How to prepare for installing cut-to-length tile-effect roof sheets

Required are the roof slope lengths, widths, diagonals and the positions of openings. Measurements should relate to the structure as actually built. Data from the design are a starting point but may differ from the situation on site. It is worth marking individual roof slopes and the places where the covering will be divided along its length.

The sheet length must take into account the rhythm of the profiles, the termination at the ridge and the intended overhang at the eaves. The rafter length alone should not be passed on without explaining the measurement points. The cutting plan should be agreed between the supplier and the contractor. This reduces the risk that the finished material will require mass trimming or will not provide the correct overlap.

The supports must form an even plane, and their layout must correspond to the module length. The cross-section and fixing of the battens are determined by the design. It is important to check the first section at the eaves, which may have a different dimension from the subsequent spacings. The setting from another tile-effect metal roofing model should not be copied just because it has a similar wave.

The underlay and the ventilation path should also be checked. Water and condensate should have a planned drainage route. At windows, roof valleys and chimneys, correct connections of the layers must be maintained. Once a long sheet has been laid, access to the substrate will be limited. It is therefore worth accepting these works before starting the covering.

Check the vehicle access, the length of the parking space and the possibility of setting down the pack. The sheets require support over an appropriate length. They must not be dragged over one another or over the ground. The equipment used and the number of people should correspond to the instructions and the dimensions of the delivery, and not be determined only when the vehicle is opened.

A dry storage place is needed on site. If the material gets wet, action must be taken in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Closing a wet pack under another film may hinder drying. It is also worth arranging the material in the order corresponding to the work on the roof slopes. This limits the moving of sheets and the risk of damage to the coating. Each pack should have a clear assignment to the roof slope and sheet lengths. This avoids unpacking the entire delivery in search of one piece. A narrow access or lack of space next to the building should be reported to the supplier before the format is agreed.

A long sheet is prone to deformation when supported at the wrong points. The large surface also makes work difficult in wind. An agreed lifting method and a stable organisation of the workplace are needed. The low weight of a single sheet does not mean it can be handled freely in all conditions.

It is worth planning where installation will begin and the access route to avoid excessive walking on the finished covering. The entire delivery should not be stacked on an arbitrary section of the structure. The point load of a pack differs from the weight of the sheets spread out. The rules for temporary storage should be assessed before bringing the material in.

The first sheets set the direction for the subsequent ones. Their alignment relative to the eaves and the fit of the laps must be checked. A growing error should not be corrected by arbitrarily narrowing or widening the joints. The edges must work within the intended geometry. If the material does not fit, the cause must be found before further fixing.

The screws are selected according to the substrate and the function of the connection. Their arrangement and pressure must comply with the instructions. Additional holes made by mistake require proper repair, not leaving them under an arbitrary filler. For sheets divided along their length, the correct transverse lap and its support are particularly important.

Before installation, it is worth having a complete set of flashings, seals and ventilation components. The sheet should be cut with the correct tools. Swarf must be removed as work proceeds, including from gutters and roof valleys. Edges and minor damage are protected in accordance with the product requirements. Arbitrary paints should not be applied to entire sections of the roof slope.

The acceptance inspection should cover the eaves line, laps, fixings and details at all roof interruptions. It is worth keeping photographs of the concealed layers and the material specification. These will facilitate later inspection and any repair. Carefully prepared work allows the advantages of large sheets to be used without transferring measurement and organisational problems to the installation stage.