» WITH INCREASING issues including condensation , for solid roofs that are a ‘ cold roof ’ design , Prefix Systems believe that 2024 will be the year in which diligent installation companies will move over to solid roof solutions that are 100 % ‘ warm ’ by design .

With increasing regularity , Prefix Systems have been on site to inspect timber cold roofs in 2023 that have failed due to condensation . Subsequently , they went on to replace these roofs with their award-winning WARMroof as the ultimate permanent solution . On site these cold roofs had failed despite best efforts with limited ventilation , and with dew points affecting the UK nine months a year on average , the risk of condensation is a real issue for these roof types .

With conservatory roofs being replaced with surprising regularity , some companies are opting for a roof solution which doesn ’ t provide a longterm solution . A ‘ warm roof ’ by definition is one where the insulation sits above the rafters and not just in between ( which is a cold roof by definition ).

So the message is clear , as Chris Cooke , director of Prefix Systems points out and said : “ Ask your current solid roof supplier if their insulation sits above the rafters , if it ’ s a no , then it is NOT a warm-roof - it ’ s a cold roof . Furthermore , you ’ re at risk by installing such products in terms of remedials

and importantly the risk in losing out on future referral sales ,” he added .

Chris continued : “ Warm roof design is the preferred method for roof composition across the construction sector and with good reason . It ensures roofs perform not just in terms of years , but for decades and it ’ s the same philosophy for Prefix . Our award-winnning WARMroof solution is part of a permanent solution to the home , much in the same way that a Building Inspector would prefer to see a warm roof constructed extension and it ’ s a must that we should as an industry think in the same way .”

www . prefixsystems . co . uk

» WHITESALES HAS supplied 14 Solus Monopitch rooflights and four Solus smoke hatches for a new state-ofthe-art Additional Support Needs school ( ASN ) in East Dunbartonshire .

Architects NORR Group designed the new state-of-theart Woodland View School to provide a richly enhanced educational experience for 200 children and young people aged from three to 18 . Acknowledging the proven benefits of daylight to pupils ’ learning and wellbeing , they wanted to use rooflights as well as fenestration to create flexible , light-filled , spaces .

With some of the rooflights spanning 15m , the challenge for Whitesales was to design and supply durable , cost effective and energy efficient

rooflights and deliver a smooth , hassle free installation .

The team worked closely with main contractors McLaughlin & Harvey on the design and specification . Ranging in length from 4000mm to 15000mm , the 14 Solus Monopitch rooflights have been sited above the many break out learning spaces and extra wide corridors in the school , bringing daylight into the very heart of the building . They help to meet the requirements of BS EN17037 2018 ,

which focuses on the physical and mental health benefits of daylight , as well as the energy savings that can come from minimising the requirement for artificial light .

Whitesales manufactured and installed the rooflights and four Solus smoke hatches in three phases as the build progressed , utilising a crane for the final installs to minimise time and disruption on site . They were all fitted on upstands constructed on site by the contractors and all comply

with BS EN6375 , BS EN1026 and BS EN1027 to withstand even the toughest Scottish weather conditions .

The £ 34.9m Woodland View School was shortlisted for Project of the Year – Inclusive Design at the Learning Places Scotland Conference , partly on the basis of the light and space that the rooflights bring into the building .

East Dunbartonshire Council Leader Gordan Low said : “ We ’ ve worked with pupils , families and staff to create a place of learning and nurture that meets their very specific needs in a safe and welcoming environment , that will make such a difference to the lives of our young people and their families .”

www . whitesales . co . uk

60 JANUARY 2024

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