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There is a Solar Roof Sheeting system available in Australia - your roof sheets will have solar flexible panels already adhered to them and they are manufactured in Queensland  -check out the Favourites Links shortly or simply go to the website www.solarzone.com.au and go to the Unisolar data. This is simply an adhesive flexible solar panel that can adhere to any roof sheet with a pan width of 460mm or more and then connected by a solar electrical installer? These flexible solar panels are also available for existing roof systems with a pan width of over 460mm - this is the problem - this width of panel is extremely rare and obviously Solarzone is producing these - so check out this site before ordering a new roof - or go to www.fielders.com.au and look at the Neo Roman Roofing with a pan width of 475mm. All of our new houses will have to have solar panels of some sort in the future - so start researching now. The roofing industry has to adapt to the new demands of energy requirements and these two companies above are doing their part.

What are your roof sheets & battens made of? Well this below will confuse you more - yet we know more about our milk and car than we know about our house products. Why? Because we always trust what's told to us - we should demand more information! See the table below and this is only the start of what can be found out about our corrugated iron roofing - yet we accept what it is simply from a colour chart?

TABLE 1 - Approximate Coating Thickness
Coating Class (g/m²)		Approx. Coating Thickness (mm)
ZS 30		0.01mm
ZF 100		0.02mm
Z200		0.03mm
Z275		0.04mm
Z350		0.05mm
Z450		0.07mm
Z600		0.09/ 0.10mm (2.00mm>)
AZ150		0.05mm
AZ200		0.06mm

TABLE 2 - COATING MASS FACTOR (CM)
Coating Class (g/m²)		Coating Mass Factor
ZS 30		70
ZF 100		130
Z200		220
Z275		290
Z350		370
Z450		470
Z600		650/ 680 (2.00mm>)
AZ150		170

 Try and find out what makes you roof and framing products and it will become apparent that you only get what you pay for. A lot of products even imported are exactly the same as Australian made - but find out first. Education can save future problems.

How many colours are available through the manufacturers? One Steel certainly has a great selection of bright new colours available in steel roof and wall profiles - bright yellow and a Mandarin Orange - great also for fencing and just think - no painting! These colours are terrific for Architects and Contractors that are willing trial them with the advantage of the same warranty as the Big Australian manufacturer. What else is available? Bright Red, Pink maybe Purple? Bluescope is releasing some new colours this month - are they going to be as bold as One Steel? I wait with anticipation.

Ritek Building Systems is a very innovative  company with many advantages over some of similar products offered on the market. Check out the website in the links below as they have many adaptable and alternate ideas in roofing. Some off their designs would be great for the carport or beach holiday house! Check out some of their photos in the gallery.

I have just added this link to the Australian Newagency Blog site simply because it excels in its content and quality - all Blog sites should strive for this type of Blog. Even though unrelated in its business type - the factors and similarities could be mirrored in this industry of rollforming and manufacture of roofing, guttering and cold rolled section. The industry is large and competative - but demands common sense and input. This Blog is tiny but will strive for the example set by the Newagency Blog.  Go for the best!!!

 

There are only three major categories of metal roof systems readily available in Australia currently:-

1. Colorbond Ultra®     Guanantee ?
2. Colorcoat HPS200® Guarantee 15 years Coastal
3. Stainless Steel        Guarantee unknown    

How do we choose a use that will last the distance in Coastal Areas. Which Suppliers are willing to back the product against price?

Always should be informed.