TuffX Launches Dynamic New Roofing Option

In a circular dated 28 September 2010, a Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) letter stated that “Building Control Bodies will want to note that the definition of conservatory in terms of percentage translucent material as set out in previous editions of the Approved Documents no longer applies”.This was subsequently incorporated into Section c25 of the new Building Regulations legislation.

A quick link to the full government document can be found: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/ planningandbuilding/pdf/1728453.pdf

Before 2010, Building Regulations required a conservatory roof to provide 75% light. With conservatories and porches now classified by the same common description in Regulation 9(1), 21(4), TuffX recognised that this would have important consequences on the conservatory roofing sector. As such, the company worked on developing a cost-effective, solid conservatory roofing alternative that combined performance with aesthetics and simple installation.

Contd../ Consequently, TuffX has created the ecoRoof Panel, after working to new industry guidelines which declare that a solid roof conservatory is allowed as long as the conservatory :

• has a significant proportion of the roof and walls glazed (no % given)




• is installed at ground level 




• does not exceed 30m2 




• is compliant with relevant sections of Part K of Building Regulations 




• is thermally separated from the dwelling 




• and the property’s heating system does not extend into the conservatory or porch Manufactured in-house as a sandwich panel, the ecoRoof Panel from TuffX is engineered from a solid, high performance but lightweight insulation core within a unique double layer of co-extruded material.

This exceptional new roofing product is a viable, cost effective alternative to polycarbonate that will help homeowners reduce their fuel bills and keep conservatories functional the whole year round. Furthermore, eco Roof Panels are extremely versatile and would be ideal for replacement conservatory roof projects as well as partition walls, doors and balcony cladding, being quick and easy to install. Available in 3m x 2m sheets these can also be cut to size and tailored for individual installations. Manufactured in 3 external colours of white, slate grey and wood brown to match the existing roofing style of a property, this new option is available in 24mm and 16mm thicknesses. The lightweight composite roof panels provide a u-value of 0.99W/m2K (24mm thickness) or 1.46 W/m2K (16mm thickness) and offer an effective barrier against the weather and external noise.

Graham Price, Managing Director at TuffX Processed Glass comments, “As many original conservatories are now coming to the end of their guaranteed life expectancy, homeowners are looking for a cost effective way of retaining existing floor space whilst improving the energy efficiency of the structure and as such see solid roofs as a viable alternative to translucent ones.” An introductory trade discount offer is currently available from TuffX , which is already proving popular with customers.

Please visit the website www.ecoroofpanels.co.uk for more information or call 0845 3 400 200