Learn On The Go

In a 2021 survey conducted by CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), 32% of respondents, which compromised of both self-employed construction workers as well as employers, believed that labour shortages were a limiting factor in sales and output.  This will be in part due to the reduced uptake of apprenticeships during the pandemic.  However, this year […]

An installer’s guide to solar panel installation

Ten years ago, solar panel installation was still fairly uncommon. The demand for solar – on both new-build and refurbishment projects – however, is huge and continues to increase. Fuelled by consumers’ increasing concern about energy prices and climate change, as well as the government’s target of net-zero by 2050, the UK is installing solar […]

Part L 2022 updates and the BREL report for installers

From an installer’s perspective, the updates to Part L in 2022, and the new BREL report, may mean you could expect to be: Working on roofs with more and thicker insulation Installing more PV on roofs is a likely option chosen to help meet the requirements of Part L Providing information for the new Building […]

How to Select the Best Breathable Roof Membrane

In this article we are going to outline why you want to use breather membrane in your build, and how to select the best one for purpose. What is a breather membrane?  A breather membrane helps the building to breathe and release moisture trapped inside, while protecting it from the elements. Moisture and air passes […]

How To Turn Your Attic Or Loft Into Living Space

Ever since the rise in popularity of TV programmes like Homes Under The Hammer, and Location, Location, Location, everyone is now aware of the potential for adding value to their home.  One of the best ways to increase the value is to extend the usable residential space, and an attic or loft is a prime […]

How to measure roof pitch

There are several reasons why you may need to work out the pitch (angle) of your roof.  For example if you’re planning an extension, purchasing a sky light, or replacing tiles. When calculating your roof pitch, you are trying to find out how much the roof rises over one foot.  To do this, you will […]

Why Opt For a Dry Ridge System on Your Roof?

The ridge of your roof is the part that runs along the top, usually these curved tiles are fixed with cement mortar.  However there are some pitfalls with using this traditional method; Over time the cement mortar can disintegrate or break away in poor weather.   Dislodged tiles can cause a hazard if they fall from […]

How Many Roof Tiles Do I Need?

When installing a new roof, or replacing an old one, one of the major purchases is the tiles and it’s important to buy an accurate quantity for your needs.  Too few and your job will be left unfinished, possibly compromising the schedule,  not to mention that the roof will be left open to the elements.  […]

What should you know about Spanish slates

When choosing natural slate you are opting for the best roofing material: long service life, quality, ecology and beauty. But are all the slates the same? Where can you find the best ones? What is Spanish Slate? Today, most slate used in the UK has a Spanish origin and are used for high end projects, historical […]

How do you sort and grade natural slate roofing?

You can find natural slates in nearly every shape and size you can think of. From our 19 quarries and 22 transformation plants, our quality control team classify our natural slate into three different selections. The R Excellence selection is the result of an extraordinarily rigorous classification process that only passes slates of great flatness and […]