Roofline, Cladding, Fascias, Soffits & Guttering …...Aluminium, copper and steel are amongst some...

Buyer’s Guide

A PROPERTY OWNER’S GUIDE TO PROTECTING THEIR INVESTMENT

THE NO-NONSENSE GUIDE TO HELP YOU EVALUATE, COMPARE AND FIND THE RIGHT PRODUCT

Roofline, Cladding, Fascias, Soffits & Guttering

INVALUABLE ADVICE TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOME

PLUS:Making the Best Material Choice

Select the Right Supplier – Avoid an expensive mistake

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROTECTION

Tip to help you make a wise purchase

GETTING THE IDEAL PRODUCTS FOR

YOUR PROPERTY

2 To find out more simply call 01494 536000 or visit www.hazlemere.co.uk

Contents4 Glossary The meanings behind the terminology. 5 Selecting the right products Every home is individual so find out what you need for your home.6 Quality speaks for itself Make roofline products an investment and so it lasts and lasts.7 Maintenance free UPVC Why is this the material of choice for millions of homes and why it’s right for your home too. 8 Call in the professionals Don’t underrate the value of

professional installation - it’s part of the investment.9 Choice, choices Shapes and features to consider.

10 Guarantees Tried, tested and trusted? All products are not the same so - avoid the pitfalls.11 Roofline product guide Understanding what’s available.12 Key product features What you should be looking for in your new roofline products.13 Installation and maintenance guide Know how to keep your roofline looking good in the years to come.14 Getting the right advice How to ensure you choose the right product for you and your property; plus choosing a reliable supplier and installer.

To make an appointment with a professional home improvement consultant freephone 0500 011561 or visit www.hazlemere.co.uk 3

Welcome...There are thousands of home improvement products designed

to protect and enhance properties, many of which have been

designed to work together in harmony; to provide aesthetically

pleasing looks and superior performance. The key is to choose

both the right product(s) and the right installer so that the

finished job delivers the best possible return on your investment

in terms of longevity, peace of mind, protection and quality,

thereby adding real value to your home.

Consequently this buyers guides aims to look at the different

roofline and cladding options available to UK property

owners, from colours of fascias to different types of gutters. It’s

impossible to cover every aspect of roofline, but having read

this summary of what is available, along with some of the pros

and cons of each product type, you will hopefully be in a better

position to make a confident informed decision.

Any experienced, professional installer with a trusted reputation

should be able to help you select products that are designed to

enhance and protect your home for decades.

Expert adviceHazlemere Group is in the enviable position of having 25 years’ experience of surveying,

recommending and installing roofline in Buckinghamshire and the surrounding areas. As a family

company we have built a reputation for our straightforward approach, no-nonsense advice and

excellent installation quality. We have made our customers the focus of our business and we

work hard to ensure their satisfaction at every stage of their dealings with us. For a no obligation

consultation with an experienced expert in the comfort of your home or at our showroom, at a time

and date to suit you, call 01494 536000.

BargeboardA board, often decorated with carved ornaments, placed along the gable end of a roof – Collins English DictionaryA board, often ornately carved, attached along the projecting edge of a pitched roof in front of a gable – The Free Online DictionaryVergeboard is just another name for bargeboard.

CladdingThe material used for the outside facing of a building etc. – Collins English DictionaryA hard substance such as wood, stone, or metal that is put on the outside of structure, especially a building to protect it or to make it look more attractive - MacMillan DictionaryA protective or insulating layer fixed to the outside of a building or another structure - The Free Online DictionaryThe application of one material over another to provide a skin or layer intended to control the infiltration of weather elements – WikipediaIn the construction industry ‘cladding’ comes in various materials, for example metals (i.e. aluminium, copper and steel), stone, timber and UPVC etc.

DownpipesA pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof gutter to the ground or to a drain – The Free Online DictionaryA vertical pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof gutter to ground level – Your Dictionary.comDownpipes are also known or referred to as rainwater pipes, drainpipes or downspouts.

Dry VergeCollins English Dictionary states that the word verge means ‘the edge of the roof tiles protecting over a gable’.A dry verge system is one that provides complete protection to your property against water penetration for the joints between tiles and brickwork or bargeboard at gable ends.Continuous dry verge is designed to fit on the gable end of houses, between the

underside of the battens and outer wall or roof ladder.

Reveal LinersCollins English Dictionary states that the word ‘reveal’ refers to ‘the vertical side of an opening in a wall, especially the side of a window or door between the frame and the front of the wall’ and that the word ‘liner’ means ‘a material used as a lining’.

Fascias‘Fascia’ is a term which generally describes any horizontal surface which spans across the top of columns or across the top of a wall. From the Latin word, meaning ‘band’ or ‘doorframe’.In architecture the word ‘fascia’ is specifically, used to describe the vertical ‘fascia board’ which caps the end of rafters outside a building, which can be used to hold the rain gutter.A flat horizontal band or member between mouldings - The Free Online DictionaryIn summary fascias are the front facing surface of trim on a house above the soffit but below the roofline.

Foiled Products‘Foil’ is defined as ‘a thin, flexible leaf or sheet of metal’ – The Free Online Dictionary. The Collins English Dictionary states that ‘Foilate’ is ‘to ornament (windows etc.) with foils’.According to the Free Online Dictionary ‘foiled’ literally means ‘to cover or back with foil’ or ‘to set off by contrast’.Foiled products on cladding, fascias and soffits are used to offer property owners a choice of decorative wood grain effect finishes/appearances and/or colours. More often than not, foiled products are not as long-lasting or durable as white UPVC products.

GutteringA trough fixed under or along the eaves for draining rainwater from a roof – The Free Online DictionaryA channel at the eaves of a roof for conveying away the rain; an eaves channel; an eaves trough – Dictionary.net

The open pieces of pipes that are fixed along the edge of a roof to carry rain away - MacMillan DictionaryThe word ‘guttering’ literally means ‘to supply or provide with gutters’.

RooflineThe outline or contour of the roof of a building - Webster’s New World College DictionaryThe profile of or silhouette made by a roof or series of roofs - American Heritage Dictionary of the English LanguageIn laymen’s terms the word ‘roofline’ refers to both the edging and guttering in addition to the bottom of any property’s roof, as well as to any cladding fixed to it, be it on the front, back, sides or to dormer windows, loft extensions or side elevations

OgeeAlso called talon, a moulding having a cross section in the form of a letter – Collins English DictionaryA moulding having a shaped curve in profile - Webster’s New World College DictionaryA double curve with the shape of an elongated S - American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

SoffitsThe word ‘soffit’ is from the French ‘soffite’, which means formed as a ceiling; directly from suffictus for suffixus, Latin suffigere, to fix underneath. In architecture, soffit is used to describe the underside of any construction element.The exposed under surface of any exterior overhanging section of a roof eave - WikipediaThe underside of a part of a building or a structural component – The Free Dictionary

Tudor BoardA board, often ornate, attached along the barge couples of a gabled roof, as in Tudor and Gothic architecture – Your Dictionary.comTudor Board is a UPVC roofline product, originally designed and developed by a UK company called ‘Homeline’, which can provide traditional Victorian style properties with an ideal solution for the replacement of old rotten timbers, common with this style of home. UPVC Tudor Board is used as a ‘decorative feature’ to newly built homes, as well as to renovate existing ones.

Get to know your vergeboards from your ogee - a breakdown of the main terms you may hear used as you look for roofline products.

GLOSSARY


Keep an eye out for the BBA Approval Inspection Testing Certification logo or the BSI Kitemark logo, so you can be sure the products you specify to your installer, or which are proposed by your fitting company, are accredited and approved to the highest recognised UK standards.

The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is the UK’s major authority offering approval of construction products, systems and installers. Supporting their Agrément Certificate product approval work, they undertake testing, factory and site inspections. They also offer management and environmental systems certification against the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 series and product testing to European and other Standards, so their accreditation means something.

As the world’s first national standards organisation, the British Standards Institute (BSI) is a leading provider of standardisation and consortia services to the public and private sectors to make sure that British, European and international standards are useful, relevant and authoritative.

Whether it is a BBA and/or BSI approved roofline system you are considering, look for products that have been designed, manufactured and tested to work together, to provide you with a complete roofline system that will add, and therefore not detract from your property.

Make sure you are offered a wide choice of colours (that will not discolour!), plus a completely integrated roofline system that is not difficult for fitters to install and, ideally, products that are environmentally friendly. For example, cellular UPVC is the ideal

substitute for timber related products, as it is completely weather resistant, low maintenance, recyclable and sustainable in modern construction.

However if don’t mind the cost/work involved in renovating timber cladding, fascias and soffits every couple of years or so, then who can deny the natural beauty of wood? Timber is flexible in terms of being able to be stained or painted to any colour and is, of course, sustainable. Wood is sustainable, CO2 neutral, an effective insulator, low in weight yet high in density with reasonable thermal properties. Unlike many other materials, timber behaves predictably in a fire but is obviously more combustible than some building materials. Timber cladding can be fitted to any exterior wall, wood, concrete or brick to keep the inner walls frost free. If treated right, wood can be resistant to heat, frost, corrosion and pollution. However one factor that does need to be controlled in wood is moisture, so ensure you discuss this aspect carefully with your supplier.

Aluminium, copper and steel are amongst some of the metal alternatives available and can also be painted, but do beware, as certain metals oxidize after a short period of time, causing the paint to peel and flake and therefore creating additional maintenance.

To find out more simply freephone 0500 011561 or visit www.hazlemere.co.uk 5

They may look similar but it’s important to know what’s good and what’s not so good when choosing new or replacement roofline and cladding products so you can be sure of getting products that really are ‘fit and forget’.

SELECTING THE RIGHT PRODUCT

GETTING THE RIGHT PROTECTION IS KEY

The main purpose of UPVC roofline systems is to provide an external protective and decorative trim at the roofline of your home where timber or other materials would normally be used. The system will provide protection to the interior of the building from the damaging penetration of moisture. Timber roof structures, to which the system is fixed, must be designed and/or constructed in accordance with the relevant Building Regulations and, as appropriate, in compliance with one of the following technical specifications:• BS 5268-2: 2002• BS 5268-3: 2006• The Building Regulations 2000 (as amended) (England and Wales), Approved Document A1/2, section 2A• The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, Part D Structure.Your installer should be familiar with all of the necessary Building Regulations and be able to talk you through how they apply to your particular property. If they can’t then look elsewhere!

As well as the standard UPVC White, Black, Light Oak, Rosewood and Mahogany colours available for cladding, fascias and soffits, some UK manufacturers also offer a range of ‘life like’ wood grain effect foils that are so close to the real thing that you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. These popular wood grain effect options can include English Oak, Mountain Ash and Silver Birch. UPVC dry verge is available in colours like Grey, Brown and Terracotta. Fascias boards are generally available in three different styles (Square, Bullnose and Ogee) as well as a range of different colours and finishes.

Tudor Boards can faithfully replicate original period details

Having the right products for the right job, professionally installed is essential in ensuring a quality job. Be wary of cheaply manufactured, inferior products that could well cause problems further down the line. Even good products, badly or incorrectly installed will cause long term problems, so ensure you select an experienced installer with a proven track record and sufficient knowledge. The last thing you want is the hassle and costs of having to repair water damage caused by products installed by a ‘DIY’ or inexperienced person or company.

Check out the details of a professional installer’s guarantee to make sure they are ‘watertight’, plus look into the company credibility to make sure that if problems do arise during the guarantee period, they’ll not only be around to solve them but they will be dealt with in a timely fashion under the terms and conditions

of the guarantee, without any further cost to you.

Only buy from installers whose products have been meticulously selected and rigorously tested, to ensure that you fit a tried and tested roofline system.

‘Maintenance free’ UPVCMaintaining your existing woodwork is not only time-consuming, but over time can cost a considerable amount of money too. Gone are the days where ladders can legally be used to paint your rooflines if they are over a certain height above ground level. Current health and safety requirements call for expensive scaffolding or ‘cherry pickers’ to be used more and more for working at height.

Rotting cladding, fascias and soffits or rusting cast iron steel downpipes can really let a property down both aesthetically and in value

terms. Rotten woodwork can also cause structural damage leading to woodworm and could encourage vermin and can cause water damage inside your home too. If this is the case it makes good economic sense, whether you intend to stay in your home or move, to replace old rotting roofline with high quality, weather-resistant, long-lasting UPVC (or PVC-U) that need neither painting nor repairing.

Given the recent severe winters and seeming increasing prevalence of snow and ice, along with better insulated homes, it is worth noting that UPVC guttering is not indestructible, and cannot take the same weight as, for example, old, good condition cast iron guttering could. Metal is obviously a stronger material that plastic, but also needs more maintenance and stronger brackets and fixings to hold it in place. Under the extreme weight of snow plastic

gutter brackets can snap, but fortunately are extremely inexpensive to replace.

The good thing about the many high quality ranges of UPVC roofline products that are available in the UK today is that once you’ve had the work done professionally you never have to give it a second thought. Good quality UPVC fascias, soffits, bargeboards, cladding, Tudor board, gutters or downpipes do not warp, crack, flake or peel, so when having roofline products installed, make sure you have really decent ones fitted so you don’t have to do them ever again.

It is wise to check that any white, coloured or foiled roofline products you are considering having fitted are guaranteed against discolouration, so when investing in your home you can be confident your chosen UPVC products will actually not only protect your property long term,

6 To find out more simply freephone 0500 011561 or visit www.hazlemere.co.uk

IS QUALITY REALLY WORTH THE EXTRA COST?

With the possible exception of listed buildings, or properties in conservation areas, no installation should be too difficult to achieve the desired result.

Can roofline be fitted to listed buildings?

It is possible you may need planning permission if your property is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or in a Conservation Area or is Listed, so do check with your local planning department before ordering, as you don’t want to install a product you may later be forced to remove and/or replace.If you would like to install roofline products on a listed building discuss the options with a reputable supplier, who should have the expertise to assist, plus be able to provide you with information on the materials and methods of fixing that you could use to support any planning application.

An experienced home improvement consultant who has been fully trained on the products their company supplies and installs will be able to help you assess and select the right product for your particular home, so you can have the peace of mind that you have made the right decision and added a lasting, approved improvement to your property.

IS YOUR PROPERTY SUITABLE?

If you are looking to protect any property long-term, it really does make sense to ensure that you have high quality, extremely durable products that are professionally installed - the result is years of maintenance-free peace-of-mind.

but actually improve it, both in terms of looks and value. Fit the best and you really will be able to forget and rest for many years.

By fitting virtually maintenance-free high quality UPVC roofline cladding fascias and soffits along with plastic guttering and downpipes, rather than ‘cheap’ alternatives, property owners demonstrate that they genuinely care about the look of their properties, adding value to their homes, whilst creating kerb appeal for any potential future purchasers.

As with all home improvements, the choice is yours, but let’s faces it, whether you are planning to move or stay put, replacing your old timber roofline or cladding with maintenance free UPVC gives your property a deserved face lift and rejuvenates its overall look. To help you achieve this, most authorised independent roofline suppliers and installers

offer a vast range of colours and styles of tried and tested UPVC roofware that come with decent product and installation guarantees.

Finally, whatever you do don’t ‘paper over the cracks’. Too often one comes across customers having capping boards fitted over existing timber fascias rather than having the old timber removed and

completely replaced. This may seem the more cost-effective option when presented to you in the short term, but over the long run it really is not a good idea. The rotten wood hasn’t gone anywhere; it is still there sealed in, deteriorating even more year after year providing the ideal breeding ground for insects and pests. Eventually the nails in the original timbers

will come loose due to rotted and infested wood, leaving your fascias exposed and unsecured, not to mention that in some cases you can invalidate a guarantee if you don’t completely remove existing timber which, when removed, enables the UPVC roofline to do the long lasting job and perform to the high standards it is designed to achieve.

Aesthetic ConsiderationsYou don’t want any surprises, so make sure you have seen the actual colour and quality of each component so you know that they all complement one another, will dovetail in with the overall look of your home, plus last for years.

Product Quality AssuranceYou need to be confident that the products you install in your home are well made, so it is always wise to check that the products have been officially tested and approved by authorised independent bodies. If you purchase via an authorised, fully trained British supplier and installer that is approved by the manufacturer, you are far more likely to get the after-sales service you need. With your suppliers working closely together any defects that may come to light during the lifetime of the product are far more readily resolved than if, for example, your products have been manufactured in some distant land.


TOP

TIPS

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PVCU roofline products are wonderfully lightweight, so in theory should be easy to install, however the real problem lies in the height you are working at which isn’t always conducive to good workmanship and an effective, watertight installation.

On a warm, sunny day all may look well with the installation you have laboured many hours over but it’s often later, when the rain comes, that any problems come to light.

Measuring, fitting, fixing and sealing of roofline products takes considerable time if they are to provide long-lasting weather protection for your home. If you have

any doubts about your ability to work at height then the best route is to consider a professional installation which of course gives you the added benefit that if things do go wrong, there is always someone to call upon to put things right.

As cladding is cut to order, make sure your property is professionally surveyed to ensure you end up with the right size, style and shape that will enhance your property and fit securely and safely to your building. It is wise to have it professionally installed by an authorised, independent supplier with a well-established, good, reputable name so you can be sure they have the experience

and expertise in installing cladding. Ask to see examples of installations they have recently fitted, so you can be confident in the company, final installation and product before placing an order.

An investment for the futureWhen choosing a supplier, ensure that they have public liability insurance to cover any unfortunate damage that could occur during fitting of the product itself or to your property. The last thing you want is for holes to be drilled in the wrong places resulting in leaks and water damage.

Most roofline products are available for installation on a DIY basis, so why consider professional installation at all?

RIGHT: Neat corner details can be hard to achieve for even the

most competent DIY enthusiast - especially when measuring and

fitting at higher roof levels.

“A site survey is essential to ensure that your roofline

products are completely suitable and provide the

protection that you expect. ” HAZLEMERE


Material choices...

• 100% recyclable • Recycled up to ten times• More thermally efficient than timber • Weather resistant

• Working life of forty plus years• Does not need painting • Low maintenance - saves you money • Produces no harmful CFCs

As it will be decades before you have to even consider replacing roofline products, that cannot be bad news for the environment can it?

DIY VERSUS PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION

UPVC is ideal for roofline and cladding refurbishment due to its combination of aesthetics, lightness, strength, formability and longevity; it is also 100% recyclable and may be recycled up to 10 times. UPVC is one of the most popular choices in the UK today with 85% of buildings benefiting from this cost effective, highly durable, environmentally friendly, safe, secure and robust product. It’s widely recognised that the maintenance burden and the technical performance of timber, especially for roofline, is no longer acceptable when

compared with UPVC.

We have very much focussed on the pros and cons of UPVC products in this Buyer’s Guide and you may well ask why? Other than UPVC, there is no other material that can provide virtually hassle free’ roofline solution. Having talked to experts who have had more than 25 years experience and expertise with these types of products, it has led us to the inevitable conclusion that for the UK climate they are the best material for the job and the ever changing British weather.

Don’t lose sight that there are other alternative materials available – wood and metals such as aluminium, copper and steel, and that no one doubts the natural beauty of wood. However, as technology has advanced over the years, many of the higher quality wood grain effect UPVC finishes now available are extremely hard to tell apart from the real thing, unless by touch or very close examination. Hassle-free, low maintenance and long life is why UPVC is the material of choice for UK homeowners.

UPVC FACT FILE:


FROM TOP DOWN: A well maintained exterior improves any home; dark brown Rosewood and

English Oak options for fascias and soffits.

Cladding, fascia and soffit boardsUPVC fascia and soffit boards and matching components are normally available in standard white or sometimes blue white.UPVC cellular boards comprise a closed-cell cellular PVC-U core beneath an outer weathering, impact-modified PVC-U skin. Soffit ventilators and other extruded trims are usually composed of impact-modified PVC-U and the injection mouldings of PVC-U.It is important to get soffit boards that fully complement the adjacent fascia boards, which should also have the option of having neat integral ventilation slots enabling air to flow in to the roof space to prevent any build-up of condensation.

Soffit lights if looking for illuminationSoffit lights are a great way to illuminate the outside of your home discreetly and, if done right, can add real style to your home. The power of the soffit light is designed to illuminate a small amount of brickwork, as well as the soffit board.

Dry vergesDry verges are designed to neaten up roof edges of properties and to help block up any gaps that could enable birds or large insects to enter your home’s roof space. Dry verges can be retro-fitted to

existing buildings to tidy up roof edges and cover any unsightly gaps, providing a virtually maintenance and mortar free option to having to re-point your eaves.Dry verges are designed to fit snugly under roof tiles on the gable preventing strong winds moving the tiles and causing them to blow off. As each unit is individually and mechanically fixed to the wooden batons and interlocked to the next unit, they give maximum protection against strong winds and water damage.

Rainwater guttering and downpipesThere is an extensive range of guttering available in the home improvement sector. Most decent suppliers and installers should be able to offer various styles of rainwater products such as square, half round, ogee and hi-cap – for those with larger roof areas, in a choice of different colours such as white, black, brown and caramel.For those looking for an extra touch of class, ‘cast iron effect’ gutters are available which seek to replicate your existing cast iron guttering and downpipes, but are made out of maintenance free plastic.

Cladding optionsUPVC cladding, often regarded as one of the most efficient ways to completely transform,

renovate and modernise properties, is available in two different styles (Shiplap and Open ‘V’). UPVC Shiplap cladding is designed with an extended tongue and groove leg which helps make for neat and tidy installations. Colour options include White, Black, Rosewood, Light Oak and Mahogany and should all come with a manufacturers backed guarantee.Cladding systems can be fixed horizontally or diagonally depending on what’s right for your property. Your installer should be willing to discuss the various options with you. Whether you’re looking to clad a dormer bungalow, the apex of a roof or simply neaten up an eyesore, UPVC cladding is the thermally efficient, maintenance free, stable and reliable alternative to timber.

Bespoke Tudor BoardUPVC Tudor Board, originally designed and developed by a UK company called ‘Homeline’, provides traditional Victorian style properties with the ideal

solution for the replacement of old rotten timbers common with this style of home. Available in four colours, Black, Rosewood, Mahogany and Light Oak, this high quality product provides style in addition to the usual maintenance free attributes of UPVC.

One of the most popular features of UPVC roofline products is how the range has evolved over recent years - it is now possible to replace all of your roofline with matching, made-to-fit-together products that offer a choice of colours and design options.

CHOICES, CHOICES...

What else? Standard white UPVC An ideal guarantee for white UPVC cladding, fascias and soffits is 10-15 years. A roofline manufacturer should guarantee that white UPVC profiles will retain their decorative and mechanical function for fifteen years from date of manufacture, under natural weathering conditions, but will usually insist they are installed and maintained in accordance with their fitting guidelines. Failure to do so will almost certainly invalidate any guarantee.

Foiled products

Foiled UPVC roofline and cladding profiles should retain their decorative and

mechanical function for 5-10 years from date of manufacture, under natural weathering conditions, provided they are installed by an experienced fitter, and then maintained in accordance with each manufacturer’s instructions.

Other colours

White/black rainwater gutters and downpipes should come with a 5-10 year guarantee, although you will often find that brown or caramel type coloured guttering will only be guaranteed for about two British summers given their propensity to fade after a period of exposure to sunlight.

Looking for a tried, tested & trusted outcome?

If you require a ‘watertight’ guarantee, then only contract with a well-established supplier and installer with a proven track record who is authorised and approved by a high quality roofline manufacturer. Given that some UK roofline manufacturers will only guarantee their products if installed according to their fitting guidelines, it makes sense to only order from a home improvement company that has the necessary credentials and is approved by the manufacturer as an installer of their products.


WHAT LENGTH OF GUARANTEE SHOULD I LOOK FOR?Not all guarantees are the same - some may only cover your statutory rights of some 12 months or so and should be avoided at all costs. Look for a minimum of 10 years at the very least and you will have peace of mind for years to come.

Look out for the following accreditations - if in doubt about their authenticity then call the issuing bodies who will be more than happy to help you ascertain the authenticity of what you are being told.• BBA 09/4639• Manufactured under ISO 9001 Quality Standard System• BSI certification Kitemarked• BS 7619 specification Kitemarked• Fire BS 476 Part 7, 1997• BS 6105 compliant

IN THE KNOWUPVC roofline product guide - know what’s available including the latest product innovations.

FasciasThere are fascias suitable for both new build and refurbishment applications. Choose from square, bullnose and ogee or reveal liners in a wide variety of colours and sizes.

VentilationVentilation of the roof space is important to prevent condensation build up and to enable you to conform to Building Regulations. Choose from over fascia ventilators with eaves protection, or standard circular disk vents.

Tudor boardTudor board provides a maintenance free alternative for mock Tudor properties, whilst providing an attractive option for new build.

SoffitsChoose from solid soffit boards or pre-vented soffit boards depending on how you plan to ventilate your roof space. Hollow soffits are another option to consider.

RainwaterAvailable in different styles and different colours, rainwater systems should always work perfectly with the fascia board system they were designed for.

Dry VergeSpeed up installations by using a UPVC dry verge system, thereby eliminating the need for mortar pointing which commonly shrinks and cracks. Dry verges are easy to fix for a professional and provide excellent long-term protection.

Heat Shield Technology

Some wood grain foils are manufactured using the latest Heat Shield Technology. This ground-breaking technology prevents darker coloured cladding, fascias and soffits from absorbing excessive heat, which could cause warping, bending, cracking or bubbling. Heat Shield is the first ever heat protective foil used in the cellular extrusion industry. The benefits include:• Reflects 80% of the sun’s harmful rays• 12 times thicker than other foils - 250 microns • Better scratch resistance• Superior embossed effect • Wood grain effect evident by touch and sight

Find out more about UPVC and the environment over the page


Low maintenance: Go for products that require little or virtually no maintenance whatsoever once installed.

Aesthetically pleasing: Make sure the products you choose compliment your home and neighbourhood, so that you don’t end up lowering the value of your house, or the other properties in the same street. Choose a colour, finish and style which suits your property and ‘matches in’ with your property’s surroundings.

Superior performance: Opt for the highest performing products you can, particularly those that have been specifically designed to work in harmony together, to provide superior looks and outstanding performance.

Accredited: Research both the product(s) and the installers you intend to use. Ask if the products are accredited by the BBA and manufactured in accordance with British Standards and check they conform to all relevant environmental legislation.

Thermally efficient: Once installed, good quality well designed roofline products will provide extra thermal efficiency within homes and buildings, helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Durable yet flexible: Ensure the roofline system you choose has the flexibility to suit your particular installation, yet will remain extremely durable and rigid once installed.

Reliable: Select products that will not rot, bend, warp or discolour and that come with a comprehensive guarantee. British Standards state that the product must be free from sink marks, cracks or foreign bodies when viewed at 90 degrees to the surface at a distance of 1 metre in diffused north light.

Durability: The product needs to be able to retain its physical integrity for many years, plus visually age uniformly with only minimum changes to its appearance.

Colourfastness: If manufacturers only use raw materials supplied by the largest and most experienced companies within the industry they will have access to the most up to date and sophisticated testing facilities regarding weathering. All their products should therefore have passed the U.V. aged impact tests and the colourfast requirements that are set out in BS7619. White products should not change greater than a Delta E of 8 when exposed to normal weather conditions experienced in northern Europe.

Chemical resistance: In order to preserve the high quality surface finish of roofline cellular products it is recommended that only warm soapy water is used to clean the product as required. Any solvents and chemicals should be avoided.

Fire classification: When tested in accordance with BS 476-7: 1997, Replacement UPVC fascia boards should achieve a Class 1 surface spread of flame rating.

Impact resistance: UPVC cellular products must pass the impact tests as required by BS7619

Softening point: Cellular products should have a softening point in the region of 70 degrees Centigrade, when tested to BS EN ISO 60 2000 Vicat 5kg load.

Heat Shield: Standard on some foils, the revolutionary Heat Shield Technology prevents heat from being absorbed into the profile itself preventing warping, bending and twisting.

Water absorption: Tests have been carried out to BS EN ISO 62 1999 and typical UPVC cellular products have a water retention of <1%.

Thermal movement and conductivity: The co-efficient of linear expansion for high quality white UPVC products at 20oC is c5x10-5 as tested in accordance with BS4370-3 1998. For 9mm thick fascia profiles it is recommended that a 5mm expansion gap is given to both ends of the board. For foiled products it is recommended that an 8mm expansion gap is used both ends of the product. Some cellular products have excellent insulation qualities and have been tested in accordance with BS4370-2 1993 resulting in a value of 0.062W/mK which is greater than the equivalent soft wood product.

Workability: Most UPVC cellular products can be cut and handled in a similar way to timber products. However it is recommended that the protective tape is removed immediately after fitting each product as exposure to sunlight can make the tape very difficult to remove subsequently.

Loading: Replacement fascia boards should easily support eaves tiles in common usage throughout the UK, provided they are installed in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines by an experienced fitter.

KEY FEATURES TO LOOK OUT FOR

This property benefits from expertly installed roofline products including the white cladding

to the dormer windows.


TOP LEFT: Deep green fascia and soffits are complemented by black square guttering; LEFT: Deep soffits on this extended covered entrance provide the smartest finish; BELOW: The cheeks and front of these dormer windows have been clad in white UPVC giving them a long, long life.

UPVC & THE ENVIRONMENTAny building product takes its impact on the environment and UPVC is no exception. However, with considerate manufacturing and such a long useful life, its impact is reduced.

Most roofline manufacturers are committed to providing quality products and comply with all relevant environmental legislation.

In terms of high quality UPVC roofline manufacturers some highlight the green benefits of UPVC roofline and cladding products:

• 100% Recyclable• Can be recycled up to 10 times• More thermally efficient than timber• Weather resistant• Working life of 40 years +• Low maintenance - no need to paint - saves you money• Produces no harmful CFCsLook out for how the products have been manufactured. The best use the finest raw materials and are extruded, moulded, laminated and foiled using state of the art, energy efficient machinery.

BBA approved, and manufactured products have been produced in accordance with British Standards, which conform to all relevant environmental legislation so you can rest assured you are ‘doing your bit’ where you can.

Protection during installation makes all the difference.Following manufacture of UPVC cladding, fascias and soffits, clear polyethylene film is applied to the outer face of the material before the board is cut to length. This protective tape should only be removed immediately before or straight after installation to prevent any damage.

The best finish means using the best, albeit simple, tools.UPVC products are relatively easy to work with using standard hand tools for drilling. It is strongly recommended that a fine tooth blade saw is used for when cutting UPVC cladding, fascias or soffits.

Allow for expansion and install when the weather is right for the product.The cellular PVC-U components have a similar co-efficient of thermal expansion to that of conventional solid PVC-U. A 5mm gap should be provided

at the end of each board (i.e. 10mm at the joint trim between boards), to allow for movement.

Care should be taken not to install the system in extremes of temperature. The recommended temperature for installation is between 5°C and 25°C. UPVC products should definitely NOT be installed at zero Centigrade, as the product can become brittle.

On-going maintenance is minimal but worth carrying out to get the best from your products.The only maintenance that is usually required to UPVC products is a wipe down with a non-scratch, mild detergent like washing up liquid and warm water. Although UPVC roofline is resistant to some acids and alkalis, it can be damaged by solvents. Consequently, to prevent staining, if creosote or bitumen based products are being used in the installation

or on the property at that point in time or in the future, care should be taken to ensure they don’t make contact with any UPVC products.

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE


As with any significant purchase, getting the best advice and choosing the right supplier often go hand in hand. Whilst there are a lot of companies to help you choose the right product for your property, do your research on your chosen partner carefully, as not all of them may have the necessary expertise or experience, or even the product you need. So here are some questions you can ask to help you narrow down the field, along with some tips to bear in mind when searching for cladding, fascias, soffits, guttering and downpipes for your home.

More top tips to consider when choosing your roofline products and installer.

Latest technology Some UPVC products have been prone to fading in the past, particularly dark and foiled colours. The latest products are designed to avoid this so ask questions and check what you are getting.

Future thinkingIf you are thinking of building an extension or adding a conservatory to your home, consider replacing the roofline products that would end up being above, whilst you still have access to them.

You get what you pay forBe prepared to pay what is often only a little bit more for improvements that could make all the difference to your home and how long your product lasts for and how good it looks in the long term.

Don’t cover upGet a commitment from your installer that they will remove all of the existing timbers - leaving them behind gives an inferior fixing and can lead to unwanted problems later on.

Safety considerationsA reputable installer will work off safety equipment to ensure your products are installed safely and professionally - working off ladders is dangerous and often results in a poorer quality finished installation.

Sound AdviceCan the supplier provide helpful expert information and a range of decent brochures and samples to assist you get the right product for your property?

Check the supplier and installer offers a free no obligation consultation and site survey by an experienced expert.

Ask questions about the company and confirmation that it does have its own experienced roofline installers.

Always get a written quotation to consider in your own good time (there should be no charge for this, but it is always wise

to check this). Ask how long it will be valid for and what you can expect if you do decide you want to proceed.

There should be no charge for someone to visit and survey your property Always aim to arrange a free consultation at your property during daylight wherever possible, particular if you plan to choose colours or wood grain effect finishes from samples during the appointment.

What is their after-sales service like? Do they have their own dedicated service engineers who will be able to resolve any

future issues that may arise with the product or installation?

Make sure the home improvement expert that undertakes the consultation takes into account the aspect of your property in relation to the sun, so that you ensure you do end up with products that will not soon start to fade.

Obtain a full written specification of all product(s)

and the work to be undertaken so you know exactly what to expect.

Does the supplier have a website?

Look for lots of relevant content and images so you can check them out whilst finding out more about them and their range of products and services?

GET THE RIGHT ADVICE

More on getting the right advice

Here today and hopefully here tomorrow tooAs roofline effectively becomes part of your property for years, it is important you choose a company that will be around for the same period of time, so look for a supplier that is well established and has a recognised brand name and earned a good reputation.

Advice is keyPreferably choose an experienced installer with the expertise, product knowledge and technology to provide you with the best possible installation and service.

Take the time to look at what you are getting BEFORE you commit to an orderIs there a showroom where you can see the products you will be buying before you order them and where you can speak face to face with someone who knows what they are talking about? Ensure the supplier you choose has been authorised and trained by the manufacturer. You will be more

relaxed about the situation knowing that the installation will be done professionally and that the product you are purchasing will be backed by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Check your quotes are like for like, especially if one seems much cheaper

If you do want quality, reliability and longevity, be wary of any quote that is way cheaper than others, as you are investing in your property for the long term, so make sure you are comparing ‘like with like’. You will always be able to find a ‘cheaper’ option, but ask yourself will both the product and supplier still be in good working order in ten years time?

Deposits - how much is reasonable?Ask if the supplier requires a deposit. If so, don’t pay too big a one. Whilst is it fair and reasonable to pay a deposit for products that are being specially made to order for you, it is unwise to pay a large deposit. You need to think carefully

about placing an order with any company requiring a deposit of much more than 10-20%.

Paying the balance when the job is properly finished.Is there a range of ways to make your payment in terms of any deposit the remaining balance upon satisfactory installation? Established companies should be able to take cheques, debit cards and credit cards (although many businesses now charge a small administration fee for payment by credit card). Some credit card companies offer added consumer protection and insurance if you pay using their credit card.

How long will it take to survey, manufacture and install? Always check that on the lead times and be suspicious of any company that can start work immediately - it may indicate problems.

After salesFinally, is the supplier you are considering approaching independent with a good reputation and is large enough to offer you a sufficiently wide range of product and after sales service, should you any issues arise in the future with either your product or the installation?


Get the right advice contd.

FROM TOP: A Hazlemere installation of standard black plastic guttering and white UPVC fascia and soffit; The Hazlemere showroom has an extensive selection of products to view; LEFT: Maintenance is a thing of the past when you replace your roofline with the latest technologically advanced products.


And finally in conclusion...Avoid cheap products and choose your installer carefully and you’ll have a roofline that will last.Buying cheap and/or having poorly installed products is a false economy as obviously, if you want a value for money, quality product that will last the passage of time, you need to be prepared to pay a reasonable price as the old saying that ‘you get what you pay for’ is true more often than many of us would care to admit as we do all tend to like a ‘bargain’.

However, no one wants to fit cheap products that will leak, fade, warp, twist, crack, peel or flake, losing their functionality, which then ends up costing far more to repair/replace than a decent product would have cost in the first place. Consider the work you do now on the roofline of your home as a long-term investment that you don’t want to have to pay twice for.

Make a lasting improvement to your home So, whilst price is important it is not the be all and end all. It is more important to ask the right questions to ensure you get i) the right cladding, fascias, soffits or guttering, ii) a reliable supplier, iii) a professional installation, iv) a superior quality product that you are delighted with, not only because it is tailor made for your property, but also because it delivers v) trouble free protection for decades to come, so you end up with vi) an excellent return on your initial investment and a lasting improvement to your home or property.

We trust you found this buyers guide useful and you feel sufficiently well equipped to approach your preferred company with the confidence that you will ask them the questions that will help you determine if they are the right supplier and installer for you, plus that the products they offer are indeed the ones that will improve and protect your property.

This guide is one of an range of similar guides for your home - please contact us to obtain FREE copies of any that might be useful to you.useful to you.

www.hazlemere.co.uk 15

To find out more about our range of roofline products visit Hazlemere’s showroom, or better still, arrange a no obligation appointment, expert consultation & free site survey.Wellington Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 3PRt 01494 536000 w www.hazlemere.co.uk e [email protected]

Trust Hazlemere - Independent Roofline Suppliers & Installers

Get the right protection for your property

Independent roofline suppliers Hazlemere has the

experience and expertise to help you choose the right

product for your property.

Hazlemere have a massive choice of finishes and colour

options, and each component is cut and/or shaped to fit

exactly into your property.

Hazlemere’s High Wycombe showroom is home to a

decent selection of home improvement products including

UPVC cladding, fascias & soffits, guttering and downpipes.

Their experienced, friendly home improvement consultants

are on hand to answer any questions in a relaxed

atmosphere on an absolutely no obligation basis, so you

can find just what your looking for without any hassle or

fuss. Plus, Hazlemere also have on display a massive range

of double glazed windows, doors, conservatories, garage

doors, awnings, blinds and canopies.

our extensive home improvement showroom & see our roofline range of fascias, soffits, gutters & downpipes

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