Why Bespoke Flashings Can Make All The Difference
By Steadmans Technical Team
When discussing roofing and cladding systems, it’s natural for attention to focus on the larger elements of a building. The roof sheets, cladding panels, structural frame and the overall appearance of the finished project all tend to dominate conversations during design and construction.
It is often the smaller details that have the greatest influence on how a building will look aesthetically and how it will perform over time.
Flashings rarely attract much attention. They aren’t usually the most prominent feature of a building, and they’re often viewed simply as a finishing component. Yet they play a vital role in protecting some of the most vulnerable parts of the building envelope.
Over the years, we’ve seen numerous examples where the main roofing or cladding system has performed exactly as intended, but issues have arisen because insufficient attention was given to the detailing around cladding junctions and transitions.
Getting the detailing right from the outset can make a significant difference to both the overall performance of the building envelope and the appearance of a building.
Why The Building Envelope Matters
The building envelope separates the interior of a building from the external environment. Every component within that envelope has a role to play, and flashings are no exception. Flashings complete the junctions between cladding elements, keeping the external environment from entering the building. This allows the internal conditions of a building to be maintained whilst also protecting the building fabric from water ingress.
Rainwater naturally seeks the easiest path available. Once water finds its way into vulnerable areas, it can lead to a range of problems that are often far more expensive to address than they would have been to prevent, which is why effective detailing is so important.
What Do Flashings Actually Do?
At their most basic level, flashings are designed to protect the vulnerable areas of the building envelope where the external cladding cannot fully enclose a building against the elements, stopping rainwater and debris entering the building.
Flashings don’t just include the common ridge and eaves flashings that we see day in day out, they also are needed whenever a cladding system changes direction, terminates or meets another component. It is in these scenarios that careful detailing of the flashings is required.
Without the correct flashing solution, areas of a building can become susceptible to weather-related issues over time.
More Than Just Weather Protection
Whilst the primary function of a flashing is to seal and protect the building envelop, the appearance of a flashing should not be overlooked.
Flashings help to create clean lines, conceal exposed edges and provide a consistent appearance across the building.
Whether it’s a ridge flashing enclosing a roof or a jamb flashing completing a roller shutter door into the wall cladding, the flashing can contribute significantly to the aesthetic result of a building.
Every Flashing Has A Job To Do
A ridge flashing has to perform in a different way to a corner flashing, but both are equally important to complete the building envelope.
Each flashing is designed to address a specific challenge, that’s why detailing the correct flashing for an application is just as important as selecting the right cladding system.
Why Early Consideration Matters
It is best practise to think about flashing requirements earlier in the design process than many people typically do. Flashings are sometimes considered towards the end of the design process or once the roof and cladding systems have been installed.
However, considering the flashing requirements on a project earlier can often help avoid complications later by allowing details to be properly reviewed, dimensions confirmed and potential challenges identified before the cladding installation begins.
A Small Detail Worth Getting Right
At Steadmans, we manufacture a comprehensive range of metal flashings for roofing and cladding applications, to meet specific project requirements.
When it comes to roofing and cladding, it’s often the smallest details that make the biggest difference.
Steadmans is the leading UK manufacturer of building materials for the agricultural and steel building sectors, specialising in galvanised roofing sections, composite wall and roof sheets, metal cladding, roofing products and fibre cement sheeting.
For further information on Steadmans’ full range of products:
call: 016974 78277
email: [email protected] or
visit: www.steadmans.co.uk
