Copal launches Roof Space Systems

Leading light in the roofing industry has launched a division that will potentially help slash the time and cost involved in constructing "room-in-the-roof" homes.

Copal Group, one of the UK's biggest and most successful providers of contract roofing services to the major housing developers, has launched Roof Space Systems.

It will introduce to the UK construction industry a design and installation process that has been developed in Europe over the past 20 years.

"It has been popular in Europe, but until recent legislation has been overlooked in the UK - but we now find ourselves in pole position to address a fast-growing demand," said Kevin Sherlock, Managing Director of Roof Space Systems, which is based in Stratford upon Avon.

"In a nutshell, we deliver SIP panels direct to new-build home sites, pre-cut to length, all pre-determined by a take-off from drawings supplied by the builder using auto-cad".

"They are then installed by or own skilled labour, and also provide a faster method of making a house waterproof in adverse conditions".

"The background is that the traditional three- and four-bedroomed detached house constructed on a green field site is in decline - and there has been a planning authority encouraged upsurge of 'room-in-the-roof' -style homes "This style of home, usually 'two-and-a-half' or three storeys high, maximises internal space compared to the size of its footprint and allows for greater density to be achieved on available land".

"In November 2006 the UK government published its Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3) which essentially said it would encourage and drive a code for sustainable homes, promoting design initiatives aimed at building homes with a zero carbon footprint.

Roof Space Systems is pivotal to this type of development".

"To address heat insulation requirements and regulations, the SIP panels incorporate thermal insulation, between two layers of OSB grade 3 boards".

"They offer the simplest way to comply with part L of the new building regulations, requiring a U-value of 0.25 for elemental (airtight) roofs.

"But here's the real bonus on the space front: the average house contains 35% by volume of cold roof space, but SIPS panels allow this to be converted to warm, useable living space.

Such airtight roofs save something like 600kwh per heating season per house and 100kg-plus of CO2 emissions over conventional roofs.

Roof Space Systems is part of the Copal Group.

Founded in Warrington, Cheshire in 1996, Copal Group is now headquartered in Leigh, Lancashire.

It has since expanded beyond its North West heartland and now has operating branches covering the East and West Midlands, northern Home Counties, Yorkshire and Scotland giving a truly national coverage.

Copal's varied services range from traditional roof coverings including natural and artificial slating, clay and concrete pantiles, clay and concrete plain tiles and all associated sheet leadwork and flashings to more modern innovative single ply systems, aluminium flashings, Mastic asphalting and high performance built-up felt systems, architectural, aluminium fall arrest solutions.

As members of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Copal's customers can rest assured that all installations meet the highest possible standards.

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