GB2413806A

GB2413806A - Adjoining roof coverings using roof gutter units or strips thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2413806A
Application number: GB0410106A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman J Pugh
Original assignee: Hambleside Danelaw Ltd
Current assignee: Hambleside Danelaw Ltd
Priority date: 2004-05-06
Filing date: 2004-05-06
Publication date: 2005-11-09
Also published as: GB0410106D0

Abstract

Adjacent coplanar roof coverings 12, 13 are joined using a roof gutter or strip having a primary longitudinally extending upstanding region 3 and at least one secondary longitudinally extending upstanding portion 4, 5, 6, 7. An edge region of each roof covering is aligned in proximity to or in abutment with a wall surface of a side of the upstanding portion. A gutter strip useful for such joining has two wing portions, each having an inner 5, 6 and an outer 4, 7 secondary longitudinally extending upstanding portion and a lateral margin 20, 21 in the form of a flat portion.

Description

24 1 3806

ADJOINING ROOF COVERINGS USING ROOF GUTTER UNITS OR

STRIPS THEREOF

The invention relates broadly to methods of adjoining differing roof coverings, buildings incorporating roof gutter units and to the gutter units or strips themselves.

The gutter units are primarily intended for installation at joints between roof coverings of differing size and/or shape, such as slate and tile, upon the same section of pitched roof.

Many buildings have a roof consisting of a plurality of overlapping coverings, for example slates or tiles. The shape of the roof and the overlapping of the coverings provides suitable drainage for precipitation. Conventional roofs have a support frame comprising inclined rafters meeting together at a ridge and supported at their lower ends on wall plates. The lower ends of the rafters are frequently tied together by cross beams to define an A frame or truss. Adjacent trusses or A frames are spanned by transversely extending battens which constitute the immediate support for the roof cladding elements, which are typically secured to the battens by fixings, usually pins or nails, driven through the cladding elements into the battens. The pattern of fixing roof cladding elements from the ridge to the eave typically comprises rows of staggered coverings, generally offset by one half their width from adjacent overlying and underlying rows. Tiles that have a profile where an interlock occurs above the lowest part of that profile are usually laid in line up the roof.

Creating a successful weather tight joint between dissimilar roof coverings, slate to tile or interlocking tile to plain tile on a terrace block or a semi-detached property has been difficult. Traditional methods have their advantages and disadvantages, the most common solutions are those of a lead secret or box gutter, lead batten roll with individual soakers or a folded upstand with a cover flashing. The advantages of these designs are that they are traditional and established. The disadvantages are primarily cost of time and materials, a high skill level to install and considerable disturbance to the adjoining property not being re-roofed. Other less traditional methods fall short of good practice with no guarantee of a successful outcome, most common of these is UKl417 f . .e ate .: .-.

likely to be bedding of half round ridge over the abutting tiles and/or slates. A hip iron may be fixed into the fascia as security against the ridge tiles sliding off the roof.

This method has a total reliance on large quantities of mortar being used to bed the ridge and in an attempt to prevent water penetration. A less sophisticated method is the practice of overlapping the new slate or tile being used onto the surface of the adjoining roof, again with large quantities of mortar between to finish the joint and be relied upon to provide weathertightness.

The operation of filling any gaps with cement mortar is time-consuming and should not be performed in wet or frosty weather. It is therefore desired to construct such gutter strips and install them without using mortar (or "dry"), especially since many if not most other roof areas can normally be constructed in situ without application of mortar.

A particular difficulty has been the transverse movement of water and debris such as leaves across the roof coverings at a change in the roof coverings. . If wet leaves collect beneath the roof coverings they will tend to cause a gradual decay in the roof by, for example, rotting the rafters or battens. This is a particular problem with tiled roofs since tiles can have an overall thickness exceeding 2 cm, in contrast to thinner slates. When tiles are laid in the usual overlapping relation with one another, a relatively large gap is created beneath the tiles at the change of the roof covering and at the step between one tile and its overlying neighbour. This gap can allow water and debris to collect beneath the tiles.

A gutter unit of the type contemplated should be universal in application because of the wide selection of roof coverings and the requirement to fit variable roof pitches and sizes. Secondly, for such a gutter unit to function, it should be adapted to provide simultaneous drainage at the joined edges of both roof coverings.

By contrast the present inventor has now devised a "dry" mortarless gutter unit which has proved successful in in situ trials even though it dispenses with features previously considered essential, such as a central bonding strip to form an abutting joint.

LK1417_f A.:: : -.:e.::: - In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of adjoining the edges of two roof coverings of different shape and/or size extending in the same inclined plane upon a section of a pitched roof, wherein a roof gutter or strip thereof having a primary longitudinally extending upstanding portion is applied to the pitched roof section such that an edge region of one such roof covering is aligned in proximity to or in abutment with a wall surface of one side of the upstanding portion, whilst an edge region of the other such roof covering as aligned in proximity to or in abutment contact with the opposite wall surface of the upstanding portion, the gutter or strip further including at least one drainage channel defined at least in part by a secondary longitudinally extending upstanding portion.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a building comprising a pitched roof section upon which two roof coverings of a different shape and/or size are provided in the same inclined plane, wherein a roof gutter or strip having a primary longitudinally extending upstanding portion is present such that an edge region of one such roof covering is aligned in proximity to or in abutment with a wall surface of one side of the upstanding portion, whilst an edge region of the other such roof covering as aligned in proximity to or in abutment contact with the opposite wall surface of the upstanding portion, the gutter or strip further including at least one drainage channel defined at least in part by a secondary longitudinally extending upstanding portion.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a roof gutter unit or strip useful in accordance with the first and second aspects defined above comprising wing portions extending laterally from respective sides of a primary longitudinally extending upstanding portion, each wing portion having a lateral margin in the form of a generally flat portion, wherein the primary upstanding portion comprises opposed walls interconnected at an apex, each wing portion provided with inner and outer laterally spaced longitudinally extending secondary raised portions intermediate the primary upstanding portion and the lateral margin, wherein the height of the outer said secondary raised portion is the same as or less than the height of the inner said portion.

1X1417 f ë' -. . , . . . . . The gutter unit is preferably made in one piece. It can be made of plastics material, for example extruded plastics material. Alternatively, the gutter unit can be made of GRP (glass reinforced plastics - e.g. glass reinforced polyester) by a pultrusion process.

In one class of embodiments, the gutter unit is made of flexible material.

Each wing portion is preferably provided with two, or possibly more, secondary longitudinally extending raised portions, e.g. a rib or corrugation, intermediate the primary upstanding portion and the lateral margin of the wing portion. Preferably such raised secondary portions are laterally spaced from but parallel to the primary upstanding portion The primary upstanding portion is preferably of such a height that it will extend above the uppermost surface of adjacent coverings of different roofing material when the gutter unit is incorporated upon a pitched roof section. Gutter units having primary upstanding portions of different heights may therefore be made. For part tile roofs, the primary upstanding portion preferably has an apex at least 5 cm above the highest area of the wing portions, which usually means at least 5 cm above the raised portions (ribs) of the wings. Preferably, the apex of the upstanding portion is at least 6 cm above the highest area of the wing portions (e.g. 6-7 cm) and is suitably about 6.5 cm thereabove. For joining slate roofs of different sized or shaped slates, whether of natural or artificial slate, the primary upstanding portion is desirably lower and preferably 4-5 cm e.g. 4.5 cm or more, above the highest area of the wing portions Gutter units made of flexible plastics material have wing portions which are preferably generally planar in orientation when not flexed.

The gutter units of the invention are preferably stackable, but this is not essential.

In one class of embodiments, the gutter unit is capable of being lapped at its ends by another like said gutter unit.

UKl417 f '.- . ::: . *.

. ... . The invention further includes a method of making a gutter unit as defined above, comprising extruding plastics material through an extrusion die shaped to extrude a said gutter unit or strip. It includes a method of making a gutter unit or strip from GRP (glass reinforced plastics e.g. glass reinforced polyester) by a pultrusion process.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of installing on a roof area a gutter unit or strip of the invention wherein the gutter unit is located in a region underneath and between two edge sections of different roof covering upon the same pitched roof and fastened to the roof area.

A preferred option above a firebreak party wall installation is for roofing underlay and battens to be cut to finish underneath the two secondary raised portions or corrugations.

Preferably, different roof coverings are present or to be applied such that edges of the different coverings abut or juxtapose wall surfaces of the primary upstanding portion of the gutter unit, which edges may have been cut as necessary either prior to or after installation of the gutter unit.

In order that the invention may be illustrated, more easily appreciated and readily carried into effect by those skilled in the art of roof covering, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of nonlimiting examples only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one preferred form of gutter unit or strip of the invention; FIGURE la is a similar perspective view of a gutter unit or strip having a taller primary upstanding portion than shown in Figure 1, FIGURE 2 is a schematic cross section through the gutter unit or strip depicted in Figure 1 or la; UKI47 f " . . . FIGURE 3 illustrates in cross section a standard roof section incorporating the gutter unit of Figure 1 or 1 a; FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 3, but showing an optional fire- break installation across a common party wall, and FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view similar to Figures 3 and 4, but in the application of a preferred gutter unit to join two dissimilar roof coverings upon a dwelling as more commonly found in the Scottish region.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a gutter unit in the form of a profile of extruded GRP having constant cross section along its length comprising lateral wings 1, 2 extending from respective sides of a primary longitudinally extending upstand 3.

Each wing has a lateral margin in the form of a generally flat sheet portion capable, when installed upon a roof, of being positioned across and nailed to a plurality of battens fixed to the roof.

The primary upstanding portion 3 comprises opposite walls interconnected at an apex.

In the illustrated embodiment the gutter unit is made of flexible plastics material, which is desirably fibre-reinforced. It is most preferred that the unit be made of GRP (e.g. glass reinforced polyester) material, formed by pultrusion into an elongate strip.

The gutter unit is preferably integrally formed in one piece.

The wings l, 2 of the flexible unit shown in Figure 1 have a generally planar orientation.

The wings 1, 2 of preferred embodiments are each provided with at least two longitudinally oriented and laterally spaced secondary raised portions. Thus, Figure 1 shows that each wing 1, 2 incorporates integrally formed longitudinally extending and laterally spaced apart secondary ribs 4, 5, 6, 7. The wings l, 2 of preferred units have planar side margins 20, 21 which can be secured to underlying battens by nailing.

UKl47 f ., . . . . . . . The separation x between the apex of the rib 5 and the apex of the upstand 3 is between 5 cm, and 10 cm. The width of the gutter unit is typically between 15 and cm The outer ribs 4, 7 are lower than the inner ribs 5, 6 which configuration is preferable to lessen the risk of interference with smaller cuts of slates or tiles. This minimises the potential ramping effect due to the gradient of e.g. the applied slates.

Figure 3 is a partial end elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention adapted for a profiled tile roof joining to a slate roof. The undersides of the slates rest on the apex of the inner rib 6.

Referring to Figure 3, a typical installation detail is shown in which two dissimilar roofing materials, namely tiles 13 and slates 12, are joined along their respective side edges. The dwelling typically comprises a party wall 11 between a pair of spaced rafters 10 to which the roofing battens 8 are affixed by conventional means.

Typically, roofing underlay 9 is provided between the battens 8 and the rafters 10, to extend across the party wall 11.

The roofing gutter is affixed to the battens 8 for example by nailing the planar side margins 20, 21 to appropriately spaced battens. For convenience, the primary upstand 3 of the gutter unit is appropriately centrally located above the party wall, which upstand defines the joint region between the extending side edges of the slates 12 and tiles 13. It can be seen that the end- and lower- most slate rests with its underside 15 in abutment with an inner secondary rib 6. Similar contact with the outer such rib 7 is possible but not essential. The side edge 17 of the slate roof portion abuts or is slightly spaced from the wall surface of the primary upstand 3.

At the other side of the roofing gutter, a tiled roof is present, and wherein the side edge 16 of the tiled roof covering abuts or is slightly spaced from the opposite wall of the primary upstand 3. An underside contact surface 14a of the tiles rests against a planar wing portion of the gutter, although shown slightly spaced in the interests of UK141 7_f 2, . . . 2 ' ' , . . . . . . clarity. It will be observed that unlike the adjacent slate roof covering, no parts of the tiles shown abut or contact the outer 4 or inner 5 secondary ribs of the gutter. Hence such contact is not essential. However, other arrangements are contemplated and possible in which there is such contact with either or both said ribs 4, 5.

The arrangement of Figure 4 is broadly similar, although this depicts use of the gutter to join two dissimilar roof coverings extending across a dwelling having a firebreak installation above the party wall. The components shown are identified by the same reference numerals as used with reference to Figure 3, hence only the differences will be described.

The firebreak comprises a mortar barrier 14 in the form of a rectangular slab to the same height as the battens 8 to either side. The roofing underlay 9 is redirected to extend both below and above the battens such that the gutter is affixed over the underlay and to the batten thereunder. The two dissimilar roof edges are connected in abutment with, or slightly spaced from, the primary upstand walls in like manner to the Figure 3 embodiment.

In the arrangement of Figure 5, the use of the gutter is depicted upon a dwelling as more commonly found in the Scottish region. Rafters 10 and party wall 1 1 are present as in the Figure 3 and 4 embodiments. However, the roofing underlay 9 is more typically encountered across a sarking board 19, itself located across the rafters 10.

To the right hand side, a slate roof covering is provided, whose structure and layout are substantially similar to the previously described Figure 3 and 4 embodiments. To the left hand side, a tile roof covering is present as depicted by tiles 1 3a of a different profile. These tiles 13a are supported on a tile batten 8a which rests upon a counter batten 22. The counter batten 22 rests upon the side margin 20 of the gutter unit, with the weight of the battens and tiles thereabove. In this embodiment also, on the left hand side, no part of the modified tiles 13a contacts the secondary ribs 4, 5 of the gutter unit although an undersurface of the slate roof covering 12 is in such contact as described above with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

UK1417 f . - . . The gutter profile is fixed by nailing through the outer flanges onto the top of the slating or tiling battens on a conventionally battened roof or directly over the roofing underlay and into the sarking boards on a Scottish style slated roof. Here battens are either not used at all, or not used on both sides of the joint in the roof covering. The desired length of installation is achieved by overlaying subsequent lengths of the gutter allowing an overlap e.g. from 150mm up to 350mm depending upon the roof pitch. A 150mm minimum overlap is preferable when measured vertically. Two heights of central upstand are preferred, one at 70mm high for roof installations where slates, plain or flat interlocking tiles are to be joined, another in the region of lOOmm high to accommodate profiled tiles on one or both sides of the join.

The weathertightness is optimised by fitting the slates or tiles close up to the central upstand and over the twin water bars (i.e., secondary ribs) defining drainage channels.

Any water that passes between the edge of the slates or tiles and the primary central upstand is able to run away in the channel between the central upstand and the first water bar and down into the rainwater "uttering at eaves level. Under storm conditions, the first channel could surcharge therefore a second water bar is introduced creating a second channel for such excess water to run into the gutter.

The width of the profile may be determined by keeping the side flanges sufficiently short to minimise interference with fixing of the slates or tiles, whilst still retaining sufficient length to allow the water channels and outer fixing flange to be formed.

The inner water bar height is preferably at the optimum height to form an adequate channel for any penetrating water but not so high as to cause narrow cuts of slate or tile to ramp or deflect upwards excessively. The outer water bar creates a second channel and second line of defence to water penetration. As such, this height is less critical and is reduced so as not to interfere with the placement of the narrow cuts of slate or tile and hence not exacerbate any ramping effect.

In trials, it has been proved that the invention provides embodiments of"dry" gutter strips which are effective in draining adjoining sections of the roof without significant water entering the structure of the roof. Not only is movement of water and debris across the gutter strip controlled by the primary upstand, but also the strip lacks debris UICI47 f e.e a.. ' e-. . traps. Moreover unwanted entry of debris into water drainage channels defined by regions between upstanding portions in the gutter strip is normally precluded or at least significantly restricted.

The unit should be universal in its application so that it will fit different roof pitches and adapt to various roof coverings. Optionally, the unit can be manufactured into standard lengths being cut to the correct lengths on site. The profile of the unit should enable overlapping end to end to form a close fitting joint.

The primary upstand 3 of preferred embodiments provides increased strength by the shape of the upstand and its state of tension. This can help to protect against damage to the gutter unit by feet during construction or maintenance of a roof. The upstand also maintains an aesthetically pleasing straight line appearance to a roof joint, regardless of badly cut tiles. The gutter strips of preferred embodiments are readily 1 5 stacked.

The present gutter has been devised as a quick, clean, cost effective and maintenance free alternative method to established techniques discussed earlier. Use of the present gutter eliminates the requirement for mortar whilst minimising disturbance to existing roof not being re-covered. It can conveniently be manufactured in GRP (glass reinforced polyester) incorporating twin water bars on either side of a central vertical upstand. The central upstand provides a clean, neat finish to the edges of the adjoined different roof coverings whilst closing any openings in the roof surface. This prevents infestation and nesting by large insects and birds. The resulting gutter profile is low on material and installation costs but provides substantial weathertight security.

UKI417 f ë ë

Claims

1. A method of adjoining the edges of two roof coverings of different shape and/or size extending in the same inclined plane upon a section of a pitched roof, wherein a roof gutter or strip thereof having a primary longitudinally extending upstanding portion is applied to the pitched roof section such that an edge region of one such roof covering is aligned in proximity to or in abutment with a wall surface of one side of the upstanding portion, whilst an edge region of the other such roof covering is aligned in proximity to or in abutment contact with the opposite wall surface of the upstanding portion, the gutter or strip further including at least one drainage channel defined at least in part by a secondary longitudinally extending upstanding portion.

2. A building comprising a pitched roof section upon which two roof coverings of different shape and/or size are provided in the same inclined plane, wherein a roof gutter or strip having a primary longitudinally extending upstanding portion is present such that an edge region of one such roof covering is aligned in proximity to or in abutment with a wall surface of one side of the upstanding portion, whilst an edge region of the other such roof covering is aligned in proximity to or in abutment contact with the opposite wall surface of the upstanding portion, the gutter or strip farther including at least one drainage channel defined at least in part by a secondary longitudinally extending upstanding portion.

3. A roof gutter unit or strip useful in a method as claimed in claim I or a building as claimed in claim 2 comprising wing portions extending laterally from respective sides of a primary longitudinally extending upstanding portion, each wing portion having a lateral margin in the form of a generally flat portion, wherein the primary upstanding portion comprises opposed walls interconnected at an apex, each wing portion provided with inner and outer laterally spaced longitudinally extending secondary raised portions intermediate the primary upstanding portion and the lateral margin, wherein the height of the outer said secondary raised portion is the same as or less than the height of the inner said portion.

UKl47 f : .... .:: : . .: . .

4. A roof gutter unit or strip as claimed in claim 3, in which the height of the outer said secondary raised portion is less than the height of the inner said portion.

5. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in claim 3 or 4, constructed of flexible material.

6. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible material lO comprises plastics material with a low co-efficient of expansion, for example fibre reinforced plastics.

7. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the flexible material is GRP (glass reinforced polyester).

8. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the wing portions when not flexed are generally planar in orientation..

9. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in claim 8, wherein the primary upstanding portion has an apex with a height at least 4cm above the highest area of the wing portions.

10. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in any of claims 3 to 9, which is stackable.

11. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in any of claims 3 to 10 which is capable of being lapped at its ends by a like gutter unit or strip.

12. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in any of claims 3 to 11 substantially as hereinbefore described.

13. A gutter unit or strip as claimed in any of claims 3 to 11 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any Figure of the accompanying drawings.

UK1417 f ë ee, , e e.

14. Use of a gutter unit or strip as claimed in any of claims 3 to 11 in the construction of a mortarless roofing gutter between sections of different roof coverings upon the same pitched roof structure.

15. A method of making a gutter unit or strip as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 13 comprising continuously extruding plastics material through an extrusion die shaped to extrude a strip of said gutter.

16. A method of making a gutter unit or strip as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 13 comprising pultruding GRP (glass reinforced polyester).

17. A method of installing on a roof area a gutter unit or strip as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 13 wherein the gutter unit or strip is located in a region underneath and between two edge regions of differing roof coverings to form a joint as between two different roof coverings and fastened to the roof area.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein roof coverings are applied to the roof area such that edges of the coverings abut or juxtapose opposing sidewall surfaces of the primary upstanding portion of the gutter unit.

19. A method of adjoining as claimed in claim I substantially as herein described.

20. A method of adjoining as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein illustrated in any figure of the accompanying drawings.

21. A building as claimed in claim 2 substantially as herein described.

22. A building as claimed in claim 2 substantially as illustrated in any figure of the accompanying drawings.

UK1417 f tee.. 64