The Benefits of Dry Ridge Roofing Systems

We’ve been in the roofing business for over 30 years now. In all that time we’ve worked with almost every type of roofing system available. But one product we’ve seen grown in demand is the dry ridge roofing system. One of the main factors for this surge in popularity is the fact that dry ridge roofs are incredibly resilient when standing up to the UK’s increasingly extreme weather conditions. As of 2019, the UK’s average rainfall reached nearly 1.5 meters, contributing to a stream of weather-related insurance claims. And because dry ridge systems provide a long-lasting, reliable roof with little maintenance at low costs, it’s not hard to understand why their popularity continues to swell.

So, with all that in mind, let’s have a closer look at the benefits of dry ridge roofing systems and what makes them such a great roofing solution.

What is a dry ridge system?

A dry ridge system is a method of fixing ridge tiles to a roof without using traditional sand or cement mortar as a bond. The ridges are attached using a dry fix system of screws and clamps between each ridge tile. And beneath those screws lay waterproof unions that carry out the job of diverting water away from the join and back onto the roof itself. Dry ridges are certainly more efficient than traditional mortar bonds and require little to zero maintenance once installed.

Here’s a short video of our man Phil Dalton, on a roof in Rotherham after carrying out a complete reroof using dry ridges.

What are the benefits of dry ridges?

There are plenty of benefits to having dry ridges installed on your roof. Let’s have a look at them:

• Low maintenance. Because dry ridge systems secure the tiles to a roof without the usual mortar method, there is little to no future maintenance involved. Mortar degrades over time, but with a dry ridge roof, your tiles will not need repointing.
• Fast installation: Dry ridges are easy to install and can save you significant amounts in labour and cost.
• Superior ventilation: Dry ridge offers excellent breathability and continuous ventilation space at the ridge. This goes a long way to helping you avoid any harmful condensation problems that may occur with a traditional roof.
• Flexible movement: It’s a fact that roofs do move. Be it through vibration from heavy road traffic or in dealing with the elements, many roofs can suffer from movement. However, that’s not the same with dry ridge systems as their flexibility helps them withstand all kind of typical movements.
• Totally weatherproof: Dry ridge systems are incredibly sturdy. Even throughout strong winds and bad weather you can be sure that the ridge tiles will not blow off or cause damage to your property. Furthermore, they are waterproof to prevent water from getting into your roof spaces, which can result in costly damage to your property.
• Fantastic compatibility: On top of all the benefits mentioned above, dry ridges are also compatible with almost all types of slates and roofing tiles. So, if your roof’s in need of a repair you may wish to consider installing a dry ridge roofing system.

What are the disadvantages of mortar roofing?

Traditional mortar roofing uses an adhesive formed of sand, cement and water to fix roof tiles in place. So, for this system to be a long-lasting solution, you need to be certain that the roofer knows how to bond and fix the tiles properly. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you need someone up there to stop water from leaking into your attic. And even if your roofer is the best in the business, the mortar will inevitably wear down over time anyway, causing it to swell and crack. Dry ridge roofs, on the other hand, are all fixed the same way and will remain in place once fixed.

How long to dry ridges roofs last?

Another benefit of dry ridge roofing is that it can remain maintenance-free for around 50 years. Providing the ridges are installed correctly and are of good quality, dry ridge roofs deliver an incredibly cost-effective roofing option that can go decades without repair. It’s great to know you that you won’t have to bother with an annoying leak from your roof.

Dalton Roofing’s Dry Ridge Roof Conclusion

As you can see, dry ridge roofing systems are all they’re cracked up to be. In fact, dry ridges are considered so robust that they’re now a building control requirement on all newly installed roofs. Of course, that includes some exceptions, such as English heritage buildings and repairs to existing roofs. Nevertheless, there’s little reason not to take advantage of many benefits that dry ridge roofing systems can bring to your property.

If you’re interested in our reroofing services or in need of a flat roof repair in and around Sheffield and the Peak District, feel free to call us on 0114 2799 799 or email us at info@dalton-roofing.co.uk.