ROOFING
A DRY SUBJECT BMJ asks how you can ensure that you sell your customers the right dry-fix roofing product.
R
oof tiles are just one part of a well-designed roof. The fixings and accessories are what ensure it remains watertight, secure, and compliant. While most of the focus tends to be on selecting the right tiles, choosing the proper accessories deserves just as much consideration.
There is a massive choice of fixing and roofing accessories available. These range from branded items, supplied by leading tile manufacturers (and usually covered by their warranties), through to more generic products that claim to be universal. Components can also be made from a variety of materials, such as polypropylene, nylon or HIPs (high impact polystyrenes).
When cost is an important factor, it’s crucial to understand why buying cheaper generic products can result in a higher ‘whole-life’ cost when you consider maintenance related risks.
In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, building regulations faced intense scrutiny, with growing concerns about the quality and safety of materials. The disaster triggered major regulatory reform, introducing stricter safety standards and greater accountability, particularly in the specification of building materials. It also led to the creation of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and the introduction of the Building Safety Act to strengthen oversight of construction practices.
These new regulations emphasise the importance of an integrated approach, looking at the “whole roof” in terms of specification of materials and their installation.
Daniel Hancox, corporate sustainability
a more predictable installation process. “Details can be completed more quickly with fewer specialist tools and without relying on experienced leadworkers. For housebuilders working across multiple plots, that consistency can help keep builds on track while still achieving a reliable, weathertight finish.”
He adds: “The rise of lead-free flashing does not diminish the value of lead within pitched roofing. Its heritage, appearance and proven lifespan mean it will continue to serve
Don’t Mix & Match
Do you have evidence that the system is suitable for use with the tile you’re using? At Russell Roof Tiles, we make and test our own bespoke dry verge systems designed to work with our specific range of tile profiles and thicknesses, which can vary significantly between manufacturers, and could impact the weather performance of verge systems. Substituting un-tested non-manufacturer specific verge units will invalidate any roof system guarantee from the tile manufacturer.
What’s it made of?
and development director at Russell Roof Tiles says that, frequently, there is a “mix and match” approach to using various products from different manufacturers, but mixing tiles, accessories, and fittings can lead to long-term problems. “Manufacturers invest huge sums in research and development to ensure products are designed and tested to perform and work seamlessly together.
“An example of this is Russell Roof Tiles latest tile – Bute3, which has a unique camber and has accessories manufactured to be fully compatible and provide a perfect fit.” He says that the top things to focus on are:
Are they compliant with British Standards?
BS 8612 sets minimum quality and performance requirements for dry-fix roofing products. It ensures these systems are durable, weather-resistant, and able to withstand mechanical wind loads. Following updates to BS 5534 (the British Standard Code of Practice for Slating and Tiling), mortar is no longer considered sufficient for securing ridge and hip tiles on its own; mechanical fixing is now mandatory.
an important purpose. What has changed is the breadth of choice available. “For merchants, that choice creates an opportunity to add tangible value. Contractors may not simply be looking for a like-for-like substitute; they may need guidance on suitability, installation considerations, warranty acceptance or compatibility with other roofing components. Being able to explain when lead remains the right option, and when a lead-free alternative can keep a project on schedule, will set
April 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
Is the dry fix system made of a substance that is suitable for its intended use? High quality materials such as PVC, which is tried and tested in construction applications, perform extremely well in terms of UV stability, structural integrity under load and fire resistance. Due to its high chlorine content, PVC is inherently self-extinguishing, difficult to ignite, and does not easily support combustion. With an increase in the use of Solar PV, choosing roof materials that can more effectively limit the spread of fire from one building to another is crucial to building performance. Cheaper alternative materials such as PP, HIPS or Nylon may not provide all the same characteristics.
Are they guaranteed? Guarantees or warranties are often excluded by the use of third-party components and accessories that carry no performance, testing compatibility or certification. Hancox adds: “At Russell Roof Tiles we offer a complete roofing system comprising concrete roof tiles, PVC dry fix systems, ventilation products, fixings and underlay. When specified and installed as part of the full roof solution, our system is supported by the 15-year RussSpec Guarantee, which incorporates clauses aligned with relevant British Standards, Codes of Practice and current building regulations.” BMJ
merchants apart as trusted advisers rather than suppliers of materials alone.” As housebuilding targets place greater emphasis on speed of installation, and skilled labour remains stretched, products that are quick to install and easier to handle will become more valued on site. Woodyatt believes that merchants who understand technical details and site realities will be best placed to support their customers, and in doing so, help projects move forward with confidence. BMJ
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