In the modern world around us, reducing our carbon footprint is on many people’s minds. Opting for solar panels is a cost-effective and eco-friendly way of generating energy. While this has many benefits, the installation process can cause complications. For example, securing them onto the roof requires penetrating the roof, causing damage to the structure and potentially opening it up to moisture and water.
What can help with that? You might have heard of roof flashing before. If you’re not already aware, flexible roof flashing is a very useful, flat and thin piece of metal that’s used on roofs to direct water away from entering at any vulnerable points. The main role of flashing is to create a water-tight seal and act as a protective barrier. As a result, water can’t get into the roof. If a water intrusion occurs, it can lead to serious problems, like mould, rot or a leak.
Are you wondering what’s the best flexible roof flashing for your solar panels? The truth is, there’s a lot of choice. With the amount of options there are, finding the most suitable option that’ll provide the best results is essential.
Read on to find out the benefits and some of the types available.
What is Roof Flashing?
Let’s explore roof flashing in more detail. Roof flashing is a thin, waterproof material that’s installed in a roof. It’s a vital component of roofing systems as it works to prevent water intrusion in crucial and vulnerable areas, like chimneys, skylights, valleys and vents. And, of course, solar panels.
Roof flashing is essential when it comes to solar panels, as multiple penetrations are made to secure them onto the roof. The flashing helps to prevent any moisture or rainwater from seeping through to the roof’s structure, as this can lead to mould, rot and leaks.
Why is Flexible Flashing Important?
When installing flashing, flexibility plays a crucial role. Here are some reasons why it’s important:
Adapts to Different Roof Profiles
One of the main benefits of using a flexible flashing solution is that it can adapt to different roof profiles more easily. Flashing that’s too rigid and unable to stretch will struggle adapting to curves and different roof shapes. The flexibility means it can provide a tight and secure seal to avoid water damage or potential leaks.
Longevity and Durability
Another benefit of flexible flashing is its longevity and durability. Weather conditions like heavy rain and snow are no problem for high-quality flashing, as well as temperature fluctuations and UV radiation.
Efficient Waterproofing
Ideally, flexible flashing creates a watertight seal and offers a durable barrier around any roof penetrations. It works to prevent water intrusion from happening. This reduces the likelihood of water damage like a leaking roof.
Overall, flexible flashing is a crucial part of solar panel installations as it offers the benefits of adaptation, longevity, durability and efficient waterproofing. By choosing flexible flashing materials, you can protect your roof and solar energy systems. In the following section, we’ll look at some options to ensure you select the most suitable one for you.
Flexible Roof Flashing Options for Solar Panels
When it comes to installing solar panels, selecting the right one can ensure an effective watertight seal and robust barrier, keeping your roof structure strong and away from any damage water can cause.
Here are some of the best options:
Wakaflex
Wakaflex flashing is an excellent lead-free flashing option made from polyisobutylene. It’s incredibly flexible, durable, and UV resistant, making it an extremely versatile choice for a wide range of roofs. Inside the butyl rubber body is an aluminium honeycombed mesh that ensures a lasting profile on the roof and prevents any lifting.
Furthermore, Wakaflex is actually 50% quicker to install than lead flashings because it can be done in complete 5m roll lengths with no specialist tools required. It ensures a secure, watertight seal on all kinds of roofing material, so you can rest assured that as soon as it’s fused, it’s permanent and instantly waterproof.
Coming in the four most common tile colours with the option of being painted, it works for all kinds of roof colours. Furthermore, you can lay Wakaflex in hot or cold conditions, and it is quick and easy to install.
Smartform
Another great option for flexible flashing is Smartform. It’s lead-free and has a creped aluminium top sheet that enables it to stretch up to 60% of its length, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of its flexibility. Furthermore, it has a 100% butyl adhesive backing to ensure no water can seep underneath and cause damage like mould, leaks or rot.
Smartform works for polycarbonate, metal roofs and tiled surfaces, making it highly versatile. It also has a lightweight design, meaning it’s easy to install and takes half the time of traditional flashing materials.
It’s also UV-resistant, durable and offers an immaculate finish. With so many benefits, it’s a great flashing solution, and its flexibility will adapt to your solar energy system.
Flashtites
Like the other products mentioned above, Flashtites are also lead-free and act as innovative solutions for sealing a wide array of tiled roof applications. They’re constructed with a base made from Wakaflex, and they offer great durability and are extremely reliable. Furthermore, a range of EPMD boots is available from 50mm to 150mm to suit any application.
Flashtites work by ensuring that water collected from the roof for harvesting is uncontaminated, making safe rainwater harvesting possible. You can fit them by hand, too, so you don’t have to spend extra time and money on installation.
Dakaflash
Dakaflash is less flexible than Smartform. However, it still can stretch to 30% in length, so it’s still a flexible option. Due to this, it can work around corners and curves while still providing exceptional water resistance.
This flashing is ideal for durability and longevity as it has a coloured creped aluminium top sheet and a 100% butyl adhesive with a two-piece HDPE backing. It has the same aluminium mesh as Wakaflex, making it a reliable option.
It works well for construction and maintenance products, as alongside its robust features, it also offers aesthetics. This high-quality product will provide you with peace of mind during your solar energy installation with its reliable and durable design.
Final Thoughts on the Flexible Roof Flashing Options for Solar Panels
Overall, there are different roof flashing options for solar panels that you can try out. They each have similar strengths and are all designed to keep the roof’s structure from water damage like leaks, rot and mould. Opting for flexible flashing materials ensures a durable, secure and tight seal around the panel mounts required for solar panels.
At Evo Building Products, we offer a range of excellent flexible roof flashing options mentioned above for solar panels that will ensure a secure and tight protective barrier. So, you don’t have to worry about the risk of water damage as we ensure we only provide you with the best, most efficient products.
For more information on the specific products mentioned above, visit Evo Building Products today.