Future roof insulation means taking care of the detail

In recent years, there has been one new regulation after another to increase U values in buildings by increasing the amount of insulation used in both new build and refurbishment projects.

The roofing industry, to its credit, has responded magnificently to these changes, keeping pace with all new regulations while at the same time providing ingenious and innovative ways to keep within the regulations and still deliver value for money.

Until now the insulation manufacturers have largely taken care of the big stuff, but that is about to change with yet more regulations coming into force soon that will force building owners, architects and roofing contractors to concentrate more on the detail.

Companies such as Proteus Waterproofing have already expanded their technical design team to advise specifiers how to implement the new changes, which will effectively mean better insulation and improved uValues around areas such as gutters, upstands and other detailed work surrounding roof lights and essential services such as vents and drains.

In addition, Proteus is now offering bespoke hybrid insulation designs that allow clients to conform to Part B Fire Building Regulations with non-combustible insulation specifically located within their schemes so that fire safety is met but without dramatic weight increases to the structure or significant cost increases to the building owners.

With the update last year of BS6229 code of practice, there is also greater emphasis on the introduction of falls into flat roof designs to avoid puddling or standing water that could affect the long term integrity of membranes say Proteus Waterproofing.

As a result of this, Proteus, with its fast growing bespoke design service, is expecting a dramatic increase in its workload for clients who may still be largely unaware of the changes and how they are likely to affect future projects.

The design service is supported by the ability to supply all the correct insulation materials and match them with the right membrane for the job. Increasingly, that membrane is Cold Melt® from Proteus, which as the name suggests is a cold applied liquid membrane, virtually odour free, seamless – and most importantly – ticks many green boxes.

The membrane itself is manufactured using natural materials such as molasses and recycled rubber crumb helping specifiers and building owners meet targets for
reducing carbon emissions while at the same time protecting the environment.

This will also help meet the Government’s 2008 Climate Change Act which established the world’s first legally binding climate change target. Its aim was to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% (from the 1990 baseline) by 2050.

The Government is trying to achieve this reduction through action at home and abroad. Moving to a more energy efficient, low-carbon economy to help it meet this target will also help the UK become less reliant on imported fossil fuels and less exposed to higher energy prices in the future.

At least that’s the theory – but as we know, new changes are being made all the time – and for the moment, it’s the turn of the roofing industry to do its share.