Ridgefast - any good?

[insert name here]

The local roofing guys, having saturated the market for UPVC fascias etc, are now turning there attention to the Marley Ridgefast system

got any experience of this? It is being billed as the answer to getting your ridge tiles re-seated every few years or so (mine have been okay for last 10 years). Also they claim that it can withstand higher wind speeds better than mortar-bedded ridges. Now that can't be a bad thing.

What's it likely to cost for an average modern 3 bed detached house?

I was thinking of getting the roof "done" sometime soon - sick of the verge pointing falling off every couple of years (original builder put too much sand in the mud he used). If it's any good I might include it in the requirements.

A.

[Chris Bacon]

That's a foreign concept to me. Ridge tiles go on, and stay on for a very long time, IMO. If they need fiddling with every 10, or even 20 years, there's something wrong.

If ridges will stand what's thrown at them anyway, there's no need for them to withstand twice or more (or whatever) that.

[keith_765]

This ridgefast system is a new idea. It is designed for the more modern type of roof, during construction, not for old type roofs. First thing you have to do is remove the original ridge, the top row of tiles/ slates and lath on both roof slopes. fix a timber the length of the ridge, strap this timber to the rafters with stainless steel strips provided, re place the top lath which secures the straps, re fix the tiles/ slates. Lay the vent strip length ways the full length of the timber, peel off the paper to the sticky side and press to the contour of the tile /slate. Lay the ridge centred on the roof inline with the ridge timber, fit the joining section between two ridge and screw the fixing screw into the ridge timber. Job done. Not suitable for hips. Take a look at it when its done and ask your self what fills the contours in it the tiles on the roof if they are not slates or flat tiles. As there is no contour fillers. Redland have one nearly the same idea. If you do go ahead ask what pitch it will go up or down to.

The dry verge depends on which roof covering you have as each tile manufacture as there own and all so how much overhang of tile/slate.

[dg]

If done properly, ridges should remain bedded for in excess of 40 years (depending on exposure). 50- 60 is common.

The key to you verge problems is 'verge pointing'. Any repointing is a waste of time on a roof. The verge tiles and ridge tiles should be rebedded complete in new mortar.

If some sharp sand is added to the building sand, then the end result is a longer lasting mortar.

The marley system is the answer to other problems - the requirement for fast turn around in new build, and the use of unskilled labour.

You will be charged a premium for this, and will get no benefit.

dg

[insert name here]

Thanks Guys, appreciate the info. Will stick with the existing ridges for now (why fix it if it ain't broken).

A.