Temporary roofs are used for creating weather-protected coverings for building projects. If you are cladding a temporary roof there are a variety of sheeting options you might use including zinc and tin sheets which are commonly referred to as CI sheets. You may also decide to stick with other temporary roofing options like Ubix, Haki, or shrink-wrap sheeting.
A controlled environment can mean a lot of things. It may mean a specific environment for humidity and temperature control and other times it’s for something as simple as keeping the work environment dry. We’ll take a look at some of the temporary roofing ideas which you can utilise whiles working on the roof.
1. Keder roof
A large number of manufacturers today apply Keder, a temporary roof scaffolding technique. In this technique, aluminium beams of 1.5 or 3.0m lengths are fitted together to reach a maximum of 15m. The aluminium beams incorporate tracks the same as the ones which are used for allowing sailing boats to pull up sails on their masts.
Single and double tie bars and diagonals which have snap-on claws are used to stiffen the trusses. Once installation of the beams is completed, the sheeting which has sealing beams (Keder) is then pulled through the tracks in the beams.
With regards to temporary roofing, Keder systems are quite effective as they naturally create a light working environment. However, Keder roofing lacks in versatility and this means that in some instances, shrink wrap can be a better option. Some of the pros and cons include the following:
Pros
- It creates a light working environment.
- The sheets are re-usable.
Cons.
- Not very versatile.
- Require a lot of money.
2. Corrugated Iron
Sheets of corrugated iron are traditionally the material used to cover temporary roof scaffolding. Also known as Cl sheets or Tin hat scaffolding, this method is still used over construction sites to date. After erecting the scaffolding, the corrugated iron sheets are overlapped over the roof in a tile configuration after which they are secured to the trusses beneath.
If they are used carefully, it is possible to reuse the iron sheets for multiple jobs. However, the labor costs to install these sheets can be quite high since they require to be lifted into position manually. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using corrugated sheets.
Pros
- The sheets are reusable.
Cons
- Do not adhere to all health and safety regulations.
- It does not allow for lifting through to the work area below.
- Sheeting upfront investments are large.
3. Shrink wrap sheeting
Shrinkwrapping differs from the other temporary roofing system in the fact that it doesn’t require all the initial scaffolding design considerations. It does, however, require some planning to get through with it.
There will be a need to fix an additional number of scaffolding boards for battering the shrinkwrap. In addition to that, prior planning concerning the weather should be done in order to take advantage of the best weather window. This is because fitting shrinkwrapping under windy or wet conditions will have a significant effect on the product’s strength and performance.
Finally, to be able to reach the level of perfection you want for the job, you and our team will need to go through some type of shrink wrap training.
When a shrink wrap sheet is being installed over a temporary roof, a self-adhesive strip of foam is put between the shrink wrap and the batten to prevent any water ingress that might happen through the screw holes in the shrink wrap.
In terms of appearance, a shrink wrap will always be clean, smart, and professional in comparison to tin sheets. The working area beneath it will also be much lighter. If you choose to continue the shrink wrapping sheets down the scaffolding sides, you encapsulate the area and contain it as a continuous sheet. Shrink wraps easy adaptation to the shape and size of the scaffolding structure is one of its many advantages.
When the time to remove the shrink wrap film comes, it can simply be cut off into small sections and then bundled for recycling.
Pros
- It is lightweight
- Good for use in smaller projects.
- Easy adaptation to the shape and size of scaffolding
Cons
- It is not suited for large building projects.
4. Roof tarps
Commonly known as ‘blue roofs’, reinforced plastic tarps provide an excellent option when it comes to temporary roofing. These are commonly used in instances where either homes or other buildings have been damaged, mostly by severe weather like hurricanes and tornados.
Pros
- It is easy to install
- They are lightweight
- Are easily available
- They come at an affordable price
Cons
- Installing blue roofs can be quite risky
- Do not last long
With the temporary roofing ideas discussed above, it will be easier for you to establish one that’s more suitable for your project. If you are working with a qualified scaffolder, they should be able to select the best option depending on what’s required.