6
An evolution in pitched tile roofi ng D
ry fi x has been around for over 50 years, but it was changes to British Standards and manufacturing innovation that kick-started an evolution in pitched roofi ng in the United Kingdom. It is no exaggeration to say there has been
a signifi cant evolution in pitched roofi ng over the past few decades, largely due to advances in British roofi ng Standards, particularly BS 5534: the British Standard Code of practice for slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding. Dry fi x systems for roof junctions such as ridge and verge have been around since the 1970’s, but it was the 2014 revision to BS 5534 that really drove the changes needed to encourage the use of dry fi x systems. The other main driver has been the many innovations in dry fi x systems being continually developed by manufacturers such as Manthorpe Building Products. In 2014, BS 5534 was revised to include new requirements for the mechanical fi xing of roof tiles and associated components such as ridge and hip tiles, verge and eaves tiles. No longer can components solely rely on mortar for their security. Mortar can still be used, but a mechanical fi x, or connection, to the roof structure is now also required. In practice, this means that dry fi x systems, which secure components using mechanical fasteners such as nails, screws, clamps and interlocking units, are a much better option. Until the introduction in 2018 of a new Standard, BS
British 8612: Specifi cation
for dry fi xed ridge, hip, and verge systems for tiling and slating, dry fi x systems were generally unregulated. BS 8612 provides material specifi cations and durability criteria for dry fi x components, as well as performance criteria for rain resistance and mechanical resistance against wind loads. For materials already covered by an existing Standard, BS 8612 simply refers to the relevant Standard.
A dry fi x system has several major functions; it must remain durable for its expected lifespan, it must withstand predicted wind loads, calculated in accordance with BS 5534, to prevent the system and associated ridge and hip tiles from being dislodged, and it must resist the ingress of driving rain and snow. An added benefi t of a dry ridge system is that it can provide high-level roof space ventilation in accordance with BS 5250 where required.
A great advantage of dry fi x systems is they are designed to be maintenance-free. No matter how well a contractor installs a mortar bedded verge, ridge or hip, eventually, the elements and natural building settlement will damage the mortar, making it ineffective. In contrast, dry fi x systems can cope with settlement by allowing a degree of movement in the surrounding materials. Dry fi x systems provide a neat, consistent fi nish, often with concealed fi xings, which maintains the visual appeal of the roofl ine over time.
and provide a secure fi xing for each verge tile, meaning that they can be regarded as one of the two required tile fi xings at the verge. Ridge end caps are available which allows the dry verge systems to seamlessly integrate with the dry ridge. If there is any resistance to the use of dry fi x systems, it is generally based on perceived cost. Though the initial cost of dry fi x components may be higher than traditional mortar, the reduced installation time and long-term savings in maintenance and repairs more than outweigh the upfront investment. Call backs alone can cost roofers thousands in lost profi ts and were common practice in housebuilding, where the settlement of a new building quickly damaged the solid, infl exible mortar joints at ridges, hips and verge details. Because no mortar is needed, installation can proceed in damp or cold conditions that would make traditional methods impractical. This increases effi ciency and reduces project timelines. Dry fi x pitched roofi ng continues to
systems
Careful design and testing of dry fi x means that
their mechanical
resistance to wind loads is proven. Therefore, systems can be designed to withstand the highest wind loads a roof is ever likely to encounter, based on BS 5534 once in 50-year probability calculations.
Great examples of good quality dry fi x systems that fully comply with BS 8612 include the Manthorpe Roll-Out Dry Fix Ridge and Ultra Ridge systems. These mechanically secure the ridges to the roof structure and provide 5,000 mm² per metre of roof space ventilation at high level. A similar, matching system is also available for use at roof hips. The Manthorpe range of dry verge systems are a neat solution at roof verges, eliminating the need for mortar bedding. The verge units are weatherproof
evolve, with manufacturers innovating to improve aesthetics, ease of installation, and environmental sustainability. Recycled materials and improved ventilation technology are increasingly common features. As climate change brings more extreme weather events, reliable and resilient roofi ng systems will become ever more essential. In summary, dry fi x pitched roofi ng systems offer a modern, durable, and regulation- compliant solution for roof verges, ridges, hips,
valleys, and abutments. Their ease
of installation, minimal maintenance, and strong weather resistance make them a smart investment for both new and existing buildings. As regulations and technology advance, the adoption of dry fi x methods has become the new standard in pitched roofi ng across the construction industry.
01773 303000
www.manthorpebp.co.uk,
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
ADF OCTOBER 2025
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