Without a roof that can keep out the weather a building is virtually useless. If it is a home it will be cold, damp and miserable and if it is a commercial building it won’t be able to protect the business and people that work there. Roof cladding is used to cover the roof, creating a watertight layer that keeps the elements out and the people inside warm and dry. It comes in all shapes and sizes and the wide range of materials available give you the chance to find the style that suits your building.
Fibreglass Cladding
Fibreglass was first invented in the 1940’s and since then has been used for everything from car bodies to playground slides. Today, fibreglass roof cladding provides a maintenance free roof that could last for 100 years. Thanks to its strength and ability to be moulded to nearly any shape, fibreglass cladding is gaining in popularity with roofers and customers alike.
Plastic Roof Cladding
Clear corrugated sheets for conservatories are normally what you think of when people say plastic roofing, yet this is just the start, there is no end to the different styles of plastic roof cladding. Rather like fibreglass, plastic can come in any colour, shape or texture and its lightness and strength make it ideal for roofs.
Fibre Cement Cladding
A mixture of fibres, cellulose and cement, fibre cement cladding is now used as a slate substitute for those on a tight budget. The cement gives it a grey look ideal as a replacement for natural slate. If slate is not the look you want, the cladding can be coloured or painted to suit your own taste. Fibre cement cladding has a lifespan of more than 40 years and the materials used in the manufacturing process mean it is also fire-resistant.
Copper
For centuries, copper has been seen as wise choice for covering roofs. It has a longevity unmatched by other roofing materials, some copper roofs are over 100 years old. Cheaper and lighter than lead, copper uses its striking green colour to enhance the look of any building, be it a house, church or factory. Over time, the attractive patina that forms on the metal’s surface takes it from a rich copper colour to the green we now associate with these roofs. Believe it or not, the Statue of Liberty was originally a sparkling copper when it was first delivered to New York from France. Later the patina slowly made it the famous green we see today.
Steel Cladding
Steel offers a roof covering that is both durable and cost-effective, an ideal choice for workshops, warehouses and other industrial buildings. The galvanised sheets come with a wide range of profiles, from the traditional corrugated to a more modern box profile. Cheaper than copper but with similar advantages, steel makes an extremely long lasting and durable roof that can keep you protected from the elements for more than 50 years.
If you need any help with your roofing and cladding, our roofers in Cardiff can help find a solution. Whether you need a whole new roof or just a repair, we can help make sure the wind and rain stays outside where it belongs.
