IE56240B1 - Roofing systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A roofing system exhibits a facia board 1, which is located on the eaves under the tiles 5, and a spacer element 8 which is inserted between the roofing tiles and the facia board. The element 8 includes a first part 9, which extends outwards from the facia board 1 and has downwardly directed ventilation openings which allow an air flow from outside the roof into the interior of the roof, and an upwardly directed free edge part 11 which forms a bearing for the roofing tiles 5, as a result of which the roofing tiles are spaced apart from the upper edge of the facia board. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the free edge part is secured detachably on the spacer element and may exhibit a comb-shaped filler piece which can be adapted to differently profiled roofing tiles. ……

Description

This invention relates to roofing systems.

It is important in any roofing system to provide adequate ventilation of the roof space beneath the roof covering so as to reduce the effects of condensation which can cause premature deterioration # of the rafters and other roof components. To this end, it is desirable to provide means at the eaves ϊ of a building which permit the flow of air from & outside the roof to the interior of the roof space.

Where the roof covering is supported at the eaves by a fascia board or the like, it is known to interpose between the roof covering and the underlying fascia board spacer members which define openings for the flow of air into the roof space.

This approach to providing ventilation has the advantage that installation of spacer members is straight forward and they may if desired be applied to an existing roof without the need for extensive structural alterations.

However, problems can arise with such arrangements in accommodationing a range of different roof coverings, for example differently profiled roof tiles or slates, since it is important to ensure that the gaps defined between the contoured tiles and the fascia board or spacer members are suitably blocked or filled to prevent access being gained by insects or birds into the roof space. Problems can also arise in securing the roof covering at the eaves when a spacer member is present, and, in the case ! of a tiled roof, tile clips often cannot readily j be fixed with the result that it may be required 1 to use nails which are simply hammered through the spacer members into the fascia board? this is inconvient and can result in the spacer members being damaged.

Finally, in several known arrangements, the air flow openings defined by the spacer members face outwardly from the roof, and with such arrangements there is a tendency for rain water or water running off the roof to flow back into the roof space via the spacer openings, and clearly this is undesirable.

Viewed from a first aspect the present invention provides a roofing system comprising a fascia board or the like underlying the roof covering at the eaves of the roof and a spacer member interposed between the roof covering and the fascia board, said spacer member comprising a first portion which extends outwardly from the fascia board and includes downwardly facing openings permitting the flow of air from outside the roof to the interior of the roof space, and an upstanding free edge portion providing support for the roof covering whereby to space the covering from the top of the fascia board.

Thus, in accordance with the invention the ventilation openings are downwardly facing and the tendency for rain water or water running from the roof to enter the roof space is minimised. Furthermore, the free edge portion of the spacer member providing support for the roof covering may provide several advantages. For example, in certain advantageous embodiments the edge portion is adapted directly to engage and thus support the roof covering, in which case where the spacer member is adapted for use with for example a contoured roof tile the free edge portion may be shaped to match the profile of any one particular type of tile whereby undesirable gaps which might provide access for birds or insects are not defined below the tile. Thus, in such embodiments the shape of the free edge portion will depend on the particular roof covering concerned, and in certain instances it may have a flat horizontal upper edge, for example when the roof covering consists of flat tiles or slates, or alternatively may have an undulating upper edge which is matched to a particular roof tile shape.

The free edge portion of the spacer member may be formed integrally with the first portion, or alternatively may be detachably mounted thereto for example by engagement in suitable slots or , a channel formed in the first portion. An advantage of a detachable free edge portion is that a single first portion may be adapted for engagement with * a variety of differently contoured tiles simply by fitting thereto edge portions of the appropriate shape. In either case the free edge portion may itself include ventilation apertures which although being sufficiently small to prevent the entry of birds or insects, assist further in ventilating the roof space. Alternatively, the free edge portion may comprise a comb-like filler portion or portions which engage the tiles and conform to the contours thereof, whereby to block the spaces beneath the tiles whilst at the same time providing ventilation.

Such filler portions are known from e.g. EP45489 and are advantageous in that they may adapt to different tile shapes. The teeth of the comb-like filler may all be the same length as is usual with this type of filler, or alternatively the lengths of the teeth may vary such that the filler is partially shaped to the underside of a particular type of tile. It should be added that whilst any ventilation openings provided by the free edge portion will, unlike the openings in the first portion, be outwardly · facing and thus more vulnerable to rainwater passing therethrough, in practice such openings will be above a layer of roofing felt or the like provided beneath the tiles and accordingly such water cannot enter the main roof space.

In one Preferred embodiment, the spacer member includes an integrally formed free edge portion presenting a flat horizontal edge adapted for direct engagement with flat tiles or slates, means being provided for mounting thereto additional, detachable edge portions whereby the member may be adapted if desired for use with contoured tiles. The additional edge portions may either comprise comb-like filler portions or alternatively shaped portions adapted for engagement with a specific type of tile.

The roof covering is preferably secured at the eaves of the system by means of suitable clips engaged with the spacer member whereby the use of nails is avoided. Where an integral free edge portion is provided, e.g. wire roof tile clips may conveniently be engaged in suitable apertures formed therein, where the free edge portion is detachable, however, the roof covering should be secured to the first portion of the space member.

This may be achieved for example by means of wire tile clips which extend beneath the first portion and engage in respective ones of ventilation apertures formed therein, or alternatively by means of clips formed of a sheet material which engage in suitable apertures formed in a forwardly projecting part of the first portion» In the latter case, the fowardly projecting part may constitute a so-called drip edge of the first portion adapted to direct water impinging thereon into an underlying eaves gutter, the drip edge including a plurality of slots adapted to receive respective tile clips.

The slots adapted to receive the clips are preferably covered by a readily penetratable membrane whereby those slots not engaged with a tile clip may remain sealed.

In a preferred embodiment of an integrally formed spacer member, the member is generally L shaped in cross-section, the first and upstanding portions constituting the two arms of the V. Transverse strengthening ribs are preferably provided to prevent bending of the member under the weight of the roof covering, and such ribs may conveniently be adapted to support one end of a so-called antiponding member which may be in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid strip and which extends inwardly from the spacer member, underneath the roof covering, and provides support for an underlying layer of roofing felt so as to prevent sagging of the felt and the formation of a water trap adjacent the eaves. The anti-ponding member being upwardly spaced from the ventilation openings of the first portion also ensures that the roofing felt does not block the ventilation openings and thus restrict the flow of air therethrough into the roof space.

The upstanding free edge portion of an integrally formed spacer member may also be adapted to provide indirect support for the roof covering in that the edge portion need not engage directly the overlying covering or roof tiles. For example, an anti-ponding member of the sort discussed above may rest on the free edge portion, which in this case presents a flat upper surface, and the tiles in turn may rest on top of the anti-ponding member. In a preferred such arrangement the anti-ponding member mounts a filler portion which is separate from the spacer member, for example a comb-like filler, adapted to accommodate profiled tiles and to prevent the ingress of birds or insects. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the inclination of the filler portion is not fixed in relation to the spacer member and may be varied to provide an appropriate angle of attack of the filler portion relative to the roof tiles or covering for a variety of roof pitches.

A roofing system in accordance with the invention preferably further comprises ducting means secured to the rafters adjacent the eaves of the building effective to prevent roof insulating material, which is typically pushed firmly into the eaves from within the roof space, inhibiting the air flow from outside the roof into the interior space.

The spacer member may conveniently be secured directly to the top of the fascia board, e.g. by nailing* The first portion may additionally be provided with an upstanding ledge adjacent its inner edge which further protects against water entering the roof space via the ventilation openings.

Preferably, the system includes a plurality of spacer members and anti-ponding members along the length of the fascia board.

The invention extends to a spacer member for a roofing system as set out above, and thus viewed from a second aspect the invention provides a spacer member adapted to be interposed between the roof covering and a fascia board or the like at the eaves of a roof, said member being generally L shaped in cross-section and comprising a first portion adapted to be secured to and extend outwardly from a fascia board or the like, the first portion . , whifh in use face downwardly, including ventilation openings / and a free edge portion mounted or mountable to the first portion and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom, such free edge portion being adapted to provide support for the roof covering in use.

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an integrally formed spacer member; Figure 2 is a sectional view of part of the eaves of a roofing system incorporating the spacer member of Fig 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of integrally formed spacer member; Figure 4 is a perspective view on a reduced scale illustrating the use of the spacer member of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a sectional view of part of a roofing system including the spacer member of Figs 3 and 4, further illustrating an eaves ducting member? Figure 6 is a sectional view of part of the eaves of a roof system illustrating a further embodiment of spacer member provided with a detachable freeedge portion supporting the tiles; Figure 7a and 7b illustrate different forms of edge portion adapted for engagement with the spacer member of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but illustrating the use of a wire tile clip for securing the tiles at the eaves? Figure 9 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale illustrating the wire tile clip shown in Figure 8? and Figure 10 is a sectional view of part of the eaves of a roofing system wherein the free edge portion of the spacer member provides indirect support for the tile, the tiles resting on an antiponding member carrying a filler portion.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the eaves of a roofing system comprise a fascia board 1 secured to the end portions of roof rafters 2, and a soffit 3 which extends between the wall 4 of the building and the fascia board 1 as is conventional. The lowermost row of roof tiles 5 is supported at the front end thereof by a transverse batten 6 secured to the rafters, and a layer of roofing felt 7 is disposed beneath the tiles 5.

In accordance with the invention, spacer members 8 are interposed between the fascia board .1 and the tiles 5. The embodiment of spacer member 8 shown in Figure 1 is integrally formed and is generally L shaped in cross-section, including a first portion 9 having formed therein a plurality of slotted ventilation openings 10, and an upstanding free edge portion 11 adapted directly to engage and thus support the tiles. Tranverse strengthening ribs 12 extend between the portions 9, 11 to prevent bending of the member under the weight of the tiles in use. The illustrated embodiment of spacer member may conveniently be integrally moulded from a suitable plastics material.

As shown in Figure 2, each spacer member 8 is secured to the top of the fascia board 1 by means of nails passing through apertures 13 in the first portion 9 such that the portion 9 extends outwardly from the fascia board. The tiles rest directly on the upper edge of the upstanding portion 11 and are secured thereto by means of clips 14 engaging in suitable apertures in the portion 11.

A rigid anti-ponding strip 15 extends between the rafters 2 and the spacer member 8, and is supported and spaced from the top of the fascia board by the strengthening ribs 12 of the member 8. The anti-ponding strip is effective to prevent sagging of the roofing felt 7 adjacent the eaves which can otherwise result in the formation of a water trap behind the fascia board and also can restrict the air flow into the roof space» Moreover, the anti-ponding strip being upwardly spaced from the apertures 10 prevents the roofing felt sagging so as to block the apertures and restrict the air flow.

As illustrated by the arrows A in Figure 2, the spacer members define a flow path for the ventilation of the interior roof space, the tiles and roofing felt being spaced upwardly from the top of the fascia board. Since the ventilation openings 10 are downwardly facinq the possibility of rain water entering the roof space via such openings is minimised. However, as ilustrated the first portion 9 of each member 8 includes at its inner edge an upwardly projecting ledge 16 which further ensures against water seeping into the roof space via the ventilation openings.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the tiles 5 are generally flat in crosssection and thus the upper edge of the upstanding portion of the spacer member is also flat. However, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 an integrally formed spacer member 8 may easily be adapted for use with differently contoured roof tiles. In this embodiment, the upper edge of the upstanding portion 11 includes curved portions 17 such that complimentary engagement occurs with a contoured roof tile 5, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, gaps are not defined beneath the tiles which might otherwise provide access for birds or insects to the interior of the roof space.

As illustrated in Figure 3 the portions 17 are slotted such that ventilation is further increased. Although the slots face outwardly and as such there may be a tendency for rain water to pass therethrough, this is acceptable since the slots are located above the roofing felt. Therefore, any water passing through the slots in the portions 17 will collect on the felt and flow back out of the roof space via the downwardly facing ventilation openings .

Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated part of the eaves of a roofing system similar to that shown in Figure 2, only incorporating the spacer member and tiles illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 5, a ducting member 20 is secured to each rafter 2 adjacent the eaves.

Such a member is effective to prevent the roof insulating material 21 inhibiting the flow of air into the interior roof space. Thus, the ducting member defines flow channels between the insulating material 21, which is generaly pushed firmly into the eaves from inside the roof space, and the tiles 5 and roofing felt 7.

Turning now to Figure 6 there is illustrated an embodiment of spacer member 6 wherein a detachable free edge portion 30 is provided which directly engages and supports the tiles 5. The portion 30 engages at its lower end in slots 31 formed in the transverse stengthing ribs 12 of the spacer member 8.

The provision of a detachable edge portion 30 which, as shown in Figure 7a and 7b, may either be in the form of a slotted portion 30’ adapted for engagement with a specific tile profile or alternatively may be in the form of a toothed filler portion 30 capable of adapting to a number of tiles, has the advantage that the spacer member may readily be adapted to suit a number of different types of tile simply by interchanging the edge portions. It will be seen that the embodiment of spacer member illustrated in Figure 6 also includes an integrally formed free edge portion 11, similar to that of the member illustrated in Figure 1, presenting a flat horizontal upper edge? in this way, the basic member illustrated in Figure 6, without the provision of a detachable portion 30, may itself be used to support e.g. plane tiles or slates. As shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the edge portions 30’, 30 are provided with attachment loops 32 whereby such portions may if desired be secured eeg. by nailing directly to the top of a fascia board in a roofing system of the sort wherein a spacer member providing ventilation of the roof space may not be required.

Clearly, where a detachable free edge portion is provided, the tiles cannot be held in place by being secured to such portion by clips such as those illustrated in Figure 2 or 5, and it is necessary to provide means whereby the tiles are secured to the first portion 8 of the spacer member, this portion being firmly mounted to the fascia board I. As shown in Figure 6 this is achieved by means of a clip 33 (shown in outline) adapted for engagement at its upper end over an edge portion of the tile, and extending at its lower end through a suitable slot-like aperture 35 formed in a forwardly projecting part 34 of the spacer member. The part constitutes a so-called drip-edqe adapted to channel any water impinging thereon into the central region of an underlying eaves gutter (not shown).

The drip-edge is preferably formed with a plurality of closely-spaced tile clip receiving apertures which are covered by a sealing membrane, the membrane being readily penetratable by the lower part of a clip 33. In this way, problems in aligning the clips 33 with specific apertures 35 are avoided, and those apertures not engaging a clip remain sealed whereby the channeling of water from the drip-edge is unimpaired. The clip 33 is preferably formed of a relatively soft metal such as aluminium whereby the lower end thereof may readily be manually bent laterally beneath the drip edge 34 such that subsequent removal from the aperture 35 is prevented.

As shown in Figure 8, an alternative method of securing the tiles 5 is by means of a wire clip 40 having an upper hook-like portion 41 adapted for engagement over the side edge of a tile, and having a wedging portion 42 adapted for engagement in one of the downwardly facing ventilation apertures 10 of the spacer member. In this way, the requirement of apertures in the drip edge 34 covered by a sealing membrane is avoided.

Referring lastly to Figure 10, an alternative embodiment is illustrated wherein a free edge portion of the spacer member does not directly engage the underside of the tiles, but is effective indirectly to support the tiles. Thus, in this embodiment the anti-ponding strip 15 is not supported by the strengthening ribs 12 of the member 8, but rather rests on top of the free edge portion 11, which in this embodiment is integrally formed with the member and presents a flat horizontal upper surface. Thus, the anti-ponding strip 15 is interposed between the tile 5 and the supporting free edge portion 11 of the member 8. As shown in Figure 10, the anti-ponding strip mounts at its lower edge a filler portion 45, which may be of similar construction to the edge-portions 30' or 30 illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b, adapted to the shape of the tiles 5 whereby undesirable gaps are not defined beneath the tiles.

The arrangement of the filler portion mounted on an anti-ponding member, is advantageous in that an appropriate angle of attack of the filler portion relative to the tiles may be achieved regardless of the pitch of the roof. The tiles 5 in the Fiqure 10 embodiment may conveniently be secured either by means of the clips 33 shown in Figure 6 or by means of the clips 40 shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Claims (21)

1. A roofing system comprising a fascia board or the like underlying the roof covering at the eaves of the roof and a spacer member interposed between the roof covering and the fascia board, said spacer member comprising a first portion which extends outwardly from the fascia board and includes downwardly facing openings permitting the flow of air from outside the roof to the interior of the roof space, and an upstanding free edge portion providing support for the roof covering whereby to space the covering from the top of the fascia board*

2. * A roofing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the free edge portion is formed integrally with the first portion*

3. * A roofing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the free edge portion is detachably mounted to the first portion.

4. * A roofing system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the free edge portion is provided with ventilation apertures.

5. A roofing system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the free edge portion includes a comb-like filler portion or portions*

6. * A roofing system as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the roof covering is secured at the eaves of the building by means of clips enagaged with the spacer member.

7. A roofing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said clips are wire clips which engage in apertures formed in the free edge portion*

8. * A roofing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the clips are wire clips which extend beneath the first portion and engage in the ventilation apertures formed therein.

9. A roofing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the clips are formed of a sheet material and engage in apertures formed in a forwardly projecting part of the spacer member.

10. A roofing system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said apertures in said forwardly projecting part are covered by a readily penetrable membrane whereby those apertures not engaged with a tile clip remain sealed.

11. A roofing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spacer member is generally L shaped in cross-section, the first and upstanding portions constituting the two arms of the L.

12. A roofing system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the spacer member further comprises transverse strengthening ribs to prevent bending of the member under the weight of the roof covering.

13. A roofing system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said ribs support one end of a rigid or semi-rigid strip extending inwardly from the spacer member, underneath the roof covering, and providing support adjacent the eaves for an underlying layer of roofing felt.

14. A roofing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upstanding free edge portion of the spacer member is formed integrally with the first portion thereof and provides indirect support for the roof covering.

15. A roofing system as claimed in claim 14 wherein a rigid or semi rigid strip extending inwardly from the spacer member, underneath the roof covering, and providing support adjacent the eaves for an underlying layer of roofing felt is supported at one end thereof by the free edge portion, and the roof covering rests on said strip.

16. A roofing system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said strip mounts a filler portion which engages the underside of the roof covering. 1.5

17. A roofing system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising ducting means secured to the rafters adjacent the eaves effective to prevent roof insulating material inhibiting the flow of air from outside the roof into the roof space.

18. A roofing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first portion of the spacer member additionally comprises an upstanding ledge adjacent its inner edge.

19. A spacer member adapted to be interposed between the roof covering and a fascia board or the like at the eaves of a roof, said member being generally L* shaped in cross-section and comprising a first portion adapted to be secured to and extend outwardly from a fascia board or the like, the first portion including ventilation openings, and a free edge portion mounted or mountable to the first portion and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom, such free edge portion being adapted to provide support for the roof covering in use.

20. Roofing systems substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

21. Spacer members substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.