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So far PiVi has created 1404 blog entries.

PIR or XPS for a flat roof: what determines the choice?

On a flat roof, the layer build-up is chosen first, and only then the insulation. A material beneath the waterproofing performs differently from a material laid above it. PIR and XPS can have different applications and parameters. Comparing λ alone ignores water, load and usage. These conditions are crucial for the durability of the roof. In a typical traditional build-up, the thermal insulation is located beneath the waterproofing layer. In an inverted roof the order is different: the thermal insulation lies above the waterproofing. It is therefore exposed to different moisture conditions. It requires a material intended and proven for such an application.

By |2026-11-14T10:56:27+01:002026-06-29|Building academy|Comments Off on PIR or XPS for a flat roof: what determines the choice?
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Renovating a barn while preserving its character: choosing the roof covering

Renovating a barn does not have to mean completely changing its appearance. A corrugated roof can retain the simple rhythm and the utilitarian character of the building's form. Corrugated fibre cement sheets should, however, be chosen on more than just their similarity to the old covering. The condition of the structure, the proportions of the sheets and the details at the eaves and gables all matter. Asbestos-free fibre cement makes it possible to consider a contemporary material in a traditional form, provided the solution is matched to the building and its future function. A barn's appearance is determined not only by the roof colour and the type of walls. The height of the ridge, the width of the eaves, the lines of the gables and the proportions of the large surfaces are also important. It is worth photographing these features before renovation and identifying which are to be retained.

By |2026-11-15T19:36:18+01:002026-06-26|Building academy|Comments Off on Renovating a barn while preserving its character: choosing the roof covering
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Can condensation form on an insulated wall panel?

Water can appear on an insulated panel even though the panel itself does not leak. This happens when water vapour meets a sufficiently cool surface. The problem often concentrates at joints, the plinth or a window. To resolve it, the temperature and humidity must be assessed, along with the airtightness of the details. An additional layer of foil alone does not guarantee improvement. Air contains water vapour. On cooling to a certain temperature, condensation can occur. The higher the humidity at the same indoor temperature, the more easily condensate forms on cool spots. This does not mean that the steel cladding produces water. It is a surface on which the phenomenon occurs.

By |2026-11-14T10:54:57+01:002026-06-19|Building academy|Comments Off on Can condensation form on an insulated wall panel?
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Why do two tile-effect metal roofs have such different prices per square metre?

The price of tile-effect metal roofing depends on what exactly you are buying. A square metre of the total sheet area gives a different result from a square metre of coverage, and a single module gives yet another. On top of that come the coating, the steel thickness and the roof details. Before you choose the cheapest item, bring the offers down to the same unit and the same scope. A price list may show a price per square metre of sheet, per square metre of coverage or per module. These are not equivalent units. The laps take up part of the material. They therefore affect the quantity of steel sheet you buy, although they do not increase the area of the finished roof. The same problem applies to comparing sheets of different widths.

By |2026-11-14T10:54:04+01:002026-06-18|Building academy|Comments Off on Why do two tile-effect metal roofs have such different prices per square metre?
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What costs make up a sandwich panel roof?

The cost of a panel roof is the sum of material, details and installation. The price of the panel per m² shows only one part of the bill. On a small roof area, flashings and equipment delivery can account for a large share. It is worth comparing full variants with the same requirements. A simple example shows how the cost of a completed job arises from the panel price. Describe the function of the room, the temperature and the humidity. Check the loads, the purlin spacing and the fire requirements. Only on this basis is the core and thickness selected. A roof over a heated service outlet has different needs from a canopy over an open storage yard.

By |2026-11-14T13:14:42+01:002026-06-17|Building academy|Comments Off on What costs make up a sandwich panel roof?
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Metal picket fencing: what sets it apart and when to use it

A metal picket fence is made of individual profiled pieces fixed to rails. This arrangement lets you control visibility and match the look to the property, unlike a solid sheet panel. When choosing, consider privacy, wind exposure, coating and the supporting structure. The picket shape alone is not enough: pickets are the bay infill, while loads go to the rails, posts and their fixing in the ground. The parts work together, so do not design them separately. A denser infill can alter how existing posts perform.

By |2026-11-14T20:36:50+01:002026-06-05|Building academy|Comments Off on Metal picket fencing: what sets it apart and when to use it
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Trapezoidal steel or PVC for the soffit at the eaves?

The choice between trapezoidal sheet metal and PVC soffit depends on the eaves width, the substructure and the ventilation requirements. Before deciding, check whether the chosen solution will block the air supply to the gap under the covering. Sheet metal is stiffer and allows colour matching, but the profile must be carefully selected to suit the eaves proportions. PVC is lightweight and forms a system with mounting strips, yet installation must account for thermal expansion. Compare the cost of the entire finish with profiles and labour, not just the material price.

By |2026-11-15T00:24:33+01:002026-06-03|Building academy|Comments Off on Trapezoidal steel or PVC for the soffit at the eaves?
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Replacing a discontinued corrugated sheet: how to find a compatible profile

Finding a replacement for a discontinued corrugated sheet is often harder than buying material for a whole roof. The name may have changed, and the sheet available today may have a different profile. Corrugated fibre cement sheets must be compared on the basis of data, not visual similarity. Asbestos-free fibre cement as a general category does not guarantee interchangeability. It is worth establishing whether an exact equivalent is needed or a designed repair solution covering a larger section of the roof slope. Purchase documents, markings, the date of the renovation and photographs of the whole roof will be useful. Information about earlier repairs is also important. Some sheets may already have been replaced with another product. If the composition of the old material has not been confirmed, a sample should not be taken by breaking or drilling.

By |2026-11-15T19:36:32+01:002026-06-01|Building academy|Comments Off on Replacing a discontinued corrugated sheet: how to find a compatible profile
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How do you calculate the full cost of a 200 m² trapezoidal steel roof covering?

Two hundred square metres of roof slope does not necessarily mean buying exactly 200 m² of sheet metal. Modules, cut-offs and laps must be taken into account. Flashings, fastenings and installation are added to this. The example below shows how to calculate a simple roof. The amounts are indicative and serve to compare scopes. They are not a current sales or installation offer. Measure the actual roof slopes, not the footprint. Pitch and eaves change the result. In the example we assume two rectangles of 20 × 5 m. Together they give 200 m² of roof. The 5 m length runs along the slope, in the direction in which the sheets are laid.

By |2026-11-14T13:14:24+01:002026-05-27|Building academy|Comments Off on How do you calculate the full cost of a 200 m² trapezoidal steel roof covering?
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Can an integrated photovoltaic roof be maintenance-free?

A photovoltaic roof can operate automatically for most of the time, but it does not relieve the owner of observation and planned maintenance. Both the covering and the electrical installation need care. This does not mean constantly going onto the roof or frequent washing. A sensible plan is based on instructions, environmental conditions and specific signals. This makes servicing predictable instead of appearing only when there is a leak or a fault. After proper commissioning, the inverter and other devices control the normal operation of the installation. The owner does not have to switch on production every morning or adjust connections to the weather. Monitoring can automatically record data and signal certain events.

By |2026-11-15T19:36:02+01:002026-05-26|Building academy|Comments Off on Can an integrated photovoltaic roof be maintenance-free?
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