Stuart Nicholson from Marley answers some of the key questions social housing providers and local authorities should consider when it comes to full roof systems.
Increasing episodes of volatile weather, the recent extension of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act and a need to ensure refurbishment and new-build projects are completed efficiently and with tenant safety as a focus, means there are real benefits for social housing providers by choosing full pitched roof systems from a single source. Doing so can deliver advantages including product compatibility, system guarantees and access to immediate help if any performance issues arise.
What is included in a full pitched roof system?
This depends on the roof system. There are different types available on the market, including a roof system which comes from one supplier but incorporates products from different manufacturers, or the second option which is a full roof system from a single source manufacturer. Roof systems from a sole manufacturer have until recently tended to include the same number of products. Now, there are far more comprehensive versions available. The Marley roof system for example contains more critical roofing elements than any other on the market. It includes the choice of roof tiles, JB Red battens, breathable or non-breathable underlay, ventilation products, fixings, and dry fix accessories.
Is there any benefit to using a full roof system from one manufacturer?
Using a single source roof system helps to reduce risk because all products have been tested individually and together as a system, to meet BS 5534 and BS 8612 requirements. Sourcing all parts from one manufacturer also guarantees compatibility and ensures all components work seamlessly together. This not only makes installation quicker and easier for those on site, but it reduces the risk of issues further down the line, helping to ensure tenants have a safe roof above their heads. In addition, one of the most attractive elements about using such a roof system is the associated warranty. For example, Marley’s roof system comes with a 15-year guarantee, which provides peace of mind that any potential future issues are covered and that social housing providers have somewhere to turn in the unlikely event a problem arises.
Are they expensive?
Although it may not at first appear to be the cheapest option, the difference on the overall cost of the roof is minimal. However, the benefits of using a single source roof system, particularly the associated warranty, can deliver far more value in the long-term. Specifying a variety of roofing products from different suppliers may initially keep costs down, but they may not necessarily be designed and tested to work together, or the quality of roofing battens and accessories could be inferior or non-compliant. This can lead to faults that have to be rectified at a cost to the local authority. The Marley roof system protects against this because it is guaranteed to be high quality, compliant and compatible, and the accompanying free 15-year guarantee provides additional protection.
How do I get a system warranty?
Obtaining Marley’s 15-year system warranty is easy. First of all, you need to make us aware that you intend to obtain a system guarantee and we will help you through the process to obtain a full National Building Specification (NBS) and fixing specification for the project. This can be sourced via our Technical Team or using our online self-service tools. Once this is done, the complete Marley roof system needs to be purchased and installed. Once notified of completion, we will then issue the guarantee for the property to give reassurance about the durability of the roof and contact information in case it is ever needed.
What happens if a roofing claim is required to be made?
The good news is that with the roof system guarantee if there is a claim, Marley’s technical experts will visit the site and investigate. So, if the tenant notices a roof leak, or damage to any part of the roof, we will look into the issue. This means only having one supplier to deal with and helps reduce the time, cost and resources needed to rectify the problem to ensure the tenant has a warm, safe roof over their head.
