peace of MIND
The market for solid, insulated and tiled roofs is on the rise for both new installations and for the important and emerging conservatory replacement market. However, such product ranges vary widely in terms of design and performance, as do the practices employed by installation companies. But will this have a detrimental effect on the development of the sector and the product life cycle? The answer is YES.
Companies have started to offer ‘clad over roofs’ which means they are doing little more than fixing basic timber and plasterboard to the inside of a conservatory, and low-grade tiles to the outside, to replicate the feel of a solid roof, with failures literally happening within weeks.
There are many dangers to clad over roofs that installers and homeowners alike need to be aware of. First and foremost, there is a fundamental and important structural feature in a conservatory that must be considered. The roof structure is designed to take the weight of the glazing material and any additional loads imposed by wind and snow in that geographical location. It was not designed to carry the additional loads imposed when fixing timber, plasterboard and roof tiles to the structure.
Also, the side frames, base and foundation type may not be structurally sufficient. These all need properly assessing. And in many cases, they aren’t.
The clad-over roof construction will also trap air in the voids in the roof structure which will heat and cool with the seasons. This will cause condensation and heat build up as the seasons come and go. The best case is a leaking roof, and worst case is a full roof failure with the resulting collapse causing damage not only to the house but detrimentally to the homeowners too.
To ensure quality and safe building practises in the UK, current building regulations must be taken into consideration and all installation companies are aware of this. Clad-over roof systems generally do not get approval due to their low thermal value and lack of structural integrity. Homeowners should always ask if the installation work is being carried out in line with the local authority building regulation approval process for that location.
To ensure homeowners have peace of mind, Prefix Systems’ WARMroof system has full building regulations approval by recognised bodies LABC, LABSS and JHAI. And to validate the quality of the roof, it was recognised as the best offsite constructed solid roof system by the ‘Conservatory & Orangery Awards’. Which we are immensely proud of.
Failure rates are already increasing, and we’ve seen several poor performing clad-over installations removed and replaced with our own proven & award winning WARMroof system.
With around 3 million conservatories at some point in time in need of repair, refurbishment or replacement. It is crucial installation companies assess the structural implications of installing a heavier roof in all projects. Clad over roofs should be avoided at all costs and with us having
over 25 years’ experience in this area and a unique, structurally proven range products, why not use our expertise on your next replacement project?
AHEAD OF THE GAME
Established for over 20 years, award winning company Prefix Systems Ltd has grown from one to four manufacturing sites. Improve Magazine Editor, Christina Shaw, talks to the Directors of Prefix Systems and asks them: ‘Why are you ahead of the game?’ Founded in 1996 by Chris Baron and Chris Cooke, Prefix Systems has grown to become one of the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of a wide variety of home improvement systems including aluminium windows and doors and glazed and tiled roof home extensions. With a business ethos based on first class service combined with high level of before and after sales support, Prefix moved to larger premises in 1999 and gradually evolved opening its second distribution premises in Northampton in 2006
to allow the company to distribute nationally, then a third in Swansea in 2008 and the South Coast in 2017. “We can now deliver to any part of mainland UK and our own delivery fleet can deliver direct to premises or to any site,” they explain.
A company that never stands still, Prefix realised the benefit to both trade and homeowners of having showrooms for consumers to visit: “Our expert staff are on hand and customers can visit
to see products on display. “In more normal times there is no appointment needed and we have no salesman – just the opportunity to see products such as sliding and bi-folding doors, windows and hardware, with expert technical advice, in a relaxed and informal setting. Due to Covid-19, we do ask that you call us to book an appointment as we are limited to the number of visitors we can have in the showroom.”
The company can also put customers in touch with local installers who they work with, or clients can source their own installer or builder. Prefix have developed their own unique
aluminium brand of windows and doors, Opal. Aluminium has recently become the choice over PVC for a number of reasons including primarily it’s longevity – aluminium lasts up to 50 years, nearly double that of PVC. Along with this it is stronger and more durable, more secure, energy efficient and heat resistant. “There are also many more colour choices, finishes and textures with our Opal Aluminium range compared to PVC. We include a powder coating which ensures long lasting colour and performance,”
Chris Baron explains. Understanding lifestyle changes and customer needs is key to the success of Prefix Systems and they have a clear vision and understanding of how work and home lives are changing: “Many more people are now choosing to work from home, or are keen to extend their outdoor living spaces and there is much more desire to improve rather than move. We have 25 years’ experience of
home improvement products, single storey extensions, orangeries, tiled roofs, canopies and verandas. We manufacture and supply anything from a simple aluminium window to full off- site construction,” they explain.
The company has won numerous awards and one they are especially proud of is the recent ‘Best Solid Roof Award’ at the Conservatory & Orangery Awards. “We are honoured to receive any award,” Chris Cooke says. “But it is particularly important to be recognised by your peers.” Prefix Systems Ltd was also the only company to win three awards in one night at the prestigious Red Rose Awards. “We feel we won the awards because we are different,” Chris Baron explains. “Innovation is hugely important to us and we never stand still. From creating our own Opal aluminium range to working with revolutionary new products such as heated glass which removes the need for radiators and underfloor heating.”
The company is also beginning to work with virtual reality software which will allow customers to view 3D CAD drawings for single storey extensions and they also have online designer programmes where clients can design their own front door. Partner feedback adds further testimony to the company’s outstanding product design, quality and service: “Prefix Systems are absolute experts, they provide quality not just in their products but also in their service,” was one comment at the opening of the showroom with another adding: “The company is ahead of the game in terms of engineering, as well as being fantastic to work with.”
Our opening times are:
Monday to Thursday: 9am-5pm Friday: 9am-4pm
Weekends by appointment
If you are unable to visit our showroom, allow us to show you our products another way. We can provide 3D CAD drawings for single storey extensions and we have designer programmes where you can design your own front door. We offer free, no obligation advice when replacing an existing conservatory roof, or for new build extensions. You can also visit our website or call or email us for a complimentary brochure.
Prefix Systems Ltd
Systems House, Cunliffe Road, Whitebirk, Blackburn BB1 5UA
Tel: 01254 871800
Email: enquiries@prefixsystems.co.uk www.prefixsystems.co.uk