Can the existing roof structure be retained under a photovoltaic roof?

The existing roof structure can remain under a new photovoltaic roof if its condition and parameters match the design. This cannot be confirmed by comparing the weight of the coverings alone. The timber, the connections, the geometry and the required support for the new system must be assessed. An integrated steel roof offers an opportunity for an aesthetic modernisation of the house, but the decision to retain the structure should be based on an inspection and on calculations. It is not only a question of the absence of visible cracks. Moisture, signs of biological damage, deflections and the condition of the connections are also significant. Particular attention is required at chimneys, valleys and wall plates. There, an earlier leak may have been active for a long time, even if no large stain appeared on the finished attic.

By |2026-11-15T17:19:27+01:002026-06-06|Technology and applications|Comments Off on Can the existing roof structure be retained under a photovoltaic roof?

T18 or T35: comparing trapezoidal profiles for your roof

T18 and T35 differ primarily in profile height, but the choice does not end with this number. You need to check the steel thickness, coverage width, support arrangement and roof requirements. A taller profile can change the stiffness and the appearance of the covering. However, it does not by itself answer which sheet will be right for your building. In the profiles under consideration, T18 has a height of 18 mm and T35 — 35 mm. Also look at the width of the valleys, flat crests and rib spacing. These dimensions are not described by the abbreviated name alone. Different commercial families may have different sheet widths and shapes of side laps.

By |2026-11-14T15:39:25+01:002026-06-05|Technology and applications|Comments Off on T18 or T35: comparing trapezoidal profiles for your roof

Why do water droplets appear on an insulated wall panel?

Droplets on the internal lining do not necessarily indicate a leak from outside. Sometimes the surface is too cool relative to the air humidity. Water may appear at the joint, base or steel structure. The solution requires identifying the cause. Simply wiping the wall or adding a sealant is usually not enough. Air contains water vapour. When it meets a sufficiently cool surface, condensation may occur. The temperature and humidity inside, as well as the temperature of the lining, are significant. Therefore the same wall may be dry in a warehouse and wet in a room where the floor is frequently washed.

By |2026-11-14T09:32:16+01:002026-06-05|Technology and applications|Comments Off on Why do water droplets appear on an insulated wall panel?

How do you match the colour of trapezoidal steel sheet to the roof, façade and flashings?

A colour code helps you order the sheet, but it does not describe the entire appearance of the surface. Gloss, texture, the direction of light and the profile all matter. The same shade can look different on a roof and on a vertical wall. That is why it is worth checking the choice on a real sample together with the flashings, gutter and joinery. The RAL designation brings order to the choice of colour. It does not, however, replace a description of the coating, its thickness and its finish. Two elements with the same number can differ in gloss and in how they read in the light. On a large surface such a difference can be more noticeable than on a small swatch.

By |2026-11-14T09:33:54+01:002026-05-28|Technology and applications|Comments Off on How do you match the colour of trapezoidal steel sheet to the roof, façade and flashings?

What purlins and side rails do in a steel-framed building

Purlins and wall rails look modest next to the large frames of a steel hall. They are usually lighter than the frames and have thin walls. Yet the roof covering and the wall cladding often rest on them. Their selection affects the load-bearing capacity of the building envelope, deflections and the stability of parts of the skeleton. The profile name or its height alone is not enough to assess suitability. Purlins run between the main roof beams and support the covering. Wall rails transfer actions from the cladding to the columns. Loads include self-weight and wind action, and on the roof also other anticipated actions. In a steel hall, the sub-structure must therefore match both the geometry and the way the building is used.

By |2026-11-15T02:35:49+01:002026-05-16|Technology and applications|Comments Off on What purlins and side rails do in a steel-framed building

Reading a metal fence picket data sheet: what the figures mean

The product data sheet should make it easier to compare fence pickets and prepare an order. Sometimes, however, it contains abbreviations that are easy to misread. The strip width before profiling is not the width of the finished component. The maximum production length does not mean the span without supports. Such distinctions have a direct impact on the quantity of material and the method of installation. Metal fence pickets should only be selected after combining the data from the table, the drawing and the instructions. Each of these sources answers slightly different questions. Also check the document version marking. An older catalogue and the current offer may describe different variants, so discrepancies should be clarified before accepting the parameters.

By |2026-11-15T17:18:53+01:002026-05-06|Technology and applications|Comments Off on Reading a metal fence picket data sheet: what the figures mean

EPS, XPS or PIR: how to choose insulation by application

The three abbreviations denote different families of insulation. Each includes products with different purposes and parameters. The choice should follow from the installation location, moisture and load. Only then should thickness and price be compared. Good insulation under plaster need not be the right material under a loaded floor. EPS is expanded polystyrene. Its structure consists of bonded granules. XPS is produced by extrusion and has a different, closed-cell structure. PIR is rigid polyisocyanurate foam, often supplied with facings. They should not be treated as one material in different colours.

By |2026-11-14T11:59:13+01:002026-05-01|Technology and applications|Comments Off on EPS, XPS or PIR: how to choose insulation by application

Installing insulated roof panels: from checking the supports to inspecting the flashings

roof panel installation begins before the first component is lifted. The structure, slope and completeness of details must be checked. The laying direction, seals and correct fixing then matter. A well-planned sequence allows joints to be closed before the next sheet obscures access to them. Check the spacing, width and plane of the supports. Compare actual dimensions with the panel selection. The structure should be ready for installation, with work that could damage the coatings completed. Sheets must not be pulled to crooked purlins using greater screw force.

By |2026-11-14T11:59:51+01:002026-04-17|Technology and applications|Comments Off on Installing insulated roof panels: from checking the supports to inspecting the flashings

How roof pitch affects the choice of roof covering

The choice of roofing is determined by the actual roof pitch, not by the profile type alone. Before ordering T18 or T35 sheeting, modular metal tiles or insulated roof panels, check whether the pitch falls within the range permitted for the specific product and its details. Distinguishing degrees from percentages is essential: a 5% slope corresponds to an angle of about 2.86°, not 5°. Confusing the units can lead to a solution outside the instructions. It is also worth establishing whether the measurement refers to the horizontal projection or the length along the slope.

By |2026-11-15T02:33:40+01:002026-03-27|Technology and applications|Comments Off on How roof pitch affects the choice of roof covering

Are concealed gutters a good fit for a metal roof?

Concealed gutters can suit a house with a metal roof well, especially with a simple building form and restrained eaves detail. Their selection, however, requires the drainage to be designed in advance. The masking fascia must not restrict access for cleaning, and the outlet must be matched to the roof surface area. First, the route of water, ventilation and insulation must be established. Only then is the colour of the visible elements chosen. Various solutions appear under the name concealed gutters. Sometimes only the gutter behind the masking fascia is concealed, while the downpipe remains on the façade. In another arrangement, the outlet is also concealed within a suitably prepared wall zone. These variants should not be treated identically.

By |2026-11-14T15:41:13+01:002026-03-27|Technology and applications|Comments Off on Are concealed gutters a good fit for a metal roof?
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