If you work in roofing or construction, chances are you’ve heard of something called dry ridge roofing. While it has yet to gain widespread popularity in Australia, dry ridge roofing offers many advantages over traditional mortar roofs. These include faster installation, reduced costs and less mess.
As well as the immediate benefits, there are also plenty of long-term advantages that roofers need to know about. But, since the uptake over here is slow, very few in the industry understand all that dry ridge roofing has to offer. So, here are the latest industry insights.
What Is Dry Ridge Roofing
The term “dry ridge roofing” refers to an innovative system of installing roofs. Unlike the traditional method of roof installation, tiles are mechanically affixed to the roof’s ridge without mortar. Dry verge roof edging is also installed along the gable end. This can be done through various methods, one of the most successful being dry fixed roofing.
With a dry fixed roof, above-sheathing ventilation is built into the structure. This is facilitated by a natural cooling passive system created by an open ridge at the roof’s highest point. And, because the materials used upon installation are dry, roofers can install these systems in most weather conditions.
Dry Ridge Vs Wet Mortar Roofing
Here in Australia, wet mortar roofing still reigns supreme, which leaves us lagging behind countries across Europe. You see, many European countries adopted dry ridge roofing methods years ago. Since then, it has been made Code of Practice by European Standards, indicating its proven superiority.
Gradually, though, Australian roofers are beginning to embrace dry ridge roof systems. When they do, they can see for themselves just how beneficial they are, both to their business and their clients.
For starters, a dry ridge roof takes half the time to install compared to its wet mortar counterpart. It’s also far cleaner and more cost-effective. As such, the whole process is highly efficient from start to finish. But the pros don’t stop there. There are also several long-term advantages you should make your clients aware of when you switch to dry ridge roofing.
3 Long Term Benefits of Dry Ridge Roofing
Once you’ve finished installing a dry ridge roof, there are plenty of features that your clients will appreciate long after you’re gone. Below is a small selection of some of dry ridge roofing’s most desirable long-term benefits.
No Maintenance
Unlike traditional wet mortar roofs, dry ridge roofing doesn’t require any additional maintenance post-installation. There is, for example, no need to repair cement as it crumbles because no cement is used. Dry ridge roofs are also weather-proof. So, it is far less likely that rain will penetrate or that strong winds will damage the tiles.
Chances are, your clients or prospective clients are looking for the best deal for their money. So, offer them a dry roof system that won’t cost them a fortune in maintenance charges further down the line. If you do, your business is likely to look more appealing and attract more paying customers.
Savings
As mentioned above, no maintenance means no regular maintenance fees. Seeing as roof maintenance can cost between $300 and $7,200 a pop, that’s likely to be an attractive selling point. But that’s not the only way dry ridge roofing can keep costs down for clients.
With its natural cooling passive system, dry ridge roofing prevents heat from building up in the roof cavity. For one thing, this helps to prevent condensation and so staves off expensive water damage. For another, it stops the homes below from getting too stuffy on warm days. As a result, it can reduce the annual energy costs of a household by up to 5%.
Sustainability
More Australians are starting to understand the devastating impact of climate change. As such, many are actively seeking to make more sustainable choices in all areas of their lives. Their homes are no exception. So, why not help them hit their green goals at home by offering dry ridge roofing?
With less need to turn on the air conditioning, homeowners with a dry ridge roof can minimise their energy consumption. Given the fact that Australia’s households are responsible for one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions, such a simple and effective change could go a long way.
The Advantages of a Dry Roof System
If you’re thinking of offering dry ridge roofing, it’s worth knowing all the many advantages it offers. Since it is not yet all that common in Australia, it is up to you to inform customers of its benefits. These include its lack of need for maintenance, associated cost savings, and improved eco-friendliness.
Crucially, though, the advantages aren’t exclusive to clients. Due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness, roofers stand to benefit in the short and long term, too. And, by blazing a trail with this innovative approach to roof installation, you could build up an impressive reputation.
Want to learn more about this innovation in roofing? Check out our Dry Ridge Roofing System RapidRidge here.