What to consider when fitting square gutters to a metal roof

Square gutters create a clear eaves line and can work well with a metal roof. However, choosing them is not just a matter of shape. The cross-section, outlets, and the method of joining and fixing all need to be checked. A square gutter can be left visible or concealed behind a fascia cover. Each system has its own details. Installation rules for a round system should not be carried over on the basis of a similar size alone. Above all, it is about a defined appearance at the eaves. A flat front face can emphasise the horizontal line of the roof and echo the rectangular layout of the windows. It suits both tile-effect metal roofing and trapezoidal steel sheet, provided the overall design is well thought out. The shape alone, however, does not automatically mean greater capacity than any half-round gutter.

By |2026-11-14T15:41:33+01:002026-06-20|Technology and applications|Comments Off on What to consider when fitting square gutters to a metal roof

Timber roof framing: structural forms, installation and costs

Before comparing quotes, establish whether the design and the specification of the scope of works are common to all contractors — these, not a cubic metre of timber, let you judge what the price covers. The roof structure transfers the loads of the covering, snow and wind to the building's supports, and its layout depends on the span, roof shape and planned attic. Check the strength class, cross-sections, lengths, moisture content and method of protection; the name of the timber species alone does not replace classification. Also assess the connections and bracing, because a set of beams without them does not make a stable roof.

By |2026-11-14T22:25:59+01:002026-06-10|Technology and applications|Comments Off on Timber roof framing: structural forms, installation and costs

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

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?

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?

Comparing wall and roof panel prices in a single order

The price of a wall insulated panel and a roof insulated panel should be compared within a specific order. The profile, facings, core and connection details differ. The square metre alone does not describe the entire expense. First count the elements for both surfaces, then add flashings, fixings, transport and unloading. Prepare separate lists for the walls and the roof. On each, record the panel type, core, thickness, sheet parameters and coating. State the thermal requirements and other properties adopted in the project. The same core thickness does not make a wall panel and a roof panel equivalent items. Their geometry and method of use are different.

By |2026-11-14T15:39:23+01:002026-03-24|Technology and applications|Comments Off on Comparing wall and roof panel prices in a single order

How to keep insulation continuous around a wall plate

Insulating the wall-plate zone requires a separate detail that connects the wall insulation with the roof insulation, covering the ring beam, the slope and the airtight layer from the inside. It is worth checking on the section whether the insulation layer does not end at the ring beam without connecting to the next insulation, and whether the intended ventilation under the covering has been left. The thickness and routing of the insulation are determined with regard to the structure and moisture; where space is limited, PIR boards may be considered, matched to the whole assembly.

By |2026-11-14T22:26:44+01:002026-03-09|Technology and applications|Comments Off on How to keep insulation continuous around a wall plate
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