Marley is the first UK manufacturer to launch a one piece clip and nail, which could save up to 30% on roof clipping time when planned changes to fixing standards in the UK are introduced later this summer.
SoloFix has been launched by Marley because the revised BS5534, the Code of Practice for Slating and Tiling, is expected to require a much higher number of roofs to be both clipped and nailed, in preparation for more extreme weather conditions in the UK.
Widely regarded as the most time consuming mechanical fixing method for a roof tile, clipping was previously only seen in fixing specifications for high exposure areas. Under the proposed changes to BS5534, new wind uplift calculations would be used to not only bring the UK in line with the Eurocode, but also to take into account more extreme weather conditions. This means that a degree of clipping will probably be required on most roofs across the UK.
At the moment, clips and nails come in separate bags and need threading together prior to installation, which can add a significant amount of labour time to roofing projects, especially those with a large requirement for clipping. The new SoloFix one piece clip and nail is comparable in price to standard aluminium clips but could save as much as 30% on labour time.
Manufactured from a unique and high grade composite called Zinc Aluminium (ZiAl), SoloFix has the strength and performance of stainless steel, making it able to withstand the harshest environmental conditions across the UK, including gale force winds and salt corrosion. This means that it provides a single clip solution, eliminating the traditional requirement for contractors to use two different types, aluminium and stainless steel clips.
Gavin White, product manager for Marley, explains: “Over the last few years, we have undoubtedly experienced more extreme weather, creating some of the most challenging conditions for roofscapes across the UK. As a result, the current version of BS5534 is under review and due for publication shortly, with the changes likely to become mandatory early in 2015.
“We strongly feel that the launch of SoloFix will help contractors and builders deal with the additional fixing requirements expected in the BS5534 standard, so we have been working over the past few months to develop the product and pricing. This means that we are able to offer SoloFix for all standard interlocking tiles from the beginning of July and we are the first and only UK manufacturer to sell such a product.
“Any changes to make pitched roofing more secure are a positive move but we know there has been some concern among builders and roofing contractors about extra labour cost and longer roofing programmes as a result. While something as small as threading each clip and nail doesn’t sound like it can make that much difference, it is incredibly time consuming, particularly when roofers are installing thousands of tiles. Our time trials on a live site and those at our training centre have proven that using SoloFix could save as much as 30% over using separate clips and nails, a significant time and cost saving on any roofing project.”
Available for all standard interlocking tiles, SoloFix comes as a one piece clip and nail available in two different pack sizes. More information on how SoloFix can reduce roof installation time is available in a quick demonstration video, visit www.marley.co.uk/solofix or www.youtube.com/MarleyLtd
