We’re at the pointy end of the year, and we’ve got some things to share. So we’ll keep this short, and sweet…

Do Architects Dream In Colour? Viking New TPO Colour Range

It’s Viking new and Viking colourful. Viking Roofspec have recently added four new earthy tones to their Enviroclad TPO membrane colour palette; providing aesthetic versatility and design  flexibility.

New additions to the Enviroclad TPO membrane colour range include: ‘Mansard Brown’, ‘Patina Green’, ‘Rock Brown’, and ‘Slate Grey’, and just like the original white and grey Enviroclad membrane systems, this coloured range offers absolute watertight integrity for low-slope roofs.

Viking TPO Colours

Your Questions Answered: “Why Should I Use Tapered Insulation On A Low Pitched Roof?” 

In a nutshell: Tapered roof insulation reduces or eliminates the amount of standing water or ponding on the membrane when the roof deck doesn’t (or can’t) provide enough slope, as well as proving a very high R value.

Independent studies have shown that tapered insulation offers many advantages:

1. Reduced cost and installation time
Estimated installation times for a tapered insulation systems and the waterproofing membrane can typically be in the region of 50m2 to 300m2 per day (depending on deck type and fixing method).

2. Safer
As the insulation and falls are achieved in a single operation, site traffic on the roof is greatly reduced.

3. Greater Flexibility
Tapered insulation is optimal for complex fall configurations. The insulation boards can be easily cut on site to accommodate complex roof shapes or rainwater outlet positions. Factory cut pre-mitred hips and valleys are available to make this process even easier.

4. Reduced weight
The weight of tapered insulation systems vary, depending on insulant type, however, all are of significantly lower weight than screeds. For example, the weight of tapered insulation using a rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulant, is typically 32kg/m3. Even using the relatively heavier rock mineral fibre, the weight is only up to 180kg/m3. The reduction of additional weight on structures is a huge benefit.

5. Refurbishment advantages
Tapered insulation provides excellent opportunities to improve roof drainage as part of roof refurbishment schemes, while improving the thermal performance of the roof. Bespoke designed schemes can be provided to overcome existing back-falls, height restrictions and other issues.

For more information on the tapered insulation types we can provide and install please contact us.

Staff Profile: Say Gidday To The Very Handy, Andy Smith

As you may be aware, Watertight welcomed Andy Smith to the team in June this year as our Queenstown Manager. He came to us with a wealth of knowledge, having been in the Waterproofing industry for 36 years both in the UK and NZ.

Andrew has been an applicator and manager at various Waterproofing companies over the years and also previously worked for Nuralite Waterproofing as their Senior Technical Advisor, where he worked closely with architects and building contractors to advise on the best product specifications and technical details. Andrew’s waterproofing qualifications, hands on experience and attention to detail are already proving to be a huge asset.

Andrew and his lovely wife, Dana are settling in to life in Central Otago, having moved down from Auckland with their two prized pooches. They’ve been enjoying the Cromwell wine trail, which is just a quick, safe stumble from their house… and even if they get lost, luckily the fur babies know the way home!

Watertight Chips In, Helping Out The Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust

Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust is a Wanaka community-based native plant nursery that specialises in propagating plants of local origin (Upper Clutha region) and uses these plants for localised native habitat restoration.

Watertight staff and their families helped out at a planting day recently in the Glendhu Wetlands area and the Albert Town Lagoon reserve. We had such a rewarding time, that we’re planning to get the whole team along to the Te Kakano nursery for a volunteering session in the near future.