top of page

Roofs

Flat roofing specialist BMI Icopal has launched TorchSafe TA, a flame-free bituminous waterproofing system that removes the need for naked flames during the application process, reducing fire risk during application compared to traditional roof installation methods. In line with CDM (Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015), designers must consider fire risks during design and specification.


Multi-Layer Flame-Free Bituminous Roofing System

The TorchSafe TA self-adhesive system supports compliance by removing the need for gas torches during installation, reducing on-site fire risk, and enhancing safety during installation.

Simon Ashworth, Portfolio Manager for flat roofing at Icopal, said: “We’re seeing a growing demand for flame-free bitumen solutions because of the reduced risk to building fabric and worker safety, two factors specifiers need to consider to adhere to CDM Regulations.

 

“TorchSafe TA is designed to meet this growing demand, while still providing the quality Icopal is known for. We back this up with a guarantee of up to 25 years*. In addition, our Approved Contractor network ensures that installers have been fully trained in the relevant application techniques.”

 

TorchSafe TA can only be installed by companies that are part of Icopal’s Approved Contractor schemes, such as IMA. A flat roof installed by an IMA contractor to Icopal’s agreed specification can be guaranteed to provide peace of mind for up to 25 years. The TorchSafe TA system incorporates products featuring Syntan, an acrylic based coating which is used as a substitute for sand, reducing the weight of the membrane**.

 

The new waterproofing system can achieve classification to BROOF(t4) achieving the highest possible external fire performance for roofs. The TorchSafe TA System incorporates products currently holding BBA certification (09/4645 - Product Sheets 2 & 4 & 23/6935 - Product Sheet 3). TorchSafe TA offers a practical flame-free solution for flat roofing, designed to support safe and efficient installation. For further information including technical details visit 

Paul Trace, Director of Stella Rooflight explains why British-made rooflights are more critical than ever.

  

For architects and conservation officers involved in sensitive heritage projects, attention to detail, careful specification, and an understanding of planning constraints are fundamental to success. However, in today’s unpredictable global climate, a new layer of complexity is making its way onto your desk: supply chain volatility, rising tariffs, and the growing uncertainty of sourcing materials from overseas.


Building Resilience In Conservation Projects

Recent years have seen widespread disruption to international trade. From conflict in Eastern Europe to instability in the Red Sea and the ongoing aftershocks of Brexit, the impact on the construction industry has been profound. Lead times have stretched, freight costs have soared, and product availability has become increasingly unpredictable. For professionals tasked with delivering precision-led heritage projects, these variables pose real risks to project delivery, compliance, and client satisfaction.


This is where the benefits of British manufacturing come sharply into focus. Sourcing conservation rooflights from UK-based manufacturers is more than a matter of convenience, it’s a strategic decision that builds resilience into your project plan. Choosing products that are designed, manufactured, and assembled in the UK eliminates exposure to international shipping delays and border disruptions. It offers peace of mind that what you specify is what will be delivered, on time and on budget.


Building Resilience In Conservation Projects

HERITAGE STANDARDS

British-made conservation rooflights are also designed specifically for UK heritage standards. Manufacturers operating in this space understand the expectations of conservation officers and planning authorities. Their products are tailored to comply with the nuances of conservation area requirements, listed building consent, and traditional architectural aesthetics. Slim sightlines, genuine glazing bars, and finishes like conservation black come as standard, not expensive add-ons or afterthoughts.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

This local focus extends to environmental compliance too. UK manufacturers are held to some of the world’s highest sustainability standards. Reduced transport distances help lower a project’s carbon footprint, while responsibly sourced materials and energy-efficient glass options contribute to wider environmental goals. For architects looking to align heritage restorations with modern green building principles, British-made rooflights offer a clear advantage.

 

Building Resilience In Conservation Projects

COST CONTROL

Then there’s the matter of cost control. Tariffs and customs fees on imported building products can vary dramatically depending on origin, trade agreements, and shifting post-Brexit rules. These additional costs often surface late in the procurement process, complicating budgets and straining client relationships. By choosing UK-made rooflights, you avoid these uncertainties entirely. Costs are transparent, delivery is straightforward, and there’s no customs red tape to navigate.

 

DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED AND ASSEMBLED IN THE UK

Among British rooflight manufacturers, Stella Rooflight stands apart. Unlike others who may assemble their products in the UK using imported components, Stella is the only manufacturer to design, manufacture, and assemble all of its conservation rooflights entirely in the UK. This end-to-end British production process ensures full quality control, consistent craftsmanship, and a direct line of communication between specifier and manufacturer.


Building Resilience In Conservation Projects

It’s a model that not only delivers exceptional product quality but supports British jobs, skills, and manufacturing resilience at a time when those things matter more than ever. Stella Rooflight’s products are specifically engineered for the conservation sector, with premium materials like fully recyclable stainless steel frames, sustainably sourced hardwood liners, and self-cleaning solar control glazing.


These features aren’t just aesthetic or technical preferences, they’re vital to meeting modern performance demands while respecting the architectural character of heritage properties. In an industry where delays, non-compliance, or specification errors can derail a project, the value of a stable, responsive, and fully British supplier is hard to overstate. Whether restoring a Grade II-listed cottage or overseeing the redevelopment of a historic estate, working with a UK-based rooflight manufacturer like Stella means less risk, less compromise, and more confidence at every stage of the project.

 

Building Resilience In Conservation Projects

Ultimately, specifying British-made conservation rooflights is a future-proof decision. It aligns with sustainability goals, avoids global disruption, supports local craftsmanship, and ensures compliance with UK planning frameworks. At a time when uncertainty is the only certainty, that kind of resilience isn’t just welcome, it’s essential. To find out more about genuine conservation rooflights for your project contact the Stella Rooflight team on 01794 745445 or email info@stellarooflight.co.uk www.stellarooflight.co.uk

A chemical engineer’s retirement project to convert a former fishing bothy is taking advantage of the benefits of two different membrane products from the A. Proctor Group: Facadeshield® UV and Proctor Air.


The former boat house, complete with double doors leading directly onto a slipway to the beach, has been bricked up for a decade. Now, it is being renovated by David Gibson into a two-storey beach house, fulfilling a long-held ambition.


ree

Facadeshield UV provides short-term protection to exposed walls

The existing boat house structure provided a tight footprint, being only 3.5m wide by 8m long. David took the  existing walls down to around one metre in height, and then began the process of erecting the timber frame that would sit behind. All of this allowed him to use the existing sleeper foundations.


Originally, he planned to use an open-jointed timber cladding as the finish above the retained brickwork. He therefore chose the A. Proctor Group’s Facadeshield UV membrane, which combines UV resistance, water resistance, and high vapour permeability. Designed specifically for open jointed cladding, Facadeshield UV is also dark in colour to provide a shadow effect in the open joints. Ultimately, David had to amend his timber cladding specification to a closed system. The boat house sits right on the boundary of his property, and fire safety regulations necessitated a change in approach.


Nevertheless, the qualities of Facadeshield UV still proved useful. As David is carrying out the work himself, progress can inevitably be slow – especially if weather conditions are not favourable. The wall membrane was left exposed for three months before the timber cladding was completed in January 2025, but it has protected the OSB sheathing and timber frame well in that time.


Maintaining a traditional appearance

On the roof, David chose Proctor Air as an air permeable, low resistance (APLR) membrane, for use below a traditional slate finish. Maintaining a traditional appearance as part of the conversion work is important to David, given the building’s history of use.


The monopitch roof design made ventilation provision tricky, as David was specific in how he wanted to detail the ridge and keep it secure in the coastal location in Carnoustie. Selecting Proctor Air removed any such concerns, as it provides a uniform flow of air that effectively ventilates the roof space and removes any risk of condensation.


A tile or slate roof finish is the first line of defence against the weather. As water can get into the space below the tile or slate, the chosen underlay must also be capable of resisting water ingress. While not waterproof, Proctor Air has a W1 water resistance, and can be left exposed to UV for up to three months.


“Installing both membranes has all been quite easy and intuitive,” said David, before adding, “as long as it isn’t windy!” Although carrying out as much of the work by himself as possible, he did seek some help in getting the roof membrane installed, acknowledging “that it would be tricky for one person.”


Having an understanding of heat loss and dew points, David was happy to carry out U-value and condensation risk calculations himself. He has been grateful for the support available during the project so far: “I swapped a few emails with the A. Proctor Group technical team to check things were okay,and Building Control have been really helpful on site as well.”


At the time of writing, most of the external works to the boat house are complete. David will move on to the internal works, where he plans to use the company’s Reflectatherm® Plus to the internal side of the timber frame. https://proctorgroup.com

bottom of page