and 

Farringdon, is being re-developed into a flexible, 

user experience-driven office building. 

The new development, designed by Architect, TP 

Bennett, has strong sustainability credentials and 

is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating and WELL 

Gold standard upon completion. 

International construction and consultancy 

company, Mace, was appointed to develop the 

project. As sustainability is one of the biggest 

drivers of the new development, greening the 

construction hoarding was important for both the 

end client and the contractor. 

Mace had already used the Biotecture PlantBox 

living hoarding at nearby Farringdon Road and so 

understood the benefits it can bring to a 

construction project. 

As well as showcasing the client 

and contractor’s green credentials, 

the living hoarding will improve the 

appearance of the construction, and 

help improve air quality thanks to 

the removal of dust, dangerous 

particulates and harmful pollutants 

from the air by the plants. This creates a 

healthier environment for those working on site 

as well as those living and working in the 

surrounding area. 

PlantBox living hoardings offer a far more 

sustainable choice than signage, artificial plastic 

greenery, or photographic panels of foliage, whilst 

avoiding issues with graffiti. 

The principal requirement on this project was that 

the living hoarding had to be deployed in a 

relatively short timeframe to avoid disruption to 

those living, working and commuting in this busy 

part of London. 

The PlantBox system is quick and 

easy to deploy principally because it is 

a free-standing system with no 

structural load on the hoardings. It 

only requires restraint fixings to the 

hoarding. 

Another criterion was that the living 

hoarding had to be easy to maintain and 

continue to look its best for the duration of this 

18 month project. The 2.4m standard height 

PlantBox system is fitted with a Hozelock 

connected irrigation system that allows the site 

team to easily carry our manual watering. 

As the system is modular, on completion of the 

project, the PlantBox living hoarding can be 

simply moved to the next development or gifted 

to the local community as part of your CSR 

outreach, depending on the client preferences. 

www.biotecture.uk.com 


Knauf Insulation Tech Talk 

TOP TIPS FOR INSULATING 

A WARM FLAT ROOF 

Warm flat roofs are used on many non-domestic properties. So, in his latest column, 

Bradley Hirst, Technical Services Manager at Knauf Insulation, explains what you need 

to know about insulating in this application. 

Choose a product designed for warm flat 

roofs 

Insulation is installed above the deck, so it 

may be walked on when the membrane is 

being fitted or for ongoing maintenance. For 

this reason, Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk Flat Roof 

Slab is manufactured with Krimpact Technology to 

give it enhanced compressive strength. 

Consider thermal, fire safety and acoustic 

performance 

The roof build-up must comply with the minimum 

energy efficiency standards outlined in 

Approved Document L. If the architect’s 

plan doesn’t list a product or U- 

value or you wish to change the 

product specified, take advice 

before you start construction. Most 

insulation manufacturers’ technical 

teams can advise you on product 

choice. 

Fire safety is particularly important 

when using the torch-on 

installation method as it can 

expose insulation to flames. But it 

should also be considered for all types of buildups 

and buildings. To minimise risk, always choose 

non-combustible mineral wool insulation with the 

best possible A1 or A2 s1,d0 Euroclass reaction to 

fire classification, so it will not contribute to the 

development of a fire or its spread. 

Local authorities may also stipulate an acoustic 

requirement. Unlike rigid boards, Mineral wool 

has acoustic properties so can help reduce noise 

from traffic, neighbouring properties, or the 

drumming effect of rainfall. 

Control moisture 

On a warm roof, an effective vapour 

control layer must be installed 

between the deck and the 

insulation. This will prevent warm 

vapour from rising through the 

construction and condensating on the 

underside of the waterproofing where it 

could cause damage to the structure or 

fixings. A waterproof layer must also 

be installed above to make the 

roof watertight, and protect the 

insulation and construction below. 

Best practice for installation 

It’s important to ensure there are no air gaps 

between the slabs, which compromise thermal, 

fire safety and acoustic performance. Mineral 

wool is easier to install correctly than other 

insulants such as rigid boards because it knits 

together at joints. But if you are double layering 

the insulation, remember to stagger the slabs so 

the joints are offset. 

On profiled metal decks, place the end of the slab 

on the crown of the profile to ensure maximum 

support for the insulation. 

To mechanically fix the roof build-up, use tube 

washers, which allow for movement and reduce 

thermal bridging. 

Images – top: Knauf Insulation Warm Flat Roof Mechanically 

Fixed Single Ply; middle: Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk Flat 

Roof Slab is manufactured with Krimpact Technology to give 

it enhanced compressive strength; below: On a warm flat 

roof insulation is installed above the deck so it may be 

walked on when the membrane is being fitted or for ongoing 

maintenance. 

Contact Knauf Insulation 

www.knaufinsulation.co.uk 

@KnaufUK 


A2 

Insulation 

solutions 

for flat roofs 

Recticel Insulation is an experienced flat 

roofing partner, providing innovative and 

reliable insulation solutions for flat roof 

applications. 

Discover the ideal solution for your flat roof 

project at recticelinsulation.co.uk

Cover Story: ROCKWOOL UK 

ROOF INSULATION – SECURING THE 

FIFTH FACADE 

Lisa Stephens, Product Manager for the Building Envelope at ROCKWOOL UK, explains 

how to specify insulation for flat roofs to meet modern design, comfort and safety 

requirements. 

No building is complete 

without a roof. But the role 

that roof spaces and 

structures are playing, for new as 

well as refurbished buildings, has 

been changing over the last 

decades. Depending on the 

function and the location of the 

building, roof gardens and terraces 

can add valuable outdoor space for 

socialising in inner cities, while 

green roofs and solar panels 

can improve the environmental 

footprint of buildings. In modern architecture, the 

roof is increasingly considered to be the fifth 

façade – worthy of the same design attention as 

the four wall façades. 

Beyond the use of the roof space, the roof 

construction is vital to the thermal efficiency of 

the building envelope. Traditionally, a flat roof 

would have been a ‘cold’ construction, with a 

nominal amount of insulation beneath the 

substrate or deck. Approved Document L of the 

Building Regulations puts a focus on the thermal 

performance of buildings and the role of 

insulation in lowering U-values. In this context, 

the function of the roof has evolved far beyond 

delivering a watertight structure. It needs to be 

treated as part of the entire envelope to make 

sure the whole building meets the modern 

regulation requirements. 

Be aware of the risks 

Today, the most widely used type of flat roof is a 

warm roof construction where the principal 

thermal insulation layer is located above the 

structural decking, resulting in the structural deck 

Top: School roof with installation with FireStop and acoustic 

infills – credit Rockwool UK Tim Bishop photography. 

Above: Flat Roof insulation illustration – credit Rockwool. 

and support structure being at a temperature 

close to that of the interior of the building. 

Improving the thermal performance of roof 

structures has resulted in a 25% increase in the 

thickness of roof insulation over the last 25 years. 

All flat roofs carry a fire risk, but the use of 

combustible insulation material can vastly 

increase the risk. 

Flat roofs are subject to rapidly evolving risks 

including hot work, which is responsible for 20% 

of construction site fires and 15% of all fires in 

commercial and industrial properties. Hot work 

can pose a fire risk to flat roofs during 

construction, maintenance or 

refurbishment, with common 

processes identified by the Health 

and Safety Executive as posing a 

significant risk to roofs. Flat roofs 

also often house mechanical and 

electrical equipment bringing with 

them the possibility of roof fires 

caused by their failure. 

Moreover, as with external walls, 

there is the risk of fire spreading to 

the roof from elsewhere inside the 

building. But unless it performs the 

role of a floor, or features an escape route, a flat 

roof does not count as an “element of structure” 

and Approved Document B does not provide 

guidance on appropriate, minimum levels of fire 

resistance from the underside. 

The safety of non-combustible materials 

While a recent change to Approved Document B 

has banned the use of combustible materials in 

the external walls of relevant buildings over 18m, 

this ban only partially extends beyond walls and 

associated attachments to upstands, balconies 

and roof terraces – leaving the majority of warm 

roofs open to a greater fire risk than the walls. 

Beyond applications impacted by the combustible 

ban, Approved Document B places a restriction 

on the combustibility of materials that can be 

carried over the roof deck in areas 1,500mm 

either side of a compartment wall. Where this 

restriction applies, insulation should be Euroclass 

A2-s3,d2 or better. 

However, non-combustible insulation, like stone 

wool, is increasingly used across the entire roof 


“Flat roofs also often house mechanical and electrical equipment bringing with them the possibility of roof fires caused by their failure”. HVAC equipment on a roof – credit Shutterstock. 

area of buildings, removing any need to design, 

specify and install individual zones of noncombustible 

insulation at compartment wall 

locations. The use of non-combustible rather than 

combustible insulation reduces the fuel load 

available to a fire and avoids the complication of 

potentially having to use different insulation 

materials across multiple zones on the same roof. 

As non-combustible materials do not contribute 

to the spread of fire, the installation of noncombustible 

insulation in a flat roof build-up can 

be considered best practice. Installing noncombustible 

insulation across a flat roof matches 

the established principle of using noncombustible 

materials in the most safety-critical 

elements of building construction – and brings 

the roof in line with the approach mandated for 

external walls covered by the combustible 

cladding ban. 

Adding comfort with acoustic protection 

Not only does the roof protect the building and its 

inhabitants from the weather and form a thermal 

barrier, it also helps to prevent noise 

transmission. 

Noise pollution is identified as a top 

environmental risk in growing cities all over the 

world in a recent report by the United Nations 

Environment Programme (UNEP). The report also 

states that solutions do exist and that they must be 

included in modern city planning. While there is no 

such thing as complete silence, unwanted sounds 

are considered noise, which is known to have a 

negative impact on human health and well-being. 

Potentially harmful noise in an urban setting can 

come from a large number of sources. The noise 

most often mentioned in built-up areas is generated 

by different types of traffic on the road, on railways, 

or in the air. Other sources of noise include 

commercial and industrial facilities or construction. 

Planning permissions for new buildings have a 

noise element in most cases, which, if justified, 

can even override other planning concerns. While 

it is impossible to cut out all environmental noise, 

the right kind of measures can certainly reduce 

levels so that they are less annoying and 

definitely not harmful. 

If cutting noise emissions down to more 

acceptable levels is not an option, professionally 

installed insulation will help. Depending on the 

material used, insulation can reduce the amount 

of sound that is transferred through walls, 

ceilings and floors. 

Stone wool is a very effective insulation material 

against noise. The fibres in stone wool are 

randomly orientated, and as sound waves try to 

pass through the air trapped within the fibrous 

structure, they get absorbed by friction as the 

individual fibres are made to move back and 

forth. In addition, the random orientation of the 

fibres gives rise to high tortuosity, which makes it 

very difficult for sound to find a path from one 

side to the other. 

Protection for the long term 

A carefully designed and professionally installed 

roof can protect a building for decades, if not 

centuries. Stone wool is a versatile natural 

material with multiple benefits such as being 

inherently circular and fire resilient that makes it 

ideal for roof applications. Being made from 

volcanic rock, the material doesn’t deteriorate 

over time, neither does its thermal efficiency, 

staying fully functional for the lifetime of any roof. 

Contact ROCKWOOL UK 

01656 868 400 

www.rockwool.com 

@ROCKWOOLUK 


Insulation Updates 


AIM EXPANDS UPSTAND OFFERING 

AIM has expanded its range of thermal 

upstand boards for flat roof applications. The 

insulation specialist has published a new 

datasheet containing the latest test data for 

the comprehensive range of upstand boards, 

which are available in both standard and 

bespoke sizes and are compatible with most 

flat roof systems. 

The primary function of AIM’s insulated upstand 

boards is to prevent cold bridging the parapet 

upstand to the internal envelope of the building. 

AIM manufactures the boards from a variety of 

insulation materials, including the leading brands 

of extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam and Stone 

Wool, which are bonded to AIM’s external grade, 

high impact, highly weather resistant, fibre 

cement facing board. 

The range of insulation substrates provides a 

choice of thermal performances, generally 

between 0.030 to 0.040 W/mK, to meet the 

requirements of most projects and the facing 

board has a thermal resistance of 0.30 W/mK. 

The boards do not require finishing or sealing 

once installed but can be easily finished with a 

variety of paints if an aesthetic finish is required. 

In addition to standard sizes, pre-cut boards come 

in a wide range of sizes to suit specific parapet 

heights. AIM manufactures custom dimension 

products and has the capacity to manufacture 

boards up to 2400 x 1200mm in different 

thicknesses to suit the project. Boards can be 

supplied pre-cut to height to avoid cutting on site. 

For buildings over 11 metres in height, AIM has a 

new limited-combustibility upstand board option 

backed with Stone Wool insulation, which 

achieves Euroclass A2-s1,d0. 

“With AIM’s comprehensive, expanded upstand 

product range and flexible service, we can meet 

the specifications of most architects and system 

Above: AIM Upstand Board to an inverted roof application. 

AIM’s Technical & Development team is available to provide 

customers with expert support covering specification, 

development, manufacture and installation. 

holders,” explained Ian Exall, AIM’s Commercial 

Director. 

Installation is straightforward. The boards should 

be cut to size using a TCT saw – a FFP3 face 

mask is advised along with PPE abrasion 

resistant gloves and PPE impact resistant 

goggles. AIM recommends a pan head fixing for 

the substrate or similar approved. 

You can download AIM’s Upstand Board data 

sheet, including fixing instructions, at: 

www.aimlimited.co.uk/Upstands 

STO MAKES A DIFFERENCE AT STEWARTLAND PROJECT 

A new Scottish residential development with a strong 

emphasis on offsite construction and energy-efficiency 

has highlighted the suitability of Sto’s external render 

systems for use with modern structural insulated 

panels (SIPS). The company’s StoRend Flex external 

render system, which utilizes the StoVentec carrier 

board, has been installed onto SIPS to create the new 

detached and semi-detached properties built at 

Robertland Gardens in Stewartland, North Ayrshire. 

The Sto products were specified by project developer SIPS Industries. “We 

have used Sto solutions many, many times and we know that for SIPS 

panels, Sto can provide a thoroughly tried and tested system,” 

commented spokesman Pat Hynds. “It is an ideal way to provide 

maximum crack resistance, adhesion, weatherproofing and fade 

resistance to the facades, and the Sto solution allows us to ‘fit and forget’ 

because we know it will perform efficiently and reliably.” 

The Sto materials at Robertland Gardens 

in Stewartland, North Ayrshire, were 

installed by Grattan and Hynds of Fife. 

made from 96% recycled expanded glass granulate, they 

align closely to the eco-friendly nature of the Robertland 

Gardens development. They are also reinforced with 

StoArmat Classic Plus and Sto glass-fibre mesh to 

provide outstanding impact resistance, and they 

complement the inherently strong and stable nature of 

the SIPS panels as they can often be installed without the 

need for movement joints. This allowed them to provide 

the stippled exterior surfaces which greatly enhance the striking 

appearance of the new Robertland Gardens properties. 

StoSilco resin render was applied as the finishing coat to create a lightly 

stippled, attractive, through-coloured and long-lasting finish which is both 

vapour-permeable and extremely weather resistant. It is extremely durable 

and exceptionally flexible, enabling it to avoid the cracking which can occur 

with traditional cementitious renders. Being through-coloured it will not 

fade, which reduces future maintenance and re-painting requirements. 

The SIPS panels are constructed from two layers of oriented strand board 

which enclose a layer of insulation. The StoVentec carrier boards provide 

the perfect finishing surface for the panels, not least because, being 

This white stippled render used on the Robertland Gardens properties 

contrasts with the dark grey StoFlexyl used to encapsulate the insulation 

below the damp-proof course. www.sto.com 


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Safety Articleat Height 

TOP TIPS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHT 

SAFELY THIS WINTER 

Falls from height still remain the leading cause of workplace accidents, with an estimated 

30,000 non-fatal injuries occurring each year, and, as you would probably expect, the 

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports more falls and slips in the winter months than 

it does in the summer. Kris Hallee, Head of Product Development at WernerCo, shares his 

top tips on what can be done to minimise the risk of injury this winter. 

Be prepared 

Throughout the winter months, harsh 

weather elements and low lighting 

conditions pose an additional health and 

safety threat and can increase the risk of injury. 

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) 

state that employers and those in control of any 

work at height activity must make sure work is 

properly planned, supervised and carried out by 

competent people. This includes using the right 

type of equipment for working at height. 

Employees and those in control must first assess 

the risks involved with any project. When the 

colder weather can affect both the functionality of 

equipment and the safety of working conditions, 

regular safety checks should be stepped up in the 

winter months. 

Falls from height could come from hazards such 

as water leaks that could turn into ice; wet, 

decaying leaves; slippery wet or icy surfaces; 

waterlogged or slippery ground which could 

destabilise access equipment; and windy, wet or 

snowy weather which could affect safe working 

conditions, and subsequently the worker’s ability 

to carry out jobs safely. 

In addition, regular checks on equipment and 

structures must be undertaken to look for any 

problems that may be caused by low 

temperatures. It remains imperative to be 

aware of what defaults to check for, and what 

steps should be taken if a problem should 

arise. 

Signs to look out for include any rust or corrosion, 

“On top of regular risk assessments, ladders and 

other working at height equipment should also 

be checked prior to every use – this will ensure 

that equipment is safe to use throughout the 

colder weather” 

damaged stiles on ladders, any frozen, damaged, 

loose or missing components such as screws and 

fixing bolts – if your equipment shows any signs 

of damage then it should not be used and the 

health and safety manager should be made 

aware. 

On top of regular risk assessments, ladders and 

other working at height equipment should also be 

checked prior to every use – this will ensure that 

equipment is safe to use throughout the colder 

weather. 

Stay in control 

Once a risk assessment has been undertaken, 

users should ensure that the appropriate 

measures are implemented to enable safe 

working. 

If it is too dark on site to be able to clearly identify 

hazards, visibility will need to be improved by 

adding more lighting to the area. While snow is 

clearly visible, ice and wet surfaces may not be. 

Depending on the job, utilise slip-free solutions 



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01_GS0421 1 16/04/2021 17:07 

From the publishers of

Safety at Height 


“While snow is clearly 

visible, ice and wet 

surfaces may not be” 

such as grates and non-slip surfaces to establish 

safe working spaces and pathways to minimise 

the risk of accidents. In addition, depending on the 

job, extra precautions should always be taken to 

maintain maximum safety when working at height. 

Working at height equipment may become 

damaged from repeated freezing and thawing, 

which can cause it to weaken – with this in mind 

it is vital to keep PPE protected. Where possible, 

it is always good to store equipment inside or 

under cover when not in use to minimise this risk. 

Remove as much ice as possible if it freezes over, 

and avoid drying it with a heater. Regular checks 

of the structures and equipment being used 

should also be implemented after any changes to 

the weather, particularly if an access tower or 

scaffolding is being used. 

“Adopting the ‘3 layer’ 

garment principle is an 

effective way to remain 

warm and dry” 

Staying warm and safe 

Wearing the correct clothing is paramount for safe 

working throughout the colder months. As a first 

defense against inclement weather, additional 

winter layers must be utilised to keep warm and 

dry, while at the same time still allow free 

movement and not impair the efficiency of PPE. 

Added winds can contribute to freezing 

temperatures, which often make working from 

height much colder than on the ground. Adopting 

the ‘3 layer’ garment principle is an effective way 

to remain warm and dry. A base layer should be 

moisture-wicking and transport sweat away from 

the skin, while a mid layer of a thick jumper or 

fleece will insulate heat to keep warm; and a 

third outer layer of a waterproof coat shields from 

the wind and rain. 

Additionally, it is important to wear clothing that 

protects extremities, such as ears, face, hands 

and feet, ensuring that appropriate hats, face 

coverings, gloves and boots are suitable for the 

conditions, as well as complying with any 

regulations and rules. It is essential that any 

additional clothing such as these does not impact 

visibility, grip, hearing or movement, or impair the 

fit of other protective clothing worn while on a job, 

which could result in accidents occurring. 

As an extra safety measure, consideration should 

be given to wearing a reflective outer layer which 

will ensure users remain clearly visible in lowlight 

conditions. 

“The weather should 

always be reviewed 

ahead of starting a 

project and monitored 

closely in case it 

worsens” 

Be flexible 

As winter weather can be unpredictable, it’s 

essential to be both prepared and flexible to work 

around adverse conditions. 

The weather should always be reviewed ahead of 

starting a project and monitored closely in case it 

worsens. If it shows signs of posing a threat to the 

health and safety of workers, the job should be 

postponed and restarted when it is safe to do so. 

Where possible, limit time spent outdoors and 

schedule certain tasks for certain hours of the 

day where there is better lighting and to avoid any 

potential wind, rain or snow. 

Working outside in cold weather requires more 

energy than working in warmer conditions, 

meaning workers are more likely to tire quicker 

than usual, which could affect concentration and 

pose a risk to slips and falls. Introduce more 

frequent breaks and allow extra time to rest, 

warm up and change into dry clothing if needed, 

and where possible, ensure jobs are rotated 

between workers. 

Top up your training 

Having the correct training is vital for ensuring 

workers understand not only how to use the right 

working at height equipment correctly and safely, 

but also what health and safety procedures are in 

place and how to work according to these. 

Users should know what risks there may be on a 

project, how to look out for them and how to act 

in the event of an accident or incident. It is 

recommended that a training refresh is 

undertaken at least every six months, so doing 

this ahead of the winter months will ensure that 

workers can carry out work safely and limit the 

risk of serious injury if a fall should occur. 

Cold weather can have adverse effects on the 

body, which not only increases the risk of 

accidents, but also causes conditions such as 

cold stress, frostbite and hypothermia. All workers 

on site should be trained to spot the symptoms of 

these conditions in both themselves and others, 

which can include shivering, confusion, loss of 

coordination and slurred speech. 

Working from height regularly involves working 

outdoors, regardless of the weather conditions, 

which can increase the chance of accidents 

occurring. However, with additional safety 

measures in place and adequate training for all 

users of working at height equipment, proactive 

steps can be taken to maintaining a safe 

working practice and hopefully help to reduce 

the number of accidents and fatalities reported 

each year. 

Stepping up to Safety 

As part of its bid to help increase safety when 

people are working at height, Werner has 

launched its Stepping up to Safety campaign to 

help professionals stay safe when working at 

height with top tips, dos and don’ts and safety 

advice for all. 

Contact Werner UK 

www.wernerco.com/uk/ladder-safety 

www.wernerco.com/uk/training 

@WernerLadderUK 


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• Architects & specifiers 

For more information 

or your free demo, call 

01934 808 293 

Visit: www.insightdata.co.uk

Updates 


MID-LAYERS MEET ALL DEMANDS 

Snickers Workwear’s innovative and 

sustainable Mid-layer clothing has 

excellent breathability for efficient 

body-temperature management when 

you’re working hard. 

The body-mapping designs and 

sustainable fabrics keep you ventilated 

as the heat from your body is regulated 

to give you winter warmth and cooling 

comfort when you need it. 

The new autumn-winter styles include 

the FlexiWork High-Vis Hoodie which is 

stretchy, versatile and made from a 2- 

layer mesh fabric and recycled polyester 

fibres. This Class 1 Hoodie comes with glow-inthe-dark 

flashes and plenty of features to deliver 

comfort and functionality. 

Snickers Workwear says you can use the 

FlexiWork Jacket underneath an outer layer on 

cold days or on its own in milder conditions. It’s 

made from a functional fabric with a high 

content of recycled polyester fibres and an 

ergonomic design for plenty of freedom of 

movement. 

For comfortable freedom of movement on 

chilly workdays, the FlexiWork Fleece 

Hoodie is ideal. The recycled polyester 

fleece fabric offers great insulation while 

long cuffs with thumb grip provide extra 

protection against cold air. 

All Snickers Workwear Mid-layer 

Jackets, Fleeces, Sweatshirts and 

Knitwear come in a range of styles and 

High-visibility options for different 

working environments and weather 

conditions. 

So to make sure you get the right 

protection, visibility, flexibility, durability 

and ventilation, you should check out all 

the layered Climate Control garments from 

Snickers Workwear that work together to suit 

your workday. 

www.snickersworkwear.co.uk 

MAKITA ENSURES THE HEAT IS ON WHEN YOU NEED IT! 

Makita has released its latest heated jacket, helping to protect wearers against the elements. Powered by the reliable 18V LXT 

battery, this new warm and stylish jacket is a must-have for cold, harsh jobsite environments, or for outdoor leisure in the 

cold winter months. 

The latest DCJ205 heated jacket is here to offer maximum comfort and durability. Thanks to the five heating zones, users 

benefit from continuous warmth in the chest and back areas whilst also having control over the three heat level settings. 

The powerful 18V LXT battery offers even longer continuous runtimes, with a fully charged battery lasting seven hours on the highest setting, 11 hours 

on medium, and 29 hours on low (when powered by the BL1850B 5.0Ah battery). Customers can use existing batteries or purchase one with the 

DCJ205 as a kit. 

The jacket’s olive coloured, polyester outer lining makes it waterproof and windproof, whilst the inner fleece lining helps keep the 

user warm and comfortable even with the power off. Additionally, it is fully washable and dryable, so cleaning is easy and hasslefree 

without damaging its heating capabilities. 

It is also equipped with a two-way zip, offering more flexibility when wearing a tool belt, as well as six pockets. And last but 

not least, this lightweight product is available in a range of sizes, catering to sizes M to 2XL. 

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita, said: “We are very excited to be releasing our new LXT heated jacket. We understand 

the harsh conditions that our customers are faced with during the colder months, and have designed this product with comfort, 

durability and style in mind. Even without the aid of our LXT battery, this jacket is an excellent product that will prove invaluable 

both on site but also in other outdoors environments.” 

www.makitauk.com 


PURPLEXED 

ABOUT YOUR 

MARKETING? 

In a world where marketing and customer behaviour is constantly 

changing, you could be forgiven for being in a state of confusion 

when it comes to your own marketing. 

As a fully integrated marketing agency, Purplex is powered to 

alleviate this stress and help ambitious companies like yours build 

their reputation, business, and future. 

With more than 35 years industry experience our specialist teams 

build campaigns that cut-through the noise and create integrated, 

consistent, and clear messages across all platforms to build brand 

awareness and drive your business to greater heights. 

SPEAK TO THE EXPERTS IN: 

MARKETING 

CONSULTANCY 

PR & MEDIA 

RELATIONS 

VIDEO PRODUCTION 

& EDITING 

BRANDING & 

CREATIVE 

WEB & E-COMMERCE 

DESIGN 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

MARKETING 

SEARCH ENGINE 

OPTIMISATION 

PAY-PER 

CLICK 

IF YOU’RE PURPLEXED ABOUT YOUR MARKETING, SPEAK TO THE EXPERTS 

T: 020 3137 9319 

E: grow@purplexmarketing.com | W: www.purplexmarketing.com 

HQ: 200 Worle Park Way, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 6WA

Updates 


A PERFECT PLATFORM 

FOR SUCCESS 

Werner has launched its new Adjustable 

Height & Linking Pro Platform. 

This unique, lightweight and versatile aluminium 

platform offers users the unbeatable benefit of 

both height adjustability and working length 

extension – a win-win solution. 

Thanks to its unique design consisting of both 

adjustable legs and Quick Link technology, the 

Werner Adjustable Height & Linking Pro Platform 

provides a working height of up to 0.76m via 10 

height adjustments. This allows users to reach 

up to 2.7m; and the ability to connect two or 

more platforms for a longer working surface, with 

no tools required. 

The extra-large 1.17m x 0.36m platform provides 

a broad standing space which allows the user 

plenty of room to manoeuvre safely while 

working, and thanks to the linking element, there 

is the ability to double, triple or even quadruple 

the working space. Featuring wide feet, which 

offer stability without the need for manual 

adjustment, the height adjustability and nonmarring 

plastic bumpers allow for the platform to 

be used on uneven ground and stairs, without 

damaging finished surfaces. 

Kris Hallee, Head of Product Development at 

Werner, said: “Ongoing innovation, and ensuring 

that our products are continuously designed to be 

safer and easier to use is our number one goal; 

and we believe we have achieved exactly that 

with the Adjustable Height & Linking Pro 

Platform. 

“In combining the benefits of both an adjustable 

and a linking platform, we have designed our 

most innovative and versatile platform yet – 

which will allow users to meet the various 

requirements of a wide variety of jobs using this 

compact, lightweight product. It is the ideal 

product for tradesmen on the move and may be 

the only type of platform they ever need.” 

www.wernerco.co.uk 

SCREWFIX TO FUND TRAINING FOR APPRENTICES 

Screwfix, the omnichannel retailer, has 

launched a brand-new scheme which it says 

will fund the training of construction trade 

apprentices, in a bid to help tackle the skills 

shortage and encourage more people into 

the trade. 

Screwfix says it undertook extensive research 

among both apprentices and tradespeople, 

which revealed the costs associated with an 

apprenticeship are a significant barrier 

preventing many from becoming an apprentice 

or hiring one. Following this insight, Screwfix 

has developed a scheme to provide the muchneeded 

financial support. 

In a first for Screwfix, the company says it will 

cover the cost of the training for apprentices 

looking to start a career in the trade, working in 

partnership with Flexi-job Apprenticeship 

Agency, TrAC. TrAC will match individuals with 

an employer, from plumbing and electrical 

apprentices, through to landscaping, 

painting/decorating and other skilled 

trade professions. Throughout the 

apprenticeship, both the apprentice 

and employer will receive on-going 

support and guidance, alongside 

receiving financial support from 

Screwfix. 

Jack Wallace, Marketing Director, Screwfix, 

said: “The skills shortage in construction is 

well documented, and as a national trade 

retailer, we want to champion careers in the 

trade as we proudly showcase our nation’s 

skilled trade professionals and the benefits of a 

career in the construction industry. 

“We recognise the industry needs more 

apprentices, so to understand more about the 

specific challenges facing apprentices and 

tradespeople seeking to hire one, we listened to 

what they had to say and how we can support. 

This scheme is an initial step in helping 

tradespeople to take on an apprentice, and 

apprentices to start a career in the 

trade by overcoming one of the 

biggest challenges they both say 

they face – the cost of training. 

“We’re delighted to launch our pilot 

scheme and we hope to encourage 

and support many more individuals into the 

trade industry.” 

Madeline Buxton, Business and Finance Manager 

from TrAC, said: “TrAC is delighted to partner with 

Screwfix to deliver this exciting service which 

helps local contractors to support an apprentice.” 

Screwfix says the pilot scheme will initially be 

available to apprentices in Northampton, 

Bedford, and surrounding areas, with the aim 

to roll this out across the UK in 2023. To find 

out more on how Screwfix can support you to 

kickstart your career in the trade, or hire an 

apprentice, visit: www.tracweb.co.uk/ and 

reference ‘Screwfix’. 

www.screwfix.com/stores 


GENERATORS 

FROM HEADER ONLY 

£ 

239 .00 EXC.VAT 

£286.80 inc.VAT 

65 SUPERSTORES 

NATIONWIDE 

HYUNDAI DIESEL 

GENERATORS UP TO 125KVA 

PG3800A 

Model KVA HP Volts exc.VAT inc.VAT 

PG2500A 2.2 5.6 230 £239.00 £286.80 Honda 

PG3800A 3 5.6 230 £299.00 £358.80 engine Britain's 

models 

Tools & 

PG3800ADV 3 5.6 230/110 £329.00 £394.80 

PG6500ADVES* 5.5 9.7 230/110 £579.00 £694.80 available 

* with wheels 

Machinery Specialist! 

AVAILABLE IN 

DIESEL/PARAFFIN 

ELECTRIC 

ABRASIVE 

230 

& 

HEATERS 

FROM ONLY 

HEATERS 

CUT-OFF 

£ 

DEVIL 

110 

DOUBLE 

7003 

SAWS 

VOLT 

229 .00 EXC.VAT 

DOUBLE £274.80 FOOTER inc.VAT 

DEVIL 

2850 

PETROL DUMPER 

ALSO 

Ideal for fast 

efficient 

heating 

Extra-long 

run fuel tanks 

– up to 53 litres 

Variable heat output 

with thermostat control 

XR80 

model MAX output exc.VAT inc.VAT 

XR60 14.7kW £229.00 £274.80 

XR80 20.5kW £279.00 £334.80 

XR110 29.3kW £329.00 £394.80 

XR160 46.9kW £419.00 £502.80 

XR210 61.5kW £479.00 £574.80 

Offering low cost, 

efficient heating 

DUAL 

VOLTAGE 

230& 

110 

VOLT 

IN STOCK FROM 

£226.80 inc.VAT 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

89 DOUBLE 

.98 EXC.VAT 

£107.98 FOOTER inc.VAT 

PVP11A 

*Pumps solids 

up to 30mm 

dia. #Clean/ 

dirty water 

(solids up 

to 5mm 

dia.) 

†Sewage 

cutter pump 

V 

VISIT YOUR LOCAL SUPERSTORE 

BARNSLEY Pontefract Rd, Barnsley, S71 1EZ 01226 732297 

B’HAM GREAT BARR 4 Birmingham Rd. 0121 358 7977 

B’HAM HAY MILLS 1152 Coventry Rd, Hay Mills 0121 7713433 

BOLTON 1 Thynne St. BL3 6BD 01204 365799 

BRADFORD 105-107 Manningham Lane. BD1 3BN 01274 390962 

BRIGHTON 123 Lewes Rd, BN2 3QB 01273 915999 

BRISTOL 1-3 Church Rd, Lawrence Hill. BS5 9JJ 0117 935 1060 

BURTON UPON TRENT 12a Lichfield St. DE14 3QZ 01283 564 708 

CAMBRIDGE 181-183 Histon Road, Cambridge. CB4 3HL 01223 322675 

CARDIFF 44-46 City Rd. CF24 3DN 029 2046 5424 

CARLISLE 85 London Rd. CA1 2LG 01228 591666 

CHELTENHAM 84 Fairview Road. GL52 2EH 01242 514 402 

CHESTER 43-45 St. James Street. CH1 3EY 01244 311258 

COLCHESTER 4 North Station Rd. CO1 1RE 01206 762831 

COVENTRY Bishop St. CV1 1HT 024 7622 4227 

CROYDON 423-427 Brighton Rd, Sth Croydon 020 8763 0640 

DARLINGTON 214 Northgate. DL1 1RB 01325 380 841 

DEAL (KENT) 182-186 High St. CT14 6BQ 01304 373 434 

DERBY Derwent St. DE1 2ED 01332 290 931 

DONCASTER Wheatley Hall Road 01302 245 999 

DUNDEE 24-26 Trades Lane. DD1 3ET 01382 225 140 

EDINBURGH 163-171 Piersfi eld Terrace 0131 659 5919 

32985 

£ FROM ONLY 

409 DOUBLE 

.00 EXC.VAT 


3400W 

TURBO FAN GAS 

HEATERS 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

94 DOUBLE 

.99 EXC.VAT 


INVERTER 

GENERATORS 

£ FROM ONLY 

249 DOUBLE 

.00 EXC.VAT 


IG1700F 

1700W 

IG3500AF 

Model 

Max 

Output Sockets Weight 

kg 

exc. 

VAT 

inc. 

VAT 

IG1700F 1700W 2 22 £249.00 £298.80 

IG3500AF 3400W 2 35 £409.00 £490.80 

HEAVY DUTY 

CAT117 

SUB PUMPS 

IN STOCK 

110 

VOLT 

PROPANE 

GAS FIRED 

MODEL 

MAX 

OUTPUT kW exc.VAT inc.VAT 

Little Devil II 10.3 £94.99 £113.99 

Devil 700 14.6 £116.99 £140.39 

Devil 900 24.9 £159.98 £191.98 

Devil 1600 36.6 £189.98 £227.98 

Devil 2100 49.8 £269.00 £322.80 

Devil 4000 117.2 £479.00 £574.80 

HSEC650A 

Max 

Head exc.VAT inc.VAT 

Max Flow 

Model LPM 

PVP11A* 258 11.0m £89.98 £107.98 

HSE130A# 140 7.0m £119.98 £143.98 

HSE650A† 290 9.5m £249.00 £298.80 

HSE1400A† 430 13m £389.00 £466.80 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

43 DOUBLE 

EXC.VAT 


MODEL VOLTAGE 

HEAT 

OUTPUT 

exc. 

VAT 

inc. 

VAT 

DEVIL 2850 230V 2.8kW £43.99 £52.79 

DEVIL 7003 230V 3kW £76.99 £92.39 

DEVIL 7005 400V 5kW £98.99 £118.79 

DEVIL 7009 400V 9kW £152.99 £183.59 

DEVIL 7015 400V 15kW £229.98 £275.98 

ELECTRIC TILE 

CUTTERS 

180mm continuous rim diamond 

blade Table tilts up to 45° for 

bevel cutting Max depth of 

cut: 35mm at 90° / 22mm 

at 45° 

ETC8 

BEST 

SELLER 

£ FROM ONLY 

54 DOUBLE 

.99 EXC.VAT 


TRANSFORMERS 

TOP QUALITY 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

72 DOUBLE 

EXC.VAT 


All of these transformers include 2m mains lead 

Power Tool Socket Outlets Weight exc. 

Model Rating No Type kg VAT inc.VAT 

CTR750/1 750VA 1 16A 9 £72.99 £87.59 

CTR1000/1 1000VA 1 16A 10 £75.99 £91.19 

CTR1500/2 1500VA 2 16A 12 £99.98 £119.98 

CTR4000/2 4000VA 2 16A 20 £169.98 £203.98 

CTR5000/3 5000VA 2/1 16A/32A 32 £209.98 £251.98 

CTR6300/3 6300VA 2/1 16A/32A 40 £329.00 £394.80 

ELECTRIC 

COMPACTOR 

PLATE 

230 

VOLT 

HULK 

23KG 

£ FROM ONLY 

199 DOUBLE 

.00 EXC.VAT 


400x320mm 

VIDEO 

ON-LINE 

BOOSTER 

PUMPS 

Maintain mains 

pressure 

BPT600 


£ 

189 .98 EXC.VAT 

£227.98 inc.VAT BPT1200SS 

Max. Tank 

Model Output Cap. exc.VAT inc.VAT 

BPT600 50 L/Min 19ltr £189.98 £227.98 

BPT1200SS 61 L/Min 19ltr £239.00 £286.80 

CBM250SS 100 L/Min 24ltr £419.00 £502.80 

Cuts ferrous 

metals up to 

100mm dia 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

149 .98 EXC.VAT 


Disc 

Model Motor Size exc.VAT inc.VAT 

CON14110 1800W 355mm £149.98 £179.98 

CON14 2400W 355mm £159.98 £191.98 

DEMOLITION 

HAMMER 

CON1500DD 

Ideal for use with concrete, stone, 

granite,brick,fence post footing etc Inc. 

pointed chisel, fl at chisel & carry case 

BELT SANDERS 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

43 DOUBLE 

.99 EXC.VAT 


CBS2 

Model Motor M/Min exc.VAT inc.VAT 

Clarke BS1 900W 380 £43.99 £52.79 

Clarke CBS2 1200W 480 £94.99 £113.99 

Makita 9911 650W 75-270 £104.99 £125.99 

• Auto ON/OFF 

fl oat switch 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

46 DOUBLE 

.99 EXC.VAT 


*Pumps solids 

up to 30mm 

diameter 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

94 DOUBLE 

.99 EXC.VAT 

EXETER 16 Trusham Rd. EX2 8QG 01392 256 744 

GATESHEAD 50 Lobley Hill Rd. NE8 4YJ 0191 493 2520 

GLASGOW 280 Gt Western Rd. G4 9EJ 0141 332 9231 

GLOUCESTER 221A Barton St. GL1 4HY 01452 417 948 

GRIMSBY ELLIS WAY, DN32 9BD 01472 354435 

HULL 8-10 Holderness Rd. HU9 1EG 01482 223161 

ILFORD 746-748 Eastern Ave. IG2 7HU 0208 518 4286 

IPSWICH Unit 1 Ipswich Trade Centre, Commercial Road 01473 221253 

LEEDS 227-229 Kirkstall Rd. LS4 2AS 0113 231 0400 

LEICESTER 69 Melton Rd. LE4 6PN 0116 261 0688 

LINCOLN Unit 5. The Pelham Centre. LN5 8HG 01522 543 036 

LIVERPOOL 80-88 London Rd. L3 5NF 0151 709 4484 

LONDON CATFORD 289/291 Southend Lane SE6 3RS 0208 695 5684 

LONDON 6 Kendal Parade, Edmonton N18 020 8803 0861 

LONDON 503-507 Lea Bridge Rd. Leyton, E10 020 8558 8284 

LUTON Unit 1, 326 Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JS 01582 728 063 

MAIDSTONE 57 Upper Stone St. ME15 6HE 01622 769 572 

MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM 71 Manchester Rd. Altrincham 0161 9412 666 

MANCHESTER CENTRAL 209 Bury New Road M8 8DU 0161 241 1851 

MANCHESTER OPENSHAW Unit 5, Tower Mill, Ashton Old Rd 0161 223 8376 

MANSFIELD 169 Chesterfi eld Rd. South 01623 622160 

MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale Triangle, Thornaby 01642 677881 

£ FROM ONLY 

159 DOUBLE 

.98 EXC.VAT 


ABRASIVE 

SANDING 

BELTS IN 

STOCK 

PRO TOOL 

CHESTS 

& CABINETS 

£113.99 FOOTER INC.VAT 

The ultimate 

in tool storage 

Model Description exc.VAT inc.VAT 

CTC900C 9 dr chest £94.99 £113.99 

CTC500C 5 dr cabinet £154.99 £185.99 

CBB209C 9 dr chest £169.98 £203.98 

CTC700C 7 dr cabinet £179.98 £215.98 

CTC1300C 13 dr set £209.98 £251.98 

CBB217C 7 dr cabinet £319.00 £382.80 

SUBMERSIBLE 

WATER CAT117 PUMPS 

PSV1A HIPPO 2 

Max Flow Max 

Model LPM Head exc.VAT inc.VAT 

CSE400A 115 8.0m £46.99 £56.39 

PSV3A 133 8.0m £49.98 £59.98 

PSV1A* 140 5.8m £59.98 £71.98 

HIPPO 2 (230V) 85 6.0m £68.99 £82.79 

PSP125B 116 7m £73.98 £88.78 

PSV5A 217 8m £69.98 £83.98 

4 WHEEL DRIVE 

TRUCK 

£1798.80 DOUBLE FOOTER inc.VAT 

3 forward gears with reverse Narrow 760mm 

width, fi ts through most doorways 

OPEN MON-FRI 8.30-6.00, 

SAT 8.30-5.30, SUN 10.00-4.00 

NORWICH 282a Heigham St. NR2 4LZ 01603 766402 

NORTHAMPTON Beckett Retail Park, St James’ Mill Rd 01604 267840 

NOTTINGHAM 211 Lower Parliament St. 0115 956 1811 

PETERBOROUGH 417 Lincoln Rd. Millfi eld 01733 311770 

PLYMOUTH 58-64 Embankment Rd. PL4 9HY 01752 254050 

POOLE 137-139 Bournemouth Rd. Parkstone 01202 717913 

PORTSMOUTH 277-283 Copnor Rd. Copnor 023 9265 4777 

PRESTON 53 Blackpool Rd. PR2 6BU 01772 703263 

SHEFFIELD 453 London Rd. Heeley. S2 4HJ 0114 258 0831 

SIDCUP 13 Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Rd 0208 3042069 

SOUTHAMPTON 516-518 Portswood Rd. 023 8055 7788 

SOUTHEND 1139-1141 London Rd. Leigh on Sea 01702 483 742 

STOKE-ON-TRENT 382-396 Waterloo Rd. Hanley 01782 287321 

SUNDERLAND 13-15 Ryhope Rd. Grangetown 0191 510 8773 

SWANSEA 7 Samlet Rd. Llansamlet. SA7 9AG 01792 792969 

SWINDON 21 Victoria Rd. SN1 3AW 01793 491717 

TWICKENHAM 83-85 Heath Rd.TW1 4AW 020 8892 9117 

WARRINGTON Unit 3, Hawley’s Trade Pk. 01925 630 937 

WIGAN 2 Harrison Street, WN5 9AU 01942 323 785 

WOLVERHAMPTON Parkfi eld Rd. Bilston 01902 494186 

WORCESTER 48a Upper Tything. WR1 1JZ 01905 723451 

BUY AND REDEEM: 

IN-STORE ONLINE PHONE 

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT 

PROFESSIONAL 

ROUTER 

• Plunge depth 

up to 66mm 

• Variable 

speed 

• Inc. 1 /4", 

3/8" & 1 /2" 

collets 

INC. DISC 

& HANDLE 

5 EASY WAYS TO BUY... 

SUPERSTORES 

NATIONWIDE 

ONLINE 

www.machinemart.co.uk 

TELESALES 

0115 956 5555 

CLICK & COLLECT 

OVER 10,500 LOCATIONS 

CALL & COLLECT 

AT STORES TODAY 

SAME DAY 

Calls to the catalogue request number above (0844 880 1265) cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. For security reasons, calls may be monitored. All prices correct 

at time of going to press. We reserve the right to change products and prices at any time. All offers subject to availability, E&OE. * Terms & conditions apply see machinemart.co.uk/finance for more details 

6.5HP 

BIG 

125LTR 

bucket 

ROTARY 

HAMMER 

DRILLS 

Powerful 

heavy duty 

professional 

drill ideal 

BIG 16" ALL 

TERRAIN TYRES 

SDS 

+ 

CDT300 300 

KG 

£ FROM ONLY 

1499 DOUBLE 

.00 EXC.VAT 

CON1500RDV 

for trade 

use FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

66 DOUBLE 

EXC.VAT 


Model 

Power 

(W) 

Cap. 

(mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT 

CRD1100 1100 13-40 £66.99 £80.39 

CON1200RD 1200 13-40 £79.98 £95.98 

CON720RHD 720 13-40 £89.98 £107.98 

CON1500RDV 1500 13-40 £99.98 £119.98 


£ 

289 .00 EXC.VAT 

£346.80 inc.VAT 

8" SLIDING 

COMPOUND 

MITRE SAW 

• 2000W motor 

• Laser Guide 

CMS216S 

GARAGES/WORKSHOPS 

IDEAL FOR RAIN & 

SUN PROTECTION 

BRIGHT WHITE INTERIOR 

£ FROM ONLY 

184 DOUBLE 

.99 EXC.VAT 


LENGTH 

UP TO 

40' 

‡ WAS £1390.80 inc.VAT # WAS £3900.00 inc.VAT 

Model size (LxWxH) exc.VAT inc.VAT 

CIG81212 3.6 x 3.6 x 2.5m £289.00 £346.80 

CIG81015 4.5 x 3 x 2.4m £309.00 £370.80 

CIG81216 4.9 x 3.7 x 2.5m £359.00 £430.80 

CIG81020 6.1 x 3 x 2.4m £389.00 £466.80 

CIG81220 6.1 x 3.7 x 2.5m £429.00 £514.80 

CIG81224 7.3 x 3.7 x 2.5m £539.00 £646.80 

CIG1432‡ 9.7x4.3x3.65m £1099.00 £1318.80 

CIG1640# 12x4.9x4.3m £2998.00 £3597.60 

CCM125D 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

269 .00 EXC.VAT 


CEMENT 

MIXERS 

Max. 

Cap Volts exc.VAT inc.VAT 

Model 

CCM125D 79L 230V £269.00 £322.80 

BELLE MINI 150 90L 230V £425.00 £510.00 

BELLE MINI 150 90L PETROL £749.00 £898.80 

CR4 

ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

99 DOUBLE 

.98 EXC.VAT 


ANGLE GRINDERS 

CON1150 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

29 DOUBLE 

.98 EXC.VAT 


Model Disc (mm) Motor exc.VAT inc.VAT 

CAG800B 115 800W £29.98 £35.98 

CON1150 115 1150W £35.99 £43.19 

CAG2350C 230 2350W £69.98 £83.98 

AVAILABLE IN 

DRYWALL 

230 

& 

SANDERS 

DWS180 

110 

FROM ONLY 

VOLT 

£ DOUBLE 

DOUBLE 

.98 

59 

EXC.VAT 


DWS 225LR 

Ideal for dry 

DUST 

EXTRACTION 

sanding & 

OUTLET 

smoothing hard 

to reach areas 

Disc 

Model 

Size 

Extension exc.VAT inc.VAT 

DWS180 

190mm Handheld £59.98 £71.98 

DWS225LR (230V) 225mm up to 1.7m £109.98 £131.98 

DWS225LR (110V) 225mm 

up to 1.7m £119.98 £143.98 

FROM ONLY 

£ DOUBLE 

64 DOUBLE 

EXC.VAT 


WET & DRY 

VACUUM 

CLEANERS 

Compact, high 

performance wet & dry 

vacuum cleaners for 

use around the home, 

workshop, garage etc. 

* SS = Stainless SteelDry/Wet 

Model Motor Capacity exc.VAT inc.VAT 

CVAC20P 1250W 17/13 ltr £64.99 £77.99 

CVAC20PR2 1400W 14/12 ltr £79.98 £95.98 

CVAC20SS* 1400W 17/13 ltr £77.99 £93.59 

CVAC25SS* 1400W 20/17 ltr £87.99 £105.59 

CVAC30SSR* 1400W 24/22 ltr £112.99 £135.59

FALL 

PREVENTION 

30 

Year Product 

Warranty 

SOLUTIONS 

www.roodsafe.com 

Operating in UAE - SAUDI ARBIA - UK - EUROPE 

The experts at working at height solutions 

Email donna.martindale@rooDsafe.com • TEL +44 (0)115 9274111 

• WALKWAY 

• HANDRAIL 

• EYEBOLTS 

• PPE HARNESSes 

• ABSEIL ANCHORS 

• MOBILE ANCHORS 

• ROOF MOUNTED 

• CABLE SYSTEMS 

• DAVIT SYSTEMS 

For Road Safety 

www.roadflash.co.uk

December 2022

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