Decramastic Roofing Blog

When should I get someone to check my old Decramastic Roof?

Decramastic roofing tiles, also known as Decrabond or pressed metal tiles, were widely used in New Zealand during the 1970s and 1980s. Made of galvanised steel with a bitumen overlay, the tiles were known for being lightweight and easily installed. This very feature, however, makes the older tiles vulnerable to deteriorate over time, so maintenance and replacement are often necessary. If your home has an older decramastic tile roof from the 1970s and 1980s, repair or replacement may be a consideration. Here is a look at what causes such deterioration and the best ways to remedy the situation.

Age

All roofing materials degrade over time but when the original decramastic tile roofs get older, the result can be far more unsightly. The surface coating and texture of many less expensive types of older tiles are believed to be highly vulnerable to changing temperatures. If your roof dates back to the 1970s and 1980s it’s recommended that you get a professional like Cooper Roofing to assess the old tiles before undergoing roof repairs or replacements.

Weather Damage

Driving rain, strong winds and direct exposure to New Zealand’s harsh UV rays combine over time to degrade old decramastic tile roofs, resulting in surface coating damage, dented tiles, loosened nails, chipped paint and cracks. While such damage is often repairable, basic patching techniques aren’t usually viable or recommended especially with older tiles.

Cracks and Dents

While walking on a roof is often justified during cleaning or repairs, decramastic tiles are easily cracked and damaged when subjected to such pressure. Unlike a dent in a vehicle, you can’t just pop a roof dent up to solve the problem. Older tiles are especially fragile due to having lost their original malleability. Attempting to pop up a dent may cause the tile to split, furthering the need for repairs or replacements. Modern decramastic tiles are far more heavy-duty and durable, so the chance of splitting in the future is no longer the issue it is with older tiles.

Organic Growth

Algae, lichen, moss, mildew and moulds easily grow on older decramastic tiles – resulting in the secretion of harmful acids that weaken the metal tile elements, causing leaks and a very unsightly, green-coloured growth on roofs. As the metal is eroded, rust can form on the surface which will be hard to detect because of various organic growths. Additionally, certain crawling and flying insects – which also cause damage – find such juicy growth delicious. These pests will be encouraged to make your roof their home causing further damage.

Replacing your Decramastic Roof

Your roof is obviously one of the structural elements of your home facing the most damage. It’s that part of a building that instantly and regularly comes in contact with weather components. The combination of extreme weather and temperature changes, dirt and other wind-borne elements leave an impact on roofing materials. Choosing between re-surfacing and a complete re-roofing job depends on the level of damage and deterioration to your roof.

Fortunately, the modern age of stone-coated Zincalume metal roofing is upon us, and an increasing number of homeowners opt to install and upgrade tiled or other roofing materials with new Gerard Roofs pressed metal roof tiles. Over time, metal roofs add lasting value to homes where other roofs may diminish in value. Here are a few examples of the advantages of Gerard Roofs tile roofing.

Life Expectancy

Unlike other roofing materials, the new generation of Gerard Roofs roofing tiles incorporate technologically-advances such as Zincalume protected steel, which gives tiles a longer service life than the old galvanised roofing tiles. The new generation metal tiles from from Gerard Rofos come with a 50 year pro-rata weather-proof warranty.

Variety of Styles

Coated metal roofs not only last longer, their very appearance has changed compared to old decramastic roofs. They are available in a variety of styles, in 32 colours and finishes, ensuring that you purchase a product that compliments your home perfectly.

Energy Efficiency

Efficiency is always a concern, so it always pays to research before going ahead with an order.The availability energy-efficient materials also ensures far less maintenance and overall weight on your home. Preserving the structural integrity of your home is always a foremost concern. Gerard roof tiles put less strain on the foundations and supporting beams.

Whatever you do…

Just because your roof is out of sight, it is still a vital component of your home – you cannot afford for it to be out of mind. If you’re in any doubt about your 1970s or 1980s decramastic roof please get Cooper Roofing to assess the old tiles before undergoing roof repairs or replacements. We will visit your property and give you a free assessment.

A Gerard Roof is excellent compared to other steel products. The low noise impact is the result of textured, stone granules and smaller steel sheets pressed into tiles, which minimizes the sound transmission through to the house.

Longrun steel roofs allow sound to travel in waves along the full length of the sheets meaning that noise transmission into the home can be quite high. Gerard Roofs pressed steel tiles are short lengths of metal fitted together so sound is unable to travel and any rain impact noise dulls quickly.

A stunning new profile has been released onto the NZ market and the first roofs have been installed. This beautiful, sleek new look is on display on a roof in Millwater and we think its a winner!

The new ALPINE tile is available in a textured finish and is viewed above in a Charcoal colour, but it has a range of colours available.

This is a smart alternative to asphalt shingles or heavyweight slate roofing and with its attractive low profile it lends an almost flat look to your roof while still providing a long warranty and the trustworthy weathertightness of a Gerard Roof.

This one's a beauty!

Contact us for more information on the Alpine tile or for a drive by address to view this roof.

You need to ensure that your roof is ready and weather tight for the coming winter and now is the time to do it.

If you are in need of reroofing get in touch as soon as possible so we are able to get your job into our schedule and ensure your home is weathertight before the wet season arrives.

We can replace your longrun roof , your metal tile/ decramastic roof or even your concrete roof with a brand new fully warranted Gerard Roof.

Contact us now for a free inspection and a quote to take care of your roofs needs.

Even the birds will be cosy under a Gerard Roof with this Gerard mini tile roof....

A big challenge - well met by Cooper Roofing. Read on about installation of the Cladding at the Chrysalis Childcare Centre.

It's unusual for Rooflink to re-visit a roofing project already featured. But the unique wall cladding on Avondales Chrysalis Chilcare Centre was created and installed by RANZ member Cooper Roofing Ltd - a fact not acknowledged in the article in the Autumn issue reproduced from SCOPE.

Contracted to builder Keola Homes, RANZ member Cooper Roofing put hours of effort into quoting the cladding of the centre to ensure all the plans specified requirements were covered. Being awarded the contract was both an exciting and alarming prospect.

Managing Director, Penny Alexander takes up the story:

"Dimond Rib 50 cladding was not a profile that we had worked with on a regular basis and the flashings required were different to most standard cladding requirements so it was a new challenge that we were keen to take on.

"The architects plans were very specific and we worked to their design for the most part. Not much had to be altered but each flashing detail on the plan was more of a guideline than something you could send to the flashing manufacturer. Each one had to be slightly different and measured to fit properly with the cladding profile and height of the building.

"The sheets were manufactured to our ordered lengths for the height of the building at each panel, with the minimal wastage achieved due mostly to planning on our part. The offcuts were not wastage, just split sheets as the cover of the sheets didnt fit in whole sheets on the panels so they were split lengthwise and the cut piece wient onto the next flat panel"

Cooper Roofing's quote was created using Exact Roofing, a custom designed roof quoting software, drawn to scale and software helped calculate the exact requirements for materials and labour. The crescent drawings took some working out with 31 radiating grid lines to get the building drawn to scale accurately - plus the childcare centre slopes and is not flat.

Kevin Peri, the company's skilled and experienced supervisor coordinated the project and multiple roofers worked on the installation, with Wayne Holland and Richard Alexander working closely with Kevin.

Adds Penny: "Being such a unique structure, the details were not standard and required close attention to ensure we were both following the architect's direction and creating something which could physically be installed to the building.

"The architect's vision of the joins to each flat panel crating the curved external walls was something we had not encountered before. This kept each junction between panels contained, tidy and allowed for expansion and contraction of the panels without buckling of the flashing material. Thermal expansion had to be catered for because the cladding was black.

"The building slopes from the high points of the crescent to the centre of the curve at the lowest point closest to the ground, so each panel - both on the internal and external curve had to be ordered to individual lengths for teh height of the buiding at that point The design width of the panels did not exactly fit the width of the cover of Dimond Rib 50, so the sheets needed to be trimmed down to fit the panels as required.

"Every flashing to each joint between panels had to be measured and orderd to the correct height and to meet the profile of the cladding at the point that it met the joint. The specified profile and the unique flashing designs - along with our skilled installers - have given an excellent effect to the finished building."